1,000 reasons to wonder..(Part 2)

Everytime I publish something here, I feel - "Oh god! I missed out on some more I couldve shared on the same topic"

Subb-haanallah, Islam is soooo full of facts and reasons; if we take time to research, we will find a priceless and endless jewels!

Well, continuing from where I last left off - in the previous entry I only mentioned the adhmat (greatness) of the Night of Qadr. Having understood how important this night is, I wanted to further share a little about the A'amaals of Qadr and the actual sentiments we should perform them with. By this I mean, mentioning the reasons behind the 'aamaals of Shab e Qadr, and what impact they have on our fates being re-written for the following year, Inshallah..

While I was researching on the material for this topic, I was overwhelmed thinking - did I really achieve anything out of the 'aamaals i have performed all these years of my life?? Well, Inshallah I hope we can achieve the best out of the Laylatul Qadr 'amaals this year, and have the best written for us in our fates for the coming years (Aameen)

I should mention here, that I was inspired to write-up this entry by reading through alot of material online, as well as listening to two excellent lectures I found online, by Sheikh Murtaza Alidina and Sheikh Muslim Bhanji based on the Nights of Qadr & their 'Aamaals. Thus, I was able to compile what is below:

PERFORMING THE 'AAMAALS OF LAYLATUL QADR - IN ITS TRUEST ESSENCE:
Amongst the many aamaals performed in these nights, the main ones, especially for the 23rd night are as follows:

(1) Performing Ghusl - physically AND SPIRITUALLY: It is highly recommended to perform Ghusl on Laylatul Qadr. However, to achieve more of Allah's pleasure, lets do it this time, not only with the intention of physically cleaning ourselves, but also with the niyyat of starting our Spiritual cleansing from this point onwards. Here, we need to build courage to face Allah (SWT) with our book of deeds, heavy with sins - but with the readiness to repent and correct our past mistakes.

(2) Mustahab Salaat of 2 rak'aats: After having cleansed ourselves spiritually - by getting ourselves mentally prepared to face the Almighty Lord (SWT), with the hope of forgiveness of Sins, and the will power to change ourselves for the better - we stand infront of him and perform a 2 raka'at Salaat.

In each raka'at, we recite Surah Al Hamd, praising the Almighty (SWT) - the Lord of the Universe; and seven times, reiterate the One and Only Lord we turn to, and believe in - by reciting Surah Al Ikhlaas (7 times). This Salaat of ours is an act of devotion, which should further reinforce in us, feelings of dependance on Allah (SWT) for all our affairs, not only in this night, but every day and night - Inshallah

(3) 70 times Istaghfaar: When doing istighfaar (dhikr of repentance: Astaghfirullaha wa atuboo ilaih meaning I ask for Your Forgiveness Oh Allah, and I turn to You!), we should make sure we achieve the most by:

(a) Acknowledging atleast 70 sins we commit

(b) Feeling guilty for committing those sins

(c) Fixing our past, by asking for sincere forgiveness

(d) Fixing our future, by promising to not commit that sin ever again

Hence, your tasbeeh of Istighfaar would not only be an act of repentance, but also a promise to the Almighty (SWT) that you will not commit the things you have previously done to displease Him.

(4) Performing the 'Qur'an Aamaals': When we perform these 'aamaals, we should pay special attention to what we are reciting.

In the first part of the 'aamaals, we hold the Qur'an in our hands and acknowledge the greatness of the Book of Allah (SWT) - the Divine message, the COMPLETE message; the WORD OF ALLAH in OUR hands - the hands of sinners!

Ask yourself at that point: Am I really deserving to hold this Miraculous Book of Allah??? Alas, I have not even taken time out to read and ponder on what it unfolds for me..I have just made it the zeenat (beauty) of my Prayer room / my Azaa khaana; and I make strenuous efforts to complete its recitation during the month of Ramadhan every year.

(Sigh)

Promise yourself at that point: I am not going to use this Book of Allah (SWT) solely to beseech my Haajaats in this Holy night - because it has power to do alot more! It has the message that will guide me to change my fate every day and night - and Inshallah, I will do justice to it by not only studying it, but truly following it too...(Inshallah)

The second part of the Qur'an 'aamaals require us to hold this Holy book on our Heads; and give the waseela of the 14 ma'sumeen (AS) to beseech our Haajaat.

Realise at this point: The power of what you are holding above of you!

"Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would certainly have seen it falling down, splitting asunder because of the fear of Allah" (Surah Al Hashr - Ayah 21)

Do we even realize the strength of the mo'jiza we so casually hold above our heads at this point?

Do we even know the completeness in this source of Guidance we hold ahead of us?

Think, ponder...as you call out to the Ma'sumeen (AS) as your waseela, pray to them to help you understand the gravity of the Holy Book you hold in your hand; and realise the important part it will play in shaping your destiny in this World and the Hereafter...

Also realize that you are holding the Qur'an on your heads; basically you are having your fate re-written on this great night, under the shade of this Holy Qur'an; Inshallah, you should have faith and tawakkul in the Almighty (SWT) that your loyalty towards the message of His Holy Book - will prove loyalty towards you as protection from all evils and calamities for the following year - Inshallah.

Promise yourself at that point: This Book that I hold in my hand, and on my head - I will keep this Holy Book and Message of Allah (SWT) ahead of me in all the things I do in my life. This Qur'an, will precede my thoughts and actions - so that I can gain true perfection, and the true Guidance that Allah (SWT) had planned for me - Inshallah!

Coming up in: (Part 3) 1,000 reasons to wonder...

Why should we perform the following on Shab e Qadr:

Du'a e Makaarimul Akhlaq

Du'a e Tauba

Du'a e Jaushan e Kabeer

Surahs Ankaboot, Ruum and Dukhaan

Iltemase du'a - Sadaf Zahra