During the last stage of Ramadan, your focus should be purely on attaining the rewards of Lailatul Qadr.
Rasulullah ﷺ told us to search for Lailatul Qadr on the odd nights of the third ashra of Ramadan. Per his guideline, we should do as much Ibadah as possible on these odd nights and the entire 10 days in general.
Let’s learn some of the good deeds you can do on these days:
1. Stay in the Masjid for I’tikaf
The best way to attain the rewards of Laylatul Qadr is to spend the final stage of Ramadan in I’tikaf in the Masjid. It is a part of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions (R).
Dedicate these days purely to Allah. Spend your time reciting the Quran, learning the Deen, standing in voluntary prayers, making Dhikr of Allah, studying Seerah and other Islamic books, etc. Do not go outside the Mosque except in cases of emergency.
2. Spend the Nights in Qiyam Al-Layl
It’s recommended to spend your nights in worship and wake up family members during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Ali (R) said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to wake up his family during the last ten (nights) of Ramadan.” [Musnad Ahmad]
Try to prolong your night prayers with long Suras. You can recite the Suras you heard in Taraweeh earlier. If you don’t know long Suras, you can recite multiple shorter suras in each Rakat.
If you stay in the mosque for I’tikaf, you can attend Qiyam Al-Layl in congregation behind an Imam.
3. Make a Lot of Dua and Istigfar
Make sure to supplicate a lot to Allah during the last period of Ramadan. Especially make dua in the Sijdah, and after Tashahhud of your voluntary prayers, make a lot of Duas.
You can list Duas you intend to read in your voluntary prayer for that night and memorise those during the day. You can use your Ramadan Planner (if you’ve one) to learn a new dua daily throughout Ramadan.
4. Read and Understand the Quran
As we said earlier, the focus of the last 10 nights of Ramadan should be on Laylatul Qadr. And the only reason Lailatul Qadr is glorified is because of the Quran. So, these times are a golden opportunity to bond with the Word of Allah.
Recite the Quran as much as you can. Try to complete the whole Quran in the final part of Ramadan. If you can’t recite the Quran, learn it from the Imam of your Masjid during this time.
In the daytime, you can recite the Suras as well as read translations and tafsirs that the Imam will recite later in Taraweeh. This way, you can focus on the meaning of what he is reciting.
The Quran app can assist you in making connections and improving your understanding of the Quran.
5. Take a Deep Dive into Yourself
Think about your life. Where did you come from, where will you go once you die, who sent you on this earth, what is your life’s purpose, etc? Ask yourself these questions.
Due to our busy schedules, sometimes it can be pretty challenging to do so. The best way is to retire to Allah in the last stage of Ramadan to purify our intentions, thoughts, and beliefs.
6. Increase Your Islamic Knowledge
Ramadan is the perfect time to learn about Deen. You can arrange Islamic Halaqas in the last ashra of Ramadan to learn the basics of Deen, like Tawheed, Iman, Shirk, Kufr, etc.
You can also learn the Sunnah and etiquettes of Rasulullah ﷺ during these last days of Ramadan. Consult with the Ulama (Islamic scholars) and read hadiths on the relevant topics. Check out some Hadith app to find all the books of Hadith in one place.
You can read the Seerah of Rasulullah ﷺ, the History of Islam and much more. You should arrange these books beforehand so that you waste no time searching for what to read at this crucial time.
7. Give Charity:
We encourage you to donate your Sadaqah during the last 10 days of Ramadan. In particular, you should give charity on the odd nights of Ramadan, hoping to gain the rewards of Laylatul Qadr.
Ibn `Abbas (R) narrated: “The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of all the people and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Jubril met him. Jubril used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ then used to be more generous than the fast wind.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
8. Say more dua in the last Ashra of Ramadan: Ramadan Is divided into three Ashrah and the third Ashrah in which the night of majesty ( Laylatul Qadr) is searched for is known as the period of mercy. The period in which Allah forgive his slaves who seek for his forgiveness.
Dua you can say during the odd nights in search of Lailatul Qadr:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Meaning: “ O Allah, You are pardoning. You love to forgive, so forgive me.” [Sunan-at-Tirmidhi: 3513]
Dua to Stay in Good Health to Perform the Ibadats of the Ramadan last 10 days:
اَللّٰهُمَّ عَافِنِيْ فِيْ بَدَنِيْ، اَللّٰهُمَّ عَافِنِيْ فِيْ سَمْعِيْ، اَللّٰهُمَّ عَافِنِيْ فِيْ بَصَرِيْ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ، وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Meaning: “O Allah, grant my body health, O Allah, grant my hearing health, O Allah, grant my sight health. None has the right to be worshipped except You. O Allah, I take refuge with You from disbelief and poverty, and I take refuge with You from the punishment of the grave. None has the right to be worshipped except You.’ ” [Sunan-Abu-Dawud: 4/324].
The last 10 days of Ramadan are surely a ‘not to be missed’ opportunity from Allah to gain His forgiveness and endless rewards. Let us capitalise on it and spend these days and nights in remembrance of Allah and Ibadah.
Let us try sincerely to search for Laylatul Qadr and gain its rewards from our Lord. May Allah bless our efforts and purify our intentions.
