The Month of Ramadan and the Night of Power

THE holy month of Ramadan bears special significance due to the fact that the holy Quran was first revealed on the holy prophet (PBUH) in this month. In the words of Allah - "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the same number of days. Allah desireth for your ease. He desireth not hardship for you, and (He desireth) that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. (2:185).

Islam is the complete code of life and the month of Ramadan demands that it should be propagated and practiced widely so that people could know what Allah's commandments are. In this blessed month the believers offer extended prayers like the non-obligatory ones called Nawafil in general and the Taravi (extra prayers following the Esha prayer) (wherein the entire quran is recited by the Huffaz those who have memorized the entire quran by heart) over this one month. This helps the believers to be reminded of their duty and responsibility vis-a-vis the dos and the don'ts in Islam.

Ramadan gives a unique opportunity for being reminded constantly of Allah's commandants contained in the holy Quran. And if all the commandments are followed rigidly the problems confronted in everyday life by man will be eliminated and peace will reign supreme since rights of all will be secured and obligations discharged.

The holy month of Ramadan is important because in this month the month-long fasting - abstaining from food, drink, sex, any evil such as backbiting, slandering, etc - from predawn to dusk was made obligatory on the believers to attain piety. In this regard the holy Quran says - "O Ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)-" (2/183). Fasting helps one to physically experience the pains of hunger and thirst suffered by the destitute and thereby makes one to be compassionate to the less fortunate ones in the society. It invokes their sympathy and induces them to help others. The month-long exercise of patience and forbearance helps a man/woman grow spiritually, too for he/she refrains from the forbidden things only for Allah and his pleasure. So Allah, too gives rewards for such acts profusely beyond one's imagination.

And the other thing which makes the holy month of Ramadan extremely important is that during this month Allah (SWT) has kindly ordained the night of power - "Lailatul Qadar" - which is better than a thousand months. The holy Quran says: - "In the name of Allah, the beneficent the Merciful,

1. Lo! We revealed it in the night of power.

2. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the night of power is!

3. The night of power is better than a thousand months.

4. The angels and the spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.

5. (That night is) peace until the rising of the dawn (AL-QADAR)"

The "Ebadat" (worship) done in this night brings immense reward. People are seen engaged in prayers and supplication in anticipation of such night so that they are purified and attain piety. No one knows which night of the month is the night of Qadr. There is an indication that it is after the 20th of Ramadan and falls on an uneven night i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. But some hold the opinion that the 27th night is the night of Qadr and hence by and large people try to pass this night in "Ebadat". And Ebadat is expected to be accepted by Allah (SWT) if dos and don'ts as dictated by the holy Quran and the Sunnah are strictly followed and Ramadan is observed in its spirit and essence. Then the believer will have peace here and salvation in the hereafter.