Last Ten Nights
Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and Dua
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Reposted from the web
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī" view all
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī" view all
Reposted from the web
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī"
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī"
Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and Dua
Articles • yusuf908 posted the article • 0 comments • 28 views • 6 days ago
Reposted from the web
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī" view all
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī" view all
Reposted from the web
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī"
Summary: Ramadan Muslim Life Guide in the Muslim World: Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr and dua is presented here as a clear English Islamic knowledge article for Muslim readers, starting with this scene: As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. It keeps the original names, Quran and hadith references, dua, photographs, and religious context while focusing on Last Ten Nights, Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan.
As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we have a unique opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, earn the rewards of our nightly worship, and insha'Allah catch Laylatul-Qadr, or the Night of Decree. Here are 10 practical tips to make the most of these nights:
1. Avoid sins during the day.
We often forget this when thinking about the last ten nights. Outside of Ramadan, we are reminded not to disobey Allah during the day, because if we do, He will not wake us up to pray at night. As the saying goes, "If you sin during the day, you shut the doors of the heavens for yourself at night."
If this is true all year, how much more important is it during the last ten nights of Ramadan when we want to make sure we don't miss Laylatul-Qadr? We do not want to pray Maghrib while under the ghadab (anger) of Allah because of a sin we committed during the day. Let's be mindful of our actions all day long. Whether it is avoiding harmful speech or sinful behavior, our conduct during daylight hours sets the tone for our spiritual state during these blessed nights.
2. Avoid idle conversations at night.
Imam Ibn Qudama mentions that the blessings of Laylatul-Qadr are often lost because people socialize too much at night. It is easy for our tongues to slip into backbiting or gossiping. It is best to avoid excessive socializing during this time. Instead, these last 10 nights are a time to prioritize our ibadah (worship).
Join gatherings where Allah is remembered and try your best to avoid unnecessary conversations. Use this time to focus on worship and reflection to build a deeper connection with our Creator.
3. Pray Isha and Fajr in congregation.
Prioritize praying Isha and Fajr in the mosque. Saeed ibn Musayyib said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation has taken their share of Laylatul-Qadr." The Prophet said, "Whoever prays Isha in congregation gets the reward of praying the first half of the night. Whoever prays Fajr in congregation gets the reward of praying the last half of the night."
It is more precious to Allah that you pray Isha and Fajr in congregation than if you spent the whole night in prayer alone. Let's prioritize being in the mosque for Isha and Fajr. By coming together as a community, we experience the blessings of unity and increase the spiritual rewards of our prayers.
4. Pray a full set of Qiyaam with the imam.
The Prophet said, "Whoever prays behind the imam in Qiyaam until the imam finishes, that person has achieved the reward of the entire night in prayer." While there are different ways to understand this hadith, the general advice is to pray as much as you can continuously behind the imam for taraweeh or extra qiyaam. The more you do, the better your chance to earn this reward.
5. Read the Qur'an throughout the night.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. Qatadah used to finish the Qur'an every three days during Ramadan, but he would do a khatm (complete reading of the Qur'an) every night during the last 10 nights. Our salaf (pious predecessors) specifically increased their Qur'an recitation during these last 10 nights.
Even if you have a daily goal, try to surpass it. Strive to read more Qur'an in the last 10 nights than during the rest of Ramadan. It is a beautiful thing to exceed your goals. For example, if your goal is to finish one khatm by reading one juz a day, and you finish one and a half, that is better. That success will give you momentum into Shawwal, and you might even finish another khatm by the end of Shawwal!
Subhan'Allah, the very first word revealed to our Prophet on the night of Laylatul-Qadr was iqra' (read). This is a sign that you should honor the Qur'an in these last 10 nights. Increase the amount you read. Do not cut back on your daytime reading, but add more reading at night.
6. Supplicate with the prophetic dua taught to Aisha.
Aisha asked the Prophet, "If I find myself in Laylatul-Qadr, what should I recite?" The Prophet said, "Say 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (Oh Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Read this dua throughout the night. Start your duas with it and end your duas with it. Read it between the personal duas you are making. There is nothing more blessed than the guidance of the Prophet in the specific duas we should be making during this auspicious time.
7. Make dua and dhikr even while in motion
Seize every moment, whether walking, moving about, or commuting, to engage in supplication. Some of the most blessed adkhar (remembrances of Allah) come as we are moving about our day, whether going from our homes to the mosque or waiting in line for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), for example. So keep your tongue busy with dua and dhikr even while you are in motion on the night of Laylatul-Qadr. Treat each night like every single second matters.
8. Increase your sajdah (prostration) on these nights
The Prophet said, "Whoever stands up on the night of Laylatul-Qadr with faith and seeking its reward, then they will be forgiven for all of their sins." This is understood as the general rule. But, the best part of engaging in qiyaam (night prayer) is the best part of salah (prayer)—so increase the time you spend in sajdah.
In fact, the last words right before Surah al-Qadr are, "Prostrate and come closer." So extend the duration of your prostrations and make your personal duas during sujood (prostration) during the night. By slowing down and savoring these moments of closeness to Allah, we can more effectively express our gratitude and seek His mercy and forgiveness.
9. Give in charity
While there is nothing that explicitly suggests that the Prophet gave more charity in the last 10 nights than he did in the rest of Ramadan, the scholars of spirituality note that charity has two major effects: 1) increased reward (which you seek in the night of Laylatul-Qadr), 2) it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (especially secret charity). So on a night of increased reward where the greatest reward you can seek is His forgiveness, what better act to partake in every single night that is associated with being pardoned and earning His favor? Automate your charity or give in charity yourself; either way, be someone who is actively seeking out opportunities to give and support charitable initiatives. Constantly be open to charity as you are to all good deeds in these last ten nights.
10. Seek forgiveness
Spend the last few moments of every single one of these nights in istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Instead of eating and socializing until the final minutes of suhoor, use that time to open up your heart to plead to Allah in sincere supplication, asking for His forgiveness and admitting your weaknesses and shortcomings before Him. It may be that a heartfelt dua made in humility and remorse during these final moments opens us up to His ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. If the night is accepted and we are granted Laylatul-Qadr, then a whole lifetime of reward awaits insha'Allah! So prioritize these last moments of each night, especially the moments before the adhan (call to prayer) of Fajr (dawn prayer) to call out to Allah in genuine repentance.
Allahumma balighna Laylatul-Qadr, Oh Allah, allow us to observe Laylatul-Qadr! May Allah allow blessings, tranquility, and acceptance to descend upon us all and our families and communities. May He grant us this Night of Decree, accept our prayers, and allow us to draw nearer to Him insha'Allah. Ameen.
For more on the timing of Laylatul-Qadr and its signs, read "On The Timing and Virtues of the Night of Power: The Heart's Joy in Remembering Laylat al-Qadr by Ibn al-ʿIrāqī"