It’s hard to believe that Ramadan is heading down the final homestretch.
The last few days of Ramadan are upon us, as Muslims from all over the world step up their efforts to make the most of every remaining moment.
The time is prime to look back on the days of Ramadan that have already passed and see how you can improve them. Are there any aspects where you have so far been lacking?
Would you have liked to perform more acts of dhikr, or remembrance of Allah, than you already have?
This is no time for regrets, you still have plenty of time in the Ramadan race to success!
It’s no secret that the blessed month of Ramadan begins with a bang. Muslims are refreshed and ready to fulfill all the demands of fasting and worship for the month.
Focus on Worship
However, it is not uncommon for the momentum to fizzle out for many Muslims, especially if they face hardship, worries, or sickness while also trying to fulfill their increased acts of worship in Ramadan. It can often be a balancing act trying to keep aspects of your life together while also attempting to excel during this auspicious holiday.
Now is the time where most of us can truly benefit from an interesting perspective. Our lives may twist and turn from joy to hardship, like the shifting sands in an hourglass.
All of the same tribulations that we dealt with both prior and during Ramadan will most probably rear their ugly heads after the month has passed. So why not refocus your efforts to concentrate on what is most important, which is worshiping Allah Almighty during these remaining sacred days and night?
Push back your troubles and stall them for as long as you can so that you can seize the remaining moments of Ramadan. Rest assured, they are not going anywhere!
However, by turning to Allah Almighty in sincere worship and seeking assistance for all of your woes, you might just find that they become more bearable than you expected. There is no greater handhold than Allah Almighty, who is the One and Only ally any of us needs.
Truth be told, the month of Ramadan has all Muslims in the spotlight more so than ever. Allah Almighty increases the value of all our good deeds and every ounce of worship we perform brings us all the more closer to our ultimate goal, which is to please Allah and be successful this Ramadan.
What better time is there than Ramadan to capitalize on the mercy of our Creator to assist us in overcoming our obstacles and completing what remains of this blessed time with sincere vigilance?
Why is it Extra Special?
The last ten nights of Ramadan are extra special, as they hold the glittering jewel of Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, which Allah describes it in the Quran as being:
Better than a thousand months. (97:3)
The significance of this night is that it is the night in which Allah first began revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It would take twenty three years for the message to be revealed and engraved on the heart of the final messenger.
Muslims increase their worship these last ten days to include even more prayers right before dawn. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the Night of Power is hidden in the last odd-numbered night of Ramadan.
There has been much evidence over the centuries that it occurs on the 27th night. However, one should not simply seek out one night, and no one but Allah knows which day it ultimately falls upon. All Muslims must strive during the last ten nights as much as they possibly can.
The reward for finding the Night of Power is no less than having all of your past sins forgiven. And while we might not know for sure whether we have attained the Night of Power, we can take great comfort in knowing that we strive for it with all of our hearts.
So, while Ramadan may be heading down its final stretch, you can run right along beside it by raising your worship into high gear and breathing in the last moments of this special month before it disappears.
(From Discovering Islam’s archive)