The last 10 days of Ramadan contain great significance in the blessed month. The importance attached to these days comes from the words of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Allah (SWT) has granted special distinction to the month of Ramadan. The biggest virtue of this month is that the noble Quran was revealed on the night of Qadr in Ramadan. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
“Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [97:1]
The Night of Power, or Laylat al-Qadr, is one of the nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan. According to a hadith of the Prophet (SAW), the believers are encouraged to seek this night in the last days of Ramadan.
“Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Last 10 days of Ramadan 2024
The last 10 days of Ramadan in 2024 are expected to fall 10 days ahead of last year in the Georgian calendar. As Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, the dates change every year due to the sighting of the new moon. In 2024, Ramadan is estimated to start near 10 or 11 March, which means the last 10 days will start somewhere around 1 April 2024.
Dua for the Last 10 Days of Ramadan
The believers are encouraged to make a lot of dua during the final days of the month. There are certain times in Ramadan that contain special virtues and when the dua of a Muslim has the highest likelihood of being accepted. The odd nights of the last 10 days form an essential part of such blessed times. Aishah, the mother of the believers, asked the Prophet (SAW) about the dua to be recited on Laylat al-Qadr. He taught her the following dua in response.
(O Allah, indeed, You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me). [Tirmidhi: 3513]
What are the Last 10 Days of Ramadan Called?
The final days of the holy month are sometimes known as the “last Ashra” of Ramadan, which means the last 10 days. The last Ashra offers salvation to believers with the promise of forgiveness and redemption from fire. According to a hadith of the Prophet (SAW):
“Whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon)
Dua of the Last 10 Days of Ramadan
As discussed above, the presence of Laylat al-Qadr in the last days gives them greater virtue. In replying to Aishah about the best dua to be recited on Laylat al-Qadr, the Prophet (SAW) mentioned the following dua:
(O Allah, indeed, You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me). [Tirmidhi: 3513]
Last 10 Days of Ramadan Quotes
There are several quotes about the importance of the last 10 days in the Quran and hadith. It is narrated from Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that.
“When the (last) ten (days of Ramadan) began, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) would stay awake at night, wake his family, strive hard (in worship) and tie his izaar (waist belt) tight.”
[Bukhari 2024]
In the final days of Ramadan, the Prophet (SAW) used to make a special effort to engage in worship and to wake his family up at night, too. In a hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said,
“Seek it in the last ten days of Ramadan, when there are nine days left, and seven days left, and five days left.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4/260).
There are many acts of worship established from his noble Sunnah. Itikaf is one such righteous act. According to authentic narrations, the Prophet (SAW) used to observe Itikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan, and the companions continued this tradition after him. A distinguished scholar of Islam, Imam Nawawi, is reported to have said:
“The best Itikaf is that which is accompanied by fasting, and the best of that is in Ramadan, and the best of that is the last ten days.” [al-Majmu 6/514]
Describing a sign of Laylat al-Qadr, the Prophet (SAW) said,
“Laylat al-Qadr is a pleasant night, neither hot nor cold, and the following day, the sun rises red and weak.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, 2912]
This tells the believers how to recognise Laylat al-Qadr from the other 10 nights.
Stressing the importance of the glorious night of Qadr in Ramadan, the Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said:
“This month (of Ramadan) has begun and there is a night in it better than one thousand months. (So,) any one deprived of its (blessings) is actually deprived of all goodness. Indeed, He is truly deprived who is kept away from its good.” [Ibn Majah]
Charity in the Last 10 Days
Charitable deeds are rewarded highly in the blessed days of Ramadan. In authentic hadith, the increase in the Prophet’s (SAW) generosity during Ramadan is compared to ‘strong winds’. Following the noble example of the Prophet (SAW), the believers are encouraged to do more charity in the holy month. Donate to Charity Meals this Ramadan and secure your reward on the most virtuous days of the month.
