The most
unlucky person in the world is the one who did not make it to have all his past
sins forgiven in the month of Ramadhan.How many people are lying in the graves, who had thought that they could make it to Ramadhan this year. They never made it !!
We are lucky to get a chance this year !!
The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him." [Ahmad (2/246) and Bayhaqi (4/204)]
Its not too late, we have the 'Night of Power' (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in hand.
The Messenger (SAW) said: "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Iman (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins." [Bukhari and Muslim]
'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.
The Night Of Power is better for us than one thousand months of our personal lives in this world. Even if we were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for us.
ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)
The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to enliven and enjoy it. This Night is a 'Night of Mercy', a 'Night of Blessing', a 'Night of Peace' and a 'Night of Guidance'. It is a 'Night of Unification' between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH SWT may look forward to the Night of Power.
Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. It will be as if he/she is born again now, free from sins and errors.
Aa'isha (RA) said: "When the last ten days of Ramadhan arrived the Messenger (SAW) used to abstain (from contact a with his wives) and he would establish the nights. He would awaken (his family) to do the same also." [Bukhari and Muslim]
I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins and free of errors. Everyone would like to meet ALLAH SWT on the Day of Judgment without sins.
Every one of
us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate
ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every
one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself
without anguish or torment.The Night of Power is one of the best way in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason we must start looking for it, so that we will be able to observe it and enjoy it.
Imam Bukhari reports from 'Aishah that the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would tighten his waist-cloth (i.e. detach himself from his wives), spend the night in worship and awake his family, during the last ten nights of Ramadhan.
As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night. But this doesn't mean you should stick to 27th night only.
The Signs of the Night of Qadr.
The Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) described the morning of the night of Qadr so that the Muslims can know which night it is.
Ubayy (RA) said : "On the morning of the night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin until it raises." [Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (RA) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) and he said: 'Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is like half a bowl.'" [Muslim]
Ibn Abbas (RA) said that the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) said : "The night of Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabarani, Ibn Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]
It
can be summarized into the followings:
So we ask
ALLAH SWT to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during
this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and
forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.