The last 10 days of Ramadan
Imam Bukhari and Muslim both relate on the authority of Aisha (RA) that the prophet (SAW) did not only keep awake at night in the worship of Allah (SWT) when Ramadan enters the last ten days but also woke up his family members for the same purpose. Although there is no compulsion in religion, it […]
Imam Bukhari and Muslim both relate on the authority of Aisha (RA) that the prophet (SAW) did not only keep awake at night in the worship of Allah (SWT) when Ramadan enters the last ten days but also woke up his family members for the same purpose. Although there is no compulsion in religion, it is desirable that we convince our wives and children to wake up at night and worship Allah, Lord of Mercy and Majesty. We would be doing them a disfavor rather than good if, as head of our families, we refuse (out of petty love and needless care) to sensitize and encourage our family members to benefit from the gains of the last ten days of Ramadan; the most valuable period of the Islamic calendar year.
We also read from the thirteenth hadith in the forty traditions of Annawawi’s collection as related by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abi Hamza Annas bn Malik that the prophet (SAW) said, “No one is a true believer until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself”. If actually we truly, in the spirit of this hadith, love our family members, nothing therefore should stop us from observing midnight (tahajjud) prayers in company of our family members. Nafilat prayers are even more rewarding when observed at home in the company of one’s family members.
This period is a golden opportunity that comes once in a year. Ramadan is a virtuous month which makes it unique among other months of the year. Her matchlessness among other months is like the exclusivity of the holy mosques of Ka’abah and the prophet’s among other mosques in the entire Muslim world. In the same way that the value of a prayer observed in the holy mosque of the prophet (SAW) is worth a thousand of it in any other mosque elsewhere, and ten times greater than this if observed in the holy mosque of Ka’abah; so also is the reward of acts of worship carried out in the last ten days of Ramadan in which period lies the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr).
The exceptional virtue of Ramadan is in the night called Lailat ul-Qadr, which is a night equivalent to a thousand months that are without such a night. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 97:3 “The Night of Power is better than a thousand months”. Given this precious nature of Lailat ul-Qadr, it is most desirable that we re-organize ourselves, re-direct and focus our attention on the search for this particular night which according to the prophet (SAW) is concealed within one of the odd-number days in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Scholars are divided in their opinions as to the exact day on which Lailat ul-Qadr falls. While some say it falls on the 21st, 23rd or 25th day of Ramadan, majority of scholars opine that Lailat ul-Qadr is on the 27th day of Ramadan. In any case, we are encouraged by the sunnah of the prophet (SAW) to engage in acts of devotion during these odd-number days of the last ten days of Ramadan. We are encouraged to diversify our devotion which may include recitation of the holy Qur’an, glorifying Allah (SWT) with appropriate words of remembrance (dhikr), giving gratitude to Him (SWT), and observing nafilat prayers or similar acts of worship. Imam Bukhari and Muslim both report on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the prophet (SAW) said “whoever keeps reaping (in this period) from the rewards (promised by Allah) shall be forgiven his past sins. Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Attirmidhi all relate on the authority of Aisha (RA) that she asked the prophet (SAW) about what to say or rehearse on the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr). The prophet (SAW) replied that she should keep reciting the following supplication, “Allahumma innaka ‘afwun, tuhibb ul-afwa fa’afu anni” meaning “O Allah! You are indeed Most-Pardoning; You cherish pardon; so pardon me”.
Another important spiritual activity in the last ten days of Ramadan is the religious sojourn called seclusion (i’tikaf) which is traditionally observed in a mosque where Jum’ah congregational prayer holds every Friday so that the worshipper observing the i’tikaf would not be required to leave the premises of the mosque in which he is secluding to observe Jum’ah prayer in another mosque. While we cheer Muslims to observe i’tikaf where possible along with their wives and children, the rules and regulations governing it must strictly be adhered to.
One of the basic rules of i’tikaf is that conjugal relationships must be avoided as long as the seclusion lasts. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:87, “Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives…But do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits set by Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint” We pray to Allah (SWT) to guide us against any deviating from the path of righteousness which act could make vulnerable the integrity of our Ramadan fast, amin.