The Last Ten Nights of Ramadan: Treasures of Blessings and Opportunity
All praise is due to Allah, and may endless blessings be upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad, his Kin, and his Companions.
The Mercy of Allah During the Last Ten Nights
Once again, these are excerpts taken from the book Kanz Al-Najāḥ wa As-Surūr (The Treasures of Success and Felicity) regarding each month’s benefits and special qualities. Now that we have reached the last ten days of Ramadan, we will focus mostly on the benefits of these blessed days.
Abundance of Forgiveness
Allah showers His mercy upon the Muslims, especially during these last ten nights. In them, du‘ā’ is answered particularly quickly, especially after one finishes a complete reading (khatm) of the Qur’ān (the best time to complete the last suras in the Qur’ān is either right after Fajr or right after Maghrib, and since the nights are so significant, it would be better in to finish it right after Maghrib during the last 10). Also, Allah forgives many, many people and frees them from the Hellfire – so it is recommended to repeatedly ask Allah for forgiveness with a heart that is present and focused on Him; Exalted is He! Also, O Believer, these are the days which the Beloved Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, described as the days when Allah frees people from the Fire. So be alert and make use of these days in worship and repentance.
The Significance of Laylat Al-Qadr
The greatest blessing within these last ten nights is that Laylat Al-Qadr [The Night of Great Value] is hidden within its odd nights. It is related by Imām Aḥmad (a sound hadith) that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Laylat Al-Qadr is within the ten remaining days. Whosoever stays up [in prayer/worship]… Allah, most Exalted, will forgive all his [or her] past and future sins. And it is on an odd night, the 9th, or the 7th, or the 5th, or the 3rd, or the last night.”
Importance of Congregational Prayers
It is particularly important throughout these nights to attempt to pray both ‘Ishā’ and Fajr in the congregation. On the authority of Sayyiduna Anas, may Allah be well pleased with him, the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “Whosoever prays during Laylat Al-Qadr [both] ‘Ishā’ and Fajr in congregation (jamā‘a) then they have taken from Laylat Al-Qadr the greatest portion.”
The Beloved Prophet’s Du‘ā’
Our mother, the Lady ‘Aisha, may Allah be well pleased with her, asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, “O Messenger of God, if it is Laylat Al-Qadr, then what [prayer] should I supplicate with?”
He replied with the famous du‘ā’:
اللهم إنّكَ عَفُوٌ كريمٌ، تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فاعْفُ عنا
“Allahumma, innaka ‘Afūwwun Karīmun, tuḥibbu al-‘afwa fa‘afu ‘annā”
“O God, indeed You are Pardoning and Generous; You love to pardon, so pardon us.”
Some scholars have recommended that one add at the end of the previous du‘ā’ another du‘ā’ of the Prophet’s, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him:
اللهم إنّي أسْألُكَ العَفو وَالعَافِية والمُعَافاة الدَّائِمة في الدِّينِ والدُّنْيا والأخِرَةّ
“Allahumma inni asa’aluka al-‘afū, wa al-‘āfīyah, wa al-mu‘āfāt al-dā’imah fī ad-dīn, wa ad-dunyā, wa al-ākhirah.”
“O God, I ask You for pardoning, good health, and constant well-being in my religion, worldly affairs, and afterlife.”
May Allah put tremendous blessings in these last days for you all, your families, and the rest of the Muslims. Please remember the whole Umma in your du‘ā’. May Allah reward you all.
Photo credit (Mosque): Mustafa Nazif
