THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADHAN.
“Surely, we have revealed to you the Grand Night, and what will make you comprehend what the Grand Night is? The Grand Night is better than a thousand months. The Angels and the Spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace! It is till the break of the morning.”
– The Holy Qur’an (97:5)
Today marks day 23 of Ramadhan. The past days have been filled with fasting and lots of ibadah worship within the Muslim community. The holy month of Ramadan is slowly coming to an end and with it, the last ten days. The last ten days of Ramadan are important to any Muslim as among them is Layla tul qadr.In the Qur’an, it is said that “the night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months”.On this night, the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad for the first time by Angel Jibril As.
It is said that the Prophet Mohammad (saw) would single these last ten days out for performing good deeds, and would spend the nights in near-constant worship. In the spirit of the Prophet Mohammed SAW, Muslims around the world spend the last ten nights in itikaf a period of retreat in a mosque or a quiet and serene place, for worship. The Qur’an states that anyone who sacrifices sleep to worship Allah will be rewarded especially, thus this is a common practice during the last ten days of Ramadan, in the hope of reaping the rewards of Laylatul Qadr.
Aisha reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-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).”
A special supplication is recited during the last ten nights, whereby Muslims around the world ask Allah to forgive them for He loves those who repent. Any good acts and deeds completed on this single night are the equivalent to if you had performed that one act for a thousand months (83 years). Muslims are urged to make the most out of the last ten days and reap the benefits of the hereafter as no one knows when Layla tul Qadr falls.
Among the many deeds, Muslims are urged to, Recite the Quran and ponder its meanings. Muslims should try and understand the reason for the sending of the Quran and most importantly the role of the Quran in day to day life. Supplications or Duas are highly recommended. Muslims are urged to not only pray for themselves but for others as well. Donating to charity, the act of giving is an act that is greatly rewarded and is greatly encouraged during the Holy month of Ramadan. If the rewards and blessings of giving in this month are so great, can you imagine what the rewards for giving on this night of Laylatul Qadr will be like?