Maximise worship, Muslims advised

dubai - The blissful last ten days of Ramadan when the so important Lailat-ul-Qadr or 'Power Night' falls are very sacred to every Muslim. Muslims are urged to maximise their effort to be eligible for the massive spiritual rewards these days. Dedicating more time for worship on these special days is highly advisable. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has advised that there will be more reward from Almighty Allah for sincere worship.
Sherif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian, said he always takes leave from work on these days to dedicate himself for worship. "One can add the reward of 83.4 years of sincere worship to his life and have all his sins forgiven by simply doing more worship on Al Qadr night which falls on the last ten odd nights of Ramadan."
As far as Rashid Saeed, an Emirati is concerned, all days and nights of Ramadan are blessed. "However, the last 10 days are more important and Muslims are advised to worship more during the last third of the month to avail more rewards."
Hassan Uraibi, a Syrian, said one may do as many worships as he wishes. "Praying Qiyam or late night prayer, giving more Duaa or supplicating, reciting and memorising the holy Quran, saying Zikr, performing I'tekaf or seclusion in the Masjid, and giving for charity are some of the most recommended worship on these days."
At the same time, scholars have urged worshippers to do as many good deeds as possible and settle disputes in an amicable way, visit family and friends, recite the holy Quran, supplicate more, and give for charity before the end of the holy month.
Islamic Researcher Dr Mohammed Ashmawy said Al Qadr Night can be sought on the odd-numbered nights of the last third of Ramadan. "That night of power, honour and grace is better in virtue and reward than a sincere worship of 1,000 months as stipulated in Verse 3/79."
Renowned scholar Dr Qutb Abdulhameed, imam of the first Green Mosque in the world, said this month is kind of a spiritual school where all Muslims are intensively trained to be as righteous and self-restraint as due."
Dr Qutb, who is also an adviser to the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, said the most faithful maximise their effort until Al Qadr night, which likely falls on the Ramadan 26 night, but stop or decrease good deeds after that.
"What a loss; doing this, worshippers will be losing a much bigger reward, since Almighty Allah, as affirmed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), saves 70,000 people from hellfire every night while 2.1 million are pardoned on the last night of the holy month of Ramadan."
Sheikh Mohammed Asadullah, Imam of Fatima Al Zaabi mosque, said Muslims who submissively fasted, stopped all evils, became tolerant and nice to people, and kept themselves doing righteous deeds, reciting the holy Quran, giving charity, humbly supplicating, thanking and glorifying God, and praying in the mosque, shall win.
"As promised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), fasting and the Quran will (turn into sort of lawyers) to defend, mediate, and speak for the true worshippers on the Day of Judgment that Almighty Allah will forgive them, and let them enter paradise."
Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, Imam of Diyar mosque, said while fasting may not be 100 per cent perfect, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has made it obligatory for Muslims to give Zakat Al Fitr to purify their fating and all worship. "Even the poor, is advised to give as little as they can, to enjoy the same reward and taste the feeling of giving," he said noting that Zakat Al Fitr has been officially set at Dh20, "but one can give more not less."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

Dr Mohammed Ashmawy