There are tons of reasons why you wouldn’t want to pass up this opportunity. Do you know which one? The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

It’s that time of the year again, the last month of the lunar calendar for the year 1431 after the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam. This is the time when more than two million people from all around the globe will be meeting together for at least five days in the plains of Makkah, Mina, Arafa and Muzdalifa to perform their sacred journey to Makkah, known to us as al-Hajj, the pilgrimage. What bonds them together? One thing: al-Islam.

If you are already reading this, most likely you are not going to Hajj. And if you’re there already, then what on earth are you doing wasting your time online? Go to the Haram and enjoy your tawaf.

There are two chances in life: the one which you have already missed and the one which you don’t want to miss. What you already have is no longer a chance, its reality.

Therefore, for those of us who were unable to be there in Makkah, why should we value these special days of the year? Here are my top five reasons.

Allah subahanahu wa ta’ala valued these days so much that he swore by them in the Qur’an. And If Allah swore by something, then it is definitely profound and of the greatest value. Allah says:

“by the dawn, and by ten nights” alfajr 89:1-2

Ibn Kathir rahimahullah in his tafsir referred to these ten days as the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. He also attributed this opinion to Ibn Abbas, Ibn az-Zubair and others of the righteous predecessors.

The good deeds performed during these ten days are most rewarded, more than any other time of the year.
Ibn Abbas narrated the Messenger salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days. The companions asked: not even jihad in the cause of Allah? The Messenger of Allah replied: Not even jihad in the cause of Allah except for the one who went to fight taking himself and his wealth but did not return with either of them.” (Bukhari and Tirmidhi.)

These ten days host one special day in which there are so many blessings. It is the day of Arafa, the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah and the day preceding the Eid day. Some of the blessings of Arafa are:

• Fasting that day expiates the sins of two years, the previous one and the coming year. (Muslim)
• It is a day in which Allah completed the revelation of the religion, perfected this bounty bestowed upon us and was satisfied with Islam as our religion. This was mentioned in su rat     al-Ma’edah 5:3. (Bukhari and Muslim)
• It is the day when Allah AlMighty descends, in a manner that suits His Majesty, to the closest heaven and shows his pride to the angels about the presence of the pilgrims. (Muslim)
• In this day Allah promises the pilgrims to bestow his mercy on them and forgive their sins so that when they return home they return free of sins just like the day when their mothers gave birth to them. (Bukhari and Muslim)
• It is a day when many people will be emancipated from the fire of Hell.

The season of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is a festivity of worship. No other days of the year hold so many diverse acts of worship as done in such a short time, not even in Ramadan. And here is a list of some of what good deeds are done during these days in Makkah and elsewhere around the globe:

• Hajj and multiple Umrahs by millions of people.
• The sacrifice of the dunya and this world for the sake of attending the Hajj.
• The display of humility, humbleness and devotion in the actual rituals of Hajj.
• Tawaaf around the Ka’bah and Sai’ between the two hills of Safa and Marwa.
• Abundance of Dhikr, the praise of Allah especially takbeer and tahleel and what other pilgrims say the most, Talbiyah.
• Fasting for the non-pilgrims.
• Being extra charitable.
• Offering the hadi’y and udhiyah or qur’ban the sacrifice of livestock and feeding the poor.
• The inclination towards repentance.
• The engagement in long du’a or supplications as a sign of humility and humbleness.
• Maintaining the prayers in the sacred sites al-Haram in Makkah and the Masjid of the Prophet in Madinah.
• The recitation of the Qur’an.

The ten days of Dhul Hijjah also host the greatest day of the year, Yum-an-Nahr the day of the sacrifice, the 10th which is the actual day of Eid. The Messenger of Allah said:

“The best day with Allah is yum-an-Nahr, the day of sacrifice and then yum-al-qarr (the day that follows, when the pilgrims reside in the camps of Mina for worship).” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood and an-Nasa’iee).

