The Night of Sublimity !

         Abu Hurairah related the saying of the Prophet

         (God’s blessings upon him): “Anyone who stays

         awake for the Night of Sublimity (Lailat-ul-Qadr) 

         with faith and for the sake of God, will have all 

         his previous sins forgiven” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).

“Lailat-ul-Qadr” (The Night of Sublimity) was the night therein God revealed the Qur’an for the first time to Muhammad (God’s blessings upon him), whom He chose as the last and the Seal of Prophets.

What is that Night of Sublimity? God says in the Qur’an:

“We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Sublimity. And what will explain to you what the Night of Sublimity is? The Night of Sublimity is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God’s permission, on every errand: Peace it is until the rise of Morn” (97.1-5).

The sublimity of this night lies in the great favor endowed by the Almighty to humanity with the blessed revelation of the Qur’an. Furthermore, it has other gracious gifts: “By the Book that clarifies. Indeed We revealed it on a blessed night. Indeed We are ever warning. In that night every definitive matter is distinguished. As an ordinance from Our side. Indeed We are ever sending (Our messages of guidance). (And that is) as a grace from your Lord. Surely He is all-Hearing, all-Knowing” (44:2-6).

According to Sayidah ‘Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (God’s blessings upon him), “during the last ten days of Ramadan, Prophet Mohammad would pray a lot, wake his family for a night prayer and perform many good deeds” (Al-Bukhari).

Then it is expected that Muslims everywhere, until now, and always will celebrate this occasion earnestly, by multiplying their prayers and good deeds, appreciating this blessed night, the Night of Sublimity!

The excellent reward promised to those who celebrate this event, is of course valid only for those who are taking this act seriously with the pure intention that they will continue to be faithful to God and obey His ordinances.

The reward is not for those who just take this event as a mere exhilaration, for as the blessed Prophet said: “The value of an action depends on the intention behind it” (Muslim & Nasaie).

And it is an occasion for Muslims everywhere to pray to God to help the oppressed people in Palestine, in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Burma, Central Africa and wherever they are.