With the last ten days of Ramadan (last ashra) starting next Thursday Huzoor(aba) delivered his Friday Sermon on the heightened sanctity of these ten days. The Holy Prophet(sa) said these ten days bring about salvation from hell providing one engages in Istaghfar (seek forgiveness from Allah) with the utmost of sincerity. The Promised Messiah(as) enjoined that tauba (repentance) is always preceded by Istaghfar and is indeed not possible without it because nothing is possible unless Allah grants one the capacity.
Speaking on the practice of ‘itikaf, which is observed in the last ten days of Ramadan in remembrance of Allah and His worship, Huzoor(aba) said one should not niggle over where one sits for ‘itikaf, which particular mosque one is allocated space in, because acceptance of prayer is not confined to any special site. So averse was the Holy Prophet(sa) to even a doubt of pretension to creep in this most sacred form of worship that one Ramadan he refrained from ‘itikaf because a few of his blessed wives had pitched their cubicles in sequence next to his. He instructed all their and his cubicle to be removed.
The Holy Prophet(sa) enjoined to recite the Holy Quran during ‘itikaf in a lower voice so as to not disturb the other worshippers. Huzoor(aba) admonished against the practice of passing slips of paper to people sitting for ‘itikaf, whispering messages to them requesting for prayers as well as arrangement of pretentious iftaris for the worshippers. Huzoor(aba) pointed out that some people sitting for ‘itikaf set aside a portion of each day to discuss business matters. He explained that only in an urgent situation should one discuss business matters while in ‘itikaf. However, Huzoor(aba) said one does not have to confine oneself to the cubicle and can move about. The Holy Prophet(sa) would have his hair combed by Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) during ‘itikaf thus signifying that one ought not to appear unkempt during ‘itikaf.
Elucidating