Beyond being a month of spiritual cleansing and purification during which Muslims upscale their worship, good deeds and acts of charity, there are certain significant features peculiar mainly to Ramadan. I’tikaaf, which is translated to mean ‘Assiduous devotion’ is one of these features.

The actual aim of I’tikaaf is to divert the heart of the Muslim from everything except Allah and make the heart attached to Allah, thereby forming a complete spiritual connection with the Creator (Allah). All the worldly connections are thus cut off, for the sake of gaining Allah’s attention.

Coincidentally, this act of assiduous devotion is performed during the last ten days of Ramadan. Also, it is during the last ten days that Muslims are encouraged to search for the Night of Power. Thus, the last ten days and nights of the on-going Ramadan hold even more significance as Allah (SWT) shows great mercy to His creation. They are a chance to benefit from the immense blessings of Ramadan and seek salvation before the month comes to an end.

By next Friday (March 21, 2025), the countdown for the last ten days of Ramadan would have begun, so, our sermon, today, will focus on what Muslims are expected to engage with in order to reap bumper harvest of the holy month.

Performing I’tikaaf
Many Muslims choose to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in seclusion (I’tikaaf), where one solely focuses on worshipping Allah and refrains from involvement in worldly affairs. It is a time to reflect, increase worship and to increase one’s religious knowledge, seeking closeness to Allah.

The sunnah is to remain in I’tikaaf for ten days, but as a minimum it can be one day and one night. I’tikaaf is a great opportunity to reconnect with Allah in solitude. It is also a time to implement good religious practices which can be carried on throughout the whole year.

Seeking Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree or Night of Power, is one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar. It takes place in the last ten days of Ramadan and was the night in which the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

It is also believed to be the night in which Allah shows great mercy to His creation and the night in which one’s fate is decreed. Allah says in the Qur’an, “The Night of Power is better than a thousand months,” (Qur’an, 97:3). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven,” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim).

Sincerely praying for forgiveness, reciting the holy Qur’an, sending salawat (blessings upon the Prophet) and offering optional (nafl) prayers are examples of beneficial acts of worship on these nights.

The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is unknown, although it is thought to occur on an odd night in the last ten days of Ramadan (e.g. the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights,” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim). When Nana Aisha (may Allah be well pleased with her) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) “O Messenger of Allah, if it is Laylatul Qadr, then what should I supplicate with?” he replied with the famous dua: “Allahumma, innaka Afuwwun, tuḥibbu al-afwa fa‘afu anni” meaning: O! My Lord! You are the effacer of all iniquities; you love to efface and forgive; forgive me of my infirmities and inadequacies.”

Why is Laylatul Qadr called the Night of Power?
Laylatul Qadr or the Night of Power is described as such to illustrate the significance of what the night entails for human kind. Allah says about the purpose of this night: ‘Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn (mankind). On that night every precise matter – Every matter (proceeding) from Us. Indeed, We were to send (a messenger).” Qur’an 44:1-5.

Above all, Muslims are encouraged to approach every act of worship with sincere faith in Allah’s bountiful mercy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari).