Ramadan is almost over, Subhan Allah. I hope and pray that Allah (ﷻ) has accepted our fasting, prayers, Quran recitation, donating, and everything good we have done so far, and everything we are still able to do in these blessed last ten nights of Ramadan.

These are a few things we can still do in these Honorable Ten nights of Ramadan:

Free yourself from Hell.

In a weak narration from the prophet (ﷺ); Salman al-Farisi told of God’s messenger saying in a sermon which he delivered to them on the last day of Sha’ban.

“A great month, a blessed month, a month containing a night which is better than a thousand months has approached you people. God has appointed the observance of fasting during it as an obligatory duty, and the passing of its night in prayer as a voluntary practice. If someone draws near to God during it with some good act, he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfills an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfills seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance, and the reward of endurance is paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer’s provision is increased. If someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it will provide forgiveness of his sins and save him from hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect.”

Some of them remarked to God’s messenger that they did not all have the means to give one who had been fasting something with which to break his fast, and he replied: “God gives this reward to him who gives one who has been fasting some milk mixed with water, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast, and anyone who gives a full meal to one who has been fasting will be given a drink from any tank by God and will not thirst till he enters paradise. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is freedom from hell. If anyone makes things easy for his slave during it, God will forgive him and free him from hell.”[1]

Make I’tekaaf.

Where it is available, see if you can make I’tekaaf in the Masjed.

I’tekaaf means to be in isolation in a Masjid with the intention of solely dedicating your time to the worship of Allah (ﷻ).

It is Sunnah to sit in I’tekaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan. A person may commence I’tekaaf after sunset of the 20th of Ramadan and end it when the moon for Eid is sighted. The Sunnah stays the same if the month of Ramadan is of 29 or 30 days.

Make the best of effort.

A’eshah (RAA) said: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would pray all the night and would keep his family awake for the prayers and would tie his lower garment [a metaphor of being ready for extra effort in worshiping God]”.[2]

Look for the Night of Power & Decree.

Allah (ﷻ) said: {Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.} 97:1. This night is described as better than one thousand months. Angels are busy in it, a sign of blessings and mercy from God. It is also a night of peace and tranquility for believers. In this night, matters for the next year will be brought down to angels for decree as part of God’s pre-destination over all creatures including humans.

Make sure you attend a Masjed and pray all night if you can, or read Quran or be busy in making Zikr.

The best Du’a you can say in this night is what A’esha (RAA) narrated: I said: O Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it? He (ﷺ) said: “Say: O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me (Allāhumma innaka `Afuwwun [Karīmun], tuḥibbul-`afwa fa`fu `annī)”.[3]

Pay Zakat Al-Fitr.

Zakat Al-Fitr is a compulsory act of charity that Muslims must pay at the end of Ramadan. The purpose of this payment is to allow those in poverty to take part in Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

The origin of the obligation can be dated to the month of Shaban in the second year of Hijrah. Ibn Umar said: “Allah’s Messenger enjoined the payment of one Sa’ [a measurement] of dates or one Sa’ of barley as Zakat al Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer.”[4]

Pray Salat Eid Al-Fitr.

It is the Sunnah to pray Salat Eid Al-Fitr. Eid Salah (prayer) takes place in the early morning (after Fajr) on the  first day of Eid. Muslims are encouraged to pray in Jama’ah (congregation) with their local Muslim community on occasions such as these.

• Make ghusl (the ritual ablution).
• It’s sunnah to eat something. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) ate dates before going out to prayer.
• Wear the best clothes you have! Muslims are encouraged to clean themselves, dress in their best clothes and smell good for a day of celebration!
• Salat Eid prayer is two Raka’at with the Imam with just extra Takbeer at beginning and when you stand up again.
• A short Khutba is delivered by Imam after Salat is done.

Visit family and friends.

Visiting family is considered part of ( صلة الرحم ) or kinship relationship which is an honorable thing in Islam. It is the cultural practice ( العرف ) that people do on Eid.

The prophet (ﷺ) said: “For every nation has a Eid and this day is our Eid.”[5]

Make the best of Eid for your kids, exchange gifts, bring joy to all.

By Imam Kifah Mustapha

[1] Ibn Khuzaimah and Al-Baihaqi

[2] Bukhari

[3] Al-Tirmithi

[4] Bukhari

[5] Bukhari