Last 10 days of Ramadan

By: Asma Ayyaz
Ramadan is a time for intense re-focusing on what is really important to us as Muslims. We use this month to engage in increased prayer, charity and reading of the Qur’an. During Ramadan we also engage in a rigorous 30-days of fasting from dawn to sunset which tests our resolve, but also quiets our body’s systems so that we can focus on our spirituality.
We do this because it teaches us practical lessons of self-control and empathy for those who have little to eat or drink; but most importantly, we do it because it nourishes our spirit and gives us a chance to work on things that are often back-burnered because of other daily distractions. During Ramadan we find ourselves challenged in unique ways. The fasting tests our patience and ability to be kind even through discomfort; the increased prayer forces us to think about God more often and the role He plays in our lives.
But it’s not all tough lessons and self-discipline. A Jewish friend recently asked me why people say “Happy Ramadan” or “Ramadan Mubarak”. (In the Jewish tradition, of course, the fasting day of Yom Kippur is not a happy one; it is a solemn occasion.) But the reality is that Ramadan is a joyful time for us, despite the challenges it presents.
For one thing, I find that I develop an increased sensitivity during this time. If you’ve ever gone a few too many hours without eating, you might notice that when you’re hungry you become emotional, angry or otherwise sensitive to things people say or do. When I’m fasting I become very sensitive to things around me. This includes things I read or see, or simply interactions I have with others. It makes me realize just how often I use food to distract myself or engage in ‘emotional eating’ to numb some of those feelings. Not eating forces me to face those feelings and explore their causes. I find myself having revelations all the time about my relationships with other people, and as a result these relationships are strengthened and clarified in beautiful new ways.
Another blessing of Ramadan is that my community becomes stronger. We’re all in this together, and during this month there are increased opportunities to meet and break our daily fasts, engage in extra nighttime prayers, and attend other community events. I find myself appreciating those around me in the Muslim community and forging deeper connections with them that are based on the shared experience of fasting together. I rediscover joy in community during this time, and it sustains me throughout the year.
Finally, Ramadan blesses me with time. In order to fast and manage all of my regular responsibilities (like a job) I have to seriously rearrange my life for 30 days. It’s an exercise in simplifying almost everything I do, and the result is that I find I have more time to think, read, rest and reflect. As a person who is known for chronically taking on too much, this month forces me to slow down, become more methodical and experience things moment to moment. I look forward to Ramadan every year because it gives me a chance to recharge – mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
The benefits of Ramadan might be hard to fathom for someone who is not practicing Islam. It is most definitely a challenge, especially this year with 15 hour fasts. But Muslims are engaging in this exercise with a great deal of joy. So next time you meet a Muslim during Ramadan and their lips are chapped, their eyes a little droopy and they seem to be moving a little slower than usual give them a big smile and wish them a “Happy Ramadan”. They’ll consider it just another blessing.
The last 10 days of Ramadan
Here are some tips of things we can do on the Night of Power and the time before and after it:
Take a Vacation for Allah
We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshipping and thanking our Creator. If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This will also make I`tikaf easy.
I`tikaf
It was a practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the mosque for I`tikaf. In Itikaf one makes a spiritual retreat in the mosque all the time, performing various forms of Zikr (the remembrance of Allah),doing extra Salat, recitatio ,study of the Qur’an. One does not go outside the mosque except in case of emergencies.
Make This Special Du`a’: Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah, You are Oft-Pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’”
(By: Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).
Recite the Qur’an: Perhaps one can choose Surahs or passages from the Quran which one has heard in Taraweeh this past Ramadan to recite.Get Your Sins Wiped Out
Abu Hurairah quoted Allah’s Messenger as saying: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [by Bukhari and Muslim).
Evaluate Yourself
Ask yourself those questions that need to be asked. Do an evaluation of where you are and where you are going.
Make Long, Sincere and Deep Du`a’s
One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, quoted the Prophet as saying: “When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims: Is there anyone supplicating to Me, so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything so that and I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness, so that I forgive him?” by Bukhari, Muslim).This means for instance, waking up one hour before Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) time to invoke.
Have Iftar with the Family: The last few days you’ll have this Ramadan to spend with your family. Use it wisely.Take the Family to Taraweeh
Have your spouse and kids missed Taraweeh most of Ramadan do all of yourselves a favor and bring everyone for Taraweeh in these last ten nights.
Du`a’ After the Completion of the Qur’anic Recitation
Almost all the mosques where the Imam aims to finish an entire reading of the Qur’an in Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan will now be approaching They may try to end on one of the odd nights and read the Du`a’ at the end of reading the Qur’an. Attend this particular night’s Taraweeh prayer with your family. See if you can attend different mosques’ Taraweeh prayers the night they finish reading the Qur’an.
Finish Reading a Book on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:
Read about the Prophet’s life, which can increase your love for him and Islam by seeing how much he struggled for Allah’s sake. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these last ten nights. This community is built on sacrifice.
All these are just some hints on what is recommended for a Muslim to do in during the last ten nights of Ramadan. May Allah Almighty accept our worship and devotions, Amen.
Email: asmashums@gmail.com