31/03/2024
The importance of the last 10 days of Ramadan and how we should spend them.
The last ten nights of Ramadan are are the most blessed. We should increase our worship and devotion as they hold the glittering jewel of Laylat Al Qadr, or the Night of Power, which Allah describes it in the Quran as being (better than a thousand months.)( Al-Qadr 97:3)
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” (Muslim).
Aisha (Ra) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari).
- Prayers: Focus on your your 5 obligatory prayers. Do the Sunnah and taraweeh prayers. Pray in congregation with your family (don’t miss on the reward of having your salah x27).
- Quran: read the Quran, tafsir and books about the Prophet ﷺ
- Pray salat Al Duha, especially Tahajjud (best in the last third of the night, up to 10 minutes before fajr).
- Recite surat al ikhlas x3 daily. it’s as if you have recited the entire Quran.
- Dua: write your dua list and say it in your sujood, just before you break your fast and in the last third of night.
- Dhikr: Morning and evening athkar, and do as much remembrance as you can.
- Charity: give to charity daily, even if it’s as little as $1 a day. Sadaqah during Laylat Al Qadr is rewarded like you have done it for over 83 years.
- Visit the sick, give a helping hand to your parents, the pregnant, offer food to the poor and grieving.
- Silat al Rahm: Maintaining the bonds of kinship (parents, spouse, siblings, extended family)
- Acts of kindness: (to friends, coworkers, strangers) even if it’s as simple as a sms to check on them
- Listen to beneficial talks, lectures
- Itikaaf: at home, men and women (if you can’t do the 10 days, do as many as you can)
- Good deeds: Give Dawah, share Authentic Islamic reminders
- Acts of Sunnah: the way we eat, sleep, dua before you leave home, miswak use, etc
- Watch your tongue! (Don’t say harmful things to others, no to backbiting, no arguing, etc)
Increase worship the whole of the 10 nights or as many days you can manage as that is the best way to catch the unimaginable and incomprehensible rewards of Laylat Al Qadr.
Each and every good deed from Maghrib until Fajr on Laylat Al Qadr is rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years’ of worship. Subhan Allah, that is longer than most of us will live!
Best dua of the last 10 nights:
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul ‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni"
Aisha (r.a) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat Al Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?”
He replied, You should supplicate:
"Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul ‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni" (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me). (Tirmidhi).
Eat light: As you will be staying up until Fajr, the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the lessproductive you will be!
Show exemplary character: The prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” (Tirmidhi).
So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.
No time wasting: We must make a firm intention that during these blessed 10 nights, we will not take part in idle talk, watch TV, play computer games or spend time on the social media. There are 355 days in the year for all that – if you really cannot resist. This is just 10 nights! There will be indeed an utter loss and regret for those of us who waste these blessed 10 nights.