So, now that you know the significance of this season, what do you need to do? Here some suggestions for you:

• Increase your level of worship during the day and during the night.
• Try to achieve one khatma of the Qur’an (reading it from cover to cover).
• Keep your tongue moist with dhikr and praise of Allah wherever you are.
• Maintain a state of tahara and wudu at all times.
• Make most of your dhikr Takbeer (like the one you recite on Eid day).
• Fast a few days while the days are short and cold, particularly the 9th, the day of Arafa.
• If you haven’t paid for the qurban (sacrificial animal) yet, make sure to do so. Perhaps you should donate one to those who are most in need of it in areas such as Pakistan and Gaza.
• Wake up before Fajr time and pray Qiyam-ul-Layl.
• Pray your Fard salat on time.
• Make sure you don’t miss any of the Nafl and Sunnah prayers.
• Give charity and help those who are less fortunate prepare for the Eid day.
• Share the spirit of the season and be cheerful with all people.

There is so much you can do for the ten days of Dhul Hijjah, but you are the one who knows your schedule better than any one else. Make sure to make this season a priority and may Allah grant you all Jannatul Firdous.

Remember, there are two chances in life: the one you already missed, and the one you don’t want to miss. So don’t miss out on the ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Source: www.muslimmatters.org

Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." (Bukhari)
 
Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are:

1. Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds.


2. Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allah") during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.


3. Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honoring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.


4. Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allah.


5. Sincere repentance. One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allah loves.

There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before death strikes, before one can regret one’s negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered, before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.

Narrated byAbdullah ibn Amr: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Fasting and the Qur'an intercede for a man. Fasting says, 'O my Lord, I have kept him away from his food and his passions by day, so accept my intercession for him.' The Qur'an says, 'I have kept him away from sleep by night, so accept my intercession for him.' Then their intercession is accepted."(Al-Tirmidhi, 1963)

Posted by Yaser Birjas

Red tags are everywhere, 25% off, 50% off, 75% off and more. Everything must go. It's the end of the season, it's the end of Ramadan, and the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan. The pious predecessors used to say, and it was narrated from the Prophet as a hadith, that "Ramadan is nothing but a marketplace, which was established, reached its prime and then came to an end. For some it was profitable and for others was a great loss." In Ramadan's marketplace, the last ten nights, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala trades with all merchants: "Allah has purchased of the Believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise)" (At-Tawbah 9:111)

[10] O you who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty?

[11] That yeou believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your property and your persons: that will be best for you, if you but knew!

[12] He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Gardens of Eternity: that is indeed the supreme Achievement. (As-Saff 61:10-13)

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala supplies commodities for merchants to choose from, and as much as they pay and sacrifice they will get their reward. Aisha may Allah be pleased with her, narrated: "When the last ten nights of Ramadan begin, the messenger of Allah would stay up at night in worship, wake his family up, and tighten his lower garment." She also narrated: "The messenger of Allah used to show his utmost devotion in worship, the most of which, nothing like any other month of the year, would be during the month of Ramadan. And was most devoted in Ramadan during the last ten nights from it." (Muslim)

Ramadan's marketplace, according to hadith Aisha, is opened for all merchants who fulfill the following conditions:

1. All merchants must stay vigilant, in worship, during these blessed nights.
2. All merchants must wake their families up to help managing this trade and participate in this sale. 
3. All merchants must abstain, temporarily, from sexual pleasure until the end of the season. 
4. All merchants must do their utmost, nothing less is accepted. The competition is too furious. 
5. No room for laziness; if you snooze, you lose. 
6. All merchants must be sincere in their work, no showing off is accepted. 
7. All merchants must do their transactions according to the manual, the Qur'an and Sunnah. No innovations are accepted. 
8. As a merchant, you are allowed to walk around Ramadan's marketplace and explore many different things to choose from for trading. You will have the opportunity to choose from different commodities. You can pick one, two or more and you can also mix and match, all is permissible. No limits; merchants can take as many goodness as they desire as long as they pay for it from their time, effort and wealth. It is all about how much you're willing to give and how much you're willing to give up.

Here are some of the events, scheduled to take place on Ramadan's sale season, and let the competition begin.

1. Reading the manual: The Qur'an

The Qur'an is the divine manual that includes all the operating instructions. All merchants are required to read the manual and follow its instructions. This manual was revealed during this blessed season, and in commemorating this event, the reading of the manual was highly encouraged.

