Today Huzur^(aba) based his Friday Sermon on Laila tul Qadr (The Night of Decree). He recited Surah Al Qadr (Ch. 97), which illustrates the significance of the blessed night that falls in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. Huzur^(aba) said Allah the Exalted has intended this night in the last ten days of Ramadan in that concentration in prayers is intensified and believers could seek utmost blessings from the month of Ramadan.

The Holy Prophet^(sa) said that whoever says all Salats during Ramadan in congregation gleans a large portion of Laila tul Qadr. Therein is the significance that in order to experience this night one must maintain the highest standard of righteousness through out the month, paying the dues of Allah and the dues of mankind. Huzur^(aba) explained that although certain ahadith signify appearance of signs (like flashes of light) to verify that one has experienced Laila tul Qadr, these signs are not obligatory to Laila tul Qadr. Indeed the Holy Prophet^(sa) would gather immense resolve and determination at the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, spending these days in worship of God of the highest and most excellent eminence. The Holy Prophet^(sa) enjoined that whoever experiences Laila tul Qadr in a state of belief and engaged in sincere self-analysis will be forgiven all their past sins. He enjoined to profusely engage in remembrance of Allah during these days, to glorify Him and to exalt His greatness.

Huzur^(aba) related the hadith in which Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) recounts that the Holy Prophet^(sa) taught her to say a certain prayer if she thought she was experiencing Laila tul Qadr. The prayer is:

Allahhumma innaka ‘afuwan tohibbul afwa fa’fo anniy

“O my Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You like forgiveness, grant me pardon and efface my sins”

Huzur^(aba) said this indeed is the night during which the Holy Quran was revealed, he added that the reason there is no fixed night appointed for this is a safeguard against the possibility of it turning into a mere ritual.

Huzur^(aba) said that according to a tradition the Promised Messiah^(as) is known to have said that if the 27th night of Ramadan falls on a Friday, then with Allah’s grace often it is Laila tul Qadr.

Referring to the writings of the Promised Messiah^(as) Huzur^(aba) said that Laila tul Qadr also connotes that long and dark night of gloom when spiritual darkness reaches its ultimate misery, this period of spiritual desolation then demands that a heavenly light descends on earth, this is when God wills to send a reformer to lift mankind from the depths of ignorance.

Huzur^(aba) concluded the sermon with an admonition for fervent and abundant prayers during the last ten blessed days of Ramadan. He enjoined prayers in particular for the Ahmadis in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where persecution is intense, in particular in Bangladesh there was a martyrdom a couple of weeks ago. Huzur^(aba) prayed that may triumph be ours soon