Searching for Layalat-Al-Qadr – When Thousands of Angels Descend

Layalat-al-Qadr, also know as "The night of power" is a night of worship worth 83 years and a night when Angels come to Muslims worshiping Allah.

Laylat-al-Qadr is a blessed night of power in Islam. Laylat-al-Qadr shall come on a peaceful and serene evening according to the hadith (the words and deeds of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him*). It's said that it will be a night of peace; a night when it is neither cold nor hot; a night when a Muslim's heart will be at peace.

Laylat-al-Qadr falls in the last ten days of Ramadan; it usually falls on an odd day, such as the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th of the month. Though there have been some hadiths that indicate that Layalat-al-Qadr has occurred on even days of the month. Muslims search for Layalat-al-Qadr during the last ten days of Ramadan; during this period, they are prepared for Allah's blessings.

 

Muslim Belief in Shaking Hands With Angels

When the Muslim is fasting in Ramadan and supplicating to Allah, many forget to ask to have an accepted Layalat-al-Qadr. On an extremely beautiful night — said to be worth 1,000 months of prayers and worship — it's believed that the Angel Gabriel descends with 70,000 angels to shake the hands of the worshiping Muslims.

According to Islamic belief, the word of peace may be said by Angel Gabriel to Allah's servants on that most blessed and sacred night.

The Quran describes the event, saying, "Indeed We sent it [the Holy Quran] down on the Night of Power. What will convey to you what the Night of Power is like! Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months in that Night the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace it is, till the break of dawn." (Sura Al-Qadr, verses 1-5)

The "spirit" mentioned here refers to the Blessed Angel Gabriel descending on the earth where believing Muslims greet him; he and the angels shake the hands of all devoted servants of Allah. Muslims believe that these last ten days are a good time to perform I'tikaf or Seclusion in the Mosque.

Angel Gabriel and the other 70,000 angels will make Dua (supplication) for all humanity and believing Muslims on this evening. It's believed that there are several signs of a successful "Night of Power" also such as goose bumps on the arms, tears in the eyes when praying and taraweed salat (voluntary prayers performed late at night). Some believers have actually reported a movement in the hands. It's said that a peacefulness or serene feeling in the heart should accompany these feelings also.

 

Who are the Angels, According to Islam?

Belief in angels is the second pillar of faith in Islam and on the shahadah (declaration of faith in Islam). Not only do Muslims believe in Gabriel, but the Muslims believe in all angels sent from Allah.

According to the Quran, "The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All believe in Allah, His Angels and His Messengers." (Sura Baqarah, verse 285)

Angels are made from light, where the jinn were created from a smokeless fire. To believe and love the Angels is part of the Islamic faith. It's said that Angel Gabriel was the angel who gave the verses of the Quran to Prophet Mohammad, so he is much-loved by all Muslims.

On this topic, the Quran says, "Say: Who is an enemy to Jibreel (Gabriel)? For it is he who brought it (this Quran) down to your hearts, by Allah's permission, confirming that which was before it, and as a guidance and a mercy to the believers. Whoever is an enemy to Allah, and to His Angels, and to His Messengers, and (in particular to) Jibreel and Mika'el (Michael), then let him know that Allah is an enemy to the disbeliever." (Sura Al Baqarah, verses 97-98)

 

Layalat-Al-Qadr is The Night of Power

Laylat-al-Qadr is a blessed night of power; it's not a night that should be taken lightly or missed. The night arrives unexpectedly, so devout Muslims look for the signs during the last days of Ramadan; many watch the sunrise for confirmation as to whether the night was, indeed, Layalat-al-Qadr.

It's said that on the morning following Layalat-al-Qadr, the sun will be like a flat disk with no rays visible until the sun rises half way in the horizon. Muslims believe that the miracle of Allah will astonish and amaze people who witness the beauty of the horizon alongside the sun's glory. When the signs are observed, devout Muslims rush to prayer and thank Allah for being among those who has witnessed this miracle.

* Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

Resources:
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A Special Layalat Al-Qadr Prayer for Ramadan

This is a very long prayer for Layalat al-Qadr , which is translated by Dr. Muzammil Sidiqqi. This prayer has been condensed to show the main parts only.

