The last 10 nights of Ramadan hold immense significance as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. Indeed it’s a great opportunity for us to gain as many good deeds by worshipping our Rabb sincerely, gaining His forgiveness, and also eventually gaining our final goal, Jannah, by His Mercy. Whilst the entire month of Ramadan is important for us as Muslims, the last 10 nights have very special importance.
‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month. – [Muslim]
The night which is better than one thousand months, Laylathul Qadr (the Night of Decree) is in these nights.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Surah Al Qadr Ayah 1:
“Indeed, We sent it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down during the Night of Decree.”
And in Surah Al Qadr Ayah 3-4:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.”
The Quran is explicit about the powerfulness of the Night of Decree when it states that it is better than a thousand months. Allah has bestowed His bounties upon this ummah by providing us with a night in which good deeds on this night are better than worshipping Him for a thousand months. That is 83 long years of human lifespan. What a blessing for the one who is able to witness this night and make maximum use of it.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radhiyallahu Anhu):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven” – Sahih al-Bukhari 2014 Book 32, Hadith 1
Related: Dua for first 10 days of Ramadan
Although many of us start Ramadan in very high spirits, after the first half of the month is over, some of us are either tired and lethargic, complacent, or in need of some motivation. If we were steadily pacing up during the first 20 days of Ramadan, we must now sprint towards Allah in the last 10 nights. Yes, oh sons and daughters of Adam, we must give it our all in the last 10 nights.
Narrated by Aisha (Radhiyallahu Anha):
“With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 2024, Book 32, Hadith 11.
Thus, we should strive to follow the same and do our best. Many of us would still have work or school the next day. So, it is important that we plan for these nights and also mentally prepare to be ready and deliver the best we can.
This is a time when we can do much more in terms of good deeds such as Dua, Dhikr, night prayer, recitation of the Quran, etc. Even treating your brother or sister with a cheerful face is a good deed. As we all are aware, the best Salah (prayer) after the prescribed Salah (Fard prayers) is Salah at night. We also know that our Prophet (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights. So, those who are able may strive towards doing these and other good deeds.
Hadith on Performing I’tikaf for Last 10 Days of Ramadan
Staying in Masjid (for I`tikaf) for the last 10 days/nights of Ramadan is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). An authentic Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 2020 Book 32, Hadith 7 can be seen below:
Narrated by `Aisha (Radhiyallahu Anha):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
Dua for Lailat-ul-Qadr
The Dua for Laylatul Qadr, which is one of the best Dua’s for forgiveness was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to Aisha (RA) to supplicate on the Night of Decree; i.e. Laylatul Qadr.
‘A’isha said, “I said, ‘Messenger of Allah if I know what night the Night of Power is, what do you think I should say during it?’ He said, ‘Say: “O Allah, You are Pardoning and you love to pardon, so pardon me.” (Tirmidhi)
اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُعَنِّي
Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee
Tips for Bringing the Last 10 Nights Alive:
If you have been wondering how to spend the last 10 nights of Ramadan, then these are general reminders to me first and then the reader:
- Start with a sincere intention to do better.
- Make Dua to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to help you with doing best deeds that are pleasing to Him and to make you and your family witness Laylathul Qadr and make it easy for you to do the deeds for His sake. Make Dua that He purifies your intention and also accepts your deeds. Make Dua that He showers His Mercy and Blessings upon you, your family, and the entire ummah, and also forgive you, your family, and the entire ummah. Remember, when you make Dua for a brother/sister in their absence, the angel requests the same for you. What a beautiful thing that will be.
- Do not let your performance until now affect your last 10 nights. Laylathul Qadr occurs in the last 10 nights. So, treat every night as though it is Laylathul Qadr. Treat this as your last chance to get Laylathul Qadr, So, work hard during these last 10 nights in the hope that one of the nights of our worship would coincide with the Night of Decree.
- Take some time to read the Tafseer of Surah Qadr to understand what happens on Laylathul Qadr and feel the power and greatness of the night.
- Stay up each of the ten nights of Ramadan and not just any one of the nights or a night which you think might be the Night of Power.
- Make time for some private worship. Although all men and women (who choose to) would pray their Fard prayers and Taraweeh in the congregation, do take some time for some private worship. It can be, for example, your Duas or Dhikr. Something just between you and Allah.
- Keep a Dualist ready and prepared early. Make maximum amount of beautiful Duas during these 10 nights of Ramadan as Dua is the essence of worship. Try making heartfelt Duas and pour your heart out and ask for the best and all that you would need in this life, Akhirah, and also for Qabr and for your family, friends, and the entire Ummah.
- Try to take naps during the day, if possible, to energize you for the night. Try to sleep as soon as possible after Isha so that you are able to get sufficient rest to wake up for your night prayers/worship.
- After fasting hours, do eat to nourish yourself; however, ensure to keep your stomach light by not overeating. Do consider reading the article on tips for a healthy Ramadan that shares some really good information on nourishing yourself.
- Keep your Mus’haf, your sajdah (prayer mat), and water nearby in the spot you have chosen to spend your time in worship.
- Try to switch off your phone or disconnect Wi-Fi to avoid distractions.
- If you feel sleepy, change your forms of worship between Qiyaam, Dua, Dhikr, recitation of the Quran, etc.
- Remember, some things work out differently, for different people. Some are natural motivators, some are positive thinkers, whilst others might be having some difficulty, or having an illness. The essence of it all is to strive the best you can, and Allah knows what is each one’s difficulty and what is in each one’s hearts. I pray that Allah makes it easy for you and me and the entire ummah to strive in His path.
- Visit the sick, feed the poor, and consider contributing to charity as much as you can in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