Narrated Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "The Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night in Ramadan until it was over and the Prophet would go through the Qur'an with him. The Messenger of Allah was more generous with good things than the blowing wind (which brings rain and welfare)." (Bukhari)

2. Black Friday, Qiyamul-Layl

Have you ever stayed late at night to see the lines outside retailer and department stores right after Thanksgiving Day? Black Friday, which follows Thanksgiving Day, is known as the mother of all sales, for its huge bargains and door buster deals. In the last ten nights of Ramadan though, every night is sale season. While people stay awake overnight by the doors of national suppliers to get cheap commodities; praying in hope and anxiety, fearful for losing their chances and sacrificing their sleep, the merchants of the ten nights of Ramadan will be vigilant, standing at night by the doors of the Most Merciful, the True Supplier -Ar-Razzaq. They will be standing there in prolonged prayers and qiyam hoping to buy al-Jannah -Paradise- for a very cheap price; the sincere worship of one night.

The messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam says: "Whoever stands (in the night prayer) during Ramadan with faith and expecting reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari and Muslim)

3. Du'aa auction

Place your offer, and get your reward. If you know that Ar-Razzaq subhanahu wa ta'ala is coming to you and opening the gates of heavens for you, what would you ask for and how much will you give for it?

Abu Hurayrah narrated, the messenger of Allah said: "In the last third of every night our Lord descends (in the manner that suits His Majesty) to the lowermost heaven and says: "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may grant him? And who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?". (Bukhari and Muslim)

4. For serious du'aa shoppers only A one-hour special sale is offered every night, for serious du'aa shoppers only. Are you one of them?

Jabir may Allah be pleased with him narrated, the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: "There is an hour at night, no Muslim attends it, asking Allah for the goods of this life and the hereafter, except Allah will meet his demands. And this happens every single night." (Muslim)

5. End of season lockout event, I'tikaaf

Have you seen the merchants of Makkah during the peak of the hajj or umrah season? They literally sleep, of the little sleep they get, in their stores, ready to sacrifice their family time, go with the minimum social interaction they can, and lock themselves up in their stores days and nights just for the sake of their business and financial gain. Now, here is your chance.

Lock yourself up in a masjid where Jumu'ah is prayed regularly, sleep little at night and do worship more. After securing them nicely, bid your family goodbye for few nights, carry with you the minimum of this dunya, and make your focus the trade for the akhira. Put yourself into spiritual hibernation, seclude yourself from this world and get yourself a good taste of the Islamic monastic practice, I'tikaaf.

Aisha may Allah be pleased with her narrated"Allah's Messenger used to practice I'tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died, and then his wives used to practice I'tikaaf after him." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah may allah be pleased with him narrated: "Allah's Messenger would make I'tikaaf for ten days in every Ramadan. But when it was the year in which he died, he made I'tikaaf for twenty days." (Bukhari)

6. Clearance night, Laylatul Qadr

One of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten in Ramadan hosts the most generous bargains of all nights; Laylatul Qadr or the Night of Power. It is a clearance night, all sins must be cleared, and fresh you come back from this trade.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says: (Al-Qadr 97:1-5)

[1] We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:

[2] And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?

[3] The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

[4] Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:

[5] Peace!… This until the rise of Morn!

During this special night, there is the best bargain ever: one night of worship is equivalent to more than 83 years of worship. No one can give an offer more generous than this. No one can beat that.

7. Final offer: antivirus software - Tawbah

As the Messenger of Allah said, your heartware is the most important part of your body; if the heart was sound the body will be sound too, and if it was damaged everything will fall apart as well. Without securing it with the Tawbah software, it will always remain longing to commit the haram. Tawbah or repentance can clear all diseases of the heartware, for repentance clears all sins. It also amends all bad sectors in your heart, and brings them back positive and clear. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:

"Unless he repents, believes and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Furqaan 25:70)

Your Tawbah is your filter, through which you come out from the month of Ramadan fresh and clean. In order to make sure the software works properly with your heartware, minimum system requirement are needed to be met.

1. If you find yourself in a hole, first thing to do is: stop digging. Quit the sin.
2. Reminisces of sin should bring tears not cheers. Regret the sin.
3. Make a decision to be free, and stand your ground. No return to the sin.
4. If you happen to have messed up with somebody, remedy the relation. Stay clear with humans.

