The Second 10 Days of Ramadan

It is amazing that 10 days of Ramadan 2009 (1430) have already passed by. It feels like only yesterday that the month of Ramadan had begun. With the passing of the first 10 days of Ramadan, one begins to ask oneself if he or she has made use of their time wisely. Did the Ramadan goals that were set out earlier achieved? Most of us are human, and it would be inevitable that we have faltered somewhere regardless of our good intentions.

But all is not lost. We still have some time left this Ramadan to achieve our goals (and achieve them to our own benefit too). So we should thank God that we have an entire month of fasting to go through.

In Islamic terminology, the 1st Ashra refers to the first 10 days of the Holy month of Ramadan. The second Ashra refers to the middle 10 days (11-20), and the third Ashra refers to the last set of 10 days (21-30).

The middle Ashra of Ramadan is the time for Maghfirah; the time to wash off our sins. Ramadan is the month to seek Forgiveness and repentance. Having witnessed the Mercy of Allah (SWT) by thanking Him for all that He has granted us, by being good to everyone and keeping ourselves at peace, we realize our relationship with our Rabb, and our role and duties towards Him. This is the time when Allah's (SWT) Mercy is at its peak, and it is best to utilize this opportunity by imploring Allah to forgive our sins.

The Prophet is reported to have said: "Do repent in this month to Allah for your sins, and supplicate with raised hands at the time of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Al-Mighty looks at his servants with mercy. Allah answers if they supplicate, responds if they call, grants if He is asked, and accepts if they entreat. O People! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate (sajda) yourself before Allah, for long intervals, and make this load lighter."

We are required to reflect on these elements in these days of Repentance even more than any other days and this is the time we seek forgiveness and make amendments for our mistakes, never intending to do them again. Do Tauba (seeking repentance) repeatedly, constantly, and sincerely for Allah loves Tauba, and especially during this Ashra Allah loves to forgive and loves him who seeks forgiveness. Forgive your brothers in Islam, and accept them as friends, and show no ill-treatment or disrespect to others.

The Prophet continued and said: "O' People! Anyone who during this month cultivates good manners, will walk over the Sirat (bridge to Paradise) on the day when feet will tend to slip. For anyone who during this month eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make easy his accounting, and for anyone who does not hurt others during this month, Allah will safeguard him from His wrath on the Day of Judgment."