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08-14-2011, 07:04 PM
10 Steps to Maximising the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
The last ten days of Ramadan are very precious indeed:
Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim).
Hazrat Aishah (Ra) reported that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). (Bukhari)
Hazrat Aisha (Ra) reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Saw) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)
So we need to tighten all of our belts especially in these last ten days and do as much as we can to thank Allah and worship him and ask him for forgiveness.
Here are some ways that we can all make the best of these precious last ten days of this most blessed month:
1. Make a timetable for oneself for the last ten days
One should make a timetable for oneself so that one can make the best of these last 10 precious days.
One can include the times that one will read the Qur’an and how much one will read like one juz (Chapter) or half a juz etc as well as certain Nafil prayers one will do throughout the day and night and any worship that one will do etc.
One should strive to make time the to worship on at least the last odd nights of the last ten days as these are the nights where it is said that it is most likely to be Laylat ul Qadr (The night of power).
Making a structured timetable may help one to better organise oneself especially in these precious days 10 days.
2. Spend the last 10 days in I’thikaaf
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the Masjid with the intention of becoming closer to Allah by doing constant remembrance, glorification and worship of Allah Ta’aala.
One should perform as many Nafil prayers as possible and recite much of the Qur’an and its meanings, read books on Islam and keep ones lips moist with the constant glorification and remembrance of Allah ta’aala.
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, "Used to perform i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Said reported that the Prophet (S) said: "Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I'tikaf during the last ten [nights]." (Bukhari)
We can also do what’s called Nafil I’thikaf where one can obtain reward for as long as one is in the Masjid even if it is for a short while.
So every time we enter the Masjid we should make intention of doing Nafil I’thikaf for as long as we are in the Masjid we will get rewarded inshallah depending on how long we stay. If we don’t stay at the Masjid for the full ten days then we should at least strive to stay at the Masjid as much as possible during the odd nights or last 5-7 days.
3. Recite the Qur’an abundantly
Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an and feeding the poor.”
Ibn Al-Hakam said, “With the advent of Ramadan, Malik would completely forsake studying Hadith and having sessions with other scholars [so that he can concentrate on reading the Qur'an].”
Abdur-Raziq said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”
Both fasting and recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan act as intercessors with Almighty Allah for the true believer who observes them.
In this respect, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said,
Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede on behalf of Allah’s servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so accept my intercession for him.” And the Qur’an will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from sleeping by night, so accept my intercession for him.” The intercession of both will thus be accepted. (Ahmad)
This is the month of the holy Qur’an so we should strive to recite as much of it as we can especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan as there is a special merit to reciting the Qur'an in the nights of Ramadan. For indeed, the night brings an end to the busy daily affairs, the enthusiasm is roused and the heart and the tongue mount upon reflecting. And Allah is the one in whom we seek assistance.
Hazrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "Whoever reads the Quran, Allah grants that person ten good deeds for every letter. And for one who hears the Qur’an being recited, Allah grants a good deed for every letter, and such a person will be resurrected among those who will recite and ascend the stages of Jannat."
The reward for reading a letter of the Holy Qur’an in this blessed month is also very much increased so its 70 good deeds or MORE for reading just one letter so lets make the best use of these precious last few days and read as much of the Qur’an as we can!
4. Strive to gain forgiveness
One should strive and do their utmost to gain the mercy of Allah in these last ten days especially. If one leaves Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely they are the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and the next.
Aisha (Ra) said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' “
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).
Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The best times to ask for forgiveness are just before the time of breaking ones fast and before Sehri after one reads the Tahajjud prayer. These are the times we should concentrate on repenting the most as these times duas are more readily accepted.
We should sincerely repent for past and present sins with the intention of not repeating them again and ask of Allah Ta’aala to help us prevent ourselves from doing them again and ask Allah to perfect our characters and to help us improve ourselves in everyway possible.
5. Do Parents Khidmat (Help)
We should always be the best towards our parents at all times and not even say “uff” to them and in Ramadan and in particular the last ten days we should increase ourselves in helping our Parents and being the best towards them and making them happy and smile.
A man asked Prophet Muhammad "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari).
The reward for being good and kind toward one's parents was mentioned on several occasions by Prophet Muhammad (Saw), emphasizing that those who are obedient to their parents and to God also will be in the highest places in Paradise.
Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) mentions in Noble Qur'an:
"And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! Have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little." Noble Qur'an (17:23-24)
A man asked Prophet Muhammad(Saw) "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari).
Prophet Muhammad (Saw) also indicated that the pleasure or anger of Allah is in the pleasure or anger of parents, and that Muslims who are kind to their parents earn forgiveness from Allah. The importance of gaining the pleasure of one's parents was also emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (Saw) when he said that the earnest prayers of parents for or against their child are always answered by Allah.
So if our parents are angry or unhappy with us then how do we expect our fasts and deeds to be accepted? How do we expect to gain the mercy and forgiveness from Allah? Now is the time to ask our parents to forgive us for any wrongs we have done towards them and any unhappiness we have brought towards them and start from now to make them the happiest so that Allah may be the happiest with us.
