Seeking the Night of Al-Qadr during the Last Seven Nights

26/07/2010| IslamWeb

Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported, “Some of the Companions of the Prophet saw the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) in their dreams as one of the last seven nights of Ramadan. So, the Messenger said, ‘I see that your dreams all agree upon it being in the last seven nights. Hence, whosoever seeks it, let him do so in the last seven nights.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another narration, the Prophet, , said, “Look for it among the last ten nights; however, if one of you fails to or is unable to do [that much], let him not miss out on [at least] the remaining seven nights.” [Muslim]

He, , also instructed, “Seek the eve of Al-Qadr in the last seven nights.”[Muslim]

 

Benefits and rulings [derived from these Hadeeths]:

1-    This Ummah (Muslim nation) is protected against falling into error on whatever it unanimously agrees on, in terms of narrations, opinions and visions, as the Prophet, , gave significance to the similar dreams of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.

2-    One should seek the Night of Al-Qadr, in which to pray and worship Allah The Almighty, given its great merit and virtue. Nonetheless, this is an act of Sunnah, not an obligation.

3-    This Hadeeth proves that visions are of great importance and that it is possible to rely on them regarding tangible matters, provided that they do not contradict the established rules of Sharee‘ah (Islamic jurisprudence). Yet, one should not exaggerate in reliance on dreams, by applying them [to life] inappropriately and letting it cause one to be lazy in worship.

4-    A vision may be from Allah The Almighty, the product of one’s subconscious or from the devil. When the believers see similar dreams about something, then there is certainly some truth to it. This also applies to their unanimous opinions and narrations, because the individual may lie or commit a mistake, but there can never be a consensus among believers upon what is false.

5-    This proves that the opinion of the majority should be adopted, so long as it does not contradict an explicit religious text, Ijmaa’ (consensus) or a clear analogy.

6-    The dreams of the Companions were consistent about the Night of Al-Qadr being in the last seven nights of the month of Ramadan. The Prophet, , also confirmed this during that year. Hence, it is most likely to be one of those nights.

7-    The Night of Al-Qadr may even be shown to some people in their visions or [through some signs] while they are awake, such as by seeing lights or someone telling them: “This is the eve of Al-Qadr.” Allah The Almighty may also inspire some people to know of when this blessed night is.