The last Ashra or ten days of Ramadan should be spent in prayer, searching for Layalat al-Qadr, I'itikaf, good deeds, reflection and the reading of Quran.
Ramadan is divided into three parts and the last part is freedom from the hellfire. This is the most important time to worship Allah, ask for His mercy and seek His forgiveness as reported by Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*).
It is related that the Prophet (peace be upon him*) said concerning Ramadan, “Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its ending is liberation from the Hellfire.” (Ibn Khuzaymah Vol. 3, Hadith 191).
Read More Quran Daily
Reading the Quran is synonymous with fasting. It is important to read daily one part of the Quran. There are 30 parts total to the Quran, so by reading one part, it is possible to finish the entire Quran by the end of fasting. Many will read more and finish the entire Quran many times before Ramadan has finished because of the intense reward. The minimum anyone should read is ten verses a day as this is what the companions learned during the time of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*).
The Prophet (peace be upon him*) said, "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” (Tirmidhi)
During Ramadan the reward is more. There are many who read the Quran many, many times during Ramadan. Some have been recorded reading the Quran 17 times in Ramadan, such as The Khalifah, Walid b. Abd al-Malik, who would finish the Quran every three days in Ramadan. Others such as Imam al-Shafi’i who recited the Quran 60 times during Ramadan are to be respected.
Searching for Layalat Al-Qadr
One of the single most important acts during the end of Ramadan is searching for Layalat al-Qadr. Layalat al-Qadr is worth 1000 months of worship or 83 years. It is a night not just of blessing, but of intense prayer to Allah for forgiveness. It is a night so beautiful and serene that all Muslims will be in awe. Sadly, many will sleep through the night not knowing the great reward that was missed. It is a night like no other night.
The best dua is:
"O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving and Most Gracious! You love to forgive, so forgive my errors and sins, oh Forgiver of sins. (Allahuma innaka 'afuwwun karimun tuhibbul 'afwa fa ‘afu anni Ya Ghafoor)"
The End of Ramadan Means Tears for Allah
The end of Ramadan is not just a time of extreme worship, but it is a time to weep in front of Allah. Anyone can cry when the thought of the hellfire is visoned. Just imagine how horrible it would be to be dipped in the hellfire for one moment. As the tears come down, wipe the tears on every part of the body. The parts of the body that the Muslim wiped tears on, shall never touch the fire of hell.
Be humble and sincere when praying and yes cry to Allah for help, guidance and forgiveness. It is a time when all the Angels will say Amen. Pray for brothers, sisters, parents and neighbors and never forget to pray for all believing Muslims. The Angels will say Amen to what is asked for and say, "And you too!"
Performing I'tikaf in the Mosque
Part of the Sunnah of fasting (ways of the prophet) of the end of Ramadan is to perform I'tikaf (seclusion in mosque) the last ten days of Ramadan. Mecca and Medina Mosques will have Qiyam prayers after 1am and many local mosques will have the same procedures. It is a time when many mosques will be open for men who want to perform I'tikaf. It is not a time for women to stay in the mosque to perform I'tikaf. Women's I'tikaf will usually be on the 27th of Ramadan only.
Abu Hurairah, said: "Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him*, used to perform i'tikaf for ten days every Ramadan, then when it was the year in which he was taken (died), he performed I`tikaf for twenty days." [Bukhari]
Performing Taraweeh Salat (Prayers) During the End of Ramadan
Taraweeh salat is done after the Isha prayer or the last required prayer at night. Mosques will vary in the length of the salat from 8 to 21 rakats and after 4 rakats, it is Sunnah to rest. It is a prayer so intense that it will bring tears to many eyes and after the last rakat, witr is performed. Witr is a long dua imploring Allah for forgiveness and blessings. It is a dua to ask Allah to bless all believing Muslims and especially those in tribulations and trials in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan and Chechnya.
Remembering those who do not have a cover to keep warm with or those in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The pictures of Muslims freezing to death without any socks to cover their feet will bring tears and sadness to any Muslim's eyes. The end of Ramadan is a time to be thankful, hopeful and humble. It is a time to love Allah and Prophet Mohammad, His companions and His family. It is a time to remember the poor and the needy and it is a time to be joyous at the sighting of Layalat-al-Qadr.
As the month of Ramadan ends and the festivities of Eid Ul-Fitr begin, always pray that Allah allows a successful Ramadan and a happy forthcoming year. After the Islamic holiday of Eid Ul Fitr, there will be fasting of Shawwal for six blessed days.
*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.
Resources
"Ramadan: The Month of Blessings and Virtues," I love Allah
"The Last Ten Days of Ramadan," Qss.org
