﷽
اِنَّٓا اَنْزَلْنَاهُ ف۪ي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِۚ. وَمَٓا اَدْرٰيكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِۜ. لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ اَلْفِ شَهْرٍۜ. تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ ف۪يهَا بِاِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْۚ مِنْ كُلِّ اَمْرٍۙۛ. سَلَامٌ۠ۛ هِيَ حَتّٰى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ.
وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ.
Honorable Muslims!
We are in the last days of the holy month of Ramadan. Today is Friday, the most auspicious day when the sun rises. Tonight is Laylat al-Qadr, the night better than a thousand months. May endless praise and thanks be to our Lord Almighty (swt), Who has allowed us to reach this blessed month. May salat and salam be upon the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw), of whose 'ummah we are honored to be members. I wish you all a blessed Friday and Laylat al-Qadr.
Dear Believers!
What renders Laylat al-Qadr more blessed than a long lifetime is the fact that the Holy Qur'an began to be revealed on this night. Our Almighty Lord (swt) informs us of the value of this night in Surah al-Qadr as follows: "Indeed, it is We Who sent this Qur'an down on the Night of Glory. And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the spirit (i.e. Jibril) descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every decreed matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn."[1]
Dear Muslims!
One of the names attributed to the Holy Qur'an is "al-Burhan." It is the only book where authenticity shines without a shadow of doubt. Following it leads to exaltation, while turning away brings only humiliation. The Qur'an is "al-Hakim". It is full of wisdom-laden advice. Those who heed its invitation earn the approval of Allah (swt), while those who turn a deaf ear to it bring disaster upon themselves. The Qur'an is "al-Furqan". It is the final divine revelation that discerns between truth and falsehood. Those who adhere to it find the truth, while those who turn away from it stray from the right path. The Qur'an is "al-Dhikr". Those who recite find peace, while those who abandon it will be deprived of Allah's mercy. The Qur'an is "al-Mubin". Those who understand and live by it attain bliss in both this world and the Hereafter, while those who deprive themselves of it remain lost in darkness.
Dear Believers!
The Holy Qur'an urges us to remain steadfast in our faith until our last breath and to devote ourselves to servitude to Allah alone. The Qur'an instructs us to embody the sublime morals of our Prophet (saw) and to lead a righteous life following his example. The Qur'an informs us that we will certainly be held accountable in the Hereafter for our deeds in this world.
Dear Muslims!
In one of his hadiths, our beloved Prophet (saw) says, "Verily, Allah exalts some peoples by this book, and degrades others."[2] We are exalted when we submit ourselves properly to the Holy Qur'an and our Prophet (saw) who imparted its teachings to us. We strive to establish justice, love, mercy, righteousness, and truth in the world. We uphold our unity and solidarity, fostering peace and tranquility. We become the greatest obstacle in the face of oppression and oppressors. We persist in bringing happiness to the oppressed and the victimized. As the poet puts it:
Sole solace for humanity's trials and strife,
Without the Qur'an, one walks a beastly life.
Dear Believers!
In one of his hadiths, our Prophet (saw) gives the glad tidings, "Whoever spends the night of Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."[3] So, let us view Laylat al-Qadr as an opportunity. Let us strive to reflect the Holy Qur'an, which bestows value upon this night, in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let us unite our children and youth with the mercy-filled messages of the Qur'an. Tonight, let us pray fervently to our Lord (swt) for ourselves, our families, the 'ummah of Muhammad (saw), and all humanity, and ask for forgiveness. Let us keep making the supplication recommended by the Messenger of Allah (saw) for Laylat al-Qadr: اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّى "O Allah! You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me."[4]
Honorable Muslims!
I would like to leave you with two final thoughts before concluding this Friday's khutbah. Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to gather with your families in the spiritual atmosphere of our mosques for 'Eid prayer. We will join together in supplication for our country, our martyrs, the oppressed people of Gaza, and all our persecuted brothers and sisters after the 'Eid prayer, insha Allah. On the other hand, many of our brothers and sisters will be traveling on the occasion of the 'Eid. During our journeys, we should refrain from behaviors that may jeopardize the safety of ourselves and others. Let us be patient and careful in traffic. Let us not become prisoners of our anger. Let us avoid causing accidents by hastiness. Let us not turn the joy of the 'Eid into sorrow.
May Allah the Almighty keep us safe from any accident, trouble, and calamity. May Allah (swt) let us make it to the 'Eid in peace and well-being.
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[1] Qadr, 97/1-5.
[2] Muslim, Musafirin, 269.
[3] Bukhari, Sawm, 6.
[4] Tirmidhi, Da'awat, 84.
General Directorate of Religious Services