Alhamdulillah wa salatu wa salam ala rasulullah (SAW) amma ba'd.. Assalamualikum
Ramadan is one of the twelve Islamic months. It is distinguished due to many reasons. But here I will mention only a few:
1. Quran was revealed in this month
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…" [al-Baqarah 2:185]
2. There is very little inclination to sins and more to good deeds (the sins we do are because of the effect Shaytan has caused for past 11 months)
The Messenger of Allah said : "When it is the first night of Ramadahn the evil devils are chained. The gates of Fire are locked- not a single gate is opnened, and the gates of Paradise are opened- not a single gate is locked, and a caller calls out :'O seeker of good come forward, and O seeker of evil withhold, and there are many whom Allah frees from the Fire - and that is every night. [at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah]
3. Allah frees people from Jahannam (Hell-Fire)
Jabir (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said :"In every day and every night, during the month of Ramadan, there are people to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted". [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad and Ibn Majah; Sahih]
So we have the hit the first of the last ten days of Ramadan. This means we may have already witnessed the Laylatul Qadr. Some consider that Laylatul Qadr is the 27th night of Ramadan. This misconception is mostly among the Asians. But it is a narrated in a Hadith that Aishah reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari). Hence, we should consider all the ten nights equal as there could be chance of any one of them being Laylatul Qadr.
Most of us are already aware of the importance of Laylatul Qadr. But there is no harm in learning/revising your memory again. Let me begin with the beginning (i.e. here Ramadan)
Allah commanded us to fast during this month as is stated in the Quran: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…" [al-Baqarah 2:185]
We, Muslims, fast from dawn to dusk (Fajr to Maghrib). We eat suhoor before Fajr and Iftar after Maghrib. We abstain from food and drink between that time. What else do we abstain from? Some people think just staying from food and drink is sufficient but The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.' (Bukhaari). So, we learn from this that we have to give up backbiting, slandering, and other sins we do (although we are not allowed to do this during other months, it is more emphasized during Ramadan).
Taraweeh Salah is performed during Ramadan. Though it is not compulsory, it is Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In most countries, it is prayed after Isha Salah but it can also be prayed during the night.
During this month, we are encouraged to ask for forgiveness from Allah. Abu Hurayrah (RA)narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet climbed upon the mimbar (pulpit) and said: "Aameen [O Allah grant it], aameen, aameen". So it was said, "O Messenger of Allah , you climbed upon the mimbar and said : "aameen, aameen, aameen"? So he said :"Jibril (AS) came to me and said, 'Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have [his sins] forgiven and so enters Fire, then may Allah distance him, say aameen". So I said "aameen". [Ibn Khuzaimah, Ahmad and al-Baihaqui : Sahih]. Now the best angel and the best Prophet have made a dua, do you think it will be rejected? Never, not even in anyone's wildest dreams. So if we can't utilise Ramadan wisely, then we have lost THE opportunity to success in the this and next life.
Another virtue of Ramadan is that it is blessed with Laylatul Qadr. Laylatul Qadr is so, very, important that there is a separate Surah in the Quran for it, i.e, 97th Surah of the Quran: Al Qadr. [Read the translation of Surah al Qadr in language you understand best. For english translation, click here ----->
Laylatul Qadr could be any one of the last 10 nights. But, did you know that there is way by which you could know which night it was? It is narrated in a Haidth that Ubayy (RA) who said that he (SAW) said: "On the morning following Laylatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up." (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah) Although you will know it next morning, but atleast you will know if you utilised it properly or not.
I hope, by now, all of you know the power of Sujood. Okay, so let me give you a scenario. When are you most close to Allah? During sujood. During which part of the day your most close to Him? Last one-third of the night as He descends down. So imagine what will be the power of the dua asked in Sujood in Tahajjud (late night prayer, preferred to be the last one-third) in Laylatul Qadr? Its unimaginable.
I don't wanna mention more as I think already most people know about it, but this was just to refresh your minds and to give more information to my Non-Muslims friends out there. So, please, I urge you, take the most of this 10 nights. Use them wisely (not in Eid shopping) because nobody promised you next Ramadan/Laylatul Qadr. Ask Allah for forgiveness and guidance. Pray for our oppressed Muslim brothers and sisters.
If I made any mistakes, it was from Shaytan and my own mistakes. If anything you find is useful, is from Allah as He guides whom He wills.
JazakAllahu Khairan. BarakAllah Fekkum and Salam...