Continued
The last ten days of Ramadan are very precious indeed:
Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim).
Hazrat Aishah (Ra) reported that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). (Bukhari)
Hazrat Aisha (Ra) reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Saw) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)
So we need to tighten all of our belts especially in these last ten days and do as much as we can to thank Allah and worship him and ask him for forgiveness.
Here are some ways that we can all make the best of these precious last ten days of this most blessed month:
1. Make a timetable for oneself for the last ten days
One should make a timetable for oneself so that one can make the best of these last 10 precious days.
One can include the times that one will read the Qur’an and how much one will read like one juz (Chapter) or half a juz etc as well as certain Nafil prayers one will do throughout the day and night and any worship that one will do etc.
One should strive to make time the to worship on at least the last odd nights of the last ten days as these are the nights where it is said that it is most likely to be Laylat ul Qadr (The night of power).
Making a structured timetable may help one to better organise oneself especially in these precious days 10 days.
2. Spend the last 10 days in I’thikaaf
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the Masjid with the intention of becoming closer to Allah by doing constant remembrance, glorification and worship of Allah Ta’aala.
One should perform as many Nafil prayers as possible and recite much of the Qur’an and its meanings, read books on Islam and keep ones lips moist with the constant glorification and remembrance of Allah ta’aala.
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, "Used to perform i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Said reported that the Prophet (S) said: "Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I'tikaf during the last ten [nights]." (Bukhari)
We can also do what’s called Nafil I’thikaf where one can obtain reward for as long as one is in the Masjid even if it is for a short while.
So every time we enter the Masjid we should make intention of doing Nafil I’thikaf for as long as we are in the Masjid we will get rewarded inshallah depending on how long we stay. If we don’t stay at the Masjid for the full ten days then we should at least strive to stay at the Masjid as much as possible during the odd nights or last 5-7 days.
3. Recite the Qur’an abundantly
Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an and feeding the poor.”
Ibn Al-Hakam said, “With the advent of Ramadan, Malik would completely forsake studying Hadith and having sessions with other scholars [so that he can concentrate on reading the Qur'an].”
Abdur-Raziq said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”
Both fasting and recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan act as intercessors with Almighty Allah for the true believer who observes them.
In this respect, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said,
Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede on behalf of Allah’s servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so accept my intercession for him.” And the Qur’an will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from sleeping by night, so accept my intercession for him.” The intercession of both will thus be accepted. (Ahmad)
This is the month of the holy Qur’an so we should strive to recite as much of it as we can especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan as there is a special merit to reciting the Qur'an in the nights of Ramadan. For indeed, the night brings an end to the busy daily affairs, the enthusiasm is roused and the heart and the tongue mount upon reflecting. And Allah is the one in whom we seek assistance.
Hazrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "Whoever reads the Quran, Allah grants that person ten good deeds for every letter. And for one who hears the Qur’an being recited, Allah grants a good deed for every letter, and such a person will be resurrected among those who will recite and ascend the stages of Jannat."
The reward for reading a letter of the Holy Qur’an in this blessed month is also very much increased so its 70 good deeds or MORE for reading just one letter so lets make the best use of these precious last few days and read as much of the Qur’an as we can!
4. Strive to gain forgiveness
One should strive and do their utmost to gain the mercy of Allah in these last ten days especially. If one leaves Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely they are the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and the next.
Aisha (Ra) said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' “
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).
Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The best times to ask for forgiveness are just before the time of breaking ones fast and before Sehri after one reads the Tahajjud prayer. These are the times we should concentrate on repenting the most as these times duas are more readily accepted.
We should sincerely repent for past and present sins with the intention of not repeating them again and ask of Allah Ta’aala to help us prevent ourselves from doing them again and ask Allah to perfect our characters and to help us improve ourselves in everyway possible.
5. Do Parents Khidmat (Help)
We should always be the best towards our parents at all times and not even say “uff” to them and in Ramadan and in particular the last ten days we should increase ourselves in helping our Parents and being the best towards them and making them happy and smile.
A man asked Prophet Muhammad "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari).
The reward for being good and kind toward one's parents was mentioned on several occasions by Prophet Muhammad (Saw), emphasizing that those who are obedient to their parents and to God also will be in the highest places in Paradise.
Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) mentions in Noble Qur'an:
"And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! Have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little." Noble Qur'an (17:23-24)
A man asked Prophet Muhammad(Saw) "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari).
Prophet Muhammad (Saw) also indicated that the pleasure or anger of Allah is in the pleasure or anger of parents, and that Muslims who are kind to their parents earn forgiveness from Allah. The importance of gaining the pleasure of one's parents was also emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (Saw) when he said that the earnest prayers of parents for or against their child are always answered by Allah.
So if our parents are angry or unhappy with us then how do we expect our fasts and deeds to be accepted? How do we expect to gain the mercy and forgiveness from Allah? Now is the time to ask our parents to forgive us for any wrongs we have done towards them and any unhappiness we have brought towards them and start from now to make them the happiest so that Allah may be the happiest with us.
Continued