Md. Mamunor Rashid :
Ramzan teaches us self-control, self-discipline, sacrifice and also how to attain piety in all aspects of our life. During this month, Muslims build strong relationship with Allah through more worshipping, fasting and selfless activities. Ramzan is divided into three parts and each part has 10 days: Rahmat (mercy), Magfirat (forgiveness) and Najat (salvation). As the reward for every good deed in Ramzan is multiplied by 70 and that’s why it is full of blessing from All’ah (Subhanahu Wa-Taa’la). The last 10 days of Ramzan is more significant due to some specialties: this part of Ramzan includes the most significant night namely Lailatul Qad’r, the I’tiqaf and Juma’ah- tul-Wida.
Laylatul Qad’r is one of the most significant nights in the Islamic calendar. Allah and His Rasul (peace be upon him) emphasize on that night and suggest people to do Ama’l (good works). It is the night in which the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This great night appears during the last ten nights of Ramzan. Allah says in the Qur’an, “The Night of decree is better than a thousand months,” (Al-Qur’an, 97:3). So, if anyone worships on this night, Allah gives him rewards multiplied more than the worship of thousand months and Allah forgives all the sins of his previous life time. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever prays on Laylatul Qad’r out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven” (Hadith: Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet (pbuh) himself worshiped during last 10 days of Ramzan more than other times. Hazrat A’ishah (ra.) said: “The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) would exert his best (in worship) during the last 10 days (Ramzan) more than other times.” [Muslim]
The accurate date of Laylatul Qad’r is unknown, although it is believed to take place on an odd night during the last 10 days of Ramzan (e.g. the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night). The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Seek it at the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramzan,” (Hadith: Bukhari and Muslim).
According the opinions of major Imams of schools, the 27th Ramzan is considered as Lailatul Qad’r. We should worship the whole night of Qad’r and make du’a to Allah as our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) prescribes us.
When Hazrat Aai’sha (ra.) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, if it is Laylatul Qadr, then what should I supplicate with?” he replied with the famous dua: “Allahumma, Innaka Afuwwun Karimun, Tu?ibbu Al-afwa Fa’afu Anna” – “O Allah, indeed You are pardoning and generous; You love to pardon, so pardon us.”
I’tikaf is a type of spiritual act. During the last 10 days of Ramzan, Muslims spend their days and nights staying in the mosque (masjid) and worship accordingly with faith, piety and obedience to Allah, this is called I’tikaf. It is a great opportunity to have peace in the present world as well as more rewards in Akhirat from Allah.
Hazrat Muhammad (sm) himself used to practice for I’tikaf. Narrated from Hazrat Aai’sha (ra.): “The Prophet (pbuh) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan till he died and then his wives used to practice I’tikaf after him.” [Hadith No. 2026, Book of I’tikaf, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3].
A Hadith narrated from Abu Huraira (ra.): “The Prophet used to perform I’tikaf every year in the month of Ramzan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaf for twenty days.” [Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 33, Number 260].
The people those who perform I’tikaf get grace from Allah (SWT) and solicitation from Angels. In a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Aai’sha (ra.): Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said, “When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) wanted to observe I’tikaf, he would pray Faj’r then enter his place of I’tikaf” (Bukari 1928 and 2041, Muslim 1173, al-Tirmidhi 791). So, we should stay in I’tikaf minimum one of us from our society as it is Far’ze Kifaya.
Juma’ah- tul-Wida is the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan. Generally the Fridays in the whole year are meaningful according to the holy Quran and Hadith. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The best day the sun rises over is Friday; the day Allah created Adam, he was made to enter paradise, he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday” (Sahih Muslim 854b).
Juma’ah-tul-Wida is considered as a day of blessing. On this day, a lot of devotees gather in the mosque to perform Salat because it is one of the most glorious Fridays than any other Friday in a year. It is a gift for us for mercy, forgiveness and salvation. According to the history of Muslims, this day is observed as Al-Qud’s Day. This is the last Jammah Day of holy Ramzan bearing great prospect for the Muslims. Hence, we should worship more in Juma’ah-tul-Wida to get more rewards from Allah (SWT).
(Mamunor Rashid is Lecturer, Department of Islamic Studies, Leading University, Sylhet).
