You have now reached, or you are about to reach the most significant and spiritually rewarding days of Ramadan i.e., the last 10 nights. These nights hold immense blessings, and among them is the greatest night of all, Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree). It was during this night that the Qur’an was revealed, and worship performed on this night is better than a thousand months (equivalent to over 83 years of worship).
Indeed, We revealed [the Qur’an] during the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr). And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exerted extra effort in worship during these nights, emphasizing their importance and encouraging believers to do the same.
A’isha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates, “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e., work harder), pray the whole night, and keep his family awake for prayers.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet (PBUH) also advised:
“Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights.” (Bukhari, 4/259)
This means we should strive in worship, especially on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights, as one of these nights is Laylat al-Qadr. However, we should not limit ourselves to the odd nights only, as Ramadan starts in different regions at different times, often with a difference of a day. Although we are told to seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights, we should follow the Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH) and do our best during all 10 nights. You never know, perhaps in your region, it falls on an even night.
Wash Away Your Sins
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
Such an opportunity for forgiveness and reward is too valuable to miss. Even small acts of worship performed on Laylat al-Qadr carry the weight of a lifetime of worship.
A Special Dua for Laylat al-Qadr
ʿĀ’ishah (RA) once asked the Messenger of Allah, “If I know which night is the Night of Qadr, what do you think I should say during it?” He replied:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيْ
O Allah, You are the Ever-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me. (Tirmidhī)
This simple yet powerful supplication should be repeated often during these nights.
How to Make the Most of the Last 10 Nights
To maximize your efforts and blessings during these sacred nights, consider the following practical tips:
Preparation Tips:
Plan Ahead
- Set Clear Worship Goals & Eliminate Distractions – Minimize distractions as much as possible. No doom-scrolling, entertainment, movie nights, outings, or shopping—just pure devotion and worship!
- Prioritize Worship After Maghrib – Plan your day wisely by completing work and household chores during daylight hours. This will allow you to dedicate your nights entirely to worship, from Maghrib until Fajar.
- Alternate Acts of Worship to Maintain Focus – Engaging in the same act of worship for long periods may lead to fatigue or distraction. Rotate between prayer, Qur’an recitation, Dhikr, Dua, and reflection to stay engaged. Set time blocks for each and take short 5-10 minute breaks to refresh yourself. (A sample schedule is mentioned later.)
- Prepare a Dua List in Advance – Writing down your Duas beforehand ensures you don’t forget anything important. This will help you make heartfelt and meaningful supplications during these sacred nights.
Charity Plan
- Give charity daily, even in small amounts.
- Automate donations if possible.
Avoid Over-eating
- Eating light for Iftar will keep you energized for worship during the night.
- Keep some light and healthy snacks with you to munch on during the night.
Stay Hydrated
- Drink enough water to maintain focus and energy. Don’t over do it.
- Keep a water bottle with you.
Encourage Others
Motivate your family and friends to increase their worship, just like our Prophet (PBUH) used to. By doing so you will not only get the reward for following the Sunnah but also get Sadqa-e-Jariya for inspiring others to worship. Imagine the rewards you will get!
Acts of Worship to Prioritize:
- Pray Tahajjud (Qiyam-ul-Layl) – Engage in long, sincere prayers.
- Recite and Reflect on the Qur’an – Read and ponder over its meanings.
- Make Abundant Duas – Pray for yourself, your loved ones, and the entire Muslim Ummah.
- Seek Forgiveness – Repent sincerely and ask Allah for guidance and mercy.
- Observe I’tikaf – If possible, dedicate time in isolation for worship.
- Engage in Dhikr – Remember Allah through praises and supplications.
Balanced Worship Approach:
To avoid burnout, alternate between different acts of worship. Allocate a set amount of time (e.g., 20 minutes) for each activity:
- 20 minutes for prayer
- 20 minutes for Qur’an recitation
- 20 minutes for making Dua
- 20 minutes for reflection
- 20 minutes for Dhikr
Additionally, take short 5-10 minute breaks to rehydrate and eat a light snack. This will help maintain your energy levels throughout the night.
The Reward is Worth the Effort
During Ramadan, the reward for good deeds is multiplied by 70. On Laylat al-Qadr, the reward is equivalent to worship performed over more than 83 years! Even the smallest acts such as reciting a verse, offering two extra rak’ahs, or making heartfelt Dua carry immense weight.
This is the time to push yourself beyond your normal routine. Strive to do as much as you can, just as our Prophet (PBUH) did. May Allah accept our worship, grant us the rewards of Laylat al-Qadr, and write us among those who are forgiven. Ameen!
