The Significance of the Holy Night of Qadr

 

The Significance of the Holy Night of Qadr

In reality, when Allah, in His mercy, decides to change someone's fate, that moment becomes their Night of Qadr.

For example, once a burglar broke into the sacred chamber of the great saint Muhiyuddin Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) in Baghdad with the intention of stealing. However, every time he attempted to take something, he would instantly go blind. Yet, when he placed the item back, his sight would be restored. This happened repeatedly throughout the night. Whenever he tried to steal, he lost his vision, and when he returned the item, Allah forgave him and restored his sight.

As dawn approached, the burglar, fearing for his safety, hid under the bed of Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA). When the saint emerged from his chamber and sat on his honored seat in the courtyard, Prophet Khidr (AS) arrived, seeking an audience with him. Prophet Khidr (AS) said, "O noble saint, the Qutb (spiritual leader) of a certain city has passed away. Please appoint someone to replace him."

Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) looked around and saw that apart from his servant, there was no one else present. Since appointing the servant as a Qutb would leave him without an attendant, he turned to his servant and said, "There is someone hiding under my bed. Bring him here."

Following his master’s command, the servant entered the chamber and found the burglar crying bitterly, pleading, "I will never steal again! Please forgive me and let me go!" The servant reassured him, "Brother, you will never need to steal again. The saint’s blessed gaze has fallen upon you. Come out quickly."

The servant brought the burglar before Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), who asked, "Why were you hiding under my bed?" With his head bowed in shame, the burglar replied, "I had come to steal from your chamber." The saint then asked, "Why didn’t you steal anything?" The burglar responded, "I attempted to, but this fakir did not allow me to take anything."

Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) then said, "Go, perform ablution (wudu), and return. I will give you a treasure that no one in this world can offer."

The man obeyed, and when he returned after performing ablution, the saint bestowed his spiritual attention upon him. Instantly, the burglar was transformed into a Qutb (a great spiritual leader). Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) then handed him over to Prophet Khidr (AS), saying, "Take him and appoint him to his duty."

Thus, through the blessed gaze of Allah’s saint, a mere burglar was elevated to the rank of Qutb in an instant. This was his true honor or Qadr. Even if he had worshiped for a thousand months, he would not have attained such a status. His moment of divine favor was his Qadr, as Allah’s saints have the power to change a person’s destiny at any time.

This is why the hadith states: "Destiny does not change except by the prayers of a worthy person or an Allah-appointed saint."

Therefore, everyone should seek the blessings of the divinely chosen spiritual guides of their time and attain the honor destined for them.

Source: Tafsir-e-Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi,