Ramadan is a blessed month that comes every year and grants Muslims with a chance to best-earn the blessings of the Almighty. This is the perfect time for Muslims to bond strongly with Allah Almighty. It is a high month in which people engage in constant worship and remembrance of God.
Countless believers travel to the holy cities for Umrah in this sacred month. They opt for travel bundles such as Ramadan Umrah packages to have a smooth trip. Performing Umrah during Ramadan is highly rewarding, and the last ten days hold even greater significance.
These final days of Ramadan are filled with endless bounty and mercy from Allah Almighty. During this holy month, believers busy themselves by engaging in prayers, seeking forgiveness, giving charity, and improving their spiritual growth to have a strong faith. However, this blog will share some further about why the last Ashra of Ramadan holds so much value in Islam.
Importance of Last Ashra in Ramadan
Let’s have a look at why the last Ashra of Ramadan is regarded with so much significance by Muslims from around the globe:
- Revelation of Quran
The Holy Quran is the most sacred book in Islam that was revealed to the beloved messenger of God- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Gradually, the Quran was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) over 23 years.
The very first verses of the Surah Al-Alaq were sent down upon the Prophet (PBUH) by Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). This follows as:
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ١
“Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—”
These verses marked the beginning of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s journey as the messenger of God Almighty. While the exact date of the Quran revelation is unknown, it is said that the last ten days were the time when it got sent down.
This event makes the last Ashra extremely important. Muslims honor these days by reciting and reflecting on the Quran. They try to increase their understanding of its teachings. Many believers complete the recitation of the entire Quran during Ramadan. The significance of these days reminds Muslims of the importance of the Quran in their lives.
- Laylat Ul Qadr
Another major reason why the last ten days are so significant is because of Laylat Ul Qadr. It is also known as Night of the Decree or Night of Power. This is the most sacred night of the year. Allah mentioned in the Quran about its high value that this night is better than the worship of a thousand years.
While nobody knows when this auspicious night falls except Allah, it is narrated that Muslims must find this night in the last ten days of the Ramadan. Some scholars claim that the night occurs on one of the odd nights. However, there are more than 40 opinions on this matter with no proper evidence.
Believers stay awake all night to engage in deep prayers. They perform voluntary prayers (Nafl) as per their physical capacity. Remember, quality matters more than quantity; hence if you perform even 2 rakats with a sincere heart, then it would be enough. The key rule is to remain sincere and humble in your worship.
The worship and good deeds done during these final days have more rewards than those performed over a lifetime. This is why the last Ashra of Ramadan holds a greater significance for Muslims.
- Itekaaf
Itekaaf is a special act of worship in the last ten days of Ramadan. It is a spiritual retreat where Muslims stay in the mosque to focus completely on worship. They leave behind all worldly activities to connect with Allah.
During Itekaaf, believers spend their time praying, reading the Quran, and making dua. They seek forgiveness for their sins and ask for guidance. It is a time of deep reflection and self-purification. Many Muslims perform Itekaaf to strengthen their faith and increase their devotion.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to observe Itekaaf every Ramadan. It is a Sunnah that many worshippers follow. Men usually perform Itekaaf in mosques, while women can observe it at home in a quiet space.
Itekaaf helps Muslims detach from distractions and focus on their relationship with Allah. It is a chance to reset spiritually and seek blessings. The last ten nights of Ramadan are full of mercy, and those who sit in Itekaaf hope to gain Allah’s favor. It is a beautiful way to end Ramadan with sincerity and devotion.
Mistakes to Avoid In the Last Ashra of Ramadan
The last ten days of Ramadan are bursting with rewards and God’s blessing. This is a golden time for Muslims to pray for their good destiny and seek forgiveness for their sins. However, some people commit mistakes that reduce their spiritual growth. Let’s have a look at them:
- Being Distracted by Worldly Affairs– Some people get so busy shopping and preparing feasts for Eid that they forget about worship. It is important to prioritize spiritual growth over material things.
- Ignoring Worship- Muslims often lose focus in their prayers or become lazy by the end of Ramadan. They start slacking around to delay the prayer times. However, this must be stopped. The last Ashra of Ramadan is about praying intensely and not cutting down on your prayers, even the voluntary ones.
- Avoiding Laylat Ul Qadr- The Night of Power is hidden within the final days of the blessed month. Some worshippers pray only on the 27th night and ignore the rest. This approach is utterly wrong and you should pray in all ten days regardless of whether it is an odd night or even.
Conclusion
This blog has discussed why the last ten days of Ramadan hold great significance for Muslims. This is the time when the Holy Book of the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for 23 years. Moreover, these are the days during which believers sit in Itekaaf and tend to seek Laylat Ul Qadr. Many Muslims travel to the holy cities of Mecca and Madina to spend their final days there. If you wish to go to the holy cities as well, then contact Muslims Holy Travel to get customised Ramadan Umrah packages at a reasonable rate.
