The Rewards of Giving More on Special Nights

The last 10 nights of Ramadan are known as the period of time during which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) remains in constant worship. These nights culminate in Laylat al-Qadr - the Night of Power - a night that is believed to be more blessed than a thousand months that falls on one of the odd days during the last 10 nights.

Throughout Islamic teachings is evidence of the greater intensity of the rewards that giving on special nights can bring to Muslims the world over.

Imam Ibrahim Al-Nakha stated: “Good works performed on this night are better than those performed consistently for a thousand months.”

The Prophet (PBUH) himself said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer, believing in Allah and seeking His Reward, will be forgiven of all his past sins.”

Muslims who give more of themselves during this time in prayer, devotion and contemplation will deepen and intensify their own faith.

Increasing Charity During the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

Al-Nawawi, the Muslim scholar, said:

“Generosity and open-handedness are strongly encouraged in Ramadan, especially during the last ten nights. By doing so, we emulate the example of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as well as of our Pious Predecessors. Also, this month is noble, and good works carried out in this month are more blessed than they are at any other time. Also, during this month, some people are preoccupied with fasting and worship, and this distracts them from their livelihood, so they might need some assistance during this time.”

The Prophet Muhammad himself said: “…give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations…”

When we talk about acts of charity, we often think only of financial charity. While this is an important area, that charity needs to be a complete mindset - it is a charity based on kindness, compassion, and good acts, of helping those who are in need of greater support.

Donate During the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is a month that helps all Muslims to focus their minds on their faith, but it also highlights the suffering that many thousands of Muslims undergo every single day. Going without food for a few hours is a mental and physical challenge that tests many of us who are fortunate enough to live and work in abundant communities where the provenance of food is never an issue.

During fasting periods, it is important to give consideration to those who are less fortunate, for whom fasting is almost a way of life due to the overwhelming lack of food. Turn this compassion into charity, and you are literally saving people’s lives. Throughout the developing world, there are hundreds of thousands of widows and orphans who struggle to put even the simplest meals on the table, and yet the observance of Ramadan and fasting is as important to them as it is to Muslims in more affluent communities.

The Qu’ran states:

“Worship none but God; be virtuous towards parents, kinsfolk, orphans, and the indigent; speak to people in a goodly way; and perform the prayer and give alms.”

Seeking Forgiveness

One of the most important rewards of giving more on special nights is the act of seeking forgiveness. To be human is to be fallible, but introspection and devotion to your faith help to identify where you may have taken the wrong path and help you to turn back onto the right path. Acknowledging your past mistakes.

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the best times of the year to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) for any mistakes you may have made during the rest of the year. Indeed, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a person remains unforgiven in the month of Ramadan, then what other month is there left for him to be forgiven in.”

He also stated:

“O People! One who gives iftar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone, and his past sins will be forgiven.”

Indeed, the Night of Power is known as the most auspicious night in Islam, during which all the sins of Muslims are forgiven, and the slate is wiped clean. As a result, a Muslim is cleansed, released from the heaviness of their past sins, and can renew their dedication to the true values of Islam with freshness and energy.

Asking for forgiveness is based on intense prayer and seeking rewards through acts of charity. During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, make sure that your acts of charity are aligned with the increase in your devotion and worship. The UK Islamic Mission is dedicated to helping hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people around the world, providing food, water, medication, and shelter to the less fortunate. Donate now and seek the greater rewards as part of giving on special nights during Ramadan.