The Best Nights

Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the Masajid for Qiyamul Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) wants you to know:

“Know ye that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

There shall be a night, some night in your life that you shall awaken in Jannah or Hell fire. Anas ibn Malik, on his deathbed, prayed to Allah, (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), “O Allah, protect from a night whose morning brings a journey to hell fire.” Think about that morning.

Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn. It may be that you shall leave the Masjid after Fajr one day soon forgiven by Allah, Glorious and Most High.

--"When the Night Equals a Thousand" by Muhammad AlShareef. Read the rest here.

We're already in the last 10 day stretch of Ramadan. Here are some last minute quick ideas for this blessed time:

• Observe extra ibaadah on all the last 10 nights, particularly the odd ones as we don't know for sure which is laylat-ul-qadr (that's the whole point, remember? That we don't get complacent about the 27th but exert ourselves in all of these days. That said, there are some scholars who say that it is most likely on the 27th but there is a lack of consensus on this point.)
  
• Make a list of at least five du'aas that you will make each night. That way, you will be sure to hit laylat-ul-qadr (idea taken from a khutbah by Muhammad alShareef...I'm lacking the exact reference, however).
• Read the Qur'an with translation. After each Arabic ayah or two, read the translation and think about it.
• Learn the meaning of those beautiful du'aas recited in the witr prayer.
• Think about the meaning of and inner secrets of fasting.
• Think about your past and regret, think about your present and amend, think about your future and prepare....