Sparse pickings at the suhoor meal, people shuffling around like extras in a zombie movie, ongoing fatigue and a ton of crankiness. All of these are signs that we are in the final stretch, the last 10 days and nights of Ramadan. Many will start to feel a bittersweet sensation that comes from a mix of sadness that Ramadan is drawing near its end and the anticipation for the first bite or sip of something after sunrise. Many more of us will spend these final days searching for Laylatul Qadr and seeking protection from Jahannam (hellfire) through worship and supplications.

I always found it interesting that it is during the last 10 days and especially nights of Ramadan that worshippers ratchet up the ibadah (devotion) even more than during the rest of the month. They will persevere through the physical drain from 20 days of fasting, hoping to find Laylatul Qadr and the immense blessing of the night. Allah (S) says:

“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” [Quran 97:3]

Accepted worship during Laylatul Qadr is better than 1,000 months. And while it’s suggested that Laylatul Qadr can fall on any of the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan, increasing one’s worship during this entire time period naturally offers a better opportunity to reap the blessings of this Night of Power.

Sheikh Omar Sueiman suggests these five things to do while seeking Laylatul Qadr. (Our blog editor Dilshad has also put together a list of five worship practices for the last days of Ramadan, but she agrees with me that Sheikh Omar is the better one to follow!) He says that a main objective for searching for the blessed night is to “give life to the night” and Muslims take part in “all of the good deeds that will give life to the night. You have something to give life to every portion of the night.”

Many Muslims, invigorated by the idea that their worship has such an increased value, engage in extra prayers, dhikr, reading Quran and du’a.

As with any other time of worship, du’a remains a mainstay to our worship and during these last 10 days, many of us will engage in supplication for security from Jahannam. A foundational du’a in the Quran tells us to beg Allah (S) to protect us from the punishment of Jahannam.

"Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire!" [Quran 2:201]

Many Muslims place significance on asking for protection from Jahannam due to the weak hadith reporting that the Prophet (saw) allocated the last 10 days of Ramadan as ransom from the fire. Although the hadith is weak, Allah (S) mentions many times that His believing slaves should ask Him to protect them from jahannam. I will share a few ayaat that struck me and motivated me to implore Allah to keep it away from me those I love and as many of His (S) servants as possible.

Allah (S) mentions Jahannam, it’s structure and tortures as a warning. It’s a terrifying place I would not wish on anyone. As I read the Quran during this month, ayaat about the horrible abode gave me pause, especially ones mentioning that people fuel it. Allah (S) warns us to:

“ ... fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” [Quran 2:24]

Allah (S) describes Jahannum as a bottomless pit with boiling water that the drinkers will barely be able to swallow. Springing from the center of the pit is a tree known as Zaqqum that has fruits like the heads of devils. The inhabitants will have no choice but to eat it, and it will boil in their bellies.

In addition to boiling water and fetid fruit tearing at people’s insides, their skins will be roasted and replaced with new ones, indicating cycles of never-ending torment that no one can escape from.

Only Allah’s protection is the believer’s only salvation from His ultimate punishment, and He in His infinite mercy promises protection.

“In the end We shall save Our messengers and the believers. We take it upon Ourselves to save the believers.” [Quran 10:103]

The Angels also make du’a for Allah (S) to protect his servants from Jahannam.

“... forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire. [Quran 40:7]

Allah (S) commands us to save ourselves from the punishment of the fire as well.

O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire, the fuel of which is human beings and stones, appointed on which are angels, stern and severe, who do not disobey Allah in what He orders them, and do whatever they are ordered to do. [Quran 66:6]

How can we not spend a good portion of the last 10 days of Ramadan begging for protection from Allah (S) punishment? He is ready to hear our entreaties and grant and safeguard us.

“ … I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led right.” [Quran 2:186]

As we wind down another Ramadan, let’s do our souls a favor and seek out Allah’s (S) mercy, forgiveness and protection from Jahannam during the night in hopes that we will attain the blessings of Laylatul Qadr and not abandon them at the completion of the last 10 nights and the blessed month.

We should strive to extend our increased ibadah even after the sighting of the ‘Eid moon. Ideally, fasters and those of us who are unable to fast have attained any spiritual and individual objectives set at the beginning of the month, so by the end, they become habitual parts of our daily lives. Allah loves consistency in our devotion, so let’s plan to maintain worship practices throughout the year.

May Allah (S) accept everyone's ibadah. I’ll catch you guys on the other side of the new moon.