Reference: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 492
In our area, during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, in order to gain the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr, the following practices are observed: a drum (dholak) is beaten to announce the gathering; then one Qari arrives, leads two Rak‘ahs and leaves; after him, another Qari leads two Rak‘ahs, and this continues with multiple Imams leading Rak‘ahs of Tarawih with Witr. After every two or four Rak‘ahs, speeches and lectures are delivered with great zeal. Furthermore, feasts and eating gatherings are arranged, costing thousands of rupees.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
Indeed, during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, Qiyām (night prayers), supplication, repentance, and seeking forgiveness are causes of forgiveness and elevation of ranks. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would engage in worship with greater dedication in these nights and would also encourage his noble wives to participate.
The Hadith wording شَدَّ مِیزَرَهُ وَأَیْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ indicates this increased readiness and commitment.
However, it must be clearly understood that:
◈ Announcements or publicity, such as beating drums to gather people in the mosque, are not established in Sharī‘ah.
◈ The use of drums (dholak) is already forbidden in Sharī‘ah.
◈ In practice, it is observed that in such gatherings, men, women, and children mix together, which nullifies the true spirit of worship. Instead of gaining the spiritual benefits of Laylat al-Qadr, only sleeplessness remains.
The right and safe path is:
❀ Avoid publicity, announcements, and feasting gatherings.
❀ Worship Allah in simplicity and seclusion.
❀ Perform voluntary prayers (nawāfil).
❀ Recite frequently the supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
❀ Engage in the recitation of the Qur’an, which is the most virtuous deed.
If the current customary practices continue, these unwarranted innovations may gradually be mistaken as Sunnah, leading to corruption of the Deen and loss in the Hereafter. If such practices were truly praiseworthy, our noble predecessors would never have neglected them.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question
In our area, during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, in order to gain the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr, the following practices are observed: a drum (dholak) is beaten to announce the gathering; then one Qari arrives, leads two Rak‘ahs and leaves; after him, another Qari leads two Rak‘ahs, and this continues with multiple Imams leading Rak‘ahs of Tarawih with Witr. After every two or four Rak‘ahs, speeches and lectures are delivered with great zeal. Furthermore, feasts and eating gatherings are arranged, costing thousands of rupees.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
Indeed, during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, Qiyām (night prayers), supplication, repentance, and seeking forgiveness are causes of forgiveness and elevation of ranks. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would engage in worship with greater dedication in these nights and would also encourage his noble wives to participate.
The Hadith wording شَدَّ مِیزَرَهُ وَأَیْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ indicates this increased readiness and commitment.
✦ Innovations and Incorrect Practices
However, it must be clearly understood that:
◈ Announcements or publicity, such as beating drums to gather people in the mosque, are not established in Sharī‘ah.
◈ The use of drums (dholak) is already forbidden in Sharī‘ah.
◈ In practice, it is observed that in such gatherings, men, women, and children mix together, which nullifies the true spirit of worship. Instead of gaining the spiritual benefits of Laylat al-Qadr, only sleeplessness remains.
✦ The Correct Way
The right and safe path is:
❀ Avoid publicity, announcements, and feasting gatherings.
❀ Worship Allah in simplicity and seclusion.
❀ Perform voluntary prayers (nawāfil).
❀ Recite frequently the supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
❀ Engage in the recitation of the Qur’an, which is the most virtuous deed.
✦ Final Note
If the current customary practices continue, these unwarranted innovations may gradually be mistaken as Sunnah, leading to corruption of the Deen and loss in the Hereafter. If such practices were truly praiseworthy, our noble predecessors would never have neglected them.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
