Fellow Muslim! The best days and nights of this great month are the last ten. The Messenger of Allaah used to do more acts of worship in those last ten days. Aa‘ishah narrated, “When it is the last ten days of Ramadaan, the messenger of Allaah would wake up in the night and wake his household and would
exert effort to do more acts of worship.” It is enough a glory for these last nights that Allaah made one of them the Night of Decree in which He revealed His Book to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It is a night in which judicious matters are decided and an act of worship in it is greater in reward than the one done in a thousand months. Lailatul-Qadr is a great night in terms of blessings and goodness, for it is in this night that Divine Bliss and Tranquillity descend. It is a manifestation of Allaah’s favour on His slaves that He afforded them the opportunity of doing different kinds of good deeds and acts of worship in this blessed month. So, humble yourselves before Allaah and turn to Him in repentance so as to attain the night of Decree and its blessings. The virtue of this night and its reward are so great that whoever keeps awake and prays in it with sincerity and honesty, all his past sins will be forgiven for him as it is reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

The Messenger of Allaah recommended to his nation that then should look for Lailatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days or last seven days of this gracious month. He said, “Look for it in the last ten nights, and if anyone of you is unable to do that, let him look for it in the last seven nights.” When ‘Aaisah asked the Prophet about which supplication to make during that night, he commanded her to say, “Allahumma innaka ‘Afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa‘fu ‘annee “. Meaning, “O Allaah! You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love forgiveness, so forgive me.”

Seize the opportunity of this blessed season in which the reward of good deeds in given in manifold and in which sins are overlooked and do good deeds will bring you nearer to Allaah and let you attain His pleasure.

A Muslim should endeavour to make use of this great season in doing more good deeds like observing prayers, giving charity, being kind to the poor, the needy and orphans and remembering of Allaah.

Among the greatest acts of obedience in reward is recitation of the Qur’aan. The Messenger of Allaah used to recite the Qur’aan in the month of Ramadaan more than he would do in any other month and Jibreel would to visit him in Ramadaan to review the Qur’aan with him. The messenger of Allaah, when explaining the merits of reciting the Qur’aan said. “Whoever recite a letter of the Book of Allaah will have a reward for that, and that reward will be multiplied ten fold. I do not say that ‘Alif, laam, meem’ is a letter, but “alif” is a letter, “ laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhee).

Further, let those who are rich be reminded of paying their Zakaah (compulsory alms giving). It is an important pillar of this religion. Allaah prescribed it for its great benefits. It purifies souls and hearts and increases wealth. It is one of the causes of mutual love and a sign of social cooperation between Muslims.

Therefore, pay this charity completely with a good intention without any harm or any act of arrogance. Allaah says,

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allaah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has hundred grains. Allaah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allaah is Self-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower. Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allaah and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

Dear brethren! Observe these obligations and others and be sincere in them and all your other righteous deeds, for when a good deed is tainted with hypocrisy and showing-off, it is rendered useless and rejected. The Messenger of Allaah narrated that Allaah said, “I am the most self-sufficient and the least in need of your acts of worship. If any of you does a deed and ascribes partners with Me in that deed, I will forsake him and his associates.”

Fear Allaah, therefore, dear brother, and hasten to do acts that please Allaah in these few remaining days and nights, for one may be fortunate to attain single blessing from Allaah and rise as a result, to the ranks of those who are nearest to Allaah and be among His pious friends who shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. Do not be a slave to your passion and whims and do not waste your time in useless things lest you regret when you meet your Lord.

Call on your Lord humbly and submissively to forgive you your sins and protect you against the Hell, for whoever is protected from Hell and made to enter Paradise has become successful. Allaah says,
“Those who recite the Book of Allaah, perform prayer, and spend in charity out of what We have provided for them secretly and openly, they hope for a sure trade-gain that will never perish. That He may pay them their wages in full and give them even more out of His Grace. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).”

Brethren in faith! Remember, while you are still in this great month, your Muslim brothers all over the world who have been afflicted with different kinds of tribulations. They are being persecuted by oppressors, driven out of their lands, their honours are desecrated and they are tormented with different kinds of persecutions simply because they believe in Allaah. An example of this is what our brothers in Palestine are undergoing now of aggressiveness in the hands of Jews and their infidel collaborators. They desecrate honours of Muslims and their Holy places; they shed their blood and caused a great mischief on the land, without having any regard for international accords and conventions.

Other brothers of ours in other lands are living a difficult life and undergoing different kinds of calamities so much so that the simplest life has become a dream for them. Hunger has become widespread among them and diseases of different kinds have become their lot. Therefore, stand by them and exert efforts to save them from aggressors. Help them materially and morally for that is the essence of the brotherhood in Islaam. Assist the needy among them and come to the aid of the oppressed and know that, “Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will certainly find it with Allaah, better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.”