Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (6/493)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

a first writing, which took place fifty thousand years before the creation of the heavens and the earth, in the Preserved Tablet. This writing does not change or alter, as Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother Book.” [al-Raʿd]

That is, its source, to which everything that is written returns.

The second writing concerns a person’s lifespan: while the fetus is still in its mother’s womb, his deeds, final outcome, and provision are written for him. This is established in the authentic hadith of Ibn Masʿud, agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim (1).

The third writing is the annual writing, which takes place on Laylat al-Qadr. Its evidence is the saying of Allah, Exalted is He:

“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We have always warned mankind. On that night every matter is decreed with precision.” [al-Dukhan]

That is, every wise matter is distinguished, set apart, and made clear; and all of Allah’s decrees are wise.

It has also been said that it is called Laylat al-Qadr because qadr means honor and distinction, as one says, “So-and-so is a person of great standing,” meaning, a person of great honor. This is due to the saying of Allah, Exalted is He:

“And what will make you realize what Laylat al-Qadr is? Laylat al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” [al-Qadr]

It has also been said that it is so called because prayer during it carries immense worth, due to the Prophet’s saying, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him: “Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward will be forgiven his previous sins” (2). This reward is not attained by standing in prayer on any night other than Laylat al-Qadr. Thus, if a person were to stand in prayer on the night before Monday or Thursday, or on any other night in any month, he would not attain this reward.

(1) Reported by al-Bukhari in Kitab Bad' al-Khalq (The Beginning of Creation), chapter: “Mention of the Angels, may Allah's blessings be upon them” (3208); and by Muslim in Kitab al-Qadar (Divine Decree), chapter: “How the Human Being Is Created...” (2643). (2) Reported by al-Bukhari in Kitab al-Iman (Faith), chapter: “Observing Laylat al-Qadr in prayer is part of faith” (35); and by Muslim in Kitab al-Salah (Prayer), chapter: “Encouragement to perform the night prayers of Ramadan, namely Tarawih” (760), on the authority of Abu Hurayrah.

كتابة أولى وهذه قبل خلق السموات والأرض، بخمسين ألف سنة في اللوح المحفوظ، وهذه كتابة لا تتغير ولا تتبدل لقول الله تعالى: ﴿يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ *﴾ [الرعد] أي: أصله الذي هو مرجع كل ما يكتب. الكتابة الثانية عُمُرية، فيكتب على الجنين عمله، ومآله، ورزقه، وهو في بطن أمه، كما ثبت هذا في الحديث الصحيح حديث ابن مسعود المتفق عليه (١). الكتابة الثالثة، الكتابة السنوية، وهي التي تكون ليلة القدر، ودليل هذا قوله تعالى: ﴿إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ *فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ *﴾ [الدخان] يفرق، أي: يفصل ويبين كل أمر حكيم، وأمر الله كله حكيم. وقيل: سميت ليلة القدر، من القدر وهو الشرف، كما تقول: فلان ذو قدر عظيم، أي: ذو شرف؛ لقوله تعالى: ﴿وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ *لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ *﴾ [القدر]. وقيل: لأن للقيام فيها قدراً عظيماً، لقول النبي ﷺ: «من قام ليلة القدر إيماناً واحتساباً غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه» (٢) وهذا لا يحصل في قيام ليلة سوى ليلة القدر، فلو أن الإنسان قام ليلة الاثنين والخميس أو غيرهما، في أي شهر لم يحصل له هذا الأجر.

(١) أخرجه البخاري في بدء الخلق/ باب ذكر الملائكة صلوات الله عليهم (٣٢٠٨)؛ ومسلم في القدر/ باب كيفية خلق الآدمي … (٢٦٤٣). (٢) أخرجه البخاري في الإيمان/ باب قيام ليلة القدر من الإيمان (٣٥)؛ ومسلم في الصلاة/ باب الترغيب في قيام رمضان وهو التراويح (٧٦٠) عن أبي هريرة ﵁.