Last 10 days of Ramadan begin: Why UAE residents are skipping sleep to perform special night prayers – News

For Mohammed Otoom, a 38-year-old Jordanian who works as a manager at a clothing store in Sharjah’s Sahara Mall, the last 10 nights of the holy month of Ramadan are special, in which he finds deep peace.

He eagerly anticipates this holy period every year, believing that the last 10 days are an opportunity to build a strong connection with Allah during night prayers, which are offered for a few hours at many mosques in the country.

These prayers are called Qiyam al Layl, which translates as “standing during the night”, and have a specific meaning in Islam. It means the time dedicated to prayer and remembrance of Allah, observed between the conclusion of the Isha prayers (last night prayer) and the beginning of Fajr (dawn prayer).

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Qiyam al-Layl has deep meaning for many Muslims around the world and they actively participate in this blessed practice. Muslims believe that they will be spiritually cleansed during this period.

‘There is no distance between Allah and me’

“The last ten days of Ramadan are incredibly auspicious. It is during this time that I feel an incomparable closeness to Allah. The act of prayer becomes a transcendent experience and at night I feel that there is no distance between the Lord and me,” Otoom said.

“When I first embarked on this journey of nightly prayers for the last 10 days, I was struggling in my life. A friend guided me to the mosque, where I found solace in prolonged acts of devotion,” he added.

Since then, Otoom has been surrounded by a sense of blessing. “Participating in these nightly prayers has been nothing short of a spiritual revelation. I have witnessed a huge change in my life: a sense of peace and contentment that I feel every moment,” Otoom said.

Since Otoom is the store manager, he logs in and logs out late to go to work. Like Ootom, many residents are aware of the work obligations that await them the next morning.

The Prophet (PBUH) used to put a lot of effort into worship, especially during these nights, in a way that he did not make any effort at any other time. Among the things he (PBUH) did was seclude himself in I’tikaaf (period of days in which a person dedicates himself solely to worship, staying away from worldly affairs) and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time.

Manage professional work.

Everyone who attends night prayers has work or other responsibilities to attend to the next day, but they accept the challenge with commitment and trust in Allah. Through careful time management and prioritization, these residents are striking a balance between their spiritual cleansing and their daily duties.

“Everything we do is blessed by Allah the next day,” said Mohammed Saleh Al Hashmi, a 52-year-old businessman who lives in Dubai.

“These 10 days occur once every 365 days. If I miss these prayers, I feel like I’ve missed everything that matters most to me. There is nothing like these prayers. The closeness you feel between you and the Lord, the cries, the pleas for forgiveness of all your sins cannot be compared with other times. It is as if the entire community repents of forgiveness and relief in the afterlife,” said Saleh, who has been observing these prayers for more than 20 years.

Get extra sleep during the day.

Considering his business, Saleh said he goes out to work only a few hours, about 20 hours. “There are two weekends in the last 10 days of Ramadan. You can sleep during the day to catch up on the sleep you have lost during prayers,” Saleh said.

“And the remaining six days you have to be awake for only 18 hours. If one is willing, it is very easy to manage time by resting during the day,” he stated.

Using offsets

For Syed Ameen SM, nothing beats these prayers. “Every year, my office subordinates are aware of my absence during the last 10 days of the holy month. I use my compensatory leave during this time to make the most of it,” said Syed, who works at a telecom company in Dubai.

“This is the only time of year that I engage in spiritual healing and it is something that cannot be overlooked,” Ameen said.

Importance of Qiyam al-Layl

Sheikh Ayaz Housee, imam of NGS and Khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre, said these special prayers have the benefit of direct communication with Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Our Lord descends during the last third of each night to the lowest heaven, asking: ‘Who calls me so that I may answer him?’ Who asks me to give him? Who seeks my forgiveness so that I can forgive him? (Bukhari and Muslim)’,” Sheikh Housee said.

He further mentioned that prayers are food for the soul and spiritual well-being, offering a unique opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual evaluation.

“Greater reward and forgiveness. This is a sign of true faith and dedication that leads to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Nighttime prayers have a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and anxiety. The practice encourages mindfulness and spiritual tranquility, which are linked to better mental health,” Sheikh Ayaz added.

Key Prayer Tips

For those who struggle to maintain consistency in performing the Qiyam al-Layl prayers, a few key tips can help ease the journey. Dr. Abdul Hameed, who specializes in fiqh (deep understanding of Islamic law) and shariah (Islamic law), said the priority is the intention to stand during prayers.

“First of all, it starts with intention. The firm intention of awakening for Qiyaam al-Layl opens the door to Allah’s help, making the task easier. Secondly, it is crucial to set yourself up for success by going to bed early after the Isha prayer. It is difficult to wake up for night prayers if one is still awake late into the night, especially if one is busy with distractions such as using the phone,” said Dr Abdul Hameed.

He further said that incorporating supplications before sleeping and maintaining ablution can prepare us spiritually for the night of prayer. “Finally, understanding the meaning of Qiyam al-Layl can serve as motivation. Knowing that those who perform these prayers seek Allah’s pleasure, forgiveness, mercy, and protection can inspire perseverance and dedication. Ultimately, coherence in Qiyam al-Layl requires a combination of intention, discipline and spiritual devotion,” added Dr. Abdul Hameed.

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