The big ONE OH (10) !!!!!!!!!!

The last 10 days of Ramadan are upon us once more - how quickly they have come! I cannot believe that Ramadan is almost over! But these are the days that are full of blessing and that will save us from the hellfire. It is in these 10 days we have to make a special effort to do more Ibaadah,more worship and dedicate more time to Allah than at any other time. These days are special and only come once a year so we should make the most of them.

Among these days is the most special of days - Laylatul Qadr.
“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn!” Surah 97

The Qur’an contains a short surah dedicated to Laylatul Qadr. Surah Al-Qadr is the 97th surah and consists of five verses. However, these short verses carry great meaning and guidance. They tell us all we need to know about the essence and spirit of Laylatul Qadr.

“Seek it in Ramadan in the last 10 nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, the 21st, or the 23rd, or the 25th, or the 27th or the 29th or during the last night.” Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318

It is the holiest night of the holiest month; it is believed to be the night on which God first began revealing the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibril. This is a time for especially fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with such are manifold. We, Muslims, are told in the Qur’an that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. Each act of worship performed on this night has a reward equal to this worship being done continuously for over 83years and 3months!

We are expected to exert themselves in worship and devote ourselves to prayer throughout the night. It is recommended that Muslims refrain from sleep (Qiyam), in order to take full advantage of this night. In general we are commended for worshipping at night throughout the year as Allah (SWT) loves those that sacrifice their sleep due to their love for Him and there is much reward for doing so, however, on this night this is even truer.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever stands (in Qiyam) in Laylat ul-Qadr (and it is facilitated for him) out of faith and expectation of Allah's reward, will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

I'd like to finish by reminding us of this beautiful hadith:
Narrated by Ibn-Habban and Al-Bayhaqi that the Prophet PBUH said: “At the time of Iftar every night, Allah, The Almighty, saves thousand thousand (i.e. one million) person from the Hellfire, all of them deserved the Hellfire. Then, in the last night of Ramadan, He saves an equal number to the number that He saved in the whole month.

That means Allah (SWT) saves 60million souls/nafs from the hellfire!!!

Will we be amongst the 60 millions this year?
Do we deserve it?

There are many recommended duas we can say in this last week to help us -here is a website where they are all very clearly laid out for us: http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/ramadan26-30.asp

After Ramadan comes Eid. A day of joy and celebration. For all of us reaching this day, another Ramadan has passed. Well done for all the hard work and sacrifice. Insha'allah Allah will have forgiven us our sins and we can start the new year fresh and pure.

Now, one last thing and then this long post is done (yes - i'm sure i can hear your sighs of relief!) -please please please remember me in your duas in these few days. As well as all of our sisters and brothers that have endured much this ramadan; many have been through much that we cannot even imagine. Remember our dear brothers and sisters that have passed away this month, remember those who suffer, remember the needy, the poor and the hungry, remember the orphans, remember those in Kashmir, Chechenya, Africa, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and all the places in the world where our extended family may be suffering.
And I pray to Allah that out duas are accepted. Ameen.