Aa’isha (radhi allahu anha) narrates, ”When the (last) ten (days of Ramadan) began, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would
- enliven/revive the night,
- wake his family,
- strive, and
- tie his izaar tight.”
– Saheeh al-Bukharee (2024) and in the narration of Muslim (1174),
«The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to strive in the last ten days (of Ramadaan) like he did not strive in other».
This Hadeeth is a proof that the last ten days of Ramadaan hold a virtue/merit over other days – with extra obedience and worship of Salaat, Dhikr and Tilawah (recitation) of the Qur’an.
Ummul-Mu’mineen (the mother of the believers,) Aishah (radhi allahu aha) described our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and our ideal with 4 characteristics:
1. She said, «(he would) enliven/revive the night,» – i.e.,
- he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would stay up and enliven the night with obedience,
- and he would enliven himself by keeping awake, – because sleep is the brother of death.
– so it means, he would enliven with Qiyaam and worship of Allah, the Lord of the Aalemeen.
as for what is narrated about the prohibition of Qiyaam for the whole night in the Hadeeth of Abdullah ibn Amr (in Saheeh al-Bukharee 4/217) – it refers to the one, who continuously spends the entire night in Qiyaam throughout the year. [See, Majmoo al-Fatawa (22/308)]
2. she said, «(he would) wake his family…» – i.e., his wives – Ummahaat al-Mu’mineen (radhi allahu anhunna) – for them to join the Prophet in making the most of the opportunity of Kharr (goodness), Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Ibadah (worship) in these blessed times.
3. she said, «(he would) strive» – i.e., strive in Ibadah; increased Ibadah (in these days) than the first 20 days – and this was because in the last ten days is Laylatul-Qadr
4. she said, «(he would) tie his izaar tight…» – i.e. persistence and exerting oneself in Ibadah.
And it is said, he kept away from his wives, and this is more likely in accordance with the context – (and also) due to the Hadeeth of Anas (radhi allahu anhu), “He rolled up his bed and kept away from his wives.” [See, Lataaif al-Ma’aarif (p. 219), Fathul-Baree (4/269)]
and the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to observe I’tikaaf during the last ten days, and the Mu’takif (the one, who observes I’tikaaf) is forbidden to have relations with his wife.
So, O my brother in Islam, you must
- adhere to these characteristics and pray Salaat of Tahajjud with the Imaam, in addition to the Salaat of Taraweeh in order to exert more efforts in these ten days and so that the night is enlivened with Salaat.
- adorn yourself with Sabr (patience) upon obedience to Allah – for, the Salaat of Tahajjud requires this – and its virtues are great – and it is – by Allah – an opportunity of a lifetime, and a great fortune for those, whom Allah enables to pray Tahajjud. And you never know, perhaps you might achieve during it one of the mercies of the Lord, and thus, you will be blissful in the Dunya and the Aakhirah.
The salaf used to lengthen their night prayers following the example of their Prophet.
Al-Saa’ib ibn Yazeed said, “Umar ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) told Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Tameem al-Daari to lead the people in praying eleven rak’ahs.
He said: “And the Qaree (one, who recited the Qur’aan) would recite the soorahs that contain one hundred or more verses – until we would lean on sticks due to long standings – and we would not leave until dawn had come.” [al-Mu’atta Imam Malik (1/115) and its isnad is saheeh]
Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr said: “I heard my father say, ‘We used to leave Taraweeh in Ramadaan and we would make the servants hasten to bring food lest dawn appeared.” [al-Mu’atta Imam Malik (1/116)]
During Ramadaan, are gathered two strivings against the Nafs (soul) for the Mu’min (believer);
- Striving during the day with Siyaam (fasting)
- Striving during the night with Qiyaam (standing in prayer)
Whoever strives in both of them, and gives both their due rights, then he is from the Sabireen (the patient ones,) who will be allotted their reward without reckoning.
Verily, these ten nights are the end of the month, and actions are (judged) by their end. Perhaps, one might find Laylatul-Qadr in these ten nights, while he is standing before his Lord, and Allah will forgive him his previous sins.
One should motivate and encourage his family for Ibadah – especially in these great seasons, which are not missed except by the one, who is deprived.
Keeping awake is easy in this time, but what is required is steering one’s family and the youth to benefit from the hours of the night, and caution against wasting these hours in Qeel and Qaal.
and WHAT is WORSE is – the time, which people spend in prayer and Tahajjud; – he spends it in forbidden gatherings and sinful get-togethers – this is the (obvious) loss. We ask Allah for safety.
So, take the initiative – and lead (your family) to make the most of what is left of the month -perhaps, you will achieve what you have missed due to what is wasted in your life!
What is regrettable is that you see some people initiate the month of Ramadaan with good deeds of Salaat and recitation of the Qur’an – but then starts appearing on them signs of weariness and tiredness – although during the last ten days, which have a special virtue over the beginning of the month.
One should persist in striving and increase in obedience lest you leave the month deficient – and the actions are (judged) by their endings – and what makes your deeds more likely to be accepted is when the conditions are met and obstacles removed -“and for this let those strive, who want to strive.” (Al-Mutaffifeen 83: 26)
O Allah
- wake us up to make the most of the rest of what is left of our life, and
- guide us to increase in Khayr, and
- make us amongst those, whose Siyaam are accepted, and
- make us amongst those, whom YOU are pleased with by their obedience, and
- make us amongst those, whom YOU have forgiven their slips and crimes,
and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Sahabah…
from Ahaadeeth as-Siyaam Ahkaam wa Aadaab of Shaikh Abdullah ibn Saleh al-Fawzaan, translated by Shawana A. Aziz