The month of Ramadan is considered the holiest for Muslims and is the month of Allah’s (SWT) blessings, mercy and forgiveness. The last Ashra of Ramadan (the last 10 nights) is known as Safety from the Hellfire. It is an opportunity to increase our spirituality, seek forgiveness and gain closeness to Allah (SWT). Also, among these last 10 nights is Laylatul Qadr – The Night of Power or The Night of Decree – a night so miraculous that it is declared to be better than a thousand months.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘This month has come to you, and in it, there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.’ (Anas ibn Malik)
So, what should we do in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, to take full advantage and to not be deprived? The best thing to do is to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who would devote himself to charity, prayer and worship more than at any other time. Here is a list of To-dos.
The Prophet (PBUH) would stay at the mosque over these last 10 days to perform Ih’tikahf. Ih’tikahf is a spiritual retreat when one secludes oneself from the world and spends time in devotion and prayer.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Whoever was in Itikaf with me should stay in Itikaf for the last ten days, for I was informed (of the date) of the Night (of Qadr) but I have been caused to forget it.’ (Abu Said Al-Khudri)
During this time, one can pray extra Salaah, read the Qur’an, make abundant Dhikr (remembrance of Allah in the form of Tasbih) and send salutations (Durood) on our beloved Prophet (PBUH).
It was on this night that the first revelation of the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and when Allah (SWT) revealed to him his mission of prophethood. This was ordained even before the world and humanity were created. No wonder then that many people stay up for the night and spend time in worship and the remembrance of Allah (SWT). Allah proclaims in the Qur’an:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Qur’an, 97:3)
This means that any good deed performed during this night will be rewarded as if it were consistently done for 1,000 months! It is a night to seek forgiveness, make dua, read the Qur’an, spend our time in Dhikr and give Sadaqah. Already in Ramadan, these good deeds are rewarded seventy times more than at any other time, but on the Night of Decree, we will earn rewards for 1,000 months.
Charity will be our shade on the Day of Resurrection, and what better time to give Sadaqah than during the last 10 days of Ramadan?
‘Protect yourself from hellfire even by giving a piece of date in charity.’ (Bukhari)
For your convenience, we’ve set up our ‘My 10 Nights’ facility – an automated giving tool on our website, which allows you to schedule your charity in advance. You can choose your cause and how much you want to give on each of the ten nights, so your donation goes through automatically while you focus on your worship knowing that this important task has been taken care of. Find out how.
Akhuwat
Akhuwat provides Qarz-e-Hasna to underprivileged families so they can help themselves out of poverty. Our borrowers/recipients repay only the capital amount, without interest. With one of the highest repayment rates in the world, Akhuwat continues to transform lives one Qarz-e-Hasna at a time. Akhuwat is registered in the UK with the Charities Commission (Registered Charity Number: 1136317).
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