In this blessed month of Ramadan, we come to the grand finale “ the last ten days of Ramadan that are even regarded as the “cream” of Ramadan. In it is a night that Qur’an tells us is better than 1000 months (yes, months”¦not days!)
By Haafiz Asadullah Khan
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“There has come to you Ramadan, 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 An-Nasaa’i, Ahmad, Sahih At-Targheeb,)
Here is a checklist of some of the things that we can all do to make the remaining days of Ramadan 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 `good deeds or reciting Qur’an. No one knew about the importance of these days more than the Messenger of Allah and he would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan. (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 the Messenger of Allah 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.)
Get your Sins Forgiven
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that The Messenger of Allah 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.”
What to Say on Laylat Al-Qadr
One of the best prayers that can be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which The Messenger of Allah taught ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). ‘A’ishah (RA) 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
(The writer is Founder and President Global Quranic Academy, Bengaluru)
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