The final ten days of Ramadan are deemed the most
sacred and blessed. They must consequently be spent in acts of devotion and
worship. Ayesha (R.A)
reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet
(PBUH) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e., strive to his utmost). He used to pray
all night long and also kept his family awake for prayers. (Bukhari)
In their quest to attain the ‘Night
of Power/Decree’, which is better than a thousand months, Muslims typically
forsake their beds to worship Allah. The most sought after night of Qadr
is found in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten. A widely celebrated
night in which the Noble Quran was first revealed. In it, Jibrail (A.S)
descends with Allah’s decrees. What follows is a strategic plan for Muslims to take
the fullest advantage of these last ten days of Ramadan.
Pursue every good deed
In an elegant religion such as Islam,
which appreciates and rewards even the smallest of acts such as smiling,
there can be no dearth of good deeds. It is common knowledge that rewards
are multiplied in Ramadan, and a Muslim should not lose out in accumulating
good deeds.
Good deeds may involve but are not
limited to:
·
Being mindful of the haram
and halal
·
Serving parents with kindness
·
Helping around the house or at work
·
Removing an obstacle from the path
·
Feeding the poor and needy
·
Enjoining good and forbidding evil
A well-intended Muslim will never run
short of ideas related to good works.
Avoid technological
distractions
A Muslim should make noticeable
changes in his daily routine during the last ten days. One of them should
be to spend minimal time on social media unless it is to invite people
to Islam or remind believers. Technology can be very addictive and can
be both used and abused. Thus diversions like televisions,
phones, and laptops should not be tolerated during these blessed days.
Keep the tongue moist with
Allah’s Dhikr
One need not remain sitting on a
prayer mat to indulge in Dhikr. Dhikr can be done while sitting,
standing, walking, or lying down. Some of the most rewarding words whereby
a Muslim remembers Allah are:
- Allāhu Akbar (God is the
Greatest)
- SubḥānAllāh (Glory be to
God)
- Alḥamdulillāh (All praise
is due to God)
- Lā ilaha illAllāhu
waḥdahoo lā sharikalahoo, lahul mulku wa lahul ḥamdu wa Huwa
‘alaa hulli shai’in qadeer (There is no god but Allah, alone, without
partners. He is the Sovereign and His the praise, and He has power over
everything)
- SubhānAllāhi wa biḥamdihi,
SubhānAllāhi al-‘Aẓeem (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him, Glory be to
Allah, the Supreme)
Doing Dhikr frequently protects
the tongue from the evils of backbiting, slander, rumor-mongering, etc. It
fills a Muslim’s heart with tranquility instead:
“Those who have believed and
whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the
remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." (Quran-13:28)
Strive hard in Itikaf (seclusion
dedicated to worship)
Ayesha (R.A) reported
that the Prophet (PBUH): "Used to perform Itikaf in the last ten
days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty & Majestic took him." (Bukhari)
A Muslim in Itikaf should
keep himself preoccupied with acts of worship. He must not leave the neighborhood
mosque except for emergencies. Itikaf provides an ideal atmosphere of
seclusion for a worshipper to dedicate his time wholly to the seeking of
Allah’s pleasure. Prophetic Sunnah indicates that acts of worship in Itikaf
may include:
·
Reciting
and memorizing the Noble
Quran
·
Praying voluntary
salah like Duha and Tahajjud
·
Seeking
and imparting beneficial
knowledge
·
Increasing one’s Dhikr (remembrance)
Both men and women may
opt for Itikaf, during which sexual relations are prohibited:
“And do not have sexual relations with them
(your wives) while you are in Itikaf (i.e., confining oneself in a mosque for
prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques.” (Quran
2:87)
Make excessive Astaghfar
(repentance)
The seeking of forgiveness is due
upon a Muslim daily. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was known to have repented
to Allah at least a hundred times a day, to be written as one of His
grateful slaves. Only the unfortunate ones who neglect Astaghfar are deprived
of Allah’s forgiveness after the passing of Ramadan.
The following Astaghfar
is highly recommended for the last ten days of Ramadan: “Say
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are
All-Forgiving, and You love forgiveness so forgive me).”
A sensible Muslim will not squander away
the opportunity of being forgiven. Astaghfar is an act that is most beloved
to the Almighty: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
"Verily, Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His slave
than a person who lost his camel in a desert land and then found it
(unexpectedly)." (Bukhari)
Read, understand and reflect
upon the Noble Quran
It was in one of the odd-numbered nights
from amongst the last ten that the Quran was first revealed. The Prophet
(PBUH) would increase his recitation of the Quran during the last ten nights of
Ramadan.
A Muslim must bear in mind that besides
its recitation, reflecting upon the Quran and following its teachings are
also of paramount importance. Hence, all three objectives must be evident in a
believer’s approach to Allah’s Book.
A portion of the last ten days should be
devoted to reading the Quran. Another should be used for understanding it, and
a final predominant one to implementing its teachings.
Adult and young Muslims who can’t read the
Quran yet can always opt for an online Quran teacher at Online https://quranforkids.com" rel="nofollow - Quran
Academy . An online Quran class may be their best option, especially
during Ramadan, when traveling may not be convenient.
All in all, the ultimate reward of
having a strategic plan outlined for the last ten days of Ramadan lies
in experiencing the Night of Power. Are you up for it?
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