Catch These Special Deeds Before Ramadan
Lailatul Qadr – Night of Honour
Talk by Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkestani
Dr. Mozammel Haque
[From Previous Issue]
I know there are
only few days and nights left of the blessed month of Ramadan, but still there
are two important nights, the 27 and 29 nights of the blessed month of Ramadan
that could be the Lailatul Qadr. Who knows, Allah knows better. That’s why, I
am again repeating what Dr Saifuddin said about the importance and significance
of Lailatul Qadr, How can we catch it? Taubah Rependence; What we have to do:
To be involved into More Ibadah and to be closer to Allah: Make Qur’an Your
Friend. This is why Dr. Saifuddin Turkistani said in his talk four years ago. So
I am going to explain one after another in his words a) Lailatul Qadr; b)
Taubah Repentence; c) To be involved More in Ibadah and d) Make Qur’an our
Friend.
About the Talk
Professor Dr. Ahmad bin Saifuddin Turkestani gave a talk on “Catch These Special Deeds Before Ramadan” four years ago on 15 Ramadan 1441 Hijri at the Islamic Centre for Kuwait (ICK) on an invitation of an organiser. Addressing the gatherings and audience Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said, “Brothers and Sisters, I am inviting to a very special meeting - very special one at a very special time – special day, i.e. Friday.” He thanked the organiser at ICK – the Islamic Centre for Kuwait – because they had trust and interest.
About Dr Turkistani
I want to
repeat here again to introduce him. Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin
Turkestani is a professor in the College of Media and Communication at the Imam
Muhammad Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was also Former Head
of Cultural Affairs Section at the Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom
and worked as Director at the Institute of Islamic Studies and Arabic Sciences
in Washington under the Ministry of Higher Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The talk was delivered four years ago in 1441 A.H. That’s why I have to
edit it.
Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said that half of the month have passed but the forthcoming days are no less than what “we have passed; in fact, the second half is precious and greater opportunities for the Muslims in the month of Ramadan.”
Though Dr Turkistani talked about the last ten days and nights – the Lailatul Qadr – a few years ago, still the significance and importance of Lailatul Qadr remains the same and will be the same in the coming days and years. That’s why, I thought I must mention what he said about Lailatul Qadr.
Lailatul Qadr
Speaking about the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadan,
Professor Ahmad mentioned about Lailatul Qadr. He explained the importance and
significance of this night first. He said, “Let me say that these ten days
contain Lailatul Qadr – Lailatul Qadr is the Night, is the Night of the
Revelation of the Glorious Qur’an. It is the night that if anyone is accepted
in their worship and in their dua and coming forward towards Allah, it would
have, wishes of Allah, for 83 years, to be exact, 83 years and four months. The
1000 months – 1000 months imagine. And this is exactly the same – the Glorious
Qur’an, let me recite Suratul Qadr. To know the significance of this night.
Night of Honour & Prestige
Professor Ahmad continued: “This is the night of Honour & Prestige
and the saver, which was revealed the Glorious Qur’an in this night and Allah
says oma adraka lailatul Qadr Are you in this
night? Lailatul Qadr Alf-e-Sahr, not only you will worship in
this night –this particular time – amount of time – which can be found in one
night during nine night or ten nights in the last ten days of the month of
Ramadan. So if you are very fortunate, if you catch this night before it is
over, you will never know whether you would be here in or none of us. Nobody is
certain that they would be here again next year or the year after – although we
asked Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala long life in the worship of HIM
Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. But that’s catch the moment.”
After reciting the Suratul Qadr, Professor explained the greater opportunity lies in that night the Night of Lailatul Qadr. He said, “Lets take the opportunity – kairum min Alf-e Sahr better than 1000 months– Subhanallah – it is like you devoting your life 83 years and 4 months in the worship of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala a accepting all the good things – the great opportunities and for some reason it was hidden. We don’t know exactly which night it is. Yes; some scholars, even Ibn Abbas (R.A.) it is the night of 27; but you know with calendars and not knowing for certain which night Ramadan is and there is in different months in different countries and localities when Ramadan started; nonetheless we will say that it is for certain in the ten nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. Sure; so if we get it ourselves this; this night from the beginning from the 20th day, because as you know the night precedes day; so when we say 21st, it means it is on the 20th night; means 20th day; so 5 days from now. We can have that opportunity, Insha Allah. To catch this night.”
How can we catch it? Taubah Repentance
Dr Ahmad ibn Saifuddin asked: “How can we catch it? That’s the question.
