The path to Lailatul Qadar: What to do in Ramadan’s final nights

TIME flies so quickly as Ramadan approaches its last 10 days before it ends.

Before this blessed month of mercy departs, let us make the most of the opportunity and strive for the final sprint, not wasting it away. After all, Ramadan comes once a year and stays for only a month.

Moreover, in the third phase of this holy month, there is a night that is truly special, known as Lailatul Qadar, which is better than 1,000 months.

In a Hadith narrated by Aisyah RA, she said: "When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet Muhammad SAW would tighten the rope that ties around his waist, spend his nights in worship and wake his family up to pray." (Hadith Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

According to the Maktabah Albakri website, here are several acts of worship that can be done during the last 10 nights of Ramadan:

1. Perform Qiyam.

Qiyam means to spend the night in worship during Ramadan, such as performing the sunnah tarawih prayer, either in congregation or individually.

It is also beneficial to increase our efforts by performing additional optional prayers, such as two rakaat before sahur or before dawn. May Allah SWT grant us the privilege of experiencing Lailatul Qadar while in prostration to Him.

2. Increase the recitation of the Quran.

The reward for reciting the Quran is multiplied in Ramadan, and all acts of charity are also rewarded abundantly.

In these final 10 nights, let us strive to recite the Quran more frequently, as this will weigh heavily in our favour on the scales of good deeds.

3. Charity and giving.

From Ibnu Abbas RA, he said: “The Prophet Muhammad SAW was the most generous of people. His generosity peaked during Ramadan when Jibril met him. Jibril AS met him every night in Ramadan and recited the Quran with him. Indeed, Rasulullah SAW was more generous in doing good than strong winds.” (Hadith Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Based on this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad SAW gave charity generously during Ramadan, demonstrating the special reward for such acts.

4. Iktikaf (spiritual retreat).

From Ibnu Umar RA, he said: “The Prophet Muhammad SAW used to perform i'tikaf during the last 10 days of Ramadan.” (Hadith Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

According to Imam An-Nawawi, the ruling on i'tikaf is that it is a sunnah mu'akkad (emphasised), and it is recommended at all times, but it is especially encouraged during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

5. Provide iftar (breaking the fast) for others.

Encouraging the act of providing food for those who are fasting is a practice that is established in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

He said: “Whoever provides food for someone who is fasting, they will receive the same reward as the fasting person, and nothing will be diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” (Hadith Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)

Let us take this opportunity to perform all these acts of worship together.