Are You Ready for the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan?
As Ramadan enters its final ten nights, the doors of mercy and forgiveness swing wide open. This sacred period is a golden opportunity for
- Believers to strengthen their connection with Allah,
- Engage in Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer),
- Reconnect with the Qur’an, reconcile with others,
- Increase in Zakat and Sadaqah, and
- Devote themselves fully through I‘tikāf.
These nights are not ordinary, they contain Laylat al-Qadr, a night better than a thousand months. Every action performed during this time is multiplied in reward.
Begin with Reconciliation
Before increasing in worship, purify your heart from grudges and disputes. Discord is an evil (الخلاف شر) can prevent a believer from attaining the full blessings of these nights.
Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit (رضي الله عنه):
"Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went out to inform the people about the (date of the) night of decree (Al-Qadr) but there happened a quarrel between two Muslim men. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I came out to inform you about (the date of) the night of Al-Qadr, but as so and so and so and so quarrelled, its knowledge was taken away (I forgot it) and maybe it was better for you. Now look for it in the 7th, the 9th and the 5th (of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan)." ( Sahih al-Bukhari 49).
Allah says:
“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Al-Anfal: 46)
Qiyam Al-Layl: The Practice of the Righteous
Night prayer combines physical effort with spiritual devotion. It requires patience, sincerity, and sacrifice.
Qiyam al-Layl transforms the quiet darkness of the night into intimate conversation with Allah.
Narrated Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
With the start of the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2024)
The Last Third of the Night
The final portion of the night carries a special divine invitation.
The Prophet ﷺ informed us that Allah descends to the lowest heaven and calls: “Is there anyone who calls upon Me so that I may answer him? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who repents so that I may accept his repentance?” (Musnad Ahmad, 9591)
Engage the Heart Through Dhikr
Night worship is strengthened through remembrance (dhikr). Believers can recite: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He is over all things capable (All-Powerful).
Tawḥīd (the Oneness of Allah) and expresses several key concepts in Islam:
- Tawḥīd al-Rubūbīyah (Oneness of Lordship)
- “لَهُ الْمُلْكُ” All dominion belongs to Allah alone. He is the sovereign ruler of everything.
- Tawḥīd al-Ulūhīyah (Oneness of Worship)
- “لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ” Allah alone is worthy of worship, with no partners.
- Affirmation of Allah’s Absolute Power
- “وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ” He has power over all things; nothing is beyond His control.
Praise and Gratitude:
- “وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ” — All praise belongs to Allah; acknowledging His perfection and mercy.
Rejection of Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah):
- “لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ” — Emphasizes that Allah has no partners in His lordship or worship
- And glorify Allah by saying: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ — All praise is due to Allah (expressing gratitude)
- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ — Glory be to Allah (declaring His perfection)
- وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ — Allah is the Greatest (affirming His greatness)
Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) said: “If I knew that Allah accepted from me even a single prostration or a charity of one dirham, there would be nothing more beloved to me than death. Allah only accepts from the righteous.” (History of Damascus, 31/146)
Sincerity is the key to acceptance.
Khatm al-Qur’an: Connecting to the Word of Allah
Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. The final ten nights are ideal for completing its recitation.
A practical plan:
- 12 pages after each prayer (6 before, 6 after)
- 60 pages daily to complete the Qur’an in ten days
When you’re finished, gather your family and make du‘ā’ together as Thabit reported: Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه), may Allah be pleased with him, when he completed reading the entire Quran, he would gather his children and his household and supplicate to Allah for them. (Sunan al-Dārimī 3517)
The Qur’an revives hearts, strengthens faith, and increases closeness to Allah.
Zakat: Purification and Investment
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and an obligation upon wealth. It is the right of the needy over the rich. Many Muslims give their Zakat in Ramadan because rewards are multiplied.
Zakat purifies wealth, cleanses the heart from greed, and supports vulnerable members of society. It is not a loss it is a divine investment.
Allah says: “And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for his own benefit.”(Surah Fatir: 18)
Sadaqah: Charity as Proof of Faith
Sadaqah is voluntary charity given sincerely for Allah’s pleasure.
Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Charity is proof.” (Sahih Muslim-223) i.e proof of Iman (faith)
The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous in Ramadan. Generosity increases barakah and strengthens faith.
Sadaqah Jariyah: Continuous Reward After Death
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim- 1631)
Examples include:
- Building a masjid
- Supporting Qur’an classes
- Establishing Islamic projects
- Providing wells or educational resources
These deeds continue to bring reward long after a person leaves this world.
I‘tikāf: Seclusion with Allah
The last ten nights carry the immense virtue of Laylat al-Qadr. Seeking this blessed night requires effort and dedication.
I‘tikāf means to remain in the masjid with the intention of drawing closer to Allah, whether for an hour, a night, or the entire last ten days devoting oneself completely to worship.
Wisdom and Objectives of I‘tikāf:
- Draw closer to Allah through prayer, dhikr, repentance, and Qur’an recitation
- Purify the soul and cleanse the heart
- Attach the heart constantly to obedience of Allah
- Gather the heart wholly upon Him
- Seclude oneself with Allah, free from worldly distractions
- Refine the heart through mindfulness and sincere devotion
I‘tikāf is not merely physical presence in the masjid, it is the heart’s retreat from dunya and return to Allah.
Zakat al-Fitr: Purification and Joy for the Needy
The Prophet ﷺ prescribed Zakat al-Fitr as a special charity tied to the completion of fasting during Ramadan. Its purpose is twofold:
- Spiritual purification cleansing the fasting person from idle talk or indecent speech
- Material support providing nourishment for the poor and needy
Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه) narrated in a maqūf ḥadith (Companion’s statement):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ obligated Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and indecent speech, and as nourishment for the poor. Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakat; and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is a charity among other charities.” (Al-Muḥarrar fī al-Ḥadīth 1/453)
Practical Guidelines:
- Timing: Before Eid prayer; afterward counts as general charity
- Amount: One sāʿ (~3 kg) of staple food per person wheat, barley, dates, or equivalent
- Monetary Equivalent: Institutions such as NZF calculate the value of Zakat al-Fitr based on current market prices.
- Local distribution: Priority to the local Muslim community; overseas if necessary
- Delegation (Wākil): Appoint a trusted organization to distribute efficiently.
You can pay your Zakat al Fitr to NZF by clicking here.
Zakat al-Fitr completes fasting with devotion to Allah and compassion for others, enabling the poor to celebrate Eid with dignity.
Conclusion
The last ten nights of Ramadan are a priceless gift. Reconcile with others. Stand in prayer. Seek the last third of the night. Engage in dhikr. Complete the Qur’an. Fulfill your Zakat. Increase in Sadaqah. Establish Sadaqah Jariyah. Dedicate yourself through I‘tikāf.
These nights may never return. Every action, however small, carries immense reward if done sincerely for Allah. Do not let them pass in distraction or sleep. Seize this opportunity to purify your heart, refine your soul, and draw closer to Allah.
May Allah allow us to witness Laylat al-Qadr, accept our worship, purify our wealth, refine our hearts, and grant us forgiveness and Paradise. Ameen.