How should we observe Laylat al-Qadr and when is it?

How should we observe Laylat al-Qadr and when is it?
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How
should we observe Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying, or by reading
Qur’aan and the Prophet’s Seerah, listening to lectures and lessons and
by celebrating it in the mosque?.
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Firstly:
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The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never
did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’.
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night and
would wake his family up, and would abstain from marital relations.
Ahmad and Muslim narrated that he used to used to strive hard in worship
during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time.
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Secondly:
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The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined staying up
and praying on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever
stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of
reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Agreed upon. This hadeeth
indicates that it is prescribed to observe Laylat al-Qadr by spending
the night in prayer.
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Thirdly:
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One
of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught to
‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and
clminded the report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger
of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say
on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb
al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love
forgiveness, so forgive me).”
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Fourthly:
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With
regard to specifying which night of Ramadaan is Laylat al-Qadr, this
needs specific evidence, but the odd-numbered nights during the last ten
nights are more likely than others, and the night of the twenty-seventh
is the most likely to be Laylat al-Qadr, because that is mentioned in
the ahaadeeth.
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Fifthly:
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With
regard to innovations, they are not permissible during Ramadaan or at
other times. It was proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates anything in
this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”
According to another report, “Whoever does any action that is not part
of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
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We
know of no basis for the celebrations that are held during some nights
of Ramadaan. The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the worst of matters are those
which are innovated (bid’ah).
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And
Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace
upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions..2 minutes ago · UnlikeLike · 1 person