Allah’s Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten
nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Muslim). Allah’s
peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.
Aisha (RA)
related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered
night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
The
Prophet said: “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and
hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.”
(Bukhari and Muslim recorded from Abu Huraira).
1. Take a vacation for Allah.
We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.
If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This
can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having
to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate
doing Itikaf.
Do I’tikaf.Listen to or read the Tafsir of Surah
Al-Qadr to know about this amazing night, to switch that mode ON and to
keep it remained ON for all the nights. It could fall on any of the last
10 nights.
Choose the most comfortable place for worship in your home or Masjid.
If you’re alone, recite the Qur’an in a loud beautiful voice so that
your ears & heart remain involved with the recitation and you don’t
feel drowsy. Plus it has an amazingly calming effect trust me!
If
you’re not alone then you can recite in a normal volume not to disturb
others but can listen to a Qiraa-at in high volume using your earphone.
Elongate your Sujood and make loads and loads of Du’aas in it. Cry
hard and ask ALLAH everything you wish for in Dunya and Aakhirah.
Nawafil (Voluntary) prayers
What better way of drawing closer to Allah during I’tikaf than by praying the voluntary prayers:
Allah says in Hadith Qudsi:
….And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari]
Does anyone want the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) in Jannah? Then increase in praying the Nawafil prayers:
Rabi’ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi
Wasallam said: “Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your
companion in paradise.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
“Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet Sallallahu
alaihi Wasallam said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations
(i.e., Nawafil prayers).” (Muslim)
The reward for praying fard
prayers outside of Ramadan is the greatest a Muslim can gain but in
Ramadan we get the same reward for praying a Nawafil prayer.
Subhaanallah! What other time of the year are Nawafil prayers rewarded
equal to that of a fard prayer?
Therefore we should strive to
pray as many Nawafils as possible during I’tikaf so we can get closer to
Allah, gain the company of the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in
Jannah as well as gain the rewards of a fard prayer for each nawafil
prayer!
Sunnah & Nawafil prayers to pray during I’tikaf:
1. Pray 12 Raka’ahs of Sunnah daily: – 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr & 2 Sunnah of Maghrib
Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise
for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the
obligatory ones in day & night, to seek pleasure of Allah.”(Muslim)
2. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)
So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur’an or
do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise & pray Salaatul Duhaa.
If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.
‘Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 – 12 Rakaats & it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.’ (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said:
Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a
reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat,
Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
3. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nawafil of Dhuhr
Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon
Prayer & four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the
Hell-Fire.” (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)
4. 4 Raka’ahs Sunnah of Asr
The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa sallam) said:”May Allaah have Mercy
on the one who offers four (Raka’ahs) before ‘Asr prayer.”(Abu Dawud)
5. Two Raka’ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid
Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as
saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs
before sitting.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Tahiyyatul Wudu – 2 Raka’ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution)
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one
which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I
heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal (RA) replied: “I
do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I
make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much
as was destined for me to do.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)”
. The MOST REWARDING Nawafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud
Allah Most High said: “Establish worship at the going down of the sun
until the dark of the night, & (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn.
Lo! (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part
of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It
may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.” (Qur’an, 17:
78-79)
