Ramadan’s Last Ten Nights and Days
In this blessed month of Ramadhan, we have now come to the grand finale – the last ten days of Ramadhan that are regarded as the “cream” of Ramadhan. In it is a night that Qur’an tells us is better than 1000 months (yes, monthsஸnot days!)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Hadith Narrated by An-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, Sahih At-Targheeb, 999.)
So, in preparation for the grand finale, here is a checklist of some of the things that we can all do to make the remaining days of Ramadaan work to our advantage:
1) Get in High Gear for the Next few Nights and Days
Time is of the essence. Every moment counts. Whatever you need to do for the next ten days to make the most in `Ibadah, good deeds, reciting Qur’an, dhikr, making du`aa’, etc., rewards are going to be multiplied. No one knew about the importance of these days more than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan as he did not do at other times.(Hadith Muslim)
If we lose this opportunity, we have to wait another year, assuming we are still around and are in good health and shape to make use of it. Even if we are, we have the past years’ sins on our shoulders and life’s normal trials and tribulations to face the coming year. So, there is no better time to ask Allah to make all that easier than NOW.
2) Get a Copy of the Qur’an and Recite as Often as You Can
Not enough can be mentioned on the benefits and virtues of Qur’an. It is proven in the authentic Sunnah that the Qur’an will intercede for those who read it at night, as Ahmad (6626) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of his food and his desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Qur’an will say: ‘I deprived him of his sleep at night so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will intercede.” (Narrated by Ahmad; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami`, no. 3882.)
As is stated in the hadith in which the The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:”Whosoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a Hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the Hasanah (good deed) is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-laam-meem is (considered as) a letter (in reward), rather Alif is one letter, laam is one letter, and meem is one letter.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darami)
The Messenger of Allah( Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:”The best of you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it.” (Hadith Reported by Al-Bukhari)
3) Get your Sins Forgiven
First the bad news –In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Thawbaan said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“A man is deprived of provision (Rizq) because of the sins that he commits.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah, 4022, ).
And now for the good news –
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in Prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”
4) What to Say on Laylat Al-Qadr
One of the best du`aa’s that can be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). It was narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who classed it as sahih, that ‘A’ishah said: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, If I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say?” He said:
“Say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa`fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so forgive me).”
5) Get in the Class of the Pious People
Allah has described the pious as follows (interpretation of the meaning):
(They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:17)
(And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness,) (Adh-Dhariyat 51:18)
Allah’s Messenger(saw) said:” There is in Paradise an Apartment, the exterior of which can be seen from the interior, and the interior of which can be seen from the exterior. Such apartments have been prepared for those who are Polite in their talk, Provide Food to the Needy, Fast frequently and observe the TAHAJJUD PRAYERS when people are sleep.” (Mishkhat Al-Masabih ; Hadith No. 1232)
6) Finally…
Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadaan, you would want to do this again and again– even after the month is over.
And finally, when you are in a state of Ibadah (Prayers and worship), please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters who are in great difficulty all around the world in your prayers. Remember what The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.”(Hadith-Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
You snoozeஸyou loose! So strive during these last ten days, as if it would be your last chance to do so. A wise man once said…
“ I will pass this way but once so let me do whatever good I can NOW for I may NEVER pass this way again!”
May Allah Ta’la grants us the wisdom, courage and strength to reap the full benefits of this month… Ameen.
By: www.eislam.co.za
Source: www.eislam.co.za
The final 10 of Ramadan: positive tips
What strategies do you use when you have to keep yourself awake for whole night for the preparation of school/university exams? Just think of them and they might help you in keeping yourself awake in these Last 10 Nights of Ramadan as well.
Remember, this is for the preparation of our ULTIMATELY FINAL EXAM. So keep that back straight In shaa Allaah!
Some tips that might help you:
1. No matter how good or bad your Ramadan went, enter the last 10 Days well prepared, with pure intentions, full energy and a positive outlook.
2. Listen to or read the Tafsir of Surah Al-Qadr to know about this amazing night, to switch that mode ON and to keep it remained ON for all the nights.
3. Take a nap of one our in the first part of the night, like immediately after ‘Isha Salah and then get ready for worship.
4. Do not overeat. Drink more water in between ‘Ibaadaat. Have a cup of tea or coffee for keep staying active Bi-idhnillaah.
5. Keep a study buddy to race in GOOD DEEDS as well as to keep a watch on you and wake you up whenever you fall asleep.
6. Choose the most comfortable place for worship in your home or Masjid. Avoid leaning to pillows & cushions while reciting Qur’an or Adhkaar so as to keep your back straight.
7. Switch off your mobile phones, iPads and Laptops if possible.
8. If you’re alone in the room, recite the Qur’an in a loud beautiful voice so that your ears & heart remain involved with the recitation and you don’t feel drowsy. Plus it has an amazingly calming effect trust me.
9. If you’re not alone then you can recite in a normal volume not to disturb others but can listen to a Qiraa-at in high volume using your earphone.
10. Keep all your stuff like the Du’aa list, prayer mat and Mushaf ready beforehand so that you don’t waste those precious moments in searching for things.
11. Prepare a schedule and shift to different acts of worship to avoid monotony and to remain involved throughout.
12. Try to make a long Qiyaam (standing in prayer), read from the Mushaf if you’re not a Haafidh (or Hanafi!).
13. Elongate your Sujood and make loads and loads of Du’aas in it. Cry hard and ask ALLAH everything you wish for in Dunya and Aakhirah.
14. Raise your Du’aa – Remember it’s the night of decree and angels are precisely writing down whatever is gonna happen in your life for the next coming year, be specific in your Du’aas and ask for each and everything you need – Hajj, Job, Career, Spouse, Children, Home, whatever. Don’t play small in your Du’aas as you’re asking the KING OF ALL KINGS!
15. Pray 2 Raka’ah Salatul Tawbah every single night and ask for forgiveness from ALLAH – Al-Ghaffar, Al-Ghafoor, Al-Tawwab and Al-’Afuww. Repent sincerely with full hope and firm resolve of not repeating those sins again.
16. If you really want to take a nap once again in between, then set an alarm to wake you up again in 15-20 minutes. Place the phone or alarm clock away from you and on full volume to wake you up quickly.
17. Memorize and keep asking the Du’aa of Lailatul Qadr: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).
18. Whenever you feel sleepy, stand up, make a fresh Wudu and offer 2 Raka’ah Tahiyyatul Wudu. It will remove all the traces of sleep In sha ALLAH.
19. Ask ALLAH to grant you Lailatul Qadr and accept from you whatever ‘ibaadaat you did by His tawfeeq.
20. If you have found these tips useful, apply them and share with others too.
If you have some more tips, please share them in the comments section below and remember me and our whole team in your precious Du’aas.
By: Bint Saalih
Source: http://arrajaathehope.wordpress.com/