Ramadhan, the Month of God (20)

The night of Qadr is called such because the word means measuring and calculation. It is on this night that the fate of creature is determined for one year. It is better than one thousand months. Thus, it is the best opportunity for revival of the hearts that have died due to sin.

The last ten days of Ramadhan have a special sweetness for those who fast. Men and women, old and young, sit together at mosques and other religious centers, to supplicate and pray at the divine court. They supplicate till dawn, shed tears, seek forgiveness from God and beseech Him for mercy. According to the first ayahs of Surah Dukhan, the night of Qadr (Ordainment) is the time when every definitive matter is resolved and according to the ayahs of Surah Qadr, that is the night on which the Qur'an is revealed. On this night, the fate of human being is ordained, sustenance, happiness, sadness and whatever will occur in the coming year is determined.  Of course, this determination does not mean that human being has no choice; but it means God has granted prayer to him to appeal to God for changing his fate through compensating weaknesses and defects.

One of the important features of this night is that the angels descend to the Infallible person who is the Representative of God in the universe. According to a big number of narrations, the Night of Qadr is not restricted to the time of the Prophet and it is repeated every year. Therefore, the angels come to the Infallible Imam and inform him of whatsoever God has determined for the next year.

The Prophet of Islam said, "The month of Ramadhan is the month of God and it is the month in which God multiplies good deeds and cleanses sins and it is the month of blessing."

Imam Sadeq (AS) also said, "The beginning of the year is the Night of Qadr. On this night the program for the next year is written."

These unmatched features make the Night of Qadr as the best opportunity for the faithful and Friends of God to take heed of its value. That's why it is highly recommended to keep vigil the entire night and spend it in prayer, supplication, seeking forgiveness and contemplation. The Prophet of Islam used to awaken his family on this night, saying, "Whoever keeps vigil on the Night of Qadr, will be immune from punishment till next year." He also said, "Whoever, out of faith and for the sake of attaining the divine reward, spends the Night of Qadr in worship, his past sins will be forgiven."

Hazrat Fatima (Peace upon her) would not allow her family even children to be asleep on this night. Hence, she would give them less food and make them ready for the night. She would say, "Deprived is the one who is deprived of the blessing of this night."

When the heart and spirit is dead, one hears the truth but he pays no attention to it; he sees the truth but ignores it. Such a person has closed the door of guidance towards himself. According to the noble Qur'an, he is like a dead person who walks among the living. This man is equal to animals. Ayah 22 of surah Anfal reads in this regard, "Indeed, the worst of beasts in God's sight are the deaf and the dumb who do not apply reason." As per the Islamic teachings, those who lack spiritual and intellectual life they are the dead among the living. The Prophet of Islam said, "Indeed, the real dead are the dead among the living!"

As a matter of fact, such people eat, drink, sleep, reproduce and are indulged in every pleasure just like animals. They have lost their human life and have no reasoning, heart and spirit. Imam Ali (AS) says, "He whose piety is reduced, his heart will die and he whose heart dies will be the denizen of the hell."

God's mercy is so broad that no sinner should be disappointed of being forgiven. Every sinner can revive his heart through repentance, prayer, seeking forgiveness, entreating to God and doing good deeds. So let us not lose the Night of Qadr as the value of every good deed is better than the deeds of one thousand months.  

RM/MG