Shaykh Adnan Kabbaniق: Laylatul Qadr

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Do all the following in congregation if possible. This is the tradition that Mawlana Sultan al-Awliyaق followed throughout his life.

Firstly, the one hundred rakaʿats of sunnah that are performed on this night will bring upon us the blessings of a thousand months of worship, or more. The degree of one’s reward depends on the level of sincerity and love present in the worship: love for Allah ﷻ, love for Rasulullah ﷺ, and love for AwliyaAllah.

According to the depth of this love, some will receive the reward of one hundred thousand months, others a million months, and others an infinite number of months. Therefore, approach the worship of this night with reverence and cherish every moment of this blessed night.

Remember to be present with Allah ﷻ during your prayers. Many people pray while their bodies stand in worship, but their hearts and minds remain with their thoughts, distractions, and worldly matters. Be with Allah ﷻ in love, and you will be rewarded accordingly.

Secondly, a hadith narrated by Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiqر states that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever recites salawat upon me will receive my intercession and will be protected from difficulties and trials in this world and in the Hereafter.”

When a group gathers to recite salawat, angels with golden pens gather around them in multitudes, from their feet up to the Throne of Allah Almighty. The angels record these salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ with their golden pens, and they add to the reward of the worshippers by reciting salawat upon Rasulullah ﷺ themselves. The angels then say to them, “Increase in salawat, for you are receiving immense blessings.”

When the congregation recites salawat with love for Rasulullah ﷺ, the Light of the Divine Countenance descends upon them. Allah Almighty gazes upon each worshipper, and whoever is gazed upon by Allah Almighty will be granted eternal salvation. For this reason, salawat upon Rasulullah ﷺ is recited between every two rakaʿats of Taraweeh, so that these recording angels will be present and the Divine Light will descend upon the congregation.

In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Reciting salawat upon me is superior to freeing slaves and to striving in the path of Allah,” which were among the greatest deeds during the time of Rasulullah ﷺ.

It is encouraged to increase in salawat upon Rasulullah ﷺ on this night with overflowing love, especially for ladies who are in their menses and are unable to perform the one hundred rakaʿats of salah.

Only those who are chosen and invited will be present in worship on this night, turning to their Lord ﷻ and humbling themselves before Him. Those who are heedless may treat this night lightly, as if it were an ordinary night, occupying themselves with excessive eating, entertainment, and distracted worship.

May Allah ﷻ dress us with guidance so that we may be among those chosen to be with Allah Almighty, with His Beloved Habibullah ﷺ, and with the AwliyaAllah on this blessed night.

• Shaykh Adnan Kabbaniق