Friday Brief: The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan reaches its final stage, the last ten days and nights bring the most precious moments of the entire Islamic year. This is a special time set by Allah for deeper worship, sincere reflection, and unlimited mercy. These nights open a sacred door to salvation, offering believers a chance to seek forgiveness and raise their spiritual rank in a way that no other time can offer. The Quran hints at the great importance of this period by keeping a beautiful mystery hidden within these nights: Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power. Allah says in the Quran: “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.” Just imagine—one single night that is better than more than eighty years of worship. Such is the endless generosity of Allah, the Most Merciful. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) showed us how to live through these nights. His wife Aisha (May Allah Be Pleased With Her) tells us: “When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet would tighten his waist belt, stay awake at night, and wake his family.” One beautiful practice during these ten days is I’tikaf—staying in the mosque in quiet worship, away from the noise and busyness of daily life. By cutting off worldly distractions, a believer creates a peaceful space where nothing matters except pleasing Allah. The Prophet never missed this retreat, which shows just how important it truly is. These nights also bring us a special prayer that the Prophet taught Aisha. When she asked what to say if she found Laylat al-Qadr, he told her to pray: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni” (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me). The last ten days of Ramadan offer a powerful lesson in rising spiritually. As these blessed nights arrive, let us hold onto them with the urgency they deserve. May we be among those who come out of Ramadan forgiven, pure, and closer to our Creator than ever before.