The last 10 days

Assalamu alaikum people, and welcome back to Islamic Insight! I hope you're having a blessed Ramadan. Today's topic is paramount in shaping your Ramadan, it's last ten days. The best nights of the entire year. Why? Laylatul Qadr.

Bismillah

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These last ten nights are golden. The prophet PBUH spent these nights differently, compared to the rest of Ramadan. He would even seclude himself in the masjid, as Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Aisha narrated that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard), used to pray all night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.

In another narration A'isha said that : “God’s messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.”

Our beloved prophet (SAW) used to dedicate special attention to the last days, in order to target the glorious night of laylat Al Qadr. Why's that night special?

Qur'an

The Qur'an was revealed on that glorious night, as Allah stated: “Indeed, it is We Who sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.”

The mighty Jibreel descends, including other angels, so it's only right that it's exclusively serene, “It is all peace until the break of dawn”.

Qadr

Your qadr (fate) for the upcoming year is written by angels, so make sure you make lots of dua, as dua can change qadr.

“On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained.”

Forgiveness

What an opportunity! Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being hopeful of Allah's reward, will have his former sins forgiven."

A thousand months

Oh how merciful Allah is! Just one night of worship, greater than 83 years! Let that sink in for a while…

The prophet ﷺ spoke about it saying, “In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”

Special dua

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?" He (ﷺ) 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).”

We're almost at the finish line, so please let's not squander this opportunity “We did not wrong them, but it was they who wronged themselves.”

Oh Allah grant us an accepted Laylatul Qadr!