Ramadan: spiritual significance of the last 10days 

Ramadan: spiritual significance of the last 10days

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The arrival of the sacred month of Ramadan heralds a time of profound spiritual significance and divine blessings. It is a period marked by the revelation of the Holy Qur’an, guiding humanity with clarity and wisdom.

Allah (SWT) said in His Great Book:

“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast.” [Al-Baqarah 2:185].

The virtues of this blessed month are immeasurable, offering a chance for repentance to sinners and an opportunity for the devout to draw closer to their Creator.

Ramadan demands a transformative shift, a departure from our former selves, as it invites us to engage in increased acts of obedience and righteousness.

As Abu Hurairah reported, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

“When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah (paradise ) are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

At this period, one is expected to heighten one’s deeds in order to be rewarded.

What is the significance of the last 10days of Ramadan?

Many Muslims choose to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in seclusion (i’tikaf), where one solely focuses on worshipping Allah and refrains from involvement in worldly affairs. It is a time to reflect, increase worship and to increase one’s religious knowledge, seeking closeness to Allah.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are highly significant in Islam due to their immense spiritual value. These days are a time of intensified worship, seeking Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), as they hold exceptional blessings, culminating in the increased chances of divine acceptance of prayers and deeds.

The last 10 nights are said to be overflowing with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Everyday Ramadan rituals remain, such as fasting, reading the Quran, and taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers).

The final stretch of Ramadan stands as a holy time, distinct from the rest of the year’s months and even the preceding days of this blessed period. These last ten days, adorned with divine blessings and unparalleled virtues, hold a special place in the heart of Islam.

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Within these ten nights lie remarkable virtues and advantages:

Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

The Quran was revealed during this blessed night when the divine decree for the upcoming year was established. It is a night enveloped in mercy and blessings, determining destinies and blessings for the year ahead.

Allah (SWT) describes it in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory. And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night, the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn.” [Al-Qadr 97: 1-5]

Narrated `Aisha: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 2020].

Prophet’s Practice in the Last 10 Days

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) intensified his worship during these ten days, a devotion unparalleled throughout the year. He tightened his focus on prayer, engaged in abundant remembrance and Quranic recitation, and encouraged his family to join in prayers, striving diligently in acts of worship and obedience.

Give Your Sadaqah

‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet’s devoted practices highlight the significance of these final ten days, as he concentrated on worship, prayers, and supplications.

We urge Muslims worldwide to follow his example: Devoting his time to reciting extended Quranic passages, engaging in nightly prayers at the mosque (i’tikaf), and fervently making supplications.

Prophet’s Practice in the Last 10 Days,

– helping the Needy.

Extending a helping hand to the less fortunate during Ramadan carries immense spiritual and personal significance.

Giving charity, irrespective of its scale, holds tremendous value during this sacred month, manifesting one’s sincerity and devotion to Allah (SWT).

Anas narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) affirmed:

“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 663].

Moreover, the generosity of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reached its zenith during Ramadan, marked by profound kindness and giving. These acts of kindness exemplify the essence of social solidarity intrinsic to Islam, ensuring the protection and well-being of society’s vulnerable members.

Ramadan’s charitable initiatives yield transformative effects, fostering societal change that positively impacts the lives of millions in need. Through these philanthropic projects:

Orphans and widows find solace.

Instilling moral values and promoting social unity within communities.

Bolster the destitute’s economic standing, advancing healthcare and medical support for those facing adversity.

Engaging in various acts of worship and good deeds holds immense significance.

Setting personal goals and crafting a structured plan for daily worship and beneficial changes is crucial. Among the actionable ways to multiply good deeds and earn divine satisfaction include:

Seeking forgiveness abundantly is a blessed act recorded as commendable before Allah (SWT).

Express love and devotion to the Messenger of Allah (SWT) in daily supplications.

Utilize the open gates of heaven and the closed gates of hell during these nights by sincerely repenting and returning to Allah (SWT).

Show kindness and generosity to people, especially by giving charity, as the needy eagerly awaits this holy month.

Scholars relay that one of the most beloved du’as to make during these last ten nights in the hope that it falls on Laylatul Qadr is the following:

“Allahumma innaka Afuwwun (Karimun) tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee”

Translation: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me”- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Bukhari.

Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree or Night of Power, is one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar.

It is a commonly held belief that Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) occurs on the 27th Ramadan. However, scholars of Hadith recommend focusing on the last 10 nights of Ramadan, especially the odd nights, as it is most likely to have occurred in one of these nights.

Dua for loved ones who have passed away

Many of us will be spending this Ramadan without loved ones who have passed away. By reading the following dua over the last 10 days of Ramadan, we can help provide them with blessings in Jannah.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ الَّلهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ

‘Allaahum-maghfir lahu Allaahumma thabbithu’

Translation: O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, strengthen him.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ وَعَافِهِمْ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُمْ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُمْ وَاغْسِلْهُمْ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِمْ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ ‏

Translation: Oh Allah, forgive them and have mercy on them and give them strength and pardon them. Be generous to them and cause their entrance to be wide and wash them with water and snow and hail. Cleanse them of their transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains.

Dua for good health

It’s important to make dua for good health for ourselves and loved ones, so that we may have the health and strength needed for worship and good deeds.

اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في بَدَنـي ، اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في سَمْـعي ، اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في بَصَـري ، لا إلهَ إلاّ أَنْـتَ. اللّهُـمَّ إِنّـي أَعـوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْكُـفر ، وَالفَـقْر ، وَأَعـوذُبِكَ مِنْ عَذابِ القَـبْر ، لا إلهَ إلاّ أَنْـتَ

‘Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee badanee, Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee sam’ee, Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee basaree, laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-kufri, walfaqri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min ‘adhaabil-qabri, laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta’.

Translation: O Allah, make me healthy in my body. O Allah, preserve for me my hearing. O Allah, preserve for me my sight. There is none worthy of worship but You . O Allah , I seek refuge in You from disbelief and poverty and I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave . There is none worthy of worship but You.

I seek refuge from Your displeasure and from the Hellfire.

Dua for Divine guidance

The last ten days of Ramadan is a special time for us to gain closeness to Allah (SWT) and to change the direction of our lives so that we are focused on gaining His pleasure. Therefore, it’s important to make du’a for Allah’s guidance to allow us to do so:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَ التُّقَى وَ العَفَافَ وَ الغِنَى

‘Allāhumma Innī As’aluka al-Hudā Wat-Tuqā Wal-Afāfa Wal-Ghinā’

Translation: O Allah, I ask You for guidance and piety, and abstinence (from the unlawful) and modesty, and contentment and sufficiency.

May Allah Almighty accept all of our dua’s this Ramadan, and throughout the year. Ameen!

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