How to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan ?
Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions. Let us focus here on three major practices of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions during these days.
(1) – Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan:
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from ‘Aishah (RadiyAllahu Anha) that during the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). A narration in Muslim states:
“He would strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time.”
Aisha (RadiyAllahu Anha) reported that With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari]
(2) – Performing I’tikaf in the Masjid (seclusion in the Mosque):
I’tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. This was the practise of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, during the last ten days of Ramadan especially. He would do it during other months as well.
Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu ‘anhu said:
“Allah’s Messenger, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to perform i`tikaf for ten days every Ramadan, then when it was the year in which he was taken (died), he performed I’tikaf for twenty days.”
[Bukhari]
‘Aisha (RadiyAllahu Anha) reported that the Prophet,salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I’tikaf after him.
[Bukhari]
(3) – Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree):
It is the greatest night of the year like the Day of ‘Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah reveled a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr [97:1-5] and the 3rd to the 6th verses of Surat ad-Dukhan [44:3-6]
It is the night when the Qur’an was reveled.
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night [during this month] which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived [of something great].”
[Ahmad, an-Nisa’i and al-Bayhaqi]