Thursday, 9 July 2015

The last ten days of Ramadan

The close of Ramadan is fast approaching, indeed the Muslim community is fasting its final ten days, and at its conclusion Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr (the celebration of ending the fast).

These last ten days are extremely important in terms of Allah’s bestowing of blessings upon believers. These blessings come in many forms and Muslims should take advantage of them, as much as they can, while they are still able to earn them.

The first and foremost time in these days is the Night of Power (lailatul Qadr). This particular night has been glorified by Allah in the Quran in this verse: 'We revealed this Qur'an on the Night of Power. And what would make you understand what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Angels and Gabriel descend therein, with the permission of their Lord, with every matter. It is peace until the break of dawn’. (Surah Al-Qadr)

The Quran was sent down in this month, from the seventh heaven to the lower one, and from there it was revealed to the prophet Muhammad, peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him. The Quran contains the blessed speech of our Lord, the Creator, and blessed it is, as is He. It was revealed as the final and complete guidance from the Lord of the worlds to the last of His Messengers and Prophets.

The importance of this particular night is highlighted as the night in which our dedication to Allah, through prayer, worship, the recitation of his last book, charitable deeds, charity and every good deed, seeking His Pleasure only, receives the same benefits as would be gained by fulfilling all these actions every night for a thousand months (more than the average lifespan of a human being). Muslims are, therefore, encouraged to seek the Night of Power  on the all odd nights of these last ten days, starting from 21st night.

Muslims, traditionally, appear to favour the 27th night of the month, which may appear more likely to be the one, according to the texts of Prophet’s hadith. However, there are many hadith which suggest otherwise and we are encouraged to look for it in all five odd nights.

This night is so important that a Muslim, who is keen to take advantage of this huge opportunity to receive the vast blessings and generous rewards offered by  Allah, should rather seek it throughout  all ten of these nights, in order that he is not deprived of these benefits.

A further benefit is described in following hadith to encourage believers to seek out this blessed opportunity. It says: ‘whoever spent the night of Power, out of belief and in pursuit of reward, would be forgiven for his past sins’.

All human beings, by their very nature, commit sins and errors, and Allah recognises man’s weakness. However, Allah out of His Mercy, provides this opportunity for people to have their wrongdoings forgiven by Him and sins removed while they are still in this world, so that, when they return to their Lord, they are less burdened with them and receive Allah’s blessing of forgiveness in the Afterlife.

Further, Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, says that 'I asked the prophet saying: ‘O Messenger of Allah! If I find the Night of Power, what would I supplicate for?  He replied: 'say: O Allah! You are forgiving and love to forgive so forgive me’.

Another hadith tells us that, when the Prophet delivered a sermon on the eve of Ramadan, he divided the month into three very distinct parts; the days of mercy, the days of forgiveness, and latterly, the days of freedom from hell-fire. Building on the mercy and forgiveness of Allah, these last ten days are the days when Allah frees his believing servants from the hell-fire. It is important that believers actively seek out the Night of Power, through their prayers and active intentions, and not sit back idly and expect to receive these rewards automatically.

This month is deeply connected with the revelation of the Quran, the final words of God to humanity. The Quran says: ‘the month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur`an was sent down, guidance for mankind and clear signs of guidance and the Criterion’.  These last ten days, in which the ‘Night of Power’ lays, are more about celebrating the Quranic guidance, understanding it, and embracing it to enhance our self-development, personal morality and the welfare of humanity. People should read and strive to understand more of this sublime revelation and guidance from Allah, in these days, than ever before. 

Ramadan has been described as a month of reflection, self-restraint and a time in which we can attain piety and taqwa. This may, of course, entail introducing changes to our personal lifestyles, but we must also recognise what we must do if we are to improve our characters and our worldwide view. It is a month which brings people closer to Allah and in which souls are cleansed and our direction is changed. As  a result people are more likely to achieve a properly balanced lifestyle, benefiting them not only in their own lives, but also bringing them closer to their creator and receiving future rewards for their good deeds.

Ramadan revives all aspects of the human spirit, especially those of goodness, kindness and generosity. It never brings harm to people. It also brings people together and, by so doing, reinforces the universal bonds of humanity and submission to God. It subdues negative urges and purges the evil tendencies ever present in humans.

This is the reason the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, described the act of fasting as ‘shield’. By fasting a believer shields himself, or herself, from everything that may cause suffering and the eternal displeasure of God.

Fasting is a very exclusive personal dedication and by refraining from indulging in the pleasures that surround us, even for this short period of time, we can demonstrate a real commitment towards Allah’s guidance and our faith in His teachings. It makes a fasting person very special in the Sight of his Creator and Sustainer, and so everything he does becomes very special too, as do the rewards that may be bestowed upon him. Prayers and dua, in this time, receive special treatment when they are accepted. This month re-energises our whole life with God’s guidance. Treating it with great care, and making it more special for ourselves and for all those around us, would be a rightful outcome from this blessed month.

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