Ramadan sale is reaching its peak, and merchants are competing for the best and final bargains of the season. With many discounts offered on deeds, you can do little and earn a lot. The most the successful merchants are those who plan their bargains and capital wisely. May the best merchants, worshipers, of this season win the greatest reward; forgivness.

Source: www.muslimmatters.org

Abdul Malik Mujahid
http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/10.16things.asp

Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Quran as, "better than a thousand months" (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr.

Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). Allah's peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

The Prophet said: "Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim recorded from Abu Huraira).

Here are some tips of things we can do on the Night of Power and the time before and after it.

1. Take a vacation for Allah

We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.

If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day.

It will also facilitate doing Itikaf.

2. Do Itikaf

It was a practice of the Prophet to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the masjid for Itikaf.

Those in Itikaf stay in the masjid all this time, performing various forms of zikr (the remembrance of Allah), like doing extra Salat, recitation and study of the Quran. They do not go outside the masjid except in case of emergencies, therefore, they sleep in the masjid. Their families or the masjid administration takes care of their food needs.

Itikaf of a shorter period of time, like one night, a day or a couple of days is encouraged as well.

3. Make this special Dua

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee"

4. Recite the Quran

Perhaps you can choose Surahs or passages from the Quran which you have heard in Tarawih this past Ramadan to recite.

If you attend a class where the recitation of the Quran is taught, this is a great time to put your knowledge into practice.

5. Reflect on the meaning of the Quran

Choose the latest Surah or Surahs you've heard in Tarawih and read their translation and Tafseer. Then think deeply about their meaning and how it affects you on a personal level.

(If you want to study the Quran with more understanding, check out Way to the Quran and Access to Quranic Arabic.

6. Get your sins wiped out

Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim).

Don't just pray using the shorter Surahs that you know. Try to make your prayers longer, deeper and meaningful. If you are familiar with longer Surahs, read the translation and explanation and then pray reciting these Surahs, carefully reflecting on the meaning while you pray.

Even if you are only familiar with the shorter Surahs, read the translation and explanation beforehand, and then pray reflecting on the message of the Surahs.

This is a good way to develop the habit of concentration, even in regular prayers, where many of us tend to be fidgety and/or easily distracted.

7. Make a personal Dua list.

Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready, you can do three things:

• Ask Allah to give you those things
• Think about what actions you have taken to get those things
• Develop a work plan to get those things in future.

8. Evaluate yourself.

Ask yourself those questions that need to be asked. Do an evaluation of where you are and where you are going. Let this evaluation lead you to feel happiness for the good you have done and remorse for the bad you have done. (see a short and a long evaluation guide) This latter feeling should make it easier to seek Allah's sincere forgiveness when making the Dua mentioned in tip number one above.

9. Make long, sincere and deep Duas

One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.

Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).

That means for instance, waking up one hour before Suhoor time to ask Allah for anything and everything you want that is Halal. This can be done using the Duas of the Sunnah, but also Dua in your own language, with sincerity and conviction.

For some tips on making Dua please see the article Some personal Duas you can make.

10. Memorize a different Dua every night

They don't have to be long. They can be just one line. And be sure to know what they mean generally at least, even if you don't know the exact translation in English.

You can put them on index cards (or and keep them with you during the day, glancing at them during work, while driving, waiting in line, etc.) Then practice them at night in prayer.

11. Have Iftar with the family

If you've spent Iftar time on weekdays in your cubicle at work alone with a couple of dates, now is the last few days you'll have this Ramadan to spend with your family. Use it wisely.

12. Take the family to Tarawih

Have your spouse and kids missed Tarawih most of Ramadan because you weren't there to drive them to the Masjid, which is too far away to walk to? If so, do all of yourselves a favor and bring everyone for Tarawih in these last ten nights.

13. Attend the Dua after the completion of Quran recitation

Almost all Masjids where the Imam aims to finish an entire reading of the Quran in Tarawih prayers in Ramadan will be completing their recitation in these last ten nights. They may try to end on one of the odd nights and read the Dua at the end of a reading of the Quran. Attend this particular night's Tarawih prayer with your family. See if you can attend different Masjids' Tarawih prayers the night they finish reading the Quran.

