Maximizing the Blessings of Laila tul Qadr: A Guide to the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

 Ikkz Ikbal ✉

As the blessed month of Ramadan enters the last 10 days. Muslims anticipate the arrival of Laila tul Qadr, the Night of Power. Laila tul Qadr starts with the 21st night of Ramadan.

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Every single one of those nights has the potential to be the most consequential night of your life. The exact night corresponding to Laila tul Qadr is unknown, however what is known for certain is that Laila tul Qadr is among the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Recorded by Bukhari, and narrated by `Aisha R.A, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Sahih Bukhari [2017].

From the calculations standpoint of the Shab e Qadr, one second of Laila tul Qadr is better than almost one day.

Allah SWT chose these last 10 nights as an opportunity for us, so that our sins are forgiven.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i ,2192)

As we are going to witness Laila tul Qadr in these last 10 days of Ramadan.  To ensure that every moment of these nights is utilized to the fullest, it is important to keep a few key practices in mind:

1. Start Early, End Strong

Remember that the night starts at Magrib itself, not at Isha or somewhere around midnight. So be careful. Ibn Qudama r.a said, " and most of the people loose Laila tul Qadr in its early part of the night". [Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni (Dar `Alam al-Kutub),]. Consider every part of the night as Laila tul Qadr starting from the Azaan of Magrib prayer until the Azaan of Fajr prayer. Make most of every moment.

2. Prayer Isha and Fajr in congregation

whether at masjid or at home. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever prays Salatul Isha in Jammat (congregation), Allah SWT will write for them the first half of the night in prayer and whoever prays Salatul Fajr in congregation, Allah SWT will write for them the second half of the night in prayer. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 221)

Sa’id Ibn Al-Musayyib (RA) said

“How merciful is Allah SWT and said whoever prays Salatul Isha in congregation has taken their portion from Laylatul Qadr” [Muwatta Malik, Book 19, Hadith 707].

3. Join Qiyam with the Imam

Participate in Qiyam prayers with Imam from the beginning until the Imam concludes. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ assured that whoever prays Qiyam with the Imam until its completion, Allah SWT will record for him entire night in prayer

 

4. Engage in Abundant Dua

Keep yourself busy with continuous supplications, making short and comprehensive Dua through out the night. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, the most beloved of the dua to Allah SWT is the one that is comprehensive.

Examples of some impactful duas to make in the last 10 nights of Ramadan

O Allah! You are forgiving and You love forgiveness. So, forgive me.

O Allah! Give integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions.

O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me, behind me, on the right, on the left, over the head and what is under my feet.

O Allah! Grant health to my body, my hearing, and my sight.

O Allah! I seek refuge from you from unbelief and poverty and from the punishment in the grave.

O Allah! Forgive me my sins, there is no one who can forgive me my sins except You.

O Allah! I ask you to grant me the good of this world and of the hereafter.

4. Give life to the night: 

Follow the example of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, who would intensify his worship and devotion and would give life to the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Increase the recitation of Qur'an.  Pray more rak'at of prayer. Make more and more Dua and generously give more in charity. Make the nights of Lailatul Qadr vibrant with spiritual activity, striving to draw closer to Allah SWT with each passing moment.

Let us carry the lessons learned and the spiritual gains achieved during Ramadan forward into the days and months ahead. May the blessings of Lailatul Qadr inspire us to lead lives of righteousness, compassion, and devotion to Allah SWT. And may we continue to seek His guidance, mercy, and forgiveness in all our endeavors.

In addition to these practices, it is essential to minimize your distractions. Make sure you make most of the last 10 nights of the Ramadan. Stop using your mobile phones, avoid social media and unnecessary communication. This will help to maintain focus and concentration during these precious nights of Lailatul Qadr.

May Allah SWT isolate our hearts, our thoughts, our bodies, our sight, our tongue and everything from that which is displeasing to Him. May Allah SWT allow us to engage in what is pleasing to Him.

[This write-up is inspired from the video of Dr. Omar Sulaiman, Yaqeen Institute]

Ikkz Ikbal has a PG in Biotechnology and is Administrator at Maryam Memorial Institute Pandithpora Qaziabad. He can be mailed at ikkzikbal@gmail.com.