1. Do not let your ‘performance’ until now affect your last 10
days. The moment of forgiveness could be today or anytime in the coming
days! It is not all lost! If you sincerely wish it could have been
better - Chin up and get ready to make it your best yet! Start with a
positive, sincere intention!
2. Today, take a little time to read the Tafseer of Surah al-Qadr to
understand what actually happens this night! You will feel its power
& greatness so much more!
3. Do not wait for the 27th Night to give it your “all". The entire
last 10 days should be your target. Stay up each night! Would you want
to miss Laylatul Qadr even “by chance"?
4. Do not fall into any innovations/celebrations any masjid or
culture might try to promote. Follow the Sunnah! The Prophet SAW guided
us simply: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith
and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
5. Memorize and keep asking the dua’ taught by Rasulullah SAW:
Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You
are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).
6. Prepare a short dua’ list. Remember this is as awesome as it ever
gets for a servant of Allah! The Night of Qadr, of Destiny! Consciously
pick each and everything you crucially wish for in this dunya, in your
deen, family, and in your aakhirah! Don’t forget to include the brothers
and sisters around the world who are suffering and in grief!
7. Take brief naps during the day, if possible. Keep your stomach
light and sleep as soon as you have prayed ‘isha. Do not delay! After a
brief nap, refresh yourself and get ready for worship.
8. Don’t neglect your family! Rasulullah SAW made it a point to wake
up his wives throughout these nights! And yes, your children are not too
young to stay up some part of the night - if they can be allowed to
play video games or watch TV, they can be inspired to be up atleast for
sometime! Prepare them, make them excited, plan some activities for them
to do!
9. Look the Part: The way we dress and prepare has a big effect on
our psychology. Wear your best, perfume yourself, and feel the energy!
10. Choose a spot, whether in the Masjid or in your home, where you
can have peace and solitude. Keep your mushaf, praying mat, and water at
hand so that you are not distracted by constantly getting up for this
or that.
11. This is not the night to tweet pics or update FB statuses about
how amazing the night is and how you are feeling & worshipping
Allah! Let that be a secret between you & your Rabb! So switch off
those phones, wifi, laptops and computers. Disconnect with the world,
and connect with al-‘Afuww!
12. If you find yourself feeling sleepy, vary your acts of worship.
Alternate between qiyaam, heartfelt dua’a, reading the Qur’an. Do not
spend the night listening to lectures or recitations. Or do it only for a
short while when you feel the sleep coming on!
13. Patience is the Key: The last 10 days might be tiring. You might
still have work or school. This is the time to bear all that hardship,
and keep firm sabr. Think how Allah has blessed you with this tremendous
opportunity that might NEVER come again in your life again. If you knew
for sure that this was your last Ramadan, if you knew certainly that
Jannah was up for grabs, wouldn’t you sprint for it no matter what it
takes?
14. This is most important: Keep husn adh-dhann bi Allah (good
expectations from Allah). When you ask, remember you are asking the Most
Generous King. If you hope for the best, He will give you the best.
Don’t hold back. Trust in Him, pour out your heart in front of Him, and
let no doubt, no barrier, no evil thoughts keep you away from ar-Rahman,
ar-Raheem.
