Keeping the Night of Decree
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The eighth question of Fatwa No. ( 2392 )
Q8: How is the Night of Decree kept; is it through prayer or by reading
the Qur'an, the Prophetic biography, preaching and guidance, and holding celebrations for it in the mosque?
Vol. 8: First: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) exerted himself in the last ten nights of Ramadan in a way he did not in the rest of the month, through prayer, recitation, and supplication. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Riyad as-Salihin 1223 . And it is narrated in the collection of Ahmad and Muslim : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 796Sahih (Darussalam) . Second: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged standing in prayer on the Night of Decree with faith and seeking reward. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2193Sahih (Darussalam) It was narrated by the group of hadith collectors except Ibn Majah , and this hadith indicates the prescription of keeping this night alive through standing in prayer. Third: Among the best supplications to be made on the Night of Decree is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated it and graded it as authentic, from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said: As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 64:1283 .
Fourth: As for specifying a particular night of Ramadan as the Night of Decree, this requires evidence that identifies it to the exclusion of the others. However, the odd-numbered nights of the last ten are more likely to be the Night of Decree than the others, and the twenty-seventh night is the most likely of the nights to be the Night of Decree, due to the hadiths that have come regarding this, which indicate what we have mentioned. Fifth: As for religious innovations, they are not permissible, neither in Ramadan nor in any other time. It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sahih Muslim 1718a , and in another narration: Sahih Muslim 1718b . Therefore, what is done in some nights of Ramadan in the form of celebrations, we do not know any basis for it. The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and the worst of matters are their innovations. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q8: How is the Night of Decree kept; is it through prayer or by reading
the Qur'an, the Prophetic biography, preaching and guidance, and holding celebrations for it in the mosque?
Vol. 8: First: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) exerted himself in the last ten nights of Ramadan in a way he did not in the rest of the month, through prayer, recitation, and supplication. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.
كان إذا دخل العشر الأواخر أحيا الليل وأيقظ أهله وشد المئزرThe Messenger of Allah would struggle (to perform Salat more) during the last ten (nights) more than he would struggle in the rest of it.
كان يجتهد في العشر الأواخر ما لا يجتهد في غيرهاWhoever spends the night of Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.
من قام ليلة القدر إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبهI said: O Messenger of Allah, what do you think if I knew which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say in it? He said: Say: O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love pardon, so pardon me
قلت: يا رسول الله، أرأيت إن علمت أي ليلة ليلة القدر ما أقول فيها؟) قال: قولي: اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعف عنيFourth: As for specifying a particular night of Ramadan as the Night of Decree, this requires evidence that identifies it to the exclusion of the others. However, the odd-numbered nights of the last ten are more likely to be the Night of Decree than the others, and the twenty-seventh night is the most likely of the nights to be the Night of Decree, due to the hadiths that have come regarding this, which indicate what we have mentioned. Fifth: As for religious innovations, they are not permissible, neither in Ramadan nor in any other time. It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردHe who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.