“Lailatul-Qadr”, The Peak Of Celebrating The Qur’an

The Qur’an is God’s revelation sent down to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final and most complete piece of revelation in the continued chain of divine revelation, which had been going on since the early human history. Its innermost purpose has always been God’s warning to man not to live only for material purposes, but should take the spiritual values seriously, thus worshipping God alone, and following His guidance.

To celebrate the revelation of the Qur’an is to celebrate the greatest bounty and favor from God to humanity. Muslims are ordered to perform fasting in the month of Ramadan, and the peak of this celebration, in addition to observing the duties of the entire month, is to intensify the devotion to God during the Lailatul-Qadr (the Night of Sublimity or Night of Predestination).

Although it is the duty of every Muslim to be always honest, active, generous, devout and behaving in good manners, he is expected on those sacred occasions, notably in the blessed Night of “Lailatul-Qadr”, to be more resolute in controlling him/herself, and to intensify and increase his/her good deeds.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: “Whosoever performs prayers of the Night of Sublimity with deep faith and has been highly hopeful of God’s reward, will have his/her previous sins forgiven” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

That blessed Night is better than a thousand months. God says: “Behold, from on high have We bestowed this (divine writ) on the Night of Ordainment (Sublimity). And what could make you conceive what it is, that Night of Ordainment? The night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months: in hosts descend in it the angels, bearing divine inspiration by their Lord’s permission; with every command. It is peaceful until the rising of the dawn” (97:1-5).

In this Chapter (97) God mentioned “anzalna” (= We have sent down). So we may understand that the whole Qur’an already descended on that night, from “al-Lauh al-Mahfoudh” (= the Preserved Tablet), and started gradually to be revealed at that night, as we see in Chapter 85 Verse 22. Because we see in Chapter 3 and Chapter 15 God mentioned “nazzalna” as follows: “Behold, it is We Ourselves Who have bestowed from on high, step by step, this Reminder: and, behold, it is We Who shall truly guard it (from all corruption)” (15:9).  

  

God, the Merciful, has made the anniversary of this revelation a fortunate occasion for the believers during every month of Ramadan. He has made it an opportunity for them to get His blessings, mercy and forgiveness:

“Consider this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. Behold, from on high have We bestowed it on a blessed Night: for, verily, We have always been warning (man). On that (Night) was made clear, in wisdom, the distinction between all things (good and evil) at a behest from Ourselves: for, verily, We have always been sending (Our messages of guidance)” (44:2-5).

Consequently, to celebrate the Qur’an is to recite it, to understand it, to ponder upon its important messages, which may enlighten one’s inner self and visions. Among the greatest favors of God is that He made the verses of the Qur’an so simple, plain and easy to understand, although they sum up the very high philosophy of the inner life (as Abdullah Yusuf Ali has written in his commentary on the Quran). In the Qur’an, we find: “And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to bear in mind, so is there anyone who is willing to take it to heart?” (54:17). “Will they not, then, ponder over this Qur’an? Or are there locks upon their hearts?” (47:24).

Abdullah bin ‘Amr narrated the Prophet’s saying: “The one who was devoted to the Qur’an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: Recite and ascend (in ranks), as you used to recite in the world, for indeed your rank shall be at the last verse you recited” (Reported by Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).

Certainly those who will ascend to the higher rank are the ones who recite the Qur’an with deepest contemplation, with affection, feeling and true devotion. All that should definitely and positively affect their behaviour considerably in their worldly life.