Narrated Aisha (ra):
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e., work hard) and used to pray all night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2024
The last ten days of Ramadan are a gift of mercy from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), a chance for salvation.
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. […] Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (2:185)
It is in these ten days Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) revealed the first verses of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This marked the beginning of his Prophethood and Allah’s guidance for all mankind.
In the Qur’an it says, Lailatul qadri khairum min alfee shahr, “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (97:3)
“This verse means that in this one night a task was accomplished for the welfare of mankind the like of which had not been accomplished even during an indefinitely long period of history.”
Every good deed and every act of worship will be multiplied by an amount unimaginable.
How to best spend your time in these last days:
It is often said your time here in this world is your wealth, and it’s the basis of your transaction with Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). So, don’t just let any outside force come and steal it from you and give you nothing in return. It should be protected and spent wisely as it is your greatest possession.
The best way to spend it is in remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), praising him, asking for forgiveness, reciting the Qur’an, reading qyam-ul-layl, sitting in Itikaf, helping others for His sake, seeking beneficial knowledge, and giving sadaqah.
The path to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) are many. He accepts many acts as obedience for the one who seeks His Pleasure. If one is deliberate, it’s almost impossible to get bored or show heedlessness; you can move from one activity to the next; from one form of ibadah (worship) to another.
Abu Hurairah narrated that: The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said:
“Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Sahih (Darussalam)
Sunan an-Nasa’i 5027
We must avail and grab the opportunity of the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan which Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) has given us by His Mercy. We should structure our day to remember Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) constantly.
We should also be very careful not to let anything compromise the sanctity of these nights. Forgive anyone who may have wronged you and let go of that anger, don’t engage in gossip or backbiting. Control the tongue from foul language, and instead do as the Prophet (ﷺ) recommended,
“Let not your tongue cease to be moist with the remembrance of Allah.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3375)
