Night of Qadr (Devine Preordainment)

By
Ustaz Syed Hassan Alatas

Translated by Zainur Alsmi bt. Sharif   

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him in a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and four months).Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibril (Gabriel)) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees.(All that night), there is peace  (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” (Surah Al Qadr: 1-5).

Allah sent the first verse from the Al Qur’an in the night of the Qadr, a night of respect and determination as Ordained by Allah. Allah S.A.W. awarded the Prophet S.A.W. the highest honour by sending him the Al Quran and He also sent the angels including Gibrail to organize all events. This night is also called the Night of Devine Preordainment since it is during this night that Allah Ordained what the Prophet S.A.W. will face and encounter.

The decree of this night is better than 1000 months (worshipping Allah in that night is better than 1000 months of worship). Whoever worships Allah during this night of utmost respect is better than worshipping him for 1000 months at other times. They will enjoy the vitues and rejoice with it (Surah Addukhan :3). We should therefore worship Allah most sincerely and perform as much worship as we can during Ramadan, particularly during the last 10 days of it. This will enable us to get the special award of doing worship for 1000 months.

Those who perform prayers, read the Quran, read praises for Allah (“zikir”), study and fully understand the religion, perform righteous deeds and strengthen the bonds between Allah and His subjects or between man and man will all  be rightly rewarded by Allah.

Men of faith will have to strive with their utmost effort to to stay awake during this night and keep their prayers, chanting and praising Allah, reading the Quran and deepening their knowledge on Islam, particularly about the fast in Ramadan. Allah will accept their worship and give them the rewards for worshipping Him for 1000 months. God willing, they will be protected till the sun rises.