Dear Islamic brothers! There are countless excellences of Layla-tul-Qadr, and an endless list of rewards for those who perform worship on this blessed night. Allah Almighty showers His mercy upon His servants, forgives them for their sins and grants them salvation from Hellfire. But there are some unfortunate people who remain deprived of being forgiven even on such a sacred night.

Flag-bearing angels descend

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا reports that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

When Layla-tul-Qadr arrives, with the command of Allah Almighty, Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام descends to the earth whilst carrying a green flag, accompanied by a large group of angels. He then affixes the flag on top of the Ka’ba. Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام has one hundred arms, two of which he only opens on this night. These arms spread across the East and West. Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام then orders the angels (by saying), “On this night, if there is any Muslim who busies himself with standing (worshipping), Salah, or the Zikr of Allah, greet them with Salam, shake their hands and also say Aameen to their Du’as.”

This continues up until the time of dawn. When dawn arrives, Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام orders the angels to return. The angels then ask, “O Jibraeel! What has been done regarding the needs of the believers from the Ummah of Allah’s Beloved صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم?” Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام replies, “Allah Almighty has cast a special gaze of mercy upon them, and forgiven them all except four types of people.”

Upon hearing this blessed Hadith, the honourable Companions عَلَیْہِمُ الرِّضْوَان asked, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who are those four types of people?” He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, “(1) The alcoholic, (2) The one