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THE LAST TEN NIGHTS OF
RAMADAN Ahmed Arwo
Ahmed Arwo
As we are in the last ten days of
Ramadan which includes the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), we have
to reflect on their virtue and spiritual assets. There are many
fictions and fabrications in relation to this night specifically and
to the last ten days of Ramad an in general. There are stories
about surprise encounters of saints and prophets in disguise, mostly
as beggars in the most detesting and disgusting shape and clothing.
There are others who celebrate the greatness of this night in
worldly festive mood with music and dance, similar to the Christmas,
and even distribute surprise gifts to children and poor families, in
a manner near to that of Father Christmas.
I do not want to indulge myself into innovations and
misinterpretation of this glorious night, lest I may distract those
of weak hearts from this special night full of Allah’s m
e rcy and forgiveness. May Allah make us those who endorse this
night in prayer and dikr, as prescribed by Allah and his Messenger.
Let us commit ourselves to commemo rate this ten nights in
accordance to the conduct of the Prophet and his companions.
The following article by one of the greatest scholars of Islam,
Sheikh Salman al-Aodah (may Allah reward him his mercy in respect of
his unreserved efforts in spreading the correct principles and
practices of Islam), will guide us to the proper way of honouring
last ten days of Ramadan. The article is posted in its authenticity
and entirety, without any change in shape and form from
www.islamtoday.com.
Sheikh Salman al-Aodah said:-
The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. The first of these
nights occurs on the eve of the 21st day of Ramadan. In other words,
it is the night that commences after the completion of the 20th day
of fasting. Sometimes there are only nine nights, whenever the month
of Ramadan lasts for only 29 days. Nevertheless, they are still
traditionally referred to as “the last ten nights”.
The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. These are the
nights that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would spend in constant
worship. Among these nights is Laylah al-Qadr – a night more blessed
than a thousand months.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to single these nights out for
worship and the performance of good deeds. He would exert himself in
worship during these ten nights more than any other nights of the
year.
`Â’ishah tells us: “During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the
Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his waist belt and spend
the night in worship. He would also wake up his family.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî
(1920)]
`Â’ishah also says: “I had never known Allah’s Messenger (peace be
upon him) to read the entire Qur’ân in a single night, or to spend
the whole night in prayer up until the morning, or to spend a whole
month in fasting – except in Ramadan.” [Sunan al-Nasâ'î (1641) and
Sunan Ibn Mâjah (1348)]
When we say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent the whole
night in worship, we should qualify it. This is because he would
spend some time eating dinner, partaking of his pre-dawn meal, and
other similar activities. However, he would spend most of the night
in worship.
Waking Up the Family
`Â’ishah informs us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to
wake up his family during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Indeed, he
used to wake up his wives for prayer throughout the year, but that
was so that they could pray for a small fraction of the night.
We know this, because Umm Salamah relates that the Prophet (peace be
upon him) woke her up one night and said: “Glory be to Allah. What
has been sent down of trials during this night? What has been sent
down of treasures, so that the denizens of the bedchambers will be
awakened? O Lord! To be clothed in this world by naked in the
Hereafter.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1074)]
During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon
him) would wake up his wives to pray for a much longer portion of
the night than during the rest of the year.
Exerting Oneself in Worship
`Â’isha tells us: “The Prophet would exert himself in worship during
the last ten nights more than at any other time of the year.” [Sahîh
Muslim (1175)]
The great jurist, al-Shâfi`î declares: “It is Sunnah for one to
exert greater efforts in worship during the last ten nights of
Ramadan.” [al-Majmû` (6/397)]
When `Â’ishah tells us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would
“tighten his waistbelt”, she is speaking figuratively. The phrase
means to set about to devote oneself fully and wholeheartedly to the
task at hand.
Seeking Out Laylah al-Qadr
One of the greatest distinctions of these ten special nights is that
one of them is Laylah al-Qadr – the Night of Decree. This is the
greatest night of the year – better than a thousand months. This
means that a Muslim can earn more rewards on Laylah al-Qadr than he
would if – excluding this special night – he were worship his Lord
for eighty-four years straight. This is one of the immense favors
that Allah has bestowed upon the Muslim community.
Ibrâhîm al-Nakha`î says: “Good works performed on this night are
better than those performed consistently for a thousand months.”
