RAMADAN 1437 (III): THE LAST TEN DAYS

Islam is such a practical religion that conforms with society’s intrinsic nature and contours, for it has no hermitage, monastery, or live-in shrines. The religion wants its adherents to live within and among people, community and society, be tempted by society’s vicissitudes, and actively try to resist those challenges. However, the nearest a Muslim could […]

Islam is such a practical religion that conforms with society’s intrinsic nature and contours, for it has no hermitage, monastery, or live-in shrines. The religion wants its adherents to live within and among people, community and society, be tempted by society’s vicissitudes, and actively try to resist those challenges. However, the nearest a Muslim could get to living a monk’s life is I’tikaf, the seclusion in the mosques that usually takes place during the last ten days of Ramadan, an act imbued and inbuilt with tremendous spiritual and mental benefits.
Linguistically, the word I’tikaf refers to ‘being engaged with something with persistence and not paying attention to anything else’, while Islamically, Ibn Taymiyyah is reported to have defined I’tikaf as an act of ‘confining oneself to a masjid for the purpose of worshipping Allah inside it’. The objectives of this religious act are confining the heart to worship and devotion of the Divine; seeking out Laylatul Qadr; and experiencing a close intimacy with Allah, Exalted is He.
As we enter the last ten days and nights of Ramadan, we should remember how significant the last third is, and why any opportunity to increase one’s quantity and quality of worship should be seized. Ai’shah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates: “On the onset of the (last) ten, the Messenger of Allah would tighten his belt, stay awake the night and wake up his family.” It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would observe I’tikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
However, in the last few years, I’tikaf has been impractical in many mosques all over the Muslim territories in this country. The reasons are many, but suffice to mention the following:
Security/Safety Issues: From the time of the outbreak of the Boko Haram menace, many mosques stopped I’tikaf altogether because of the security nighmare. But now that security has tremendously improved, many venues are re-opening, but with strict security guidelines. Another important concern related to this is darkness; not all mosques can fuel generators all night and, in this age and time, as well as in history, darkness is the friend of the criminal-minded.
Hygiene/Sanitation Issues: Many mosques that offer I’itikaf opportunities soon find out that many of the participants are extremely bad when it comes to matters of hygiene. In a particular year, a certain mosque had to be evacuated because participants couldn’t maintain the sanitary facilities. This, coupled with challenges of water and the lackadaisical attitude of cleaners and other maintenance people, makes it unwise for many mosques to offer that service.
Iftar-Seeking Issues: True, some I’itikaf participants are actually poor, iftar-seeking ‘fasters’. That in itself is no problem; but one has seen where food brought as charity during Iftar caused pandemonium at the distribution stage. Now with the current economic difficulties, one can only imagine what some mosques may face. That’s why most of the elite do not nowadays observe their I’tikaf in major mosques where the poor frequent.
And then Social Media Issues: An important purpose for I’tikaf is ‘running away from the world’. Ten years ago, there was very minimal use of social media. Now, it’s pervasive. Not a few ‘Akifeen can withstand the temptation of not periodically checking messages and statuses. If one runs away on I’tikaf but does not run away from the social media, a lot remains desired.
And then these last ten nights contain a night better than the lifespan of anyone of us, Lailatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, which is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshiping Him for 83 years and 4 months). How is it possible then to not give our all? Have we not read that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: “Whoever spends the night of al-Qadr in prayer, having Iman in Allah and seeking His reward, will be forgiven all of his past sins?” So take the opportunity to seek this great night this Ramadan, not the next one as there is no guarantee you will be around to see it. Let us all try to not be amongst those about whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever is deprived of its good is surely deprived.”
Does the Night of Decree come on a fixed night every year or moves through the last ten nights? The scholars differ in regard to this, saying that it moves from year to year through the last ten nights. So it may be on the twenty-first night in a year; twenty-ninth in another year; twenty-seventh in another year and so on. And the wisdom behind the fact that it moves is that if it were to be on a specific night, a lazy person will not perform prayer except on that night. However, if it moves then each night becomes the likely night in which Laylatul-Qadr will occur thereby making a person to observe prayer throughout the last ten nights.
So, for these Last Ten Nights, our checklist should include: FIRST – Get in high gear for the next few nights and days. Time is of the essence, every moment counts and 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; SECOND – 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; THIRD – Get your sins forgiven. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.”
FOURTH – Remember what to say on Laylat Al-Qadr according to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb ul-‘afwa fa`fu ‘anni” (O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” FIFTH – Get in the class of the pious people for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: “There is in paradise an apartment, the exterior of which can be seen from the interior, and the interior of which can be seen from the exterior. Such apartments have been prepared for those who are polite in their talk, provide food to the needy, fast frequently and observe night prayers when people are sleep.”
AND SIXTH – Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadan, you would want to do this again and again- even after the month is over. Ramadan is about patience, which is key to the good of a Muslim’s journey in Ramadan, especially during the last ten days and nights.
May Allah make it possible for us to witness Laylat Al-Qadr.