14. Finish reading a book on the Prophet

Read about the Prophet's life, which can increase your love for him and Islam by seeing how much he struggled for Allah's sake. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these last ten nights. This community is built on sacrifice.

15. Plan for the next year

Once you've done a self-evaluation, you can plan on where you want to go, at least in the next 12 months. Laylatul Qadr is a great night to be thinking about this (without taking away from your worship), since you'll Insha Allah, be in a more contemplative state. You may choose to dedicate one night of power for evaluation and one night for planning for the next year.

16. To do list for the Night of Power

Make a to do checklist for each Night of Power. This should define how you would like your night, the one better than a thousand months, to be used. Pick things from this list and define the sequence you would like to do things in. This will help you avoid wasting your time in unproductive chats which common in the festive atmosphere of Masjids at the Night of Power.

© Sound Vision Foundation.
Reproduced with permission.
For more articles on Islamic living visit http://SoundVision.com

The most unluckiest person in the world is the one who did not make it to forgive all his past sins in month of Ramadan.

How many people are lying in there Grave, who thought they can make it to Ramadan this year. They never made it !!

We are lucky we got a chance this year !!

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whosoever reaches the month of Ram adan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him." [Ahmad (2/246) ]
 
Its not too late, Also we have the 'Night of Power' ( Lailat-ul-Qadr ) in hand

The Messenger (SAW) said: "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.

The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life. Even if you were to live one thousand months ( 83.3 years ) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.

ALLAH says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr: "We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn."  (97:1-5)

The Night of Power is a night of blessings ALLAH has blessed this Night.

Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH may look forward to the Night of Power.
Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.

Aa'isha (R) said: "When the last ten days of Ramadan arrived the Messenger (SAW) used to abstain (from contact with his wives) and he would establish the nights. He would awaken (his family) to do the same also."  [Bukhari & Muslim]

I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins and free of mistakes. Everyone would like to meet ALLAH on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment.

The Night of Power is one of the best way in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Imam Bukhari reports from 'Aishah that the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would tighten his waist-cloth ( i.e. detach himself from his wives), spend the night in worship and awake his family, during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ram adhaan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night. But this doesn't mean you should stick to 27th night only.

The Signs of the Night of Qadr.

The Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) described the morning of the night of Qadr so that the muslims can know which night it is.

Ubayy (R) said : "On the morning of the night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams ; (it is like) a wash basin until it raises." [Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (R) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) and he said: "Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is like half a bowl ." [Muslim]

If you are interested in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.

a. Recitation of the Our'an.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of ALLAH or zikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Reading books of Hadeeth so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace): "Recite the Quran as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it  (for the time being)" -- studying the Quran should bring people together!

Ten days are the last part of the month and a person's actions are based on his last ones. So perhaps, he will encounter the night of Al-Qadr, while standing in prayer for ALLAH and thus have all his past sins for given .

The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is a ' Night of Mercy ', a ' Night of Blessing ', a 'Night of Peace ' and a ' Night of Guidance '. It is a ' Night of Unification' between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen.

May ALLAH give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey ALLAH and to follow His teachings. May ALLAH guide us and may ALLAH strengthen our Emaan May ALLAH help us to live another year with
sincerity and devotion.

May ALLAH make us realize that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves .

Let us wake up and do our best to please ALLAH in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty ALLAH forgiveness. Ameen.

And one must incite, animate and persuade his family to perform acts of worship, especially in these great times in which no one neglects it except that he has been deprived. What is more incredible than this is that while the people are performing prayer and making tahajjud, some individuals spend their time in forbidden gatherings and sinful events. This is indeed the greatest loss . We ask ALLAH for his protection.


So we ask ALLAH to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond . 
 
Fear ALLAH Ta'ala and beware of wasting your life away in futile activities. Make use of your time by being positive and constructive. This may well be your last Ramadaan , your last opportunity to benefit from the special blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month. Know that Ramadaan is a manifestation of ALLAH Ta'ala's bountiful blessings on His slaves. Use it as a turning point in your life ; a time for transformation towards a better way of life. WE never know, this could be our last Ramadan!!!

