The Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims. God has promised to multiply his rewards to his observant worshippers. Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
The first ten days are special for mercy, the next ten days are for forgiveness and the last ten days are for exemption from Hell,”
Though all Ramadan as we have seen from the above Hadeeth is important to worshippers, but the last ten days of Ramadan are of a very special importance in the life of every Muslim. They are considered to be the most blessed days in the blessed month of Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Quran was revealed.
Though the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was definitely promised Paradise, he used to exert himself even more in worship during these last ten days, to give an example to be followed by Muslims. The Prophet’s wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.” (Bukhari)
The best time to worship in the last ten days is in the last third of the night. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “When the last one third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One, descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims: ‘Is there anyone supplicating to Me so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything so that I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so I forgive him?’” (Bukhari and Muslim) reported by Abu Huraiyrah.
Muslims during this last third of Ramadan usually recite more Quran and remember Allah more often, through night prayers (Tahajud). Some Muslims practice Etikaf (spiritual retreat) in Mosques as was used to be done by The Prophet (PBUH) with total devotion to Allah leaving behind the cares of this world, and even eat and sleep in the mosque.
The Most important night of the last ten days of Ramadan is Laylat Al-Qadr. God says in the Holy Quran about this night:
“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace! … This until the rise of Morn!”
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Any Muslim who stands in Prayer during Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and sincerity, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
So All Muslims are conscious of this bounty of the Month of Ramadan, acknowledge its rewards magnitude and make the best of it devotedly and willingly, despite some hardships that face people living in hot countries like ours.