How to seek Laylat ul-Qadr

Laylat ul-Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

Praying Qiyaam

It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadeeths, such as the following:

Abu Dharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates:

"We fasted with Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) left. Then he stood with us (that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed. So we said, 'Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?' He replied:

'Whoever stands in prayer with the imaam until he (the imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi. Their isnad is authentic.]

[Point of benefit: Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man to pray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with the people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam) with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until he concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. `A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:

"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me." [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah. `A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported:

"When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And she said:

"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights." [Muslim]

Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=334

Zakaat ul-Fitr -- don't forget!

--What is Zakaat ul-Fitr?

Zakaat ul-Fitr (often referred to as Sadaqat ul-Fitr) is the name given to charity which is given at the end of the fast of Ramadaan. The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Zakaat ul-Fitr.

Zakaat ul-Fitr is a duty which is waajib (obligatory) on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

--Purpose of Zakaat ul-Fitr

The main purpose of Zakaat ul-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaat ul-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Id ul-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaat ul-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that the poor may be fed." [Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]

Hence, the goal of Zakaat ul-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islaam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakaat ul-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

--When is Zakaat ul-Fitr due?

Ibn Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "If one pays Zakaat ul-Fitr before the Salaah (i.e., the 'Id prayer), it is considered an accepted Zakaah, if he pays it after the Salaah, it is considered an ordinary charity." [Abu Dawud]

Zakaat ul-Fitr thus becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaat ul-'Id (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)) used to pay Zakaat ul-Fitr a couple days before the `Id.

Naafi' reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Id. [al-Bukhari]

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakaat ul-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (of 'Id).

One who forgets to pay this Zakaat ul-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaat ul-Fitr (it will be counted as Sadaqah -- see hadith above).

--Amount to be given as Zakaat ul-Fitr

The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (a volume measure corresponding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family.

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaat ul-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims: one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [al-Bukhari]

The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allaah's Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [Muslim]

According to Hanafi scholars, instead of giving grain as Zakaat ul-Fitr, one can pay the equivalent in currency. Each share of Zakaat ul-Fitr has been calculated to be Rs. 35/- for Mumbai and surrounding areas for this year (1428 H).

Zakaat ul-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories of people (mentioned in the Qur'an, 9:60) as in the other types of Zakaah. Some scholars say that the poor and the needy are the most deserving ones since the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said that it had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy." (see hadith above)

Shared By brother Shamlan.