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn! Surah 97 The Holy Qur’an

The Holy Qur'an contains a short surah dedicated to Laylatul Qadr. Surah Al-Qadr is the 97th surah and consists of five verses. However, these short verses carry great meaning and guidance. They tell us all we need to know about the essence and spirit of Laylatul Qadr.

Laylatul Qadr falls sometime within the last 10 days of Ramadhan.

"Seek it in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, the twenty-first, or the twenty-third, or the twenty-fifth, or the twenty-seventh, or the twenty-ninth, or during the last night." Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If an individual wants to obey his Lord, increase the good deeds in his record and have all past sins forgiven, they should take part in Laylatul Qadr.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for that night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” Sahih Hadith Bukhari / Muslim

We should strive to find this night, and then pass it in worship and obedience. If this is done for the sake of Allah, with sincerity, then all past sins will be forgiven. However, if a person misses out on worship during Laylatul Qadr they truly are a deprived person.

This night is full of reward and blessing and is equivalent to a thousand nights of worship. Anyone who takes part in Laylatul Qadr will have worshipped an equivalent of eighty three years and three months. It is as if a person has spent an entire lifetime in non-stop worship.

“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” 97:3 The Holy Quran

"Allah's Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, looked back at the previous communities and saw that his community lived for a much shorter period in comparison to them. He was concerned about how his community would be able to gain as many rewards as those of the previous communities. So when Allah the Exalted saw the concerns in the heart of His Beloved, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, then he, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, was given Laylatul-Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months." (Imâm Mâlik, Muatta)

Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:

• Plan ahead if you are working. If you are going to spend a night awake in worship, book the following day off.

• Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship instead.

• Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) – If possible, take a vacation for the last 10 days of Ramadhan.

• Increase the recitation of the Qur'an, and reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.

• Increase Salah (prayer).

• Find out if there are any events organised, and take your family along.

Doing all of the above activities may be too much to do throughout the night but is far better than social gatherings and meaningless talk that we stay awake for.

If your Arabic is not very strong then there are many good English translations of Qur'an and Hadith, which can be used instead. Other useful reading might include books of tafsir (Qura’n commentary), books on the lives of the Prophets (upon whom be peace), and books of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) as well as Du’a books.

The days of Laylatul-Qadr are an important time for worship, especially the last 10 days. We should pray sincerely from our hearts in order to be saved from the hellfire. This is a good opportunity not only to pray for ourselves but also for our fellow brothers and sisters, for if we can not do anything else then our prayers will help.

Ibn Abbas (RA) heard the Prophet (SAAWS) advising someone, saying, “Take advantage of five before five: You’re youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you become occupied, and your life before your death.”

May Allah help us to purify our hearts, strengthen our faith, and enable us to meet every challenge, and overcome every difficulty in our lives. May Allah allow us to serve Him with sincerity in our work, study, professional, business, family and social lives. When the time comes for us finally to return to Him, may Allah admit us to the companionship of those whom He loves.

Source: www.ramadhanzone.com

Last 10 nights of Ramadan are upon us and I am sure all of us are aware of the virtues of these blessed nights. But I am listing some virtues as a reminder to all of us because Allah (swt) says in the Quran: Surah Dhariyat, verse 55: “And remind for verily, the reminding benefits the believers.”

• Etiquette of the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) in the last 10 nights: abstain from sexual desires, practice itikaaf and even seclude himself from his wives.


• Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aishah that during the last ten days of Ramadan, the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship).


• A version in Muslim states: "He would strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."


• The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) would fasten his loin cloth (like rolling sleeves up; meaning he would abstain from approaching his wives even at nights) in these last 10 nights.

During this time we are constantly reminded to engage in nafl salaat comprising of long standing at night and increase our recitation of the Quran. But for some of us, this might be a time when we are going through our menstrual cycle (or post-natal bleeding).

Naturally, it is not easy to stay positive at times, especially when we see the world around us rushing to masajids for taraweeh prayers, indulging in ‘itikaaf and reciting the Quran. This might lead us to feeling deprived of the reward of these blessed nights and decrease our spirituality rather than increasing it.

In this article, I hope to highlight some practical ways in which you can make the best of last 10 nights of Ramadan while going through your menstrual cycle (or post-natal bleeding), without feeling “left out”.

First and foremost, realize that our menstrual cycle is part of Allah (swt)’s creation and something that is ordained by Him (swt).

