There are five most important night in Islam in which a Muslim should seek ALLAH [S.W.T]’s favors (i.e. Forgiveness, Blessings, Bounty, Fulfillment of any fair wishes) through performing Nafil Prayer (Voluntary Prayer).
These Five Nights Prayer Are-
- Lailat-ul-Miraj Prayer (Prayer of the Night of Ascent) – [i.e. 27th Rajab or [Rajab al-Murajab]]
- Lailat-ul-Barat Prayer (Prayer of the Night of Forgiveness) – [i.e. 15th Shabaan or [Shabaan al-Muaazzam]]
- [Lailat-ul-Qadar Prayer (Prayer of the Night of Decree) - [i.e. last seven nights of Ramadan or [Ramadan al-Mubarak] (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 respectively)]
- Lailat-ul- ‘Id–ul-Fitr Prayer (Night Prayer of Eid–ul-Fitr) – [i.e. 1st Shawwal or [Shawwal al-Mukarram]]
- Lailat-ul- ‘Id–ul-Adha Prayer (Night Prayer of Eid–ul-Adha) – [i.e. 10th DhU al-Hijja or [DhU al-Hajja]]
Selected Hadith Regarding Lailat-ul-Qadar (Night of Decree), Lailat-ul-Miraj (Night of Ascent, Isra-Mi’raj, Heavenly Journey)
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2: Belief, Number 34:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] said, “Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2: Belief, Number 36:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] said: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12: Characteristics of Prayer, Number 777:
Narrated Abu Salama:
Once I went to Abu- Sa’id Al-Khudri (R.A) and asked him, “Won’t you come with us to the date-palm trees to have a talk?” So Abu Said (R.A) went out and I asked him, “Tell me what you heard from The Prophet [S.A.W.S] about the Night of Qadr.” Abu Said (R.A) replied, “Once ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] performed I’tikaf (seclusion) on the first ten days of the month of Ramadan and we did the same with him. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) came to him and said, ‘The night you are looking for is ahead of you.’ So The Prophet [S.A.W.S] performed the I’tikaf in the middle (second) ten days of the month of Ramadan and we too performed I’tikaf with him. Gabriel (R.A) came to him and said, ‘The night which you are looking for is ahead of you.’ In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan The Prophet [S.A.W.S] delivered a sermon saying, ‘Whoever has performed I’tikaf with me should continue it. I have been shown the Night of “Qadr”, but have forgotten its date, but it is in the odd nights of the last ten nights. I saw in my dream that I was prostrating in mud and water.’ In those days the roof of the mosque was made of branches of date-palm trees. At that time the sky was clear and no cloud was visible, but suddenly a cloud came and it rained. The Prophet [S.A.W.S] led us in the prayer and I saw the traces of mud on the forehead and on the nose of ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S]. So it was the confirmation of that dream.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 32: Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh), Number 232:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:
Some men amongst the companions of The Prophet [S.A.W.S] were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] said, “It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 32: Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh), Number 238:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan ,’ on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e. 21, 23, 25, respectively).”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54: Beginning of Creation, Number 446:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “Angels (P.B.U.T) keep on descending from and ascending to the Heaven in turn, some at night and some by daytime, and all of them assemble together at the time of the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you over-night, ascent unto ALLAH [S.W.T] WHO asks them, and HE knows the answer better than they, “How have you left MY slaves?” They reply, “We have left them praying as we found them praying.” If anyone of you says “Amin” (during the Prayer at the end of the recitation of Surat-al-Faitiha), and the Angels (P.B.U.T) in Heaven say the same, and the two sayings coincide, all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54: Beginning of Creation, Number 462:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “On the night of my Ascent to the Heaven, I saw Moses (P.B.U.H) who was a tall brown curly-haired man as if he was one of the men of Shan’awa tribe, and I saw Jesus (P.B.U.H), a man of medium height and moderate complexion inclined to the red and white colors and of lank hair. I also saw Malik (P.B.U.H), the gate-keeper of the (Hell) Fire and Ad-Dajjal amongst the signs which ALLAH [S.W.T] showed me.” (The Prophet [S.A.W.S] then recited the Holy Verse): “So be not you in doubt of meeting him’ when you met Moses (P.B.U.H) during the night of Mi’raj over the heavens” (32.23) Narrated Anas and Abu Bakr (R.A): “The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “The Angels (P.B.U.H) will guardMedinafrom Ad-Dajjal (who will not be able to enter the city ofMedina).”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 5, Book 58: Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar), Number 227:
Narrated Abbas bin Malik:
Malik bin Sasaa (R.A) said that ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] described to them his Night Journey saying, “While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here.” I asked Al-Jarud (R.A) who was by my side, “What does he mean?” He said, “It means from his throat to his pubic area,” or said, “From the top of the chest.” The Prophet [S.A.W.S] further said, “He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me.” (On this Al-Jarud (R.A) asked, “Was it the Buraq, O Abu Hamza (R.A)?” I (i.e. Anas (R.A)) replied in the affirmative). The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “The animal’s step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal’s sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel (P.B.U.H) set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven. When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) answered, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has Muhammad been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam (P.B.U.H) there. