As the month of Ramadan progresses, the anticipation and significance of the last ten nights become increasingly palpable. These final nights are considered the most holy and are filled with opportunities for immense blessings and forgiveness.
This period is understood to be when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), on a night known as ‘Laylat al Qadr’ or the Night of Decree. This is a night of unparalleled blessings and mercy, as the gates of heaven are opened and the angels descend to earth. Muslims believe that sincere prayers and acts of worship performed on this night are multiplied in reward, equivalent to a thousand months (or 83 years).
There is uncertainty on the exact date of the night, but the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Muslims to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and particularly on the odd nights. Muslims up their game and consideration should be taken to your colleagues’ extra efforts and late nights, as they are characterised by heighted devotion and a range of practices:
- Tahajjud or ‘the Night Prayer’ which is said to be an arrow that does not miss its target. This is the most integral part of Laylat al Qadr, performed in the quiet ‘last third’ of the night and allows Muslims to engage in private and profound communication with God. It is a time for heartfelt supplications, seeking forgiveness, expressing gratitude and asking for anything. It is personally my favourite time as they say it is invitation only and that if God woke you up for it, it’s because He wants to speak to you and give you something.
- Charity is highly encouraged not only throughout Ramadan but especially in the last ten nights. If I give £1 and it is Laylat al Qadr, I would have given £1 for the next 83 years. Nowadays, there are apps which make this so much easier as you can sign up and choose when, where and how much goes out.. just in case it is the special night. Mosques also hold collections and a lot of Muslims volunteer in feeds and charity events.
- I’tikaf is a less common practice where Muslims can stay in the mosque during this period and completely shut off from the outside world. Food and accommodation is provided and in return, the attendees help around the mosque. However, the key part of I’tikaf is that there are no distractions so you can only read Quran and do extra ritual and personal prayers.
This period is the perfect culmination of what Ramadan is meant to be. The collective acts of worship, shared meals and mutual support during this period creates bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood like no other. It is a time to reach out to others, offer help and strengthen ties. Last Ramadan, I performed i’tikaf in the mosque and a couple months later, I performed the pilgrimage in Mecca with the same brothers I met there!
The introspective nature of the last ten nights allows for personal reflection and growth. Muslims take this time to evaluate their actions, seek forgiveness for past mistakes and make resolutions for the future. I have made my lists of gratitude, goals and prayers and one thing that is on all is to be thankful for DWF’s Ramadan initiatives this year and to continue and expand next Ramadan.
As we draw to the end of the special month, I hope that these blogs and the other initiatives our Ramadan Working Group has carried out has fulfilled its objectives to bring awareness to the true, magical meaning of Ramadan. It has been an honour to have led and been a part of things I have never seen in this profession and on behalf of myself and the Working Group, we wish you an Eid Mubarak and that you do indeed, find the Night of Decree…