The Last Ten Nights(part 1 of 2)

Ramadan:The Last Ten Nights


Description: The importance of the last ten nights of Ramadan and suggestions as to how a person can increase and maximise their worship in these special nights.

Arabic Terms:


·       Dua - supplication, prayer, asking Allah for something.


·       Itikaf  - the practice of secluding oneself in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah.


·       Laylat al-Qadr - a blessed night in the last ten days of Ramadan, the month of fasting.


Ramadan is a month of fasting, reading the Quran, and extra prayers; it is the month of good deeds and generosity. 

🔈The last ten nights of Ramadan are particularly special. Prophet Muhammad would use these nights to exert himself in worship and generosity. 

🕐The first of these nights occurs on the eve of the 21st day of Ramadan. In other words, it is the night that commences after the completion of the 20th day of fasting.

Prophet Muhammad strove to do acts of worship during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time.[Saheeh Muslim]  

Since as Muslims we strive to be like Prophet Muhammad in as many ways as possible this is a time to ask ourselves what we can do to take full advantage of the special nights ahead.


Attend the Taraweeh

One of the most beautiful and special parts of Ramadan is the opportunity to attend taraweeh prayers. 

They are offered throughout the month. It makes a person feel as if they are part of the thriving community of Muslims and it is a chance to really concentrate on the recitation of the Quran and the words of Allah. 

🔺If you have not been attending taraweeh or have not really put your heart and soul into praying these prayers then the last ten nights of Ramadan are an opportunity for you to increase your worship. While most mosques offer taraweeh prayers after Isha prayer, you will find that some also offer you the opportunity to pray more voluntary prayers in congregation later in the night. 

🔺If you are able to attend these extra prayers offered usually after midnight but before the dawn prayer, you will find many benefits, including the special closeness to Allah that can only be experienced in the last part of the night. “Our Lord descends each night in the final third of the night, and He says: ‘Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?’” [Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim, At-Tirmidhi , Abu Dawood]

🔺A believer can also use the time between prayers to make longer heartfelt dua. Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”[Saheeh Al-Bukhari]


🕐💎 Search for Laylat al-Qadr

The rewards and blessings associated with this night are many. There are many references to Laylat al-Qadr in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Some of these indicate that Laylat al-Qadr falls on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, others point to it being an odd numbered night in the last ten nights. Muslims are told in the Quran that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. For this reason alone it would be wise for a person to seek out this blessed, holy night by taking worship in these last nights very seriously.

God says in the Quran, “Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Decree. And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Quran 97:1-5)


It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:  “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Agreed upon. This hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed to observe Laylat al-Qadr by spending the night in prayer.

What was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning staying up at night during the last ten nights of Ramadaan is that those nights should be spent in 


prayer and thikr.

But the scholars stated that righteous deeds are better when done at times of virtue, and undoubtedly the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better than any other nights, because Laylat al-Qadr is among them, which is better than a thousand months.


#Special Virtues of the Night of Decree

Allah The Almighty has attached a special value to the Laylat Al-Qadr, and has given this night special characteristics which make it unique, such as:

It is the night on which the Quran was sent down. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Allah sent down the Quran at one time from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooth (the Preserved Tablet in the Seventh Heaven) to Bayt Al-‘Izzah (House of Pride) in the first Heaven, then it was revealed to the Messenger of Allah  in stages according to events over twenty-three years.” [Ibn Katheer]

Allah The Almighty described it as being better than a thousand months.

That is, worship on that night is better than worshipping for a thousand months. 

Shaykh as-Sa‘di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 


That is, it is equal in virtue to one thousand months, so a deed that is done on that night is better than a deed that is done for one thousand months without Laylat al-Qadr. This is something that is utterly astounding and dazzles the mind, as Allah, may He be Blessed and exalted, has bestowed upon this ummah, which is weak in terms of strength and resolve, a night on which a good deed is equal to and exceeds one thousand months, when the lifespan of a long-lived man is only eighty odd years.


In the last ten days of Ramadan, there is Laylat Al-Qadr (the Night of Decree).

Allah did not specify its order among the ten nights so that people may exert their utmost efforts during all ten days in worship, performing optional night prayer, reciting the Holy Quran and doing righteous deeds. This is also a means of distinction between those who are active in devotion and those who are not. 

If Laylat Al-Qadr were identified, many people would have limited themselves to devotion on that night only, neglecting other nights. There would also be no criteria for evaluation between the hardworking people and the lazy ones.

💎So, seek the reward of Laylat Al-Qadr by doing good deeds consistently and sincerely. Ask Allah for a share of His reward and to protect you from coming out of Ramadan empty-handed.

💎If you hear or recite a Quranic verse that mentions His mercy, ask Allah to provide you from His bounties. When you hear or recite a Quranic verse that contains a warning, ask Allah’s protection from His punishment