The Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Ramadan days are passing quickly, and we are about to enter the Last Ten Days of Ramadan. It is agreed that Ramadan is the best of months, and scholars agree that the last ten days are the best days of Ramadan, with Laylat Al-Qadr being its best night.

The successful person is the one who seizes Ramadan’s last opportunity for forgiveness and makes up for what was lost during the previous 20 days. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as narrated by Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): “When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family, and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.”

It is time to get rid of laziness and comfort and embrace what Allah is offering you during these days, such as mercy, forgiveness, and answered duas.

 

What to Do in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan?

Do I‘tikaf. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spent the last ten nights of Ramadan performing Qiyam Al-Layl (night prayer), and he used to wake up his family. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he did at any other time of the year, and he would devote himself even more to the worship of Allah during the last ten nights of Ramadan than he did during the earlier part of the month.

For men, I‘tikaf means staying in the Masjid and not leaving unless it is necessary, for example, to go to work. Women can perform I‘tikaf in the Masjid if they have enough privacy, or at home in a room that provides sufficient privacy.

Seize Every Moment. During the nights of Ramadan, we can pray, but what about the daytime? Muslims should strive to make use of every moment during these blessed days. We abstain from food and drink during the day, but we should also abstain from sins and all Haram deeds, such as watching petty programmes. The days and nights are equally blessed by Allah.

Read the Quran. Ramadan is the month of the Quran, and there is nothing better than trying to draw closer to Allah through His words. You can make a special Khatmah. And here is a little motivation for you: some people complete a Khatmah every three days. If they can do it, then you can too.

During your night prayers, whether you pray 11 Rak‘ahs, 20 Rak‘ahs, or whatever doors of worship Allah opens for you, you can read from the Quran if you are not a Hafiz of the Quran or are afraid of making mistakes while reciting from memory. In this way, you can read as much of the Quran as possible.

Make Dua and Lots of Dhikr. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked, “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He ﷺ replied, “You should supplicate: (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).”

Ask Allah to forgive you and erase your sins. Ask Allah for Jannah and ask Him to keep you away from Hellfire. Ask Allah to guide you to the straight path and to strengthen your heart. Many duas can be repeated during these blessed days. Also, ask Allah to give you what you need in this life, and be confident that your duas will be answered.

Laylat Al-Qadr

It is a night of great blessing in which Allah Almighty showers His mercy upon those of His believing servants who sincerely and faithfully love and obey His Will. It is a night commonly associated with the revelation of the Holy Quran. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan and say, “Seek Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Allah says that this night is better than a thousand months, meaning that worshipping Allah on that night is better than worshipping Him for a thousand months. There are many forms of worshipping Allah on this night, such as making dua, performing Qiyam Al-Layl, giving charity, and remembering Allah through Dhikr.

Finally, may Allah aid us in remembering Him, thanking Him, and worshipping Him properly. May Allah give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the torment of the Fire. May Allah accept our fasting, Qiyam Al-Layl, charity, and Dhikr.