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Observance of Night of Destiny

Observance of Night of Destiny. In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Outline. Did Dr. Khalifa observe it ? Did Dr. Khalifa make Translation errors? 97:3 97:4 Can it be one night? Will we assume too much about our prayers? Does “Tradition” automatically exclude it?

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Observance of Night of Destiny

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  1. Observance of Night of Destiny In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

  2. Outline • Did Dr. Khalifa observe it? • Did Dr. Khalifa make Translation errors? • 97:3 • 97:4 • Can it be one night? • Will we assume too much about our prayers? • Does “Tradition” automatically exclude it? Note: additional points are in the “notes” section of slides

  3. Did Dr. Khalifa observe it? • Claim: Dr. Khalifa did not observe Night of Destiny • Rebuttal: • Post messengership we have 2 clear references of Night of Destiny by Dr. Khalifa • 1989: Introduction to Quran printing notes says: “The final draft of the first printing was completed in the Night of Destiny 1409. If we add the day, month, and year of this date, we get 1444, or 19x19x4. [Ramadan 26, 1409: 9+26+1409= 1444.]” • An audio tape from 1988 with Night of Destiny Dhikris available & includes explanation that 2:186* refers to this night (see notes for password) • All submitters in Tucson consistently say he observed it every year they were there (people who claim he did not observe it were not from Tucson, and would not be in the best position to know to begin with)

  4. Job of the Messengers • God says in Quran that He sends His messengers with the truth • Appendix 2 says a principal duty of Rashad was to “Proclaim one religion for all the people, and point out and purge away all the corruptions afflicting Judaism, Christianity, and Islam(Appendices 13, 15, 19).” • If there were corruptions in observing the month of Ramadan then God would have pointed it out through His messenger • He did not do so, in fact the Messenger himself observed it. Hence observing the Night of Destiny is not a corruption

  5. Translation Errors • This has been used in the past by traditional Muslims and those who wish to insist on a particular interpretation • So far, none of these claims or translation fixes have been shown to be necessary or logical • Looking at the claims for 97:3-4, we observe the same pattern

  6. 97:3 • Claim: “Night of destiny was better than a thousand months” • Rebuttal: All known translations use “is”, not “was:”. • Khalifa: The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. • Yusufali: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. • Pickthall: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. • Shakir: The grand night is better than a thousand months. • Sher Ali: The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

  7. Present tense (continued) • The verses after 97:3 are also in present tense. For example we see “descend” in 97:4, and in 97:5 “peaceful it is” [97:4 translated by Rashad Khalifa]: The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, to carry out every command. [97:5] Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn.

  8. 97:4 • Claim: “The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, with every command.” • [97:4 translated by RashadKhalifa]: The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, to carry out every command. • Rebuttal: This change is illogical and unnecessary. Why would the angels descend with commands if they will not carry it out? They would never disobey God Almighty. The point of this verse is not to say that every human wish is fulfilled. It is to say that every command that GOD decrees is fulfilled.

  9. One night? (1/3) • Claim: One night a year is illogical, because it excludes other nights. • Rebuttal: • No nights are excluded. If you want extra credit and to be raised to an honorable rank, you can meditate every night (17:79). These are His words in Quran. We hear and we obey.[73:1] O you cloaked one. [73:2] Meditate during the night, except rarely. [73:3] Half of it, or a little less. [73:4] Or a little more. And read the Quran from cover to cover.[73:20] Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you.…[17:79] During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank. (see notes for more verses)

  10. One night? (2/3) • Rebuttal continued: • The last 10 nights are clearly referenced in Quran (2:187) as a retreat to the Masjid. If you cannot do all 10 nights, which one are you going to pick? Why not pick the one God referenced specifically in Sura 97? After all is not a big piece of Ramadan to express our appreciation for God’s guidance and the Quran? [2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

  11. One night? (3/3) • Rebuttal continued: • What does 2:186 mean? Why is it placed right in the middle of the Fasting verses 2:183-187? Mere coincidence? Or does it have a connection with Sura 97? How come 2+186+97 = 285 (19x15)? • Appendix 15 says “The full details of fasting are given in 2:183-187”, this includes 2:186! God Answers the Prayers of "His Servants" [2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.

  12. Prayer assumptions (1/2) • Claim: If Night of Destiny were true, submitters will think all their prayers suddenly will become answered. They will forget about other days. • Rebuttal: Submitters know better because God guided them. • They know that God answers the prayers (2:186), and the answer sometimes is “No”, because God knows best what is good for us and sends it precisely measured (42:27) • Similarly, they know not to be impatient or pray for harmful things (17:11) • They have good examples in Quran of what to pray for, e.g., in 14:40 Abraham prays:"My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.

  13. Prayer assumptions (2/2) • Rebuttal continued: • We know 2:186 exists as a powerful verse, where God says He answers the prayers of His servants. 97:4-5 does not change this. It merely emphasizes the fact to encourage believers to strive and meditate / stay up this night.In the same manner, God says in 17:78 that recitation of Quran at dawn is witnessed (interestingly 17:78 also talks about meditation at night!). Do you think God does not witness other recitations of Quran? Of course not! 10:61says He does. Why is 17:78 mentioned? To encourage believers to adopt this good practice of course! [17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.

  14. Association with Tradition • Claim: It is traditionally observed, therefore likely to be wrong • Rebuttal: • Simply because traditional Muslims say God is ONE, does not make it wrong • Similarly they believe in 5 Salats (unlike the “Quranist” view of 3 Salats), and it doesn’t make 5 Salats wrong • Fact is, we have confirmation that the Messenger of the Covenant himself observed this and did not change the practice. We see so many purifications of practices (in Salat, Zakat, Fasting & Hajj), why was this left undone? God never forgets.

  15. Universal Acceptance vs. Tradition • We learn the following from Appendix 9 • Another proof of divine preservation of the Islamic practices given to Abraham is the “Universal Acceptance” of such practices. There is no dispute concerning the number of Rak‘ahs in all five daily prayers. This proves the divine preservation of Salat. … • The Quran deals only with practices that were distorted. For example, the distorted ablution is restored in 5:6 to its original four steps. The tone of voice during the contact prayers (Salat) was distorted—many Muslims pray silently. The fasting during Ramadan was modified in the Quran to allow intercourse during the night (2:187). Zakat is restored in 6:141, and Hajj is restored to the four correct months (see Appendix 15). • Based on the above, were it corrupted: • No universal acceptance • Quran would tell us the details • Dr. Khalifa, as God’s messenger, would have purified it—not followed it.

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