“Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all of his previous sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari 2014)

The holy month of Ramzan is all about inner cleansing and purification. Muslims practice fasting during Ramzan worldwide and prohibit eating, drinking, and sexual activities from suhur till iftaar. That being said, Ramzan is divided into three ashras. 

The first ashra is of Rehmat (Mercy of Allah, the second ashra is of Magfirant ( Forgiveness), and the last ashra is of Najat (Salvation). Among these three ashrams, one that holds maximum importance is that of Salvation. 

The last ten days of Ramzan occupy a significant place in the history of Islam. Among many reasons, one that makes the last ashra the most sacred is the revelation of the Quran. On one of the odd nights, the Quran was revealed this month.

These odd nights are also known as Laylat-ul-Qadar or the Night of Power. Every year, Allah blesses us with Ramzan so that we can seek His forgiveness, indulge in ibadah, and seek the Night of decree. However, only those can spot Laylat-ul-Qadar, whom Allah wants. 

Allah says in the Quran about the Laylat al-Qadr that occurs in the month of Ramadan:

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ١ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ٢ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ ٣ تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ ٤ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ٥

“Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.
And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?
The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.
That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.
It is all peace until the break of dawn.”
(Surah al-Qadr)

So, being good Muslims, let’s explore the spiritual signiface of last ten nights of Ramzan.

1. Reading the Quran with Tafseer

Reading and learning the Quran with Tafseer is one of the most significant acts ever. It lets you understand your religion and the teachings of Allah and His Rasool mentioned in the Quran. In short, the Quran teaches the ways to lead a good life. In addition, it helps you distinguish between good and evil. Moreover, when you understand your religion, you get to lead a better life according to Islam. Indeed, Islam is a beautiful religion, and reading the Quran with Tafseer during Ramzan and, most importantly, in its last ten days can get you to earn maximum reward from Allah. 

2. Paying Zakat

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and Muslims must pay 2.5% of their annual income as zakat. Paying zakat purifies and increases your wealth. Zakat is also known as an act of lending money to Allah. In return, Allah rewards you by blessing you with more. As far as paying zakat is concerned, people primarily donate to charities and donations as an act of zakat.

3. Feeding the Poor

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said abot feeding the poor: 

“Whoever gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person’s), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)

4. Observing Aiekaaf

Aitekaf is observed during the last ten days and both men and women can sit in it. It’s one of the most sacred things to do during the last ashra. It’s an opportunity to seek the Night of Glory by cutting yourself off from the outer world and dedicating your time to remembering Allah by offering tahajjud, reading the Quran, and doing dhikr. For men, aitekaafs are arranged in a mosque, while women can observe aitekaaf in a separate room at home. People begin going into aitekaaf after the Asar prayer on the 20th Ramzan, and it ends up on the announcement of the moon sighting of the Shawwal’s moon.

5. Doing Zikar

Remembering Allah and doing his dhikr can gain you a high rank in this world and the hereafter.

In a narration from Abu Darda, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Shall I not tell you of the best of your deeds, the most pleasing to your Sovereign, those that raise you most in status, that are better than your gold and silver, or meeting your enemy (in battle) and you strike their necks and they strike your necks?” They said: ” What is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Remembering Allah (Dhikr).” ^[4]