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Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Majority of the Salaf held Twenty Seventh Night as Laylat al-Qadr

Chapter 40: What has Been Mentioned about the Last Seven Nights of Ramadhaan
Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 149-158)

A large group of scholars held the opinion that Laylat al-Qadr occurs on the twenty seventh night. This was the view of Sufyaan ath-Thawree from Koofah and this is the view that we hold, based on the view of Ubaay ibn Ka’b [May Allaah be Pleased with him] and he would even swear that it was on this night. Ibn Hubaysh and his servant Ibn Abee Lubaabah also held this view.
In fact, Ibn Hubaysh said, “’Umar, Huthayfah and Anas from the Companions would have no doubt that it would occur on the twenty seventh night.” This was narrated by Ibn Abee Shaybah.

This is also the view of Imaam Ahmad and Ishaaq bin Rahooyah.
Aboo Qulaabah was of the view that it could be any of the above as it is possible that Laylat al-Qadr moves between the last ten nights. This was also the view of Muzani and Ibn Khuzaymah. This was also mentioned by Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr, Maalik, Thawree, Shaafi’ee and Abee Thawr as what is authentically narrated from them.

Even though this view is strong so is the view that it occurs on the twenty seventh night, especially because of the fact that Ubaay bin Ka’b would swear that it would occur on the twenty seventh night and that he would see the signs of it the next morning as the sun would raise without rays. It is narrated in Saheeh Muslim that Ubaay bin K’ab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “By Allaah! I know what night is falls on and the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] would single this night out.”
It is also narrated in Musnad Imaam Ahmad that Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that a man asked the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], “Oh Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] I am old and I have great difficulty in praying the night so could you tell me when Laylat al-Qadr is?” He replied, “Upon you is to seek it on the seventh.” The Isnaad meets the requirements of Bukhaaree.

There is also another narration in Musnad Ahmad on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “If one of you wants to seek it then seek it on the twenty seventh night.”
There are another similar narrations that have been narrated Shaabah, Wahb bin Jareer and Shu’bah.

It is also narrated that Naafi’ heard from Ibn ‘Amr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said, “We never used to leave the Prophet alone except on the twenty seventh night and the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, ‘I have seen a dream and it occurs on the twenty seventh night within the last ten nights, so if one you wants to seek it then seek it on the twenty seventh night.’
Similar to this was also narrated by Hanbal Ibn Ishaaq, Hammad and at-Tahaawee also narrated it to be the view of ‘Iraam.

It is also narrated by ‘Abdur-Razaaq in his book with a chain from Ibn ‘Umar where the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “I have seen a dream about Laylat al-Qadr and it occurs on the twenty seventh night. So whoever wants to seek it then seek it on the twenty seventh night.”
It is also narrated in Sunan Abee Daawood with a chain that has all authentic men, on the authority of Mu’aawiyah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said that Laylat al-Qadr occurs on the twenty seventh night.

It was also narrated by Ibn Hibban and he authenticated as well did Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr. This Hadeeth is also from the most authentic Ahaadeeth on this topic as was stated by Imaam Ahmad and Daraqutnee however their version varied slightly in the wording.
It is also narrated in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad on the authority of Ibn Ma’sood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily, Laylat al-Qadr is midway through the last seven nights of Ramadhaan.” Meaning, the twenty seventh night

Added these evidences is the point that Aboo Dharr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] would stand the night alone on the twenty seventh night but on the twenty third he would stand for a third of the night and on the twenty fifth he would stand for half the night. He would gather his family on the twenty seventh night and stand the entire night.
Added to this as well is the point that Ibn ‘Abbas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] told ‘Umar al-Khattaab and the rest of the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] to stand on this night and enhance in it. It is narrated by ‘Abdur-Razaaq in his book that ‘Ikrimah said that Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] called ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] and the rest of the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] to gather especially and stand the night on the twenty seventh night.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr [May Allaah have Mercy on him] also narrates with an authentic chain of narration that Sa’eed bin Jubayr [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:
Those from the Muhaajireen came to ‘Umar after Ibn ‘Abbaas asked him to gather people on this night and they asked him about Laylat al-Qadr and they said to ‘Umar, “Some of us are of the opinion that it falls in the middle ten nights of Ramadhaan whilst some of us are of the view that it falls in the last ten nights. Some of us are certain that it falls on the twenty first night and others say it’s on the twenty third and others say the twenty seventh.” So ‘Umar responded to them by saying, “Oh Ibn ‘Abbaas! Explain the issue to them.” So Ibn ‘Abbaas said, “Allaah Knows Best.” So ‘Umar said, “I know Allaah Knows Best but we are asking about what you know and your knowledge about it.” So Ibn ‘Abbaas said, “Verily, Allaah is Odd and He Loves Odd, He Created the heavens and the earths in seven days, he made the days in the week seven, the stoning in Hajj are seven, humans are made from seven (i.e. different types of clays), and their provision stems from seven sources.” So ‘Umar asked, “Humans are created by seven and their provision stems from seven sources, what does this mean?” Ibn ‘Abbaas responded with the Aayah:

And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).” [Mu’minoon 23:12]
And

24. Then let man look at his food,

25. That We pour forth water in abundance,

26. And We split the earth in clefts,

27. And We cause therein the grain to grow,

28. And grapes and clover plants (i.e. green fodder for the cattle),

29. And olives and date-palms,

30. And gardens, dense with many trees,

31. And fruits and Abba (herbage, etc.),

32. (To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle.

[‘Abasa 80: 24-32]
This narration has also been narrated by Ibn Sa’d in his Tabaqaat.

As previously stated, Ubaay bin K’ab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] swore that it is on the twenty seventh night and Ibn Abee Lubabah also held the view that it occurs on the twenty seventh night.  Also, many from the Salaf would do Tawaaf in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah on twenty seventh night, hoping that the Angels are above their heads.

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