The last 10 nights of Ramadan are the most important and vital days of the entire year, especially in that we know Laylatul Qadr –the night the Qur’an was first sent down– falls on one of these nights. Aishah (RA) reported: “When the last ten nights of Ramadan would begin, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would keep awake at night for prayer and devotion, awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In some cases, it is read that he would “tighten his belt”, and this is a connotation of doing hard work. Hence, you can think of it like this: exert all your energy and time into making the best of these last 10 nights. With this phrase, it can also be understood just how important the last ten nights of Ramadan are that the Prophet (PBUH) who is one of the purest, most righteous human beings, actively worked harder to do more ibadah (worship) to make the most of these nights.

In more hadith narrations by Aisha (RA), it was reported: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more in the worship in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month”. [Muslim] It was also narrated: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I’tikaf 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.” [Bukhari 2020] From these hadith, we can take away the practice of trying to achieve more acts of ibadah during these last ten nights, such as I’tikaf – the practice of isolating oneself to solely devote oneself to worshiping Allah.

To further emphasize the importance of the last ten nights, the story of how the exact date was once revealed to the Prophet, but then taken away should be referenced. It was narrated in Bukhari, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went out to inform the people about the (date of the) night of decree (Al-Qadr) but there happened a quarrel between two Muslim men. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘I came out to inform you about (the date of) the night of Al-Qadr, but as so and so and so and so quarreled, its knowledge was taken away (I forgot it) and maybe it was better for you. Now look for it in the 7th, the 9th and the 5th (of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan).’” [Bukhari 49] It is important to note that the Prophet (PBUH) said “maybe it was better for you” that he forgot. If this date was remembered and conveyed to the people, our Ummah would not be actively exerting ourselves for all ten nights. We would only exert our energy for one night, and pay less attention to rest. Thus is the mercy and wisdom of Allah (SWT) on mankind that we have the opportunity to strive more, and do better.

We can, lastly, see the importance of Laylatul Qadr is highlighted even more as it is mentioned in the Qur’an –the first part of Surah Ad-Dukhan (44), and Surah Al-Qadr (97). In Surah Dukhan, ayats 1-5

Allah makes an oath in the Qur’an:

1) Ha Meem

2) By the clear Book,

3) Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].

4) On that night is made distinct every precise matter. –

5) [Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger].

In Surah Qadr, ayats 1-3 it is said:

Indeed, We revealed it in the Night of Power.

And what can make you know what the Night of Power is?

The Night of Power is better than a Thousand Months.

It is understood that all matters are decided on Laylatul Qadr, and that it is worth a thousand months of worship – or approximately 83 years. The decision is not made during this night, but the announcements are made to the Angels as they are told of the upcoming year. The announcements and responsibilities are given out, and Allah knows all.

Now, what sort of ibadah can we do to make the most of exerting ourselves these last ten nights? During these last ten nights, we can increase our nafl prayers of taraweeh and tahajjud; we can increase our Qur’an reading; we can make more du’aa to Allah, such as asking for forgiveness or a long life to reach more Ramadans; we can give more in charity either at the masjid or on online campaigns; we can read more hadith and reflect on them, or even reflect on the Qur’an ayats we read and try to implement them into our lives, and etc. If you have not been able to do much the last 20 nights, try to pick up the slack by pushing yourself more in these last ten nights! You can focus on just reading more Qur’an, or giving more to charity – the opportunities are endless.

May Allah make this the best Ramadan for us, and allow this Ramadan to draw us closer to Him than ever before, Ameen.