Ramadan is the best of months in the sight of Allah, and within it is Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree): “And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Al-Qadr: 2-5)
Laylat al-Qadr falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions were keen to take advantage of these last ten nights and strive in worship during them.
What Are the Most Important Acts to Perform During the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan?
- Rejoicing in These Nights and Preparing Well for Them
These are days of immense goodness, virtue, and obedience to Allah. A believer rejoices in acts of worship. The companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to prepare for these ten nights by bathing, applying perfume, and wearing their best clothes each night.
Hammad ibn Salamah narrated from Thabit that Tamim al-Dari purchased a robe for one thousand dirhams and would wear it on the night he hoped to be Laylat al-Qadr. (1) Al-Nakha’i used to perform ghusl every night of the last ten nights, and it was reported from Anas ibn Malik that when the night of the 24th arrived, he would perform ghusl, apply perfume, and wear a beautiful garment of izar (lower garment) and ridāʾ (upper garment). (2)
These reports show how the companions and the righteous Salaf honored and prepared for these ten blessed nights.
- Striving in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan. In Sahih Muslim, Aisha رضي الله عنها reported: “God’s messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha also said: “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. keep away from his wives) and used to stay up praying all night, and he would also wake his wives (to pray and recite Qur’an etc..).” The phrase “tighten his waist belt” is a metaphor for his serious commitment and increased effort in worship. This means that if a person was already reciting Quran, praying, and giving charity throughout Ramadan, they should increase their devotion even more during these ten nights.
Abu Bakr used to pray during the first twenty nights of Ramadan as he did throughout the year, but when the last ten nights began, he would increase his efforts even more. (3)
Self-Purification: A Path to Fruitful Ramadan
- Seeking Laylat al-Qadr and Praying in it
In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha رضي الله عنها reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
The way to seek it is by engaging in acts of worship and perfecting prayer. Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “He who passes Lailat al-qadr [Night of Decree] in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Increasing Supplication (Dua)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Aisha رضي الله عنها to make dua during these nights. In Jami' at-Tirmidhi and Sunan an-Nasa'i, she asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He said: “Say: 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).'” Sufyan al-Thawri said: “Making supplication on that night is more beloved to me than prayer.” He means that excessive supplication is better than prayer in which supplication is not made frequently. However, combining both prayer and supplication is ideal. (4)
- Forgiving Others and Reconciling Relationships
Holding grudges can prevent a person from receiving blessings. In Sahih al-Bukhari, ‘Ubada b. as-Samit said that the Prophet came out to inform them about lailat al-qadr, but finding two Muslims disputing together he said, “I came out to inform you about lailat al-qadr, but so and so and so and so had a dispute, and the knowledge of it has been withdrawn. That, however, may perhaps be better for you.”
Thus, whoever wants to make the most of this night and attain its rewards should strive to reconcile with others and avoid disputes. Laylat al-Qadr is a night of forgiveness, and whoever desires Allah’s forgiveness should also forgive others.
Ramadan: A Shield Against Vices
- Observing I'tikaf (Seclusion in the Mosque)
I'tikaf means staying in the mosque with the intention of worship. The Prophet ﷺ practiced it regularly. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha رضي الله عنها said: “The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to observe i'tikif in the last ten days of Ramadan till Allah called him back (to his heavenly home). Then his wives observed i'tikaf after him.”
The Prophet ﷺ also explained that he observed i'tikaf to seek Laylat al-Qadr. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ observed i'tikaf during the first ten nights of Ramadan, then he observed it in the middle ten nights. Then he said: 'I observed i'tikaf in the first ten nights, seeking this night. Then I observed i'tikaf in the middle ten nights. Then I was told that it is in the last ten nights. So whoever wishes to observe i'tikaf, let him do so.'”
It is recommended to observe full i'tikaf by staying in the mosque continuously, leaving only for necessary reasons. If full i'tikaf is not possible, one can observe partial i'tikaf by spending as much time as possible in the mosque with the intention of worship and devotion.
- Encouraging Family Members to Strive in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged his family to make the most of these nights. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha رضي الله عنها reported: “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. keep away from his wives) and used to stay up praying all night, and he would also wake his wives (to pray and recite Qur’an etc..).” In Sahih al-Bukhari, Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه narrated: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to knock on Fatima and Ali at night and say, 'Will you not get up and pray?'” In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha رضي الله عنها reported: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray in the night and when he observed Witr, he said to me: O 'A'isha, get up and observe Witr.”
Imam Malik narrated in Al-Muwatta' that Zayd ibn Aslam reported from his father that Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه used to pray during the night as much as Allah willed, and in the last part of the night, he would wake up his family, saying: “Prayer! Prayer!” Then he would recite: 'And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.' (Surah Taha 20:132)”
These examples show that a believer should not neglect their family but should encourage them to take advantage of these blessed nights through prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Quran.
Nurture Your Marriage This Ramadan
- Giving Zakat al-Fitr
In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Abdullah ibn Umar reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory: one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley upon every free person and slave, male and female, young and old among the Muslims. He commanded that it be given before people go out for prayer.” Zakat al-Fitr purifies the fasting person from idle talk and feeds the needy. The Prophet ordered it should be given to the needy to enrich them, before the Eid prayer and can be paid at any time before the end of Ramadan.
Consequently, the last ten nights of Ramadan are blessed, containing the great night of Laylat al-Qadr. Every Muslim should strive in worship and make the most of these days through good deeds.
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(1) Siyar A’lam al-Nubala by Al-Dhahabi (2/447).
(2) Lata'if al-Ma'arif by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, p. 222.
(3) Ibid., p. 229.
(4) Ibid., p. 230.
