What happens in the heavens and the graves on Laylatul Qadr?
The angels fill the skies, and destinies are written. The living pray for mercy, while the dead long for one more chance. But this night isn’t just for us—its blessings reach beyond. Your du’a can lift the souls of those who have passed, just as it can change your fate. Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul ‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anna—don’t forget to include them in the “us.”
NOTE: All depictions of Barzakh are purely conceptual and only vocals were used in the making of the soundtrack.
Download discussion guides for “The Other Side”: https://yqn.io/2e7585
Captioning provided by Muhsen.
References:
- Yahya ibn Mu’adh (ra) said: “O heedless one! O ignorant one! If you could hear the scratching of the pens upon the Preserved Tablet as they record your name each time you remember your Master, you would die from longing to meet Him.” [Al-Isfahani, Hilyat al-Awliya’]
- Ibn al-Jawzi said: “By Allah, if the inhabitants of the graves were asked to make a single wish, they would wish for just one more day of Ramadan.” [Ibn al-Jawzi, At-Tabsirah]
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you dies, his place is shown to him morning and evening. If he is among the people of Paradise, then he is shown his place in Paradise, and if he is among the people of Hell, then he is shown his place in Hell. It is said to him, ‘This is your seat until Allah resurrects you on the Day of Judgment.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari #1379; Sahih Muslim #2866]
- Abu al-Tayyah [Yazid ibn Humayd al-Basri] narrated that: “Mutarrif ibn Abdullah used to spend time in the open lands, but when Friday came, he would set out early. One night, as he was returning and passed by the graveyard, he dozed off on his horse and saw a vision: the inhabitants of the graves were sitting upon their graves. They said, ‘This is Mutarrif, who comes on Fridays.’ I asked, ‘Do you recognize Friday where you are?’ They replied, ‘Yes, and we even know what the birds say on that day.’ I asked, ‘What do they say?’ They answered, ‘They say: Salaam, salaam, on a blessed day.’” [Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman]
- Ibn Abbas (ra) mentions that the dream of Yusuf (as), in which the sun, moon, and stars prostrated to him, occurred on Laylatul Qadr. [Tafsir al-Mawardi]
- Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Sahih al-Bukhari #3277; Sahih Muslim #1079]
- Ibn al-Jawzi mentions that scholars have given five explanations for why Laylatul Qadr was given its name. Among them is the view of Abu Bakr al-Warraq, who said: “On this night, those who were previously insignificant attain qadr (i.e. great value and worth) through their devotion.” [Ibn al-Jawzi, At-Tabsirah]
- Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah draws a connection between Laylatul Qadr and the Night of Isra. He said, “The Night of Isra is superior for the Prophet ﷺ due to what he witnessed and received, whereas Laylatul Qadr is superior for the ummah because of the immense blessings they receive on that night.” [Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu’ al-Fatawa]
