Ramadan 3–2–1: Day Twenty — A Recommended Supplication
Just like yesterday, Ramadan is twenty today, Alhamdulillah! Now we are approaching the last ten nights and the search for laylatul qadr begins. Laylatul Qadr is the Night of Decree, Majesty, and Power. In it, we find a night better than a thousand months of worship. There in Angels descend and Allah decrees the affairs of His creations.
The majority of scholars agree upon the fact that Laylatul Qadr falls within the last ten days of Ramadan and specifically the odd nights. Some are of the opinion that it’s on the twenty-seventh night. It’s important to bare in mind that the Night of Majesty isn’t a come-eat-rice affair. Nor is it a time to waste organizing lectures and programs as we see people doing in recent times. The methodology of the sunnah in making the best out of this night is simple — that’s extraordinary worship.
So, as we’re approaching the last ten nights of Ramadan, it’s important to pay attention to this profound supplication recommended by the Prophet peace be upon him. Keep your tongue moist with it and don’t give up saying it.
Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah! If I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ The Prophet SAW said: “Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and you love to pardon, so pardon me. — Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi
Let’s examine more details on the significance of this special prayer taught by the noble messenger to his beloved wife. This shall be our focus for Ramadan 3–2–1 for today in sha Allah.
Al-‘Afuww comes from the root ‘afw, which means to obliterate, or remove something. This meaning connotes ‘pardoning’, which is when one looks over another’s error and does not take them to account for it. On the Day of Judgment, we may find that many sins we committed are not in our record, this is ‘afw, which is when Allah completely removes your sins from your record as if you never committed them at all. Al-‘Afuww pardons His Servants by not calling them to account for their sins and erasing their sins from their records. Not only does Allah pardon and remove our sins, but He Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala loves to Pardon, as is implied in the dua below…
Here is an Arabic inscription of the dua’:
اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
And this is the transliteration :
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa`a fu annee”
3 Derivable Lessons
- This magnificent supplication is about returning back to Allah for the purification of our soul while yearning for His mercy. For it’s only by His Mercy we can succeed. It’s a form of humility before Allah — admitting we are sinners and we can’t find refuge except with Him.
- It establishes Allah’s Generosity and Willingness to Forgive, Pardon, and shower His Mercy upon His slave. While equally illustrating how to praise Allah with His Unique Names and Attributes.
- The dua’ exposes your deficit and spiritual bankruptcy. It is you who need Allah, there’s nothing He needs from you.
2 Pieces of Evidence
Allah says:
Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’ân) down on the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh on that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibrîl (Gabrîl)] by Allâh’s Permission with all Decrees. (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. — Qur’an 97[Al-Qadr]:1–5
The Prophet PBUH said:
Whosoever worshiped on laylatul-qadr, with faith and a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven.” — Bukhari and Muslim.
1 Rhetorical Question
Now that you know a comprehensive dua’: “Wouldn’t you love that your sins are blotted out?” Oh, Brethren! Take advantage of this golden supplication. The days of Ramadan are numbered and nothing guarantees you’d see the next one. May Allah grant us His Pardon, and give us a clean record on the day faces are humiliated for what they have earned.
That’s it for today and I hope you find it beneficial. Catch you tomorrow by the mercy of Allah. And until then, keep striving to be the best version of yourself. As Salamu Alaykum! Waramatullahi!! Wabarakatu!!!
Yaumul Thalatha 20th Ramadan 1444H // Tuesday 11th April 2023.
