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The Holy Quran states:
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Surah Baqra |
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"The month of Ramadhan is
the month in which the Quran began to be revealed, the Book
which comprises guidance for mankind and clear proofs of
guidance and divine signs which discriminate between truth and
falsehood ... " |
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Al-Qura'n 2:186
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The
translation of first verses which were revealed to the Holy Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, were the following:
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Surah Iqra |
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'Recite in the name of thy Lord Who created everthing. He
created man from a clot of blood. Recite, for thy Lord is Most
Beneficent, Who has taught by the pen, taught man that which
he knew not.' |
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Al-Qura'n 96:2-6 |
The Holy
Prophet, peace be upon him, was forty years of age at that time.
The Holy Quran regards the Night of Decree as better that one
thousand months. In chapter 97 it states:
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Surah Qadar |
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'In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Surely, We
sent down the Quran during the Night of Decree.
How would you know what the Night of Decree is?Therein
descends angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord
with their Lord's decree concerning every matter. It is all
peace, till the break of dawn. |
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Al-Qura'n 97:1-5 |
The Holy
Prophet is reported to have said:
"Look for the Night of Decree among the odd nights of the last ten
days of the month of Ramadhan."
In fact the whole month of Ramadhan is a period of spiritual
training wherein believers devote much of their time to fasting.
Prayers, frequent recitations of the Holy Quran and remembrance of
Allah, as well as charity and goodwill, but during the last ten days
of the month they strive more to worship God Almighty and to do good
deeds.
The believers gather in the mosque in large numbers for Prayers and
spend these nights in remembrance of Allah, asking forgiveness for
their shortcomings and looking for the blessed night with the firm
belief that God accepts the prayers of the supplicant readily during
this night.
Those who can afford to devote the whole of their time in the
remembrance of Allah, stay in the mosque for ten days. This worship
is called I'tikaf or Retreat. They observe fast during the day and
occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, performing
voluntary Prayers and studying the Holy Quran, day and night, apart
from the obligatory Prayers which they perform with the
congregation. Food and other necessities of life are provided for
them during their stay in the mosque, thus they my not leave the
precincts of the mosque except for a genuine religious purpose.
Devoting their time thus fully to the remembrance of Allah, they
hope to receive the divine favors and blessings connected with the
blessed night.
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, was very particular in this
regard. It is related that when the last ten days of Ramadhan began,
he used to keep awake the whole night and was most diligent in
worship.
Ayesha, the wife of the Holy Prophet, once asked him, "Messenger of
Allah, tell me, in case I should realize which night is the Night of
Decree, how should I supplicate in it? He answered: Supplicate;
Allah, Thou art Most Forgiving and does love forgiveness, the do
Thou forgive me' (Tirmidhi).
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