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me). ‘This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) answered, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) answered in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened. When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and ‘Isa (i.e. Jesus) (P.B.U.T) who were cousins of each other. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me), ‘These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.’ So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph (P.B.U.H). Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me), ‘This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Gabriel’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Idris (P.B.U.H). Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me), ‘This is Idris; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked. ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. Then it was said He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Harun (i.e. Aaron) (P.B.U.H), Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said, (to me). This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.’ I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked. ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. It was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Moses (P.B.U.H). Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me),’ This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ When I left him (i.e. Moses (P.B.U.H)) he wept. Someone asked him, ‘What makes you weep?’ Moses (P.B.U.H) said, ‘I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enterParadisein greater numbers than my followers.’ Then Gabriel (P.B.U.H) ascended with me to the seventh heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked,’ Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel (P.B.U.H) replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Abraham (P.B.U.H). Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said (to me), ‘This is your father; pay your greetings to him.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.’ Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary) Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place nearMedina) and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said, ‘This is the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary). Behold! There ran four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible, I asked, ‘What are these two kinds of rivers, O Gabriel?’ He replied,’ As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and theEuphrates.’ Then Al-Bait-ul-Ma’mur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) remarked, ‘This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.’ Then the prayers were enjoined on me: They were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses (P.B.U.H) who asked (me), ‘What have you been ordered to do?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.’ Moses (P.B.U.H) said, ‘Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by ALLAH [S.W.T], I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your LORD and ask for reduction to lessen your followers’ burden.’ So I went back, and ALLAH [S.W.T] reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses (P.B.U.H), but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to ALLAH [S.W.T] and HE reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses (P.B.U.H) he said the same, I went back to ALLAH [S.W.T] and HE ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses (P.B.U.H), he repeated the same advice, so I went back to ALLAH [S.W.T] and was ordered to observe five prayers a day. When I came back to Moses (P.B.U.H), he said, ‘What have you been ordered?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.’ He said, ‘Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your LORD and ask for reduction to lessen your follower’s burden.’ I said, ‘I have requested so much of my LORD that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Order.’ When I left, I heard a voice saying, ‘I have passed MY Order and have lessened the burden of MY Worshipers.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 6, Book 60: Prophetic Commentary on the Qur’an (Tafseer of The Prophet [S.], Number 232:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] was presented with two cups one containing wine and the other milk on the night of his night journey atJerusalem. He looked at it and took the milk. Gabriel (P.B.U.H) said, “Thanks to ALLAH [S.W.T] WHO guided you to the Fitra (i.e. Islam); if you had taken the wine, your followers would have gone astray.
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 6, Book 60: Prophetic Commentary on the Qur’an (Tafseer of The Prophet [S.], Number 233:
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:
The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, “When the Quraish disbelieved me (concerning my night journey), I stood up in Al-Hijr (the unroofed portion of the Ka’ba) and ALLAH [S.W.T] displayed Bait-ul-Maqdis before me, and I started to inform them (Quraish) about its signs while looking at it.”
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 76: To Make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq), Number 583:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said: “While I was walking inParadise(on the night of Mi’raj), I saw a river, on the two banks of which there were tents made of hollow pearls. I asked, “What is this, O Gabriel?’ He said, ‘That is the Kauthar which Your LORD has given to you.’ Behold! Its scent or its mud was sharp smelling musk!” (The sub-narrator, Hudba (R.A) is in doubt as to the correct expression.)
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 77: Divine Will (Al-Qadar), Number 610:
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
(Regarding the Verse) “And WE granted the vision (Ascension to the heavens “Miraj”) which WE showed you (O Muhammad as an actual eye witness) but as a trial for mankind.’ (17.60): ALLAH [S.W.T]‘s Apostle [S.A.W.S] actually saw with his own eyes the vision (all the things which were shown to him) on the night of his Night Journey toJerusalem(and then to the heavens). The cursed tree which is mentioned in the Qur’an is the tree of Az-Zaqqum.
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Tags: Ascent, Barat, Decree, Fast, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Islam, Isra, Life, Mi’raj, Muslim, Night, Peace, Qadr, Religion, Soul
