[bluey]

Last Ten Days of Ramadaan

Abu Umaamah radi allahu anh. said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'. He said: 'Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.' " [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]

The last ten Nights of Ramadan are upon us and it is important for us to know the benefits of these days.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadaan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. (Muslim, 1175, from ‘Aa’ishah).

It is reported from the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins. (al-Bukhaari, 1920; Muslim, 1174).

The Muslim should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for he is the best example, and he should strive hard in worshipping Allaah. He should not waste the hours of these days and nights.

For we do not know, perhaps this time will never come again, for the spoiler of pleasures, i.e., death, which must come to all men, may come and snatch him and his life will end; then he will feel regret at the time when regret will be of no avail.

Among the unique virtues of these special nights is that Laylat al-Qadr is among them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadaan]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. As a Command (or this Qur’aan or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers), (As) a mercy from your Rabb. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [al-Dukhaan 44:1-6]

The phrase Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments means, on that night the destiny of all creatures for the coming year is decreed. On that night it is written who will live, who will die, who will be saved, who will be doomed, who will be destined for Paradise

So Allaah has called it Laylat al-Qadr, because of its great value and high status with Allaah, and because so many sins are forgiven and so many faults are concealed during this night.

For it is the night of forgiveness, as it was reported in al-Saheehayn from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760).

Allaah described it as being better than a thousand months, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months” [al-Qadr 97:3].

On this night, the angels and the Spirit [al-Rooh] descend, “i.e., many angels descend of this night because it is so blessed, and the angels come down when Allaah’s blessing and mercy come down, just as they come down when Qur’aan is recited, and they surround the circles of dhikr (gatherings where Allaah is remembered), and they beat their wings for the one who sincerely seeks knowledge, out of respect for him.” (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/531).

The Spirit [al-Rooh] is Jibreel (peace be upon him), who is specifically mentioned in this manner as a sign of respect for him.

Allaah forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this night out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him.

It was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven, and whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon).

The phrase “out of faith and in the hope of earning reward” means, believing in Allaah’s promise of reward for this, and seeking the reward, with no other aim or purpose, such as showing off etc.” (Fath al-Baari, 4/251).

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months means, it is better than over eighty three years, as we have already mentioned.

This is a great virtue, the value of which no one can fully understand except the Rabb of the Worlds, may He be blessed and exalted.

This encourages the Muslim to spend this night in prayer and to seek the Face of Allaah by doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to seek this night, hoping to gain some good from it, and he is the example for this Ummah.

As Muslims who are in Ramadan, we should make the most of these last ten days and nights by praying, fasting properly and reading the Quraan frequently so that they may help us in the hereafter.

What to supplicate most with:

Aishah (RA) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (SAW) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).” [At-Tirmidhi]

[Excerpts taken from Shaykh Salih Al-Munajjids article]

[shadha]

Ramadan was sooo quick this year.


shadha-

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by shadha

Ramadan was sooo quick this year.


shadha-

It's always so quick . You just gotta catch the juicy parts of Ramadan before they pass you by

[shadha]

For me it usually takes forever but I guess since it's ending a week before my wedding hence I've been more focused on wedding prep, I kind of missed the whole Ramadan spirit thang.


shadha-

[Variable]

Do people ever get 'Ramadan blues' towards the end? I'm wondering if people don't start getting annoyed really easily from the hunger and everything. Or is it better by the end because you're used to it and everyone's in their groove? Or does none of that apply?

[Spice]

The hunger really depends on your environment, where you live and stuff, and your amount of activity throughout the day. Usually its pretty easy, and the day flies by, but the longer your day is, the more you feel it. However, it does get easier- as you mentioned. You kind of get used to it and your eating habits are conditioned toward te end and it gets comfortable. Make sense?

[bluey]

I know, SubhanAllah it just flew by.

I get depressed by the end. I don't want it to end. It is such a beautiful month with so many blessings. I love how people refrain from everything.

About the hunger, a couple of years back I used to feel the hunger as hunger. Now I enjoy the hunger, it adds to the spritiuality of it. [If that made any sense]. I guess over the years I increased in faith and religious knowledge, so that made a difference.

[The Girl]

here's an email i received from Muhammad Al-Shareef...

The last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us. And soon after this you the journey for Hajj will begin for Muslims around the world.

If you make the same dua, each day, for the last ten nights of Ramadan, it's guaranteed that you would have made that dua during Laylatul-Qadr. (A night worth 1000 months of reward in the sight of Allah).

********************************
So, prepare your dua from now!
********************************

Step 1: Ask yourself, "If Allah said to me, I'll give you anything you wish, just ask!" What would you ask for? Make a list. (Try to fill 2 pages worth of dua, from the goodness of this life and the next.

Step 2: Pick about 6 of those things

Step 3: Make dua for those 6 things consistently every night for the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Of course, make as much dua as you want, but make sure these 6 things are consistent.

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef

[shsh]

Originally Posted by shadha

For me it usually takes forever but I guess since it's ending a week before my wedding hence I've been more focused on wedding prep, I kind of missed the whole Ramadan spirit thang.


shadha-

yeah..same here.

but this year, it was suhoor after iftaar after suhoor after iftaar...until only ten days are left =|

[aFallenAngel]

i wish ramadaan could last forever. *sigh* Inshallah i cant wait till next year.

[Liam_Saiful_Din]

Originally Posted by shadha

Ramadan was sooo quick this year.


shadha-

Good, it's not just me that felt this way. Oddly enough I tend to attend the masjid more throughout the year since I'm not a fan of crowds. Especially crowds of people I never see any other time of year that tend to be the pushiest when it comes to functions at the masjid.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by Spice

The hunger really depends on your environment, where you live and stuff, and your amount of activity throughout the day. Usually its pretty easy, and the day flies by, but the longer your day is, the more you feel it. However, it does get easier- as you mentioned. You kind of get used to it and your eating habits are conditioned toward te end and it gets comfortable. Make sense?

Yes thankyou.

Originally Posted by bluey

I know, SubhanAllah it just flew by.

... I love how people refrain from everything.

Why doesn't that surprise me
(jk )


Well I have a silly sounding question - do you have to stop fasting when Ramadan ends? Or can you keep going if you want to? Why not make Ramadan all year round? Or would that diminish it? It sounds like it'd be healthy for people used to a North American diet (or is it true that people gain weight during Ramadan, not loose it?)

[MuslimZ]

Shameless plug time:

TUNE IN TONIGHT FOR IMAM ZAID SHAKIR!

[Timbit]

The woman in that poster is doing sajda in the weirdest way. Almost like a somersault.