Abû Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever spends Laylah al-Qadr in prayer, believing in Allah and
seeking His reward, will be forgiven all of his past sins.” [Sahîh
al-Bukhârî (1802) and Sahîh Muslim (760)]
Belief in Allah, in this hadîth, means not only to believe in Allah,
but to believe in the reward that we are promised for observing
prayer on this night.
Laylah al-Qadr is on one of the odd nights. `Â’ishah relates that
Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Seek out Laylah al-Qadr
in the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî
(1913) and Sahîh Muslim (1169)]
It is most likely one of the last seven odd nights. Ibn `Umar
relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Look for
it in the last ten nights. If one of you falls weak or unable to do
so, then he should at least try on the seven remaining nights.” [Sahîh
Muslim (1165)]
The most likely candidate for Laylah al-Qadr is the 27th night of
Ramadan. This is indicated by the statement of `Ubayy b. Ka`b: “I
swear by Allah that I know which night it is. It is the night in
which Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) ordered us to observe in
prayer. It is the night on the eve of the 27th of Ramadan. Its sign
is that the Sun will rise in the morning of that day white without
exuding any rays.” [Sahîh Muslim (762)]
A Muslim should seek out this special night by spending the last ten
nights of Ramadan engaged in various acts of worship. These include
reciting the remembrances of Allah, reading the Qur’ân, and begging
Allah’s forgiveness.
It is best for us to strive hard on all ten nights, because the
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The way we “look for” Laylah al-Qadr
is by engaging in extra worship.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Look for it in the last
ten nights” he did not mean that we should literally “look for”
signs and indications that distinguish Laylah al-Qadr from other
nights. The things that distinguish Laylah al-Qadr from other nights
are part of the Unseen.
Allah says: ” Surely We revealed it on a blessed night. Surely We
ever wish to warn (against evil) – On this night, every wise matter
is made distinct.” [Sûrah al-Dukhân (3-4)]
Allah says: “Laylah al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. The
angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their
Lord, with every decree. (This night is) peace, until the rising of
the dawn.” [Sûrah al-Qadr (3-5)]
These are the ways in which Laylah al-Qadr is special. They are not
things that we can see with our eyes. No one after the Prophet
(peace be upon him) can see the angels.
Observing a Retreat in the Mosque (I`tikâf)
Observing a retreat in the mosque is of the best things we can do
during the last ten nights of Ramadan. `Â’ishah tells us: “The
Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe a retreat in the mosque
during the last ten nights of Ramadan up until he died. His wives
continued to observe this practice after his death.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî
(1922) and Sahîh Musli (1172)]
The practice of i`tikâf is a strongly recommended act. It is defined
as remaining in retreat in the mosque for the express purpose of
worship. The purpose of doing so is to devote one’s heart
exclusively to Allah. The person engaging in i`tikâf keeps this
intention close to mind and seeks Allah’s blessings. He should not
forget the reason why he is observing this retreat.
A person observing i`tikâf does not leave the mosque except for what
is absolutely necessary (like going to the bathroom). While in the
mosque, he should busy himself with the remembrance of Allah. He
should make sure to offer the remembrances of the morning and
evening and the prescribed remembrances for the five daily prayers.
He should perform all of the Sunnah prayers and all other
recommended prayers, like the Duhâ prayer. He should read as much of
the Qur’ân as he can.
He should spend less time eating and sleep as little as possible. He
should avoid unnecessary talk. However, he should engage in advising
his fellow Muslims and in enjoining them to truth and to patience.
Generosity
It is encouraged for us to be extra generous during the last ten
nights of Ramadan, without being extravagant or ostentatious in our
giving. Ibn `Abbâs relates that: “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon
him) was the most generous of all people in doing good, and he was
at his most generous during the month of Ramadan. Gabriel used to
meet with him every year throughout the month of Ramadan, so the
Prophet could recite the Qur’ân to him. Whenever Gabriel met with
him, he became more generous than a beneficial breeze.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî
(1902) and Sahîh Muslim (2308)]
Al-Nawawî states [al-Majmû` (6/398)]:
Generosity and open-handedness are strongly encouraged in Ramadan,
especially during the last ten nights. By doing so, we emulate the
example of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as well as of our
Pious Predecessors. Also, this month is noble, and good works
carried out in this month are more blessed than they are at any
other time. Also, during this month, people are preoccupied with
fasting and worship, and this distracts them from their livelihood,
so they might need some assistance during this time. END.
Let us pray for peace in our homeland and that of all Muslims.
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