Ramadan is a month of spiritual cleansing and purification for Muslims in which we try to increase our worship, good deeds and acts of charity. The last ten days and nights hold even more significance as Allah shows great mercy to His creation. They are a chance to benefit from the immense blessings of Ramadan and seek salvation before the month comes to an end. Allah says:
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا
Verily, We sent it down during a blessed night. Verily, We were to warn people. On that night is made distinct every precise matter proceeding from Us.” (Surah Al-Dukhan 44:3-6)
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its close, we are reminded how important the last 10 days of Ramadan really are. It is during this time that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) on Laylatul Qadr, and though we don’t know exactly which day in these last 10 days of Ramadan our Holy Scripture was revealed, we do know that each of these nights brings immense rewards. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِي رَيْبِهِمْ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ
“Only ask your leave those who (do) not believe in Allah and the Day the Last, and (are in) doubts their hearts, so they in their doubts they waver.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:45)
The last 10 days of Ramadan show our devotion by exerting ourselves to perform as many good deeds as possible; reciting the Quran, praying during the night, giving charity and making dua. Our supplications during the last 10 days of Ramadan are exceptionally special. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Dua is the essence of worship.” [Tirmidhi] and in these last 10 days of Ramadan Allah generously multiplies the blessings you receive for your worship.
The spiritual significance of the last ten days of Ramadan:
- Laylatul Qadr’s night, Angels descend on earth and makes an appearance
- Laylatul Qadr’s night, Allah hands out the divine decrees for each person
- Laylatul Qadr encompasses a state of complete tranquility
- Laylatul Qadr engage in worship and remember Allah
- Laylatul Qadr is the most important night of the year
- Laylatul Qadr, we look for the night by worshipping
- Laylatul Qadr is a night of forgiveness and mercy
- Laylatul Qadr night is an obvious sunnah too
- Laylatul Qadr dedicate his time for worship
- Laylatul Qadr’s night Quran was revealed
- Laylatul Qadr is one of the sunnahs of Allah
- Laylatul Qadr is known as the Night of Decree
- Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months
- Laylatul Qadr is the hope of catching the bless night
- Laylatul Qadr believed that it is most likely an odd night
- Laylatul Qadr’s night will have their previous sins wiped clean
- Laylatul Qadr’s night blessings, compassion and mercy is overflowing
- Laylatul Qadr Gracious God leading to one`s pardon over transgressions
Seeking Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr – the Night of Decree or the Night of Power – is one of the most important nights in the Islamic calendar. It was the night in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and this was within the last ten nights of Ramadan.It is also believed to be the night in which Allah shows great mercy to His creation and the night in which one’s fate is decreed. “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning and Generous; You love to pardon, so pardon us.”
Sincerely praying for forgiveness, reciting the Holy Quran, sending Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet) and offering optional (nafl) prayers are examples of beneficial acts of worship on these nights. The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is unknown, although it is thought to occur on an odd night in the last ten days of Ramadan (e.g. the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27 or 29th night). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights,” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim).
Performing i’tikaf
Many Muslims choose to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in seclusion (i’tikaf), where one solely focuses on worshipping Allah and refrains from involvement in worldly affairs. It is a time to reflect, increase worship and increase one’s religious knowledge, seeking closeness to Allah.
Allah says in the Qur’an, “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months,” (Qur’an, 97:3)
The sunnah is to remain in i’tikaf for ten days but as a minimum, it can be one day and one night. I’tikaf is a great opportunity to reconnect with Allah in solitude. It is also a time to implement good religious practices which can be carried on throughout the whole year.
Giving sadaqah during the last ten nights
The last ten days of Ramadan are an opportunity to gain multiple rewards by giving sadaqah to those in need for the sake of seeking the pleasure of Allah. The rewards of giving sadaqah during Ramadan are multiplied by 70 and the reward for any righteous act during Laylatul Qadr is equivalent to having performed the same act for over 83 years.
These duas for the last 10 days of Ramadan will be sure to maximise the impact of your supplications:
Dua for the Night of Power: This dua should be recited on Laylatul Qadr, so it is the best dua for the last 10 days of Ramadan. Recite this dua every night, as much as you can, over these last 10 days of Ramadan to receive Allah’s (SWT) mercy.
الْلَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“O Allah, You are the Most forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
Dua for protection: Asking for Allah’s (SWT) protection during Ramadan is important, and in doing so we can seek protection from hellfire.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالجَنَّةَ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّارِ
“O Allah, I ask of Your pleasure and for Paradise, and I seek refuge from Your displeasure and from the Hellfire.”
Dua for after your fast: You can recite this dua throughout the last 10 days of Ramadan once you have broken your fast in the evenings to give thanks to Allah (SWT) and seek His blessings.
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
“Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills.”
Dua for guidance: During the last 10 days of Ramadan, Allah is especially close to us and accepts our duas with contentment for our striving towards Him, so what better time could there be to ask for guidance.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَ التُّقَى وَ العَفَافَ وَ الغِنَى
“O Allah, I ask You for guidance andpiety, and abstinence (from the unlawful) and modesty, and contentment and sufficiency.”
Dua for direction: In the last 10 days of Ramadan, we should renew our intentions and ask Allah to guide us on the way forward so that we can continue to be good and just.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِني ، وسَدِّدْنِي
“O Allah! Direct me to the Right Path and make me adhere to the Straight Path.”
Dua for wisdom: Reciting a dua for wisdom throughout the last 10 days of Ramadan is a wonderful way to ask the Almighty for the knowledge we need to be faithful to Islam and protect our brothers and sisters in humanity.
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَ عَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي وَ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, and teach me that which will benefit me, and increase me in knowledge.”
Dua for your parents: Our parents are some of the most important people in our lives and we should dedicate time to make dua for them during these last 10 days of Ramadan. Share Allah’s (SWT) blessings with those who raised you.
رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
“My Lord, have mercy upon them (parents) as they brought me up [when i was] small.”
The last ten days and nights hold even more significance as they are full of even greater reward and blessings. In the last ten nights, we are offered such a great opportunity for forgiveness and reward. It is important we make the most of the blessings of Ramadan, as we do not know if we will be blessed to experience another Ramadan. Allah says:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“Certainly, is for you in (the) Messenger (of) Allah an excellent example for (one) who has hope (in) Allah and the Day the Last, and remembers Allah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
The last ten days of Ramadan provides an opportunity for Muslims to practice these virtues. The last ten days should be observed with more spirit and enthusiasm as with them the Ramadan ends and who knows whether someone will live another year to welcome this Holy Month again and collect all the riches and rewards that it comes with.
