RAMADAN – O’ LAST TEN!

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 […]

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 for this reason that I’tikaf (which is to retreat and seclude oneself within the confines of a mosque) has been legislated. 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 up until he died. I’tikaf allows one to remain free from all manner of distractions, and a believer has the opportunity to transcend such heights brought about by words of remembrance, supplication, recitation of Qur’an, prayer, and seeking of forgiveness and salvation.
Patience is key to the good of a Muslim’s journey in this world and its strengths are called for in Ramadan, especially during the last ten days and nights. Is it not amazing to see one who having no belief in Allah strive for what he aspires with all his might without relent? Surely, our faith must be weak if such a person can endure so much more than we can endure when we claim belief in Allah, love of Him, fear of Him and hope in Him! One of the greatest ways to obtain patience is through conviction; if one knows of what Allah has prepared for His righteous slaves and really believes it, not just on a superficial level, this will enable a person to bear all for what he covets and desires.
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.
And then His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, through the JNI, once again reminds Nigerian Muslims of the significance of these last ten days of Ramadan. He calls on all of us to intensify our generosity in giving alms to the poor, the needy, the orphans and the handicapped in the society, especially that many families are just living hand to mouth. More importantly, he reminds us that should intensify special prayers (Al-Qunut) for the people of Borno State, the entire North East, and the nation at large.

RE: O SUFFERING BRETHREN:
Out of the many comments readers sent, the one from Iyami Ismail ([email protected]) stands out: “Whenever I remember Ramadan 2012, I have this sad feeling of loss. Damaturu was literally a warzone. It was just gunfire and soldiers. Maghrib prayers were said at home, no Tarawih, no Tahajjud, no Tafsirs. Many people left town to presumed safer places. It was really sad. So I know how it feels, and will remember all those suffering at my Iftar.” And, Exalted be He Who never forgets! Among the Suffering Brethren discussed last week, we completely forgot the Muslims of Central African Republic (CAR) who are still being hunted and massacred like mice. Because of their double jeopardy – being Muslim AND Black – nobody talks about them, or even cares. But we DO CARE for CAR! Remember them these Last Ten Nights!
ON THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Finally, our honest representatives have successfully stalled – or at least slowed down – the evil machinations of the wicked. We now know where those machinations were headed, and may Allah destroy their plans. This period (Last Ten Nights) is the time to pray more: for Allah to reward those who rose to the occasion; for Allah to guide aright those from among us who connived with the wicked (especially those shameless old men); and for Allah to finally destroy all evil plans against us in this country and elsewhere. So on Lailatul Qadr, remember THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE!
AND FINALLY, ONCE AGAIN, we seek more of your prayers these last ten nights concerning our trying times. We trust in Allah, for indeed He is muqallab al qulub. Hasbunal Lahu wa ni’imal Wakil.