The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan
How do you take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan?
Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah and his companions. I will focus here on three major practices of the Prophet
and his companions during these days.
1-Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from Aishah Aisha reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard), pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari] |
2-Performing I`tikaf in the Masjid (seclusion in the Mosque)
Before going to the essential part of this last section, let us stop by one of the great imam of ahl Assunnah wal jama`ah and one of the greatest revivers of the Da`wah and the methodology of the Salaf, Shaikhul-Islam Shamsuddeen Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, who will give us a brain storming admonition.
He says (rahimahu Allah) in Zaad al Ma`aad fi hadyi khairi al `ibaab :
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. This was the practice of the Prophet Aishah
Abu Hurairah
Aishah `Aishah
Al-Bukhari records from Abu Said that the Prophet (S) said:
This Sunnah of the Prophet Sayyid Sabiq says in Fiqhus-Sunnah :
Ya'la ibn Umayyah said:
One who is performing Sunnah (like in Ramadan) i'tikaf (i.e. not the obligatory one that is made after a vow) may end his i`tikaf at any time, even if it is before the period he intended to stay. Aishah
The fact that the Messenger of Allah ordered (his and) his wives' tents to be struck down and (he himself left and) asked them to leave the i`tikaf after they have made the intention for it shows that they discarded the i`tikaf after they had begun it. It is preferred for the one who is making i`tikaf to perform many supererogatory acts of worship and to occupy himself with prayers, reciting the Qur'an, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His oneness and His greatness, asking His forgiveness, sending salutations on the Prophet, upon whom be peace, and supplicating Allah - that is, all actions that bring one closer to Allah. Included among these actions is studying and reading books of tafsir and hadith, books on the lives of the Prophets, upon whom be peace, books of fiqh, and so on. It is also preferred to set up a small tent in the courtyard of the mosque as the Prophet did. Permissible Acts for the Mu`takif (the Person Performing I`tikaf) The following acts are permissible for one who is making I'tikaf:
Actions that Nullify the I`tikaf. If a person performs one of the following acts, his i`tikaf will be nullified:
I`Tikaf Is Not Restricted To Men Only, Women Also Can Do It :
Dear Sisters! when reading this do not forget the modesty and the hijab of the wife of the Prophet |
3-Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree)
Allah says in what can be translated as :
and in Surat ad-Dukhan :
A Person Who Misses Laylatul-Qadr Is Really A Deprived Person! Abu Hurairah
One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld. Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allah should stand in prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for the great reward, since if he does this, Allah will forgive his previous sins. What Happens To The Person Who Witnesses Laylatul-Qadr? And What Should One Do? Abu Hurairah
It is recommended to supplicate a lot during this night, it is reported from our mother Aishah
When is Laylatul-Qadr ? It is preferred to seek this night during the last ten odd nights of Ramadan, as the Prophet Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet
`Aishah
However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at least not let the last seven pass him by, due to what is reported from Ibn 'Umar, who said:
This explains his saying:
It is known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as- Saamit,
Some of the ahadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten, so the first are general and the second more particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahadeeth state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion, all the ahadeeth agree and are not contradictory. In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatui-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the of seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth And Allah knows best. What are the signs of laylatul-Qadr? Allah's Messenger
Abu Hurairah
Ibn 'Abbaas, radhiya Allahu 'anhuma, said: Allah's Messenger
|
We pray to Allah to bless us this Ramadan by witnessing Laylatul-Qadr.
Source: TheMuslimLink - Staff
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