Islamic Reminders - 2

Reminder#278

◇بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم◇

" Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.
And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.
Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. "
[ Quran:97 ]

The blessed Laylatul Qadr can be found in any of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, which are the most blessed nights of the year. As such, we should increase our worship and devotion during this period.

Aisha (r.a) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (pbuh) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.
[Bukhari]

Subhan Allah! so being his ummah how can we afford to miss out these blessed nights? Who is to say that we will live to see the next Ramadan? We MUST make the best of these 10 nights. If we cannot manage all of the 10 nights, then as many as we can manage, particularly on the odd-numbered nights: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th.

~ There is a saying that a person who fails to plan, plans to fail. So here are some points to consider in the Worship Plan that we can use to maximise these blessed 10 nights of Ramadan :

1- Remain in I'tikaf: The best way of catching the blessed night is to remain in I'tikaf, which both men and women can do. If it is not possible for one to remain in I'tikaf for the whole of the 10 days and nights, then one should try to remain in I'tikaf for as many days and nights possible. It is also possible to make intention of Nawafil I'tikaf each and every time one enters the masjid to gain rewards for the time spent in the masjid.

2- Worship all the 10 nights: Try to worship the whole of the 10 nights or as many days you can manage as that is the best way to catch the unimaginable and incomprehensible rewards of Laylatul Qadr. Each and every good deed from Maghrib until Fajr on Laylatul Qadr is rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years' of worship. Subhan Allah, that is longer than most of us will live!

3- Best dua of the last 10 nights:

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّك
َ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Aisha (r.a) reported: I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?" He (pbuh) replied, "You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me)." [At-Tirmidhi].

4- Recite Quran: Recite the Qur'an, contemplating and pondering over the words of Allah .
The Noble Qur'an was revealed during Laylatul Qadr. So surely we should spend the last 10 nights of Ramadan reciting the Qur'an. Each and every letter is normally rewarded 10 good deeds. During Ramadan, this is increased further but during Laylatul Qadr each letter will be rewarded like one has recited it for over 83 years. Subhan Allah!

5- Tahajjud: The best nawafil prayer is tahajjud as it is a prayer that allows you to get closer to Allah . It can be prayed after Isha' until just before Fajr begins. The best recitation of the Qur'an is done during tahajjud prayer. You should recite as much of the Qur'an as you have memorised. In the long prostrations, beg Allah for forgiveness and mercy and surely He will never turn away his slaves who beg of him during this prayer.

6- Give charity: Any good act such as charity during Laylatul Qadr is rewarded like you have done it for over 83 years.

7- Eat light: As you will be staying up until Fajr, the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the less productive you will be!

8- Hydrate well: Keep some water with you at all times. This will help you stay up, feel energised and refreshed and have a clearer mind.

9- Complete all tasks beforehand:
Make arrangements to clear as many of your pending tasks as possible or make a plan for tackling them later. This way, we are free to worship during the 10 nights without being distracted by worldly tasks.

10- Show exemplary character: The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language."
[At- Tirmidhi].
So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.

11- No time wasting: We must make a firm intention that during these blessed 10 nights, we will not take part in idle talk, watch TV, play computer games or spend time on the social media. There are 355 days in the year for all that - if you really cannot resist. This is just 10 nights! There will be indeed an utter loss and regret for those of us who waste these blessed 10 nights.

12- Making life changes: We should make the necessary changes to improve ourselves as Muslims and what better time to make such changes than during these blessed 10 nights where we can change our lives forever. We must internalise these changes and make a firm commitment to Allah(swt), and maybe that he will wipe off our sins until we become like newborn babies, In sha Allah.

~ May Allah(swt) enable us to make the best of these nights. May He enable us to catch the blessed Laylatul Qadr and gain the rewards that are promised for it. Ameen.