The Salaf and their opinions Laylat al-Qadr

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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)

The scholars differed on whether Laylat al-Qadr is fixed or whether it changes annually. Some said it doesn’t occur as it has been lifted, others said it occurs every seven years, others said it occurs every year and this was the opinion of Ibn Mas’ood and others from Koofah.

It is narrated from Aboo Haneefah that he said that the majority of the scholars say that it occurs every Ramadhaan. Others said it occurs every night in Ramadhaan whilst others said it occurs on the first night of Ramadhaan.

Some said it occurs in the second half of Ramadhaan and this was the view narrated from Aboo Yoosuf and Muhammad ash-Shaybaanee.

Others also stated that it occurs on the white days, these are the days in which there is a full moon in the middle of the month

However, a large number of scholars say it occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, this was stated to be the view of Hasan and Maalik and it is also narrated that they would seek it in every night within the last ten nights. They based their view on the statement of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], “Seek it in the last nine nights, or the last seven nights or the last five nights.” The fact that he didn’t tell for certain what night it falls upon leaves it for us to seek it and strive hard every night.

The majority, however, say that it occurs in the last ten nights but it is not fixed.

Some from the scholars have opined that it is fixed, such as some of the Shaafi’ee scholars saying that it occurs on the twenty first night as it has been narrated in the hadeeth of Abee Sa’eed al-Khudree [May Allaah be Pleased with him]

Those from the Salaf who held the opinion that twenty third night was Laylat al-Qadr

It is narrated from Imaam Shafi’ee that he said, “My view, and Allaah Knows Best, is that the strongest view is that it occurs on the twenty first and the twenty third and this is the night when ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib [May Allaah be Pleased with him] was killed. But it could also be on the twenty forth or the twenty seventh.”

There is also another view attributed to Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] which was a view that he had later in his life, that the correct opinion was the twenty third as it was the practice and the opinion of Ahl al-Madeenah.

Sufyaan ath-Thawree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said something similar to this. This is based on the reports that Ibn ‘Abbaas and ‘Aaishah [May Allaah be Pleased with them] would wake their families on this night, and this was reported by Makhool.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr said, “This night is singled out by al-Juhanee tribe in Madeenah and it was narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] commanded us to stand on this night (the twenty third).”

In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said about Laylat al-Qadr, “I saw myself prostrating in mud and water.” So he [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] prayed the night until Fajr and he did this on the twenty third night.

Another group of scholars held the opinion that it occurs on the twenty forth night, this was the view attributed of Hasan from the people of Basrah and Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him].  Others like Humayd, Ayoob and Thaabit would reconcile both of these views and hold the twenty third and the twenty forth as being big nights.