Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days that hold

a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him)and his companions.

There are three major practices of our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him)during these last ten days

Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan Performing I'tiqaaf in the Masjid Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree)

Aisha (ra) narrated that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins. [alBukhari, 1920; Muslim, 1174] From the previous Ahadeeth we come to know how blessed were the last ten days of Ramadan that even the Prophet(peace be upon him )would strive during these Nights

I'tiqaaf is to seclude oneself in the Masjid, performing ibadah. The Prophet(peace be upon him) used to seclude himself during the last ten days of Ramadan. Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The Prophet used to practice I'tiqaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I'tiqaaf after him.

1- Seclusion with one's own self away from people (thus avoiding sins). a- Devoting oneself to acts of worship (performing additional Nafil prayers, reciting the Noble Qur'an, remembrance of Allah) b- Meditating on the secrets of life and its value. c- Review and assessment of previous actions, finding delight in good deeds and their rewards and repenting from sins. d- Planning for next year
2- Being drawn away from all problems and troubles of daily life matters

4- Devoting all energies to seeking Lailat-ul-Qadr (night of grandeur and honor) 5- Training one to: a- be away from family and job activities b- Leaving affairs to the responsibility of someone else c- Remote follow-up

6- Training his family members and colleagues at work: a- To get accustomed to his staying away b- Get them used to take responsibilities c- Be ready for emergencies
7- To have patience during hard times when in need, and abandon comfort and affluence 8- Get ready for the great seclusion of the grave (loneliness in the grave).

1- To be a Muslim 2- To be sane and has reached the age of distinction (discerning age) 3- To pronounce the intention (niyyah) of I'tiqaaf 4- It is valid in a Masjid in which the five prayers are held and which has a congregation (congregational Masjid)

Laylat al-Qadr is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed. The Quran was completely not revealed on this night, but it was the first 5 verses of Surah Al-Alaq that were reveled.

The quran was completely revealed in a period of 23 years

(Note: None knows when is the Night of Decree in the last ten days except Allah(azzawajal).

Islamic Proof: Verily! We have sent it (Quran) down in the Night of Decree (Laylatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e.Jibreel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn. (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)

Worshipping on this night is better than if you worshipped for a thousand months (thats about 83 yrs, and 4 months)! SubhanAllah! Islamic proof

Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months [97:3]

1. Recite the Quran abundantly.

Laylatul Qadr is the night the Qur'an was revealed so we should spend much of the night reciting it for we will gain 700 Hasanah or more by reciting each letter,Inshallah.

2. Strive to gain forgiveness. a) Aisha (Ra) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.'
b) Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with selfevaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.(Bukhari and Muslim).

3.Do much Superogatory Prayers (Nafil) The Prophet peace be upon him said:Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.

 Two

Rakat after performing Wudu (Ablution) Tahajjud Salaat-ut-Tasbih

4. Increase in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

Here are some easy and very beneficial Dhikr and glorification we can do throughout the last ten odd nights:

1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee

2. Subhanallah 3. Alhamdulillah 4. Allahu Akbar

5. Laa ilaha ilallah

6. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

5. Make as much dua as possible

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: "When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186]

Therefore let us devote much of the night of Qadr in dua asking of Allah for his mercy and forgiveness for all of our past sins and making firm intentions to Allah that we will change for the better and strive to become closer to him as well as make our deen a FULL part of our lives and not just a little part of our life.

So Inshallah make use of this Precious month and its very special nights as Allah is abundantly showering his blessings upon us Subhanallah. May Allah accept all our Duas, Ameen.