Layalat al-Qadr is a night when the Muslim, who is worshiping Allah, believes he will be granted the reward of 1000 months of worship. The 1000 months is equal to 83 years and no amount of supplication, voluntary prayers or good deeds could equal this same reward for a Muslim in this life. Muslims believe that it is imperative to search and implore Allah, The Benefactor, to grant and allow the sighting of Layalat al-Qadr.
Dr. Muzammil Sidiqqi is the President of the Fiqh Council and currently the Director of Buena Park, California Mosque. Muslims around the world will benefit from the very beautiful and loving prayer that has been given as a gift.

 

The Beginning of the Prayer for Layalat Al-Qadr

The prayer for Layalat Al-Qadr begins with: "God the Almighty has spoken the truth. There is no God but He, Unique in His Majesty. Perfect in His beauty with honor and greatness. He the exalted in His glory has revealed the Quran upon His servant so that he be a warner for the worlds. His Prophet, many blessings and salutations be upon him, has also spoken the truth."

According to Islamic beliefs, God, Allah has told all of humanity the truth, not just Muslims. Notice that the attributes to Allah are always capitalized, such as "His Majesty," "The Creator" and "The All Knowing."
Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammad has spoken the truth and for believers, it's vital to listen to his message. Prayer plays a vital role in Islam.

 

Part Two of the Layalat Al-Qadr Prayer

In the second part of prayer for Layalat Al-Qadr, the Muslim says: "Our Lord, all thanks and praise belong to You and Your mighty favors and great blessings. You revealed to us the best of Your books and sent to us the most supreme among Your messengers and established for us the best rules of the Religion that You chose for us and You guided us to the elevated principles of the religion of your choice and based on Five rules: the Declaration that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayers, giving for the Zakat (charity), fasting during Ramadan and Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah."

In all prayers, Muslims believe they must thank Allah and offer praise to him. Notice that "You" and "Your" is again capitalized as this refers to Allah. When praying to Allah, Muslims believe that he must be offered great respect if they are to expect a satisfactory answer. In Islam, there is great value placed upon remaining humble during prayer and speaking from the heart.

 

Part Three of the Layalat Al-Qadr Prayer

"O Allah, You are the forgiver, You love to forgive so forgive us. O Allah, Your mercy is greater than our sins. O Allah, Your mercy is greater than our sins. O Allah, You said and Your word is true! 'Call me and I shall respond to your call' So here we are standing humbly and obediently before You, we confess our sins, so forgive our errors and have mercy upon us and over our sins with Your mercy, O the most Merciful."
In order for a Muslim to receive mercy in this life and the next, the heart must be filled with remorse for past sins and love for Allah.

 

Part Four of the Prayer

"O Allah, let us live as Muslims and let us die as Muslims and keep us in the company of the righteous. O Allah, save us with Islam whether standing, sitting or sleeping and give not any joy to our enemies or to those who are jealous on our misfortunes. O Allah, make our last deeds the best deeds and the conclusion of all our deeds good and the best of our days the Day we shall meet you. O Allah, You are the most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive us."

This particular prayer is a very emotional experience for the devout Muslim. At this part in the prayer, tears are often pouring from the individual's eyes as he begs for forgiveness and mercy.
There is also a great deal of emotion due to the eager anticipation of Layalat al-Qadr; the night arrives unexpectedly, so devout Muslims look for the signs during the last days of Ramadan. Many watch the sunrise for confirmation as to whether the night was, indeed, Layalat-al-Qadr.

It's said that on the morning following Layalat-al-Qadr, the sun will be like a flat disk with no rays visible until the sun rises half way in the horizon. Muslims believe that the miracle of Allah will astonish and amaze people who witness the beauty of the horizon alongside the sun's glory. When the signs are observed, devout Muslims rush to prayer and thank Allah for being among those who has witnessed this miracle. Muslims believe that it is good to be in seclusion in the mosque seeking Allah's reward on Layalat al-Qadr.

 

The End of the Prayer

The prayer ends with: "Glory to our Lord, The Mighty and Exalter be He from all they ascribe to Him. Peace be upon His messengers and Praised be Allah the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and companions."

Islamic hadith and tradition says to send peace to Prophet Mohammad in the beginning and end of all prayers.

To read the entire prayer read here:


*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

Resources:
Muslim Voices
Mission Islam

Photo courtesy of Photobucket: green_lover_4ever