Preparing for Ramadan final lesson 4: Shaykh Al-Habib Kadhim in Sweden

About Leylatul Qadr* (the night of Power) which is said to be one of the odd numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan (no one knows for sure), Shaykh Al-Habib Kadhim mentioned that some people go through praying on each odd night without ever feeling that it is the night of Power they are praying in.

To this he attributes the lack of following the sunnah (the recommendations beyond the obligatory that the Prophet gave us through speech or action). "It is the problem of the intellectuals who question everything and dismiss a practice as unnecessary unless a clear point can be proven to them." He talked further about the recommendations the Prophet gave us for how to fast:

1. To break/open our fasts with an odd number of dates (i.e. 1, 3, 5 etc)
   
2. To always take the pre-dawn meal (sehri/suhoor)
3. Praying Salatul Taraweeh (a prayer of a recommended 8, 12 or 20 raka'at only in the month of Ramadan) Though the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) prayed 20 raka'at.

He explains how not performing these basic sunnan (superogatory acts) can affect a persons experiencing all aspects of Ramadan including Leylatul Qadr."Perhaps," he continued, "there is a point to breaking the fasts with an odd number of dates and Leylatul Qadr's appearence on an odd numbered day?"

When we insist on logical explanations or reasons for every act and recommendation we miss out on the spiritual aspect of our faith, he argued, and thus are at risk of not being sensetive to spiritual experiences such as that of The night of Power.

Shaykh Al-Habib finished the talk with a short prayer for the acceptance of our fasts and deeds and for the good of the people of Sweden (note: he did not say muslims of Sweden, but people of Sweden).

The Quran: Chapter 97, Al-Qadr

97:1 We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
97:2 And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
97:3 The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
97:4 Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand;
97:5 (That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.

*Leylatul Qadr is the night in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and it is recommended to spend this night in worship.