It is what you call it one billion Hasanat question. Yes, indeed. How can we
catch it?” and he quickly answered, “First we have to do certain things. I
advise myself and my brothers and sisters to do this. We need it to catch it
starting it from Taubah. Repentance is very essential. Before we get into
worship we need to cleanse our heart. We need to receive the barakah the mercy
and the blessings of this night and to be in a good situation to receive all
the good in it by coming forward towards away from everything that we have done
that in the past. We need to come forward to receive the blessings. And that
comes only through Taubah. Taubah from everything that we did in the past; to
be determined not to do it again. Not to get involve into wrong doings,
although we know the nature of human beings.”
“As soon as we remember we come back
just as Ibrahim peace be upon him. He comes back time after time towards Allah.
We need to renew our intention every time in order to come closer and closer to
Allah and to stay away from all bad things. We may fall in that human beings
commit wrong things. But the most Allah loves those who repent every
time. In the Hadith: Those who make mistakes and repent Allah loves them
because they come to Allah if they commit mistakes; they do wrongs they come
back to Allah. That is a key brothers and sisters. That is the key to repent to
Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala; repent sincerely from the bottom of your
heart and ready for ten nights and beyond. It is just only the start. Let’s
renew. Allah has given the opportunity – to live to this moment and to come
Insha Allah – to the end of Ramadan. If that is the case then we are very
fortunate,” said Professor Ahmad Saifuddin.
Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin reminded that many
people wanted to come back and wanted to do good deeds. He said, “How many
people are under the ground wishing to come back and to do something good but
are not able to do it. So we need to do that. So Taubah is very very important
and very significant; if you have done something wrong against anyone; like
taking their rights; like taking their money, their wealth, violating their
honour; you are thinking you want to come back; you want to think is it
possible; we tried to rectify situations. You have done something wrong you
correct it now – Taubah is the way. Allah loves those who can; Allah loves
those who repent.”
Involve into More Ibadah:
How do you do it
Professor Ahmad Saifuddin then mentioned about Ibadah and Night Prayer
and Reading Qur’an. He said, “Secondly, starting from the first night, the 21st night
which precedes the 20th day of Ramadan to get involve into more
Ibadah. How do you do it? Well just like in the Hadith, When Ayesha (Radhi
Anha) said: ‘When it is the ten days Prophet peace be upon him wake up and stay
up all night; also in their house, they stay away from intimacy. This is not a
time for intimacy; time for Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala for
your own benefit. It is a time we need to devote for Allah Subhanahu Wa
Taala in order to be trained; in order to love this and what is better
than to stand before Allah – Salah – standing before Allah; recite the Glorious
Qur’an; doing Taraweeh, doing Tahajjud; although it’s the same – Tahajjud is
the same word for Qiyam. Qiyam is for the first part of the night, second part
of the night or the last part of the night. People have come to Taraweeh the
early part of the night. Someone told Ibn Umar the importance of standing up at
night; Abdullah ibn Umar after knowing the significance of the Qiyam al-Lail,
he never left Qiyam-al-Lail at any night of the year. You can do it at any
night – no exception.”
“But try to make it like starting
point for you every night as much as you can. Read two Rakaats, then you get
tired. No take it easy. Take step by step; train yourself and you will love it.
I know from the stories of righteous people. It is possible for them to do
Qiyam even on travel; when they were travelling on train, or at airport.” He
mentioned.
“So Lets make this Ramadan a beginning to stay and pray at night – never
miss a night prayer even if it is two rakaats, or four rakaats – whatever is
possible for you; wake up last part of the night, its better; even half an hour
before the Azan to Allah,” said Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin and added, “By the way,
meet Allah if you will closer to him and strive to do that. Once you do it, you
are waiting for some one to see it who stands up in night for prayer and they
make Istaqfar at Sahoor time, which is before dawn, before Fajr.”
Second Part
In this part Professor Turkestani discussed mainly
on the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and Itikaf.
To be closer to Allah
Professor Turkestani said, So we get involved in
this night in prayer, in recitation of the Qur’an, in dua, in being kind to
people around us within the family, to the neighbours, to outside to the world,
just to say good word, be nice, be kind, be generous, just like Prophet peace
be upon him, so generous all time; even he was more generous in the month of
Ramadan. So these are the good deeds; Sometimes we may say well we have done
our prayer; what? Be versified; try to make different kinds of worship. I can
read a book on Sirah; I can read a book on the interpretation of the Qur’an.
That’s part of worship. That’s part of the righteous deeds. It has not to be
recitation of the Glorious Qur’an all times.”
My recommendations:
Make Qur’an Your Friend
Professor Ahmad emphasized, “Though my
recommendations for myself and for you is to be as close as much to the
Glorious Qur’an; be with the Qur’an at all times; make Qur’an your friend, very
close friend- where you enjoy to be always being together; its take time, be
attachment. Again like Salah, you feel much attached to the Glorious Qur’an. So
we need to do that and nothing better than to recite the Qur’an in prayers. So
in prayers you are joining two things – praying and you are reciting the
Glorious Qur’an at the same time. I recommend reading the Glorious Qur’an,
particularly during the last ten days and nights of Ramadan this time.”
