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Fullest Advantage of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Printed From: IslamiCity.org
Category: Religion - Islam
Forum Name: Quran & Sunnah
Forum Description: Understanding Quranic ayat and Sunnah
URL: https://www.islamicity.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44405
Printed Date: 28 March 2024 at 10:35am
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Topic: Fullest Advantage of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
Posted By: quranforkids
Subject: Fullest Advantage of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
Date Posted: 03 March 2020 at 11:51pm

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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