We are already approaching the last third and pinnacle of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. During one of the last 10 nights of this Holy Month, the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the heart of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and that night is known as the Night of Decree, or Laylatul Qadr.
Laylatul Qadr is known as the night of 1000 months in the Holy Qur’an. Matters for the following year are decreed or predetermined based on the sincerity of our fine-tuned intentions and actions throughout the year but particularly this month and especially this night. As such, we endeavour to spend the entire night in contemplation and worship of Allah SWT, particularly reading and reflecting on His revelation, the Holy Qur’an.
One of the etiquettes of preparing for Laylatul Qadr is sincere repentance, tawba. We must try to enter the night with a clean slate. Our destiny is in our hands that night and it is up to us how we use the night. We must truly believe that the doors of repentance are always open regardless of how bad our sins may be or how many times we may have committed them. No one can despair of Allah’s mercy.
It is said that there are three elements required in order for repentance to be considered authentic:
1. Knowledge of why our actions were wrong and the consequences of those actions;
2. Regret that we have polluted our soul in such a manner; and
3. The resolution not to do it again.
There is a fourth element that is necessary when we have transgressed against someone, and that is to compensate or seek forgiveness from them directly. Allah SWT forgives all our sins that involve transgressing against ourselves; however, it is a different story when there is a third party involved.
There is still time left to maximally benefit from Laylatul Qadr. If we have been a little distracted thus far, now is the time to turn up the dial and focus our intentions on sincerely acting solely for the sake of Allah SWT. If we have been too proud to ask someone for forgiveness, for example, let us swallow that pride for the sake of Allah SWT and ask them for forgiveness.
Inshallah we will all enter the last 10 nights of Ramadhan with a clean slate and will be ready to receive the blessings that Allah SWT has in store for us in the spiritual banquet of Laylatul Qadr.
AN
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