Here is an important reminder about Ramadan, Quran, and Fasting. A number of Muslims may mistakenly consider Ramadan’s significance to be due to fasting. That understanding needs to be corrected. Ramadan’s significance is because in it is “Laila tul Qadr” (Night of Decree – a night in Ramadan), which is the night when the angel Jibreel brought the Quran from the Guarded Tablet (Loh ul Mahfooz) located on the seventh heaven to Baytul-Izzah in the first heaven. From there, Jibreel then brought (revealed) the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and this was the beginning of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad. And from there started the gradual revelation of the Quran on the prophet over a period of 23 years.
So, Quran’s initial revelation on Laila tul Qadr (a night in Ramadan) gave Ramadan its importance. And because of this importance and reverence, Allah instructed Muslims to fast the whole month. Note the following verses in the Quran about Ramadan and Quran:
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Quran – Surah Al-Baqarah:185)
Here are some Quran verses and ahadith on this topic:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” (Quran – Surah Al-Qadr, 3)
So, this verse refers to the bringing down of the entire Quran (as one) from the seventh heaven to the first. From Hadith An-Nasaee we learn that it was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (radi-allahu-anhu) said, concerning the above verse:
“The Qur’an was sent down all at once on Laylat al-Qadr, then Allah sent it down to the Messenger of Allah (s) bit by bit.” (Hadith An-Nasa’ee)
About Laila tul Qadr, Allah says in the Quran:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Quran – Surah Al-Qadr, 1)
Consider this next verse:
“The angels and the Rooh descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.” Quran – Surah Al-Qadr, 4)
Here, Rooh refers to the Angel Jibreel. About Jibreel coming down on earth, consider that Jibreel used to come down to earth with Quranic verses to the prophet. Since then, Angel Jibreel comes down only on Laila tul Qadr. About this, Ibn Katheer said: A battalion of angels comes down with (Angel) Jibreel and they enter every Masjid, and approach every believer who is in worship and give him Salaam.
So, let’s think about the long journey the angels and Jibreel take, just to give Salaam to the believers. Al-Hakim narrated from the Prophet that during the Night of Qadr, Angel Jibril comes down to earth with a group of angels, and they make a supplication (du’a) for every slave standing up or sitting down mentioning Allah. In another narration, it is mentioned that these angels descend to earth at sunset and remain until the appearance of the dawn.
So in conclusion, the above should be a reminder to all of us on the importance of Quran – that due to its importance and blessings associated with the Quran, Allah blessed Laila tul Qadr and the whole month of Ramadan. So, let this be a reminder to all of us to make the most of the last ten days and nights of Ramadan, one of which is known to be Laila tul Qadr. Also, even when outside Ramadan and in other months, we should give importance to the Quran. Just consider the high status and significance that Allah has given to this book. So, why wouldn’t we take the time to recite, read, and understand this highly noble and revered book?
About a note about Al-Bait-ul-Izzah (mentioned above) and Al-Bait-ul-Maamoor, we learn from the prophet about his journey to the heavens – referred to as Israa wal Meraaj, that he said and as mentioned in Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, “(Then, I was taken to Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur. It is visited every day by seventy thousand angels who will not come back to visit it again.) The angels worship Allah in Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur and perform Tawaf around it just as the people of the earth perform Tawaf around the Ka`bah. Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur is the Ka`bah of those who reside in the seventh heaven. During the Isra’ journey, the Prophet saw Ibrahim Al-Khalil, who was reclining with his back on Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur. It was Ibrahim who built the Ka`bah on earth, and surely, the reward is compatible with the action. Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur is parallel to the Ka`bah; every heaven has its own house of worship, which is also the direction of prayer for its residents. The house that is located in the lower heaven, is called Bayt Al-`Izzah. And Allah knows best.”
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