Alhamdulillah, the last ten days of Ramadan are near, and it’s important to increase our time in worship rather than slow down.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) used to increase his worship during the last ten days more than any other time in Ramadan. These are the last few days to make the most of Ramadan because they contain one of the most virtuous nights in the whole year—Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power).
Laylatul Qadr is mentioned in the Quran by Allah (swt): “The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” (Surah Al-Qadr)
A thousand months is equivalent to over 83 years—an age many will be lucky to live to. Being able to worship on this night could mean increasing our lifetime reward. Imagine maximising this night and adding a lifetime’s worth of worship every year! Potentially, we are gaining several lifetimes’ worth of good deeds just this one night alone each year!
The Messenger of Allah (saw) used to practice I’tikaaf 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.” (Al-Bukhari).
This means that we don’t know when it is precisely. In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saw) instructed us to search for it on the odd nights of the last ten days (i.e., the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th). It is commonly expressed that the 27th night of Ramadan is when Laylatul Qadr occurs, but again, nothing for sure says that it is on this night.
What is I’tikaaf?
It is not knowing when Laylatul Qadr which encourages us to seek it rather than focus on it for one day alone. I’tikaaf secludes oneself from all worldly things, and for men, it is to stay in a part of the masjid and focus only on worship and remembering Allah (swt) – for the last ten days of Ramadan. For women, it is to stay in a part of the home away from everyone else and do the same. The Messenger of Allah (saw) used to do this every year and engage in worship, prayer, and supplications so that whenever Laylatul Qadr occurs, that night has had a significant amount of worship. Essentially, the one in I’tikaaf never misses Laylatul Qadr.
The last ten days of Ramadan are to seek protection from the Hellfire.
As we know, each set of ten days has a theme, and the theme of the last ten days of Ramadan is to seek protection from Hell. In the Hereafter, there are only two camps we can be in – the camp of the people of Paradise or Hellfire. The Messenger of Allah (saw) has mentioned in a lot of detail the reality of Jahannam (Hell), and Allah (swt) mentions it throughout the Qur’an. It is something we cannot afford to be even close to let alone inside. We should focus every day on asking Allah (swt) to protect us from the punishment of Hellfire.
In the last 10 days of Ramadan, we focus our supplications (duas) on asking for Allah’s (swt) protection more abundantly. By being saved from Hell, we no doubt become the people of Jannah (Paradise). How can we do that? Here are some ways to seek the Protection of Allah (swt) against the most painful punishment.
Dua for the Last 10 Days of Ramadan
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbana aatinaa fid’dunyaa hasanah, wa fil aakhirati hasanah, wa qinaa adhaaban-naar.
“Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Surah Al-Baqarah)
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanaa innanaa aamannaa faghfir lanaa dhunoobana wa qinaa adhaaban-naar.
“Our Lord! We have believed, so forgive our sins and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Surah Aal-‘Imraan)
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanaa maa khalaqta haadhaa baatilan, subhaanaka faqinaa adhaaban-naar.
“Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ
Allahumma ajirnee minan-naar.
“Oh Allah! Save me from the Hellfire.” (Sunan Abi Dawood)
Giving charity in the last ten days of Ramadan.
When giving our Sadaqah or Zakat, our intentions are sometimes focused on the needs of others, but this potentially means that we are not focusing on the real reason why we need to give charity.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Guard yourself against the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity. If one cannot find it, then with a kind word.” (Al-Bukhari)
Giving such a small amount, or even saying something nice to someone, is a form of charity! More importantly, linking this Hadith to understand that charity protects us from Hellfire should change our understanding of why we give charity in the first place. Is it a means of just fulfilling the needs of a poor person, or is it that we are saving ourselves from Hellfire?
The key is that giving charity can be a major benefit for us rather than the recipient. Armed with this knowledge, the next time you give charity, think about how it will affect you in the afterlife.
We pray that Allah (swt) accepts all our good deeds, forgives us for our sins, and saves us from the Hellfire.