Allah (swt) tells us in the Quran that He has created us in the best of molds (Surah at-Teen, verse 4). We are also told in the Quran that for everything Allah has "appointed a due proportion” (Surah at-Talaq, verse 2-3) and that "for every matter there is an appointed time given" (Surat ar-Rad, ayah 38).

Thus, to complain about it would be to question the Wisdom of Allah (swt), a’uoodubillah.

Some women think it is more virtuous to fast even though they are on their menses. In their ignorance they make this exception in the month of Ramadan. But rather, they need to realize that it is more virtuous for them to comply with the Command of Allah (swt). It is more rewarding for them to do as they are told by Allah (swt) i.e. not pray or fast while they are on their menses.

Also realize that there are many other ways of achieving spirituality while we are on our menses besides salaah, siyaam and itikaaf.

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) is reported to have said that, "Dua is the very essence of 'ibadah.” The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) said, "Allah is in the assistance of [His] servant, as long as the servant aids his brother." He (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) also said, "Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward."

Listed below are few suggestions that a muslimah can do while she is not fasting due to menstruation or post-natal bleeding.

Wake up at Fajr time

• Repeat after the fajr adhan
• Make dua between adhan and iqaama
• Make dua for intercession of prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) after the adhan
• Make fajr adhkar:
  
  10 times: “la ilaha ilAllah wahdahu la shareekah la, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.
  Recite ayat al kursi
  Recite surah Ikhlaas, surah Falaq, surah Nas – 3 times
  Other adhkar found in Fortress of the Muslim


• Say the morning adkhar
• Read an English translation of half-juz of the Quran

Enjoining good: encourage your family to pray Salaat al Duha

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) called it the salah of the obedient. Reported by Imam Ahmad in his musnad: Abu Hurayrah (radhi Allahu ‘anhu) narrated that the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) would never miss the salat al-awabeen, which was Salat al Duha.

Duhr time

• Repeat after the duhr adhan
• Make dua between adhan and iqaama
• Make dua for intercession of prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) after the adhan
• Engage in more dhikr and dua

Asr time

• Repeat after the asr adhan
• Make dua between adhan and iqaama
• Make dua for intercession of prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) after the adhan
• Engage in more dhikr and dua
• Read an English translation of half-juz of the Quran

Maghrib time

• Repeat after the maghrib adhan
• Help people break their fast by passing out dates and water
• Make dua between adhan and iqaama
• Make dua for intercession of prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) after the adhan
• Engage in more dhikr and dua

Isha time

• Repeat after the isha adhan
• Make dua between adhan and iqaama
• Make dua for intercession of prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) after the adhan
• Engage in more dhikr and dua
• Have family circle time at home
• Have a male member of the house recite the Quran to the rest of the family followed by tafsir of those ayat

Before sleeping

• Make wudu (this even applies to women with menses)
• Recite surah Mulk
• Ask your spouse for forgiveness before sleeping
• Recite ayat al kursi
• Make dua and dhikr

Other acts that can be done

At the masjids

• Spread salaams at the masjid
• Sponsor iftaars at various masajids if possible
• Volunteer for masjid clean up afterwards
• Babysit during Taraweeh so that the mothers (and everyone else!) can pray with khushu' and concentration
• Make a CD of beautiful Quran recitation and duaas in mp3 and distribute it to people at the masjid

At home

• Have a qiyaam program for other sisters at your house – prepare iftar and suhoor for them
• Look for new converts, those who are newly practicing or people who have lost touch with the community and invite them over for iftar and eid
• Think of eid party ideas/gifts for family, spouse, children, neighbors

In your own time

• Memorize ayat of the Quran – use online resources
• Donate everyday – clothes, money
• Make tawbah and shukr
• Memorize Allah's names and their meanings
• Find out who is sick in your area or in the hospital and go visit them
• Always keep your tongue moist with the dhikr and remembrance of Allah (swt). Say subhanAllah, alhumdulilah, la ilaaha illalha, Allahu akbar and say salaams on the prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) while cooking, cleaning, driving etc. and may Allah make these words heavy on your scaled on the day of judgment.

Source: www.habibihalaqas.org

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Apostle was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds). (Bukhari, 5)