THE SEARCH FOR THE NIGHT OF MAJESTY (LAILAITUL QUADRI)

By ABIKE IDOWU

 The night of lailaitul quadri is a special night and is regarded as the night of majesty during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is the night that Allah will descend to the lowest heaven to accept all prayers been offered during the course of the night. The unique thing about the night is that it doesn't have a specific date but the prophet encourages all muslims to be steadfast with prayers during the last 10 nights of fasting because one of those nights will definitely be the night of majesty. Whoever observes it with sincerity and good intention will get these benefits: Forgiveness of mistakes, Rewards and Blessings. Let me take you back to the history of this night, by telling you a bit about the Holy month of Ramadan.

The Holy month of Ramadan is not just a month of abstaining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and other unethical acts from dawn to sunset, but a month of purity, a month in which your prayers have no choice but to be answered if it is according to the will of allah. The month of Ramadan signifies the month in which the holy books were revealed to the prophets. These books are Tawrat revealed to Prophet Musa (ASWS), Saburat to Prophet Daud (ASWS), Injil to Prophet Isa (ASWS) Al Quran to Prophet Mohammed (SAW).  Ramadan is a holy month in which the doors of heaven are opened and that of hell is closed, Ashaytan (Satan) is put in bondage in order not to be able to mislead people or lead them astray.

Fasting during Ramadan is among the 5 pillars of islam; Iman (faith) Salat (daily prayer) Zakat (alms giving) Saom (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to mekkah). Saom, during the 9^th month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, is mandatory for all muslims. Alcohol, pork, adultery, fornication and so on should be avoided. Fasting is not for everyone these people can be exempted from fasting: The old and weak, those with health challenges, ladies on their periods, the pregnant and lactating mothers

You should know that intentional refusal to fast has its consequences. Partaking in Ramadan has the following benefits: Purification of body from toxins, reduction of weight, purity of brain, rejuvenation of body.

The following points should be taken note of:

• Eating before fajr (Taking Suhur) is a recommended sunnah
• Fasting person should not misbehave or fight
• Fasting person should not lie or commit evil deeds
• Backbiting, lying, fighting, abusing, profanities and arguing corrupts the fast.
• Cracking dirty jokes, obscene vulgar actions, immoral behaviour and conversations on vulgar         topics are all forbidden in the state of fasting.
• A lustful thought which leads to ejaculation of semen (mani) does not break the fast. However ejaculation of semen due to any other intentional activity or intimacy or due to watching immodest things breaks the fast.
• Wet dreams, while sleeping does not invalidate the fast as this happens unintentionally.
• Discharge of Mathi - prostatic fluid while fasting does not break the fast. (Mathi is the fluid discharged due to lustful arousal before semen is ejaculated)
• Due to extreme heat, the fasting person is allowed to take a shower and rinse his mouth with water. This does not break the fast.
• Eating out of forgetfulness does not break the fast. But as soon as the person realizes that he/she was fasting, then the food in the mouth should be immediately spitted out.
• There is no harm in swallowing the saliva while fasting.
• Applying kohl in the eyes does not break the fast.
• If the need arises, the food can be tasted (for salt etc), but it should be tasted by placing it at the edge of the tongue. But utmost care should be taken that it should not reach the throat.
• The blood that comes out of the teeth does not harm the fast however the blood should not be swallowed.
• A fasting person is allowed to smell and wear fragrance.
• Vomiting unintentionally does not break the fast, however if someone vomits deliberately then this breaks the fast.
• An injection that does not nourish and its purpose is not to provide energy or nourishment but it is only used as a medicine, then such an injection is allowed while fasting. However if the injection is the type that provides nourishment to sustain the body without food and drink then such an injection breaks the fast.
• A person who intentionally eats or drinks something while fasting, then he should sincerely repent and make up for the fast.
• While fasting in Ramadan, if a husband forcefully has intercourse with his wife then this would not break the fast of the wife and she does not have to make up for it.

Well now I assume you know a little about Ramadan, so let me go back to the night of lailaitul quadri.

It is believed that the night of lailaitul quadri is more than a thousand nights. As stated earlier, this particular night is not known to anybody but it is believed that during the last 10 days of Ramadan, the lailaitul quadri night will occur. For this year 2014, the beginning for the search of the night of majesty starts today, the 17^th of July, Everyone wants to meet this special night. If you notice, your muslim friends have become more watchful and prayerful and this is because the night of power is not to be missed.

My advice and prayer for muslim corps members: DO NOT MISS THIS SPECIAL NIGHT!!! Be Steadfast Watchful and Prayerful and your prayers will be answered, your heart desires will be granted and you shall be blessed more than you will ever know.