As Salamu Alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Alhamdulilah, we have just entered the second ten days of Ramadan (Day 11-20), known as the days of forgiveness. The scholars advise that we repent our sins and seek forgiveness abundantly during these days because forgiveness opens the doors of mercy and goodness. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Ask for forgiveness of your Lord, indeed He is ever a perpetual forgiver…” (Quran 71:10). Seeking forgiveness is crucial, as we are not perfect. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ ) said: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan with faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim).
Allah loves to forgive, so we need to amplify our requests for forgiveness. Remember Allah loves to be ASKED and NEVER gets tired of being asked. Some recommended supplications are: أشْهَدُ أن لا إلهَ إلا الله نَسْتَغْفِرُ الله نسأَلُكَ الجنَّةَ ونَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ النَّار (Transliteration: Ash-hadu allaa ilaha illallah, nastagh-firullah, nas alukal-jannata, wa na oudhu bika minan-nar) (Translation: “I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship other than Allah and we seek the forgiveness of Allah. We ask You for Paradise and take refuge in You from the Fire.”). رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ (Transliteration: Rabbana! Fagh-fir-lana zunuu-bana, wa kaf-fir-anna sayyi-aatina, wa tawaf-fana ma-al abraar.).
In Quran, Surah Al-Imran, 3: 193) (Translation: Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the state of righteousness along with Al-Abrar [those who are obedient to Allah and follow strictly His Orders]). And Allah knows Best! May Allah enable us to seek His forgiveness and may He grant us the ultimate, Jannatul Firdaus!!! Ameen. N.A.A.
As Salamu Alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, In sha Allah, we will be entering the last ten days of Ramadan shortly– known as the days to seek salvation from the Hell-Fire.
The last ten days hold special status as reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). In it is one night (called Lailatul Qadr) that is better than 1000 months of worship (Quran Chapter 97). In the last ten nights, rewards will be multiplied several hundred folds, so we must strive to make the most in doing good deeds, reciting Quran, glorifying Allah (dhikr) and making lots of supplications. The authentic ahadith tell us that, in the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) would stay up all night, wake up his family and tie his lower garment tight (narrated in Bukhari and Muslim). He would also exert himself in worship more than any other nights of the year (narrated in Ahmad and Muslim). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Narrated Abu Hurairah in Sahih Al-Bukhari, 31:125]. Some practical suggestions to maximize the last 10 nights of Ramadan include:
1. Make a timetable for the last ten nights: to include reading of the Quran, offering voluntary/extra prayers (Nawafil), glorifying Allah (dhikr) and making supplications, etc.
2. Spend the last 10 nights in Itikaf: recommended for men, if possible. Itikaf is seclusion and staying in the Mosque with the intention of devotion in worship to Allah.
3. Recite the Quran abundantly. Imam Ahmad recorded that both fasting and the Qur’an will intercede on behalf of person on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so accept my intercession for him.” And the Qur’an will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from sleeping at night, so accept my intercession for him.” Both intercessions will be accepted by Allah’s Will.
4. Seek for forgiveness sincerely from Allah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said if you were to witness the night of Qadr, ‘Say: Allahumma innaka Afuwwun, Tuhibbul Afwa, Fa-fu An-nii (‘O Allah, you are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me) (recorded in Ahmad, Ibn Majah and At-Tirmidhi).
اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعفو عنى 5. Extra generosity and kindness: increase your charity to the poor, needy and orphans. Show your parents extra goodness and kindness if they are alive. The Prophet (ﷺ) said those who are dutiful to their parents and to Allah will be in the highest places in Paradise (Bukhari). If your parents are no longer alive, make lots of supplications for them and, in sha Allah, it will reach them in their graves.
6. Do much Voluntary (extra) Prayers (Nafil): Supplementary prayers (Nafil) are one of the best ways to get closer to Allah Azzawajal. The Prophet (SAW) said: “The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Allah will say to the angels although He knows better: ‘Look into the salah (the prayers) of my servant to see if he [or she] observed it perfectly or been negligent in it. So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it, Allah would say: See if My servant has any supplementary (Nafil) prayers, then make up the deficiency in My servant’s obligatory prayer with his Nafil prayers.’ Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner” (narrated in Abu Dawud).
7. Increase in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Increase in the glorification of Allah (through dhikr) night and day brings much peace and tranquillity to the heart. Allah says in the Quran (13:28) that “…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” Some recommended dhikr from the Prophet (ﷺ) include: · “Subhanallah (Glorified/exalted is Allah).” Recite it hundred times and 1000 good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away” (in Sahih Muslim). · “La Hawla wa la quwwata Illa billah (There is no power nor might except Allah)”. This is one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise (narrated in Ibn Majah). · “SubhanAllah Wabi-hamdihi, SubhanAllahil Azeem (Pure and perfect is Allah in His glory and praise).
Recite this and a date palm will be planted for you in Paradise (At-Tirmidhi). Another narration says to recite it 100 times and all the past sins will be wiped out (in Sahih Bukhari). · “La ilaha illallah, Muḥammadur Rasulul-lah (There is no god except Allah, and Muhammad [ﷺ] is His Messenger). Whoever sincerely recites this will enter Paradise. · “Subhanal-lah, wal hamduli-llah, wala ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar. Wa laa hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azīm (Glory be to Allah. And praise be to Allah. There is no god except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest. And there