Mukhtar Oyetunji
Mukhtarraafii@gmail.com
Sequel to my earlier article tagged The Wise merchant, and its seeming relevance to virtually all days in Ramadan, it became more important to adopt same lessons to the glorious last 10 days of Ramadan.
One missing coincidence in my reference in the earlier article though was the fact that the ‘Lecture’ actually held in a market square in the evening. It was time when many traders had concluded their affairs for the day and were ready to go home having profited or otherwise.
Hence the correlation with the last 10 days of Ramadan; it is a fact that nothing excites a trader more than the incessant flow of customers around their merchandise and this only happens when all the factors for effective transaction come together e.g. Location, Date, Time, Price et al.
The mast 10 days of Ramadan is arguably the ultimate situation where all starts align in favour of the one who seeks just like when all variables come together in favour of a merchant.
Indeed there are quite a number of Ahaadith extolling the virtues if the last 10 days of Ramadan as well as the prophet’s endless exertions in it.
In one of such, Aisha(RA) reported in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 2024) that;
‘With the start of the last 10 days of Ramadan, The prophet (SAW) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. Work hard) and used to pray all night and used to keep his family awake for prayers with him’
No doubt the last 10 days are amongst the best of days on the face of the earth as it contains in it the most coveted night of all, a night greater than a thousand months, the night of destiny, Laylatul Qadr;
Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Qadr, Verse 1-3
Surely We revealed it on the grand night.
And what will make you comprehend what the grand night
The grand night is better than a thousand months
Within the last 10 days, the prophet (SAW) would seclude himself in the Mosque so as to properly carry out all acts of Ibaadat while he did so for 20 days in the year he died.
In the last days of Ramadan, Allah is in the act of emancipating people from Hell Fire while he conrinuously answers the prayers of supplicant.
Many scholars have reiterated the importance of the last 10 days usually admonishing that as the days of get reduced, one’s good must be on the increase.
It is indeed a common prayer of our beloved Prophet (SAW) that Allah should make the best of our actions the last moreso as one would die and be raised in the account of what he does at the tail end of his life.
Now just like a wise merchant, a Muslim must know that it is not just enough to be aware of the market days(Ramadan) but as well the proper timing i.e. Peak Period when merchandise sells the most.
Surely the last 10 days are like the peak period on a market day and it is only necessary that one stays up to speed and get as practical as possible to maximize acts if Ibaadah and cart away the bounties the auspicious days/nights serve up.
In doing this, the following tips could really come in Handy;
- Tighten Your Belt: Just as Aisha (RA) reported, the prophet would tighten his belt. This statement has been connotatively and denotatively explained by scholars to be; That the Prophet literally tightens his belt i.e. keeps away from his wife and that he works hard in every way possible.
This is the time to garner all efforts together just like a horse racing towards the finish line. Unlike a horse though, the gratification at the end is more than just resting by the end of the Ramadan but rather the enormous blessings obtainable all the way.
- Sleep Less at Night: This is a no brainer actually. For many, the hours of sleep at night have drastically reduced since the start of Ramadan, now into the last 10 days, they have to get even more reduced.
The Hadith related by Abu Hurayrah in Sahih Bukhari (37)where the Prophet (SAW) states;
Whoever establishes prayers in the nights of Ramadan, out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s reward, all hsi previous sins will be forgiven.
The above coupled with the similar Hadith that whoever rises on the night of Laylatul Qadr will have his previous sins forgiven should serve as proper motivation to keep one awake if not all night then for a considerable time.
- Increase in Seeking Repentance: When quizzed by Aisha(RA) on the best Adhkaar to say in the last 10 days, the prophet (SAW) taught to say; Allahumma Innaka Afuwwun Tuhibbul Afwaa, Fa’fuannaa’
‘Oh Allah you are the one who overlooks sins, you love to overlook sins, do overlook/spare me of my sins.
The above statement must run on our tongues seamlessly and countlessly in the last 10 days.
- Observe It’tikaf at Home: The dynamics of a number of activities for this year Ramadan is quite different and the last 10 days of Ramadan will only serve up how different things are this year around.
Ordinarily, by now many would have decided the mosque to spend the last 10 days in seculsion. Infact it forms one of the most exciting points in Ramadan with the serenity and sense of dedication towards Allah alone experienced during the period.
The reality though is that COVID-19 has more or less left many secluded in their homes for a couple of months, Now is the best time to maximally utilize the seculsion.
Practically, homes can be made into Masaajid by clearly planning activities and programs with oneself and family. Virtually all etiquettes of I’tikaf can be applied at home to great effect. This will ensure proper utilization of the last days of Ramadan knowing it is indeed the peak period in Ramadan where deeds are now aggregated and accepted by Allah.
We ask Allah to make the best of our actions the last and count us amongst those to be emancipated.
Aamin.
May Allah ease our affairs