“Maximizing the Last 10 Nights: The Importance of I’tikaf, Taraweeh, and Dua in the Last Ashra of Ramadan”

Bismillah-ir-rahman-ir -raheem.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

(“in the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”.)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh .

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ .
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you.

Ramadan Kareem!!

The last ten days of Ramadan are known as the “Last Ashra” or “Aakhri Ashra” in the Islamic calendar. These ten days are considered to be the most important and blessed days of the month of Ramadan, and many Muslims engage in special acts of worship during this time.

One of the most significant acts of worship during the Last Ashra is the practice of I’tikaf. I’tikaf is a spiritual retreat where a Muslim secludes themselves in a mosque or other designated area for the purpose of devoting themselves entirely to worship and seeking closeness to Allah. The practice of I’tikaf is based on a hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would retreat to the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan and engage in I’tikaf.

The practice of Taraweeh is also an important aspect of worship during the Last Ashra. Taraweeh is a special prayer that is performed after the Isha prayer during the month of Ramadan. The prayer consists of reciting portions of the Quran in a group setting. Muslims typically complete the recitation of the entire Quran during the Taraweeh prayers over the course of the month.

The Quranic verse that is often associated with the Last Ashra is from Surah Al-Qadr(97:1-5) which states:

“Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? 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.”

This verse highlights the importance of seeking the Night of Decree (Laylatul Qadr) which is believed to occur during the Last Ashra. It is said that this night is better than a thousand months in terms of its blessings and rewards.

In conclusion, the Last Ashra is a crucial time for Muslims to increase their worship and devotion to Allah through acts such as I’tikaf and Taraweeh prayers. The Quranic verse from Surah Al-Qadr emphasizes the importance of seeking the Night of Decree during this time and striving to attain its immense blessings.

                                                                 –BLOG BY ALI RAZA