The Last Ten Days

Here we are at one of the last stations, and it is time to work hard and strive. We are in the phases for "hurry" and "race" in order to make the best out of these special times. Do your best for the reward is magnificent and the frit deserves the hard work in order to obtain it. This fruit is Laylat al-Qadr.

Allah (SWT[1]) says what can be translated as, "And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn." [Al-Qadr 97, 2-5], {وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ﴿٢﴾ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ}, Transliteration: Wa Mā 'Adrāka Mā Laylatu Al-Qadri, Laylatu Al-Qadri Khayrun Min 'Alfi Shahrin, Tanazzalu Al-Malā'ikatu Wa Ar-Rūĥu Fīhā Bi'idhni Rabbihim Min Kulli 'Amrin, Salāmun Hiya Ĥattá Maţla`i Al-Fajri.

Abu-Musa al-Ash'ar (RA[2]) strived to a great extent before his death. He was told, "Why don't you take it easy on yourself a little?" He replied, "When horses are near the end line, they give their best." Hence, this great companion worked really hard and gave it all he has.

The Prophet (SAWS) used to pray during the night, wake up his family and strive harder than ever before during the last ten days of Ramadan. [Agreed Upon]

Ayesha (RA) said, "The Prophet (SAWS) worked harder during he last ten days than in any other time." [Reported by Muslim]

Advice for the ten days:

1- No sleep in the last ten days: The Prophet (SAWS) used to stay awake on those nights through night prayer.

2- Encourage your family to enjoin you in good deeds: In a hadith reported by Abi Dhir (RA), the Prophet (SAWS) lead them in prayer on the nights of the 23rd and 25th mentioned that he called his family and wives to the night of the twenty seventh especially. This proves that he made sure to wake them up to pray during a night suspected of being Laylat al-Qadr.

Sufian al-Thawry said: "The most favorite to me and closest to my heart when the last ten days are near is to pray at night and strive in it, to wake my family and children for prayer (if they are able to)."

3- Increase supplication on this night: The Prophet (SAWS) asked the mother of the believers Ayesha (RA) to make supplication on those nights.

Ayesha (RA) said to the Prophet (SAWS), "What do I say if it is indeed Laylat al-Qadr?"

The Prophet (SAWS) said: «Say, ‘O Allah, You are oft-forgiving and love to forgive so forgive me».

Sufian al-Thawry said: "Supplication on such a night is more preferable to me than prayer. Increasing supplications is better than prayer in which one does not do excessive supplication. And if one reads then makes supplication, then that is fine too."

4- Purification of what is seen and what is hidden: Pious worshippers used to make ghusl (complete ablution) during each of the lat ten nights. There are many who also used to wear cologne on nights which they hoped to be Laylat al-Qadr. For indeed one needs to be in their best state on the outside and the inside, when supplicating to the Lord of the worlds.

5- Its night is like its morning, don't forget that. Many scholars stress the fact that the benefits of the morning of that day are just as great as those of its night time. It is important to note the need to continue good deeds and worship during the day as well.

The great scholar Imam as-Shafi'e said: "I prefer to strive during its day than its night. This necessitates doing the same through out the last ten days, striving equally during the day and at night."

6- Among the most honored acts of worship is to devote your self completely to Allah...

Allah said in what can be translated as, "And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion. (He Alone is) the Lord of the east and the west, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). So take Him Alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs)." [al-Muzammel: 8-9], {وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ﴿٨﴾ رَّبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَاتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلًا}, Transliteration: Wa Adhkur Asma Rabbika Wa Tabattal 'Ilayhi Tabtīlāan, Rabbu Al-Mashriqi Wa Al-Maghribi Lā 'Ilāha 'Illā Huwa Fa Attakhidh/hu Wa Kīlāan.

So dedicate your heart wholly to Allah (SWT) with no arguments, discussion, idle talk, unnecessary intermingling. Turn off your phone, let go of your worries and forget your concerns. Dedicate yourself completely to Allah and enjoy worshipping and praying to him.

7- Sense your heart and watch your intention, for a person's intention is better than his/her deeds. So make your intention and dedicate yourself to Allah.

8- Remember that your status will be set according to how hard you strive. Do not let a door for good deeds go closed. Commit yourself to the different types of obedience to Allah in order to make sure you do not get tired or bored of any particular one.

9- You must strive hard while being patient. It has been said that whoever wants to always be committee to the good deeds must wait for a long while.

10- Speak less. Count your words per day and at night. Whoever speaks little is more careful of their sayings and actions.

11- Remember that these are the time of races; so do not settle for coming last. Someone once said, "If a man hears of another who is more obedient, passing away out of grief is not too much."

Would you settle of being deprived of this?, Would you accept that other people win the forgiveness, pardon from the hell fire while their good deeds are multiplying?, Meanwhile, you are burdened by your sins. Do not accept this. Do not settle down for this, instead opt for racing towards Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

12- Have faith in Allah. If you miss something, turn around and try to make up for it. If you have true faith in Allah, you will indeed love Him dearly. Oh Lord, we ask you to bless us with Your love and the love of those who love You. We ask you to bless us with deeds which bring us close to Your love.

13- Perform some of your acts of worship in secret, with not witness to is but Allah. This will bring you closer to true sincerity.

The Prophet (SAWS) said, «The voluntary prayer of a man where people can not see him is equivalent to twenty give of public prayers» [Reported by Ya'la and reviewed by al-Albany].

14- Combine the quantity and quality.... We want magnificent deeds the like of which you have never accomplished before in your life. This year, you will accomplish them... Yes, indeed you will. This is the true sign of your sincerity in seeking the pleasure of Allah and His bountiful blessings. You will never settle for anything less than that. You must do the best you can.