The the glorious month of Ramadan is in itself a holy and blessed month, yet the Prophet (SAW) used to pay extra heed to the last 10 days of Ramadan, as this is when the Quran was revealed. Ramadan is divided into 3 parts, and each 10-day period has valueable significance:
First 10 days: Brings Allah’s mercy
2nd 10 days : Brings Allah’s forgiveness
3rd 10 days : Brings emancipation from hell-fire
*Note the importance of the last 10 days--Do not let these last precious days go to waste.*
The following is an article by Amr Khaled about preparing for the last 10 days:
INTRODUCTION
Your whole life could depend on these last ten days of Ramadan. Let's concentrate today on these last ten days. Can you imagine if Allah (SWT) selected you among all other people to be a believer, just as Allah has selected the humans to be superior among all other creatures? Even above the angels! Then He selected the Prophets to be superior from the rest of mankind, and among the Prophets He selected five, who are called the Prophets who were greatly tested, such as Prophet Musa and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Look at the chain:
In the Holy Qur'an Allah said: "O Moses! I have chosen thee above (other) men, by the mission I (have given thee) and the words I (have spoken to thee): take then the (revelation) which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks."" [Qur'an 7:144]
Then from among the women of the world, Allah (SWT) selected Mariam.
Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee- chosen thee above the women of all nations. [Qur'an 3:42]
Allah (SWT) also selected the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the seal of the Prophets; and one of his names is 'Al-Mustafa' (the chosen one). Then Allah (SWT) selected the companions to be close to the Prophet; to help and support him throughout his mission and to establish and spread the religion of Allah.
Above all, Allah (SWT) has selected us to be Muslims among the rest of mankind.
Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors. [Qur'an 3:110]
From among the Muslims, Allah chose the martyrs. Bear in mind that not everyone can be a martyr; only those who have been chosen by Allah (SWT).
After that, Allah (SWT) selected the readers of the Holy Qur'an. A Prophetic saying, in its meaning, states that the people of the Qur'an are the Prophet's chosen group and his special people.
From among all the angels, Allah (SWT) selected Angel Gabriel.
From all the countries in the world, Makkah was selected as a holy city.
From all the mountains in the world, Mount Arafa was selected as a holy mountain.
From all the months, Ramadan was selected as a holy month; and from all the nights of Ramadan, the Night of Power (Laylat Al Qadr) was selected as a holy night.
After that, Allah (SWT) chose certain people to observe the Night of Power. Do you think you are going to be one of those lucky Muslims? Let's pray to Allah (SWT) that He selects us to be one of them.
Therefore, this is a lifetime opportunity to try your best to be selected among those who are going to observe the Night of Power.
THE NIGHT OF POWER
Let's see how many times this special night was mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. It was mentioned three times in the Night of Decree chapter "Al-Qadr" [Chapter 97] and in the last verse Allah informed us that this night is better than one thousand months.
Allah (SWT) explains that this night is holy since this is when the Qur'an was revealed. Not only that; thousands of Angels, including the Angel Gabriel, descend to earth on this night to ask for Allah's forgiveness on our behalf! Can you imagine this great honor?
Someone might ask 'what is the reason for this great night?' Some scholars have stated that the reason is so that the Angels can observe us worshipping Allah (SWT) in humbleness, crying for Allah's forgiveness and mercy. Therefore, they would bear witness that not all humans are blood thirsty and evil.
Therefore, Allah wants to remind the angels when they asked Him:
Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not." [Qur'an 2:30]
In addition, it is the night when our destiny, fate, provisions and life span will be written and decided. That's why it is called the Night of Power or the Night of Decree. You may think 'hasn't everything already been written and decided before we were created?' Yes, this is correct. But, every year on this night, the angels will descend to earth to write in our books what will happen to us in the coming year.
We sent it down during a Blessed Night: for We (ever) wish to warn (against Evil). [Qur'an 44:3]
Not only will events be written on a person level, but on a greater scale. The fate of our nation will be written and decided on this night too. Therefore, Allah (SWT) says:
Peace!...This until the rise of morn! [Qur'an 97:5]
This night lies in one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. It is a time for the whole nation to pray for Allah's help and victory. So pay attention to how God and the Angels will find you when this great night is revealed. The state you will found in will be equal to the rewards you will achieve.
THE REWARDS OF THE NIGHT
1. As said in a Prophetic saying, whoever prays on this night out of faith, will have his sins erased. Another Prophetic saying states that whoever prays on this night, remembering Allah, Allah (SWT) will forgive the believer and erase all his sins.
2. This night is better than one thousand months, equal to more than eighty four years, of continuous worship. Some might ask 'what sort of worship should we be performing? We should be performing all acts of worship, including praying, giving charity, reading the Qur'an, and so on.
3. Your supplications and prayers will surely be answered.
4. You will be saved from the Hell Fire. This night is equally important for the forgiveness of sins and for the saviour from the Hell Fire, as the day of Arafa during the month of Dhul-Hijja.
To express the importance of these last 10 days, the Prophet Muhammad would seclude himself in the Mosque (I'takaf), especially in the odd numbered nights.
Hence, as we have heard before, Angel Gabriel descended to earth to inform the Prophet of the specific date of the Night of Power. As the Prophet hurried to announce it to the Muslims, he saw two people engaged in a quarrel. He was very upset and consequently could not remember the date that Angel Gabriel had told him. Therefore it is a great sign for us to refrain from all sorts of quarrels and hostile feelings, if you want to observe and obtain this night. So this is a great opportunity for all of us to forgive and forget.
THE BEST SUPPLICATION
What is the best supplication to repeat during this night?
Lady Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, asked the Prophet the same question. He replied that the best supplication is: 'O Allah, you are generous and forgiving, and you like forgivingness, so please forgive us.'
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you to stop every little and big sin you can avoid, such watching music video clips, movies and indecent songs, at least for these last 10 days, as it will help you a great deal.
PERFORMING GOOD DEEDS IN THE LAST 10 DAYS
What did the Prophet do in these last ten days? Scholars told us that during these ten nights, the Prophet only concentrated on all forms of worship. He especially concentrated on praying during the night, reading the Qur'an, waking his family for the congregational prayers, and not approaching his wives, as well as making supplications to Allah.
Pay attention, if you are busy with important work or studying, you should be able to keep an equal balance between work and worship. Do not forget that Muslims used to fight in battles during Ramadan. However, they still managed to worship efficiently and at the same time take part in these battles.
How about the ladies who cannot pray during these last ten days due to menstruation? Do not forget that Allah is the most Merciful. Believe me, He knows your intentions, and He will reward you accordingly. This is also directed to the sick, disabled and old people who are not able to worship for valid reasons.
What can these people do to accomplish rewards equal to those who are able to worship? The best advice is to supplicate as much as possible, to remember Allah by praising and glorifying Him, by doing good deeds, i.e. giving charity and helping people in need; by attending Islamic lectures, listening to the Qur'an, and crying humbly to Allah for loosing such a great opportunity and asking Him for rewards.
|
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home