Professor Turkestani also mentioned, “Anything you
feel tired or you want to take rest. Yes rest and listen to the Glorious
Qur’an. Even listening to it is good. Nowadays some books – audio books for
example, have the interpretation. There are some trusted Islamic audio books –
I recommend to read that Book of Alushr Alakheer, the the
Heart of Qur’an because it is a great book.” This book is available on the net
–emphasizing the point – Tawheed – That’s the
cornerstone of Islam.
Tawheed –
cornerstone of Islam
Speaking about Tawheed, Professor Ahmad Saifuddin
said, “The cornerstone of Islam is Tawheed – is to sing with
Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala not to take partners – not to
associate anyone, anything with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. That’s
the basis – in fact, the Qur’an and the Sunnah is all about this. Even the
start, the Qur’an see the discussion and the dialogue among the Prophets and
there we will find they are always talking about Tawheed and devoting yourself
to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, not to associate partners, not to take
anyone, not to worship or dua or supplication. Your tawakkul or your dependency
on Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala – everything you do for worship
towards Allah and get it from Allah asking help; the thing no one else will be
able to do it except by asking Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. That is
the essence of it.
When we do it? Can we do it in odd nights?
Professor Turkestani enquired: When we do it? Can
we do it in odd nights? And immediately replied, “Yes, You can do it in odd
nights. There is much opportunity in the Lailatul Qadr, in the last ten part of
the month of Ramadan. They alternate. According to the scholars of Islam,
Lailatul Qadr does not stay on every night on every year, on 27th or
even on the odd nights. It could be coming on the even nights; it could come on
any night; it could be even on the first night of the last ten days or the last
one. Allah knows. We don’t know. So the best thing is to seek it during last
ten nights from the beginning of the last ten days and until the end of them
and Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala for good reason, kept it hidden.”
“Prophet Sallallahu wa Sallam was told that which night it is of the month. When he came out, the Companions were going to tell them about that. But two persons were quarrelling. There were discussions and they got involved into these terrible discussions so Prophet Peace be upon him forgot. And he said Subhanallah. I was about to tell you; but I forgot as soon as I came out and found out two people were quarrelling,” Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin mentioned.
Lailatul Qadr is hidden:
Wisdom of Allah the Almighty
He also said, “So quarrel is not good. Even if you
have a right, try not to quarrel but to convince people nicely and calmly. If
they do not accept it, it is upto them. You don’t go to force it; you don’t
need to shout. The reason why the Lailatul Qadr is hidden; it’s good. It’s for
a good reason; it has wisdom of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. To
hide it in order for us to get more, to seek, even if, suppose that we have in
27th of Ramadan, we can still do some good in the other nights
because the more good you do you are; you are not catching Lailatul Qadr;
however you should be keen, you must be very to do this; that’s the very
important and significant in that sense much interested.”
Itikaf
Speaking about Itikaf in this
special circumstances Covid-19 Pandemic, Professor Ahmad Saifuddin said,
“Coming to worship, that cannot be done nowadays in the special term or sense
which is Itikaf because Itikaf is done in the
Masjid. However, according to some scholars, if you have a place for worship
devoted a part of your house to the worship – such as a place for women to
pray, away from the noise and from the other rooms where people are in and out,
then you could make Itikaf; it is permissible. Sheikh Saad al-Fatri
gave this Fatwa recently this month saying that it is permissible for a person
or it is possible for a man or any member of the family to seclude themselves
to make Itikaf in their own place of prayer. Not in any corner
of the house, not in your bedroom, not in your reception or saloon or whatever.
No; only in the place where it is devoted and specialised for offering the
Salah. If that is a case you can do it.”
Stay away from TV and Social Media
Professor Turkestani said about the value of time
in these ten days and night. He said, “Lets say, I would take Itikaf in the
general sense, which is to in isolation, a time you need to come back to
yourself to reflect, to stay away from noise of children and homes and whatever
happened to you and to come towards Allah in recitation of the Glorious Qur’an
and in the dua and in just contemplating your life and in planning for your
future. Stay away especially in the last ten days and we need to make fasting
from two things: first from television and secondly from social media. They
take your time; they steal your time and you should be very very cautious not
to let you to do that; turn on TV and watch – things will take us from one
programme to another and so on and so forth and you find you lost so much time.
And the same social media. Social media is helpful if you can use it just only
for contact; see that is very very important; so we need to stay away from that
in order of time day and night for these ten nights, especially as I said as
per general sense of itikaf.”
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