ASK MAULANA

This night is known as Lailatul Qadr in Arabic and its English equivalent is the Night of Destiny. Common belief is that the Night of Destiny can be found in the final phase of Ramazan. However similar to scientific discoveries, finding it is the result of a long and arduous process of seeking. A scientist spends years studying the subject and researching it, and after a long, gruelling effort, he makes that one discovery. Similarly, finding the Night of Destiny involves years of effort and supplication. A believer is required to spend a lifetime so that a prepared mind which realizes the supreme greatness of God and one's own humility comes into being, only then can he be hopeful of finding this night and his prayer being accepted by God. What are the rituals to be observed by Muslims in this night. Is it to be observed collectively or individually? There are no rituals as such. One has to spend the whole night in prayer and supplication. It could be done in the mosque or in the privacy of one’s home. It should be observed in all seriousness and sincerity. Anything serious is not connected to any kind of loud behaviour. Every aspect of such an activity will be sombre and solemn. Each one will be wishing for solitude, peace and quiet to supplicate to God. Seeking forgiveness from God cannot be a public or a loud affair. One can understand the kind of atmosphere one needs to be able to do such worship. Is there any particular qualification to receive the blessings of this night? To answer this question it is important to understand the following incident from the Prophet’s life. During the month of Ramazan the Prophet was in seclusion (etikaf) practised in the final phase of Ramazan. Then he came out of the mosque but went back in again. He later told his Companions that an angel had come to pass on the knowledge about the Night of Destiny. When the Prophet came out to inform the believers, he saw two of his people quarrelling with each other. Instantly, the knowledge of the Night was taken away from the Prophet’s mind. This incident has a great lesson for the believers. The quarrel was not an armed battle: the two believers were merely arguing, but even a verbal fight is enough to have the divine knowledge taken away. Those who adopt the path of violence can never become the recipients of divine blessings.