What are the last ten nights of Ramadan and how to observe them?
The Prophet ﷺ used to stay awake, wake his family, and tighten his belt in the last ten nights. The classical adab of the search for Laylat al-Qadr.
10 passages from 8 books in the library
The last ten nights are the most precious of Ramadan, sought above all for Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree. Al-Ghazali, in the Iḥyāʾ, calls these "the best days of Ramadan" and teaches that the Night of Decree is most likely on the odd nights of this final third, when "something of the dominion is unveiled." He notes a view that its exact night is left unspecified, like the unknown hour, so the believer watches all ten. Ramadan itself, he writes, holds the merit of Laylat al-Qadr and is the month in which the Qurʾan was revealed.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 8 books by Ibn al-Qayyim, Imam al-Ghazali, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
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"I have fasted, and upon your provision I have broken my fast. Glory be to you and with your praise, O Allah, except from us, for you are the all-hearing, the all-knowing. Book of Itikaf. It is recommended to perform Itikaf. Itikaf should only be performed in a mosque where congregational prayers are held, and it is preferable to do it in a central mosque the itikaf spans days that include a Friday. Itikaf is valid without fasting but it is better to do it while fasting as it helps to focus the mind, aids in subduing the self, and aligns with the purpose of itikaf. Itikaf involves confining oneself to a specific place and adhering to it consistently. Allah"
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"says in Surah Al-Anbiya, what are these statues to which you are devoted? It is a practice inherited from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his companions, as the Prophet performed itikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan and continued to do so until Allah took his soul. He encouraged his companions to do the saying, whoever wishes to perform itikaf should do so during the last ten days. During itikaf, one should engage in activities that bring them closer to Allah, such as reciting the Quran, glorifying Allah, proclaiming his oneness, and reflecting. One should avoid speech and actions that"
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"Teaching and reciting the Quran to others is permissible as its benefit extends to others, making it more rewarding than focusing solely on oneself. Leaving the place of itikaf is permissible for necessary reasons, such as bathing from impurity, eating, drinking, relieving oneself, and in cases of fear for one's safety from temptation or severe illness. When the conditions for hajj are met, it becomes obligatory to perform hajj and umrah immediately. These conditions include being a free, sane, adult Muslim who has the means for the journey, a safe path free from enemies, the ability to travel, sufficient time to"
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
· Provenance →
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"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to his companions when they were shown the Night of Decree in the last ten nights: "I see your dreams have agreed on the last ten nights, so whoever is seeking it, let him seek it in the last ten nights of رَمَضَان." Dreams are like visions; some are merciful, some are psychological, and some are from شَيْطَان."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"She believed that this hour was the awaited one and attributed it to her father, peace be upon him, and her, and some scholars said it is unclear throughout the entire day, similar to Laylat al-Qadr, where efforts are intensified to observe it. It is also said that it shifts within the hours of Friday, like the shifting of Laylat al-Qadr, and this is more likely, having a secret not fitting the science of transactions."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"showing generosity in the month of Ramadan due to its virtues in charity, reciting the Qur'an, and seclusion in the mosque, especially in the last ten days. This was the custom of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, who would, when the last ten nights began, roll up his bedding, tighten his waistcloth, and exert himself, keeping his family awake, intending to engage in worship more intensively."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Just as a merchant who ignores the seasons makes no profit, a seeker who neglects these virtuous times does not succeed. Six of these nights are in Ramadan: five are the odd nights in the last ten days, during which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, and the night of the seventeenth of Ramadan, known as the Day of Criterion when the Battle of Badr occurred."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"clarified later by the verse: "Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night," without specifying which night, clarified later by "Indeed, We revealed it in Laylat al-Qadr." At first glance, different verses might seem contradictory, but understanding their transmission and hearing is essential. The Qur'an, from beginning to end, is filled with such aspects because it was revealed in Arabic, thus containing various forms of Arabic eloquence like brevity, detail, implicitness, deletion, substitution, precedence, and delay."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was most generous during Ramadan, withholding nothing. Ramadan holds the merit of Laylat al-Qadr and is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Mujahid used to say, "Do not call it Ramadan, for it is one of the names of Allah, but say 'the month of Ramadan.'" Dhu al-Hijjah is also a month of great virtue, as it is sacred and includes the greater pilgrimage and the known days, which are the first ten days, and the specified days, which are the days of Tashreeq."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
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"best of the angels, Gabriel and the best of the prophets, Adam and the best of days, Friday and the best of months, Ramadan and the best of nights, Laylat al-Qadr and the best of women, Maryam bint Imran. However, this chain of transmission is weak because Nafi Aba Hurmaz was considered unreliable by several scholars. God knows best. Kabbal Ahbar shared that in Paradise, no one has a beard except Adam, whose beard is black and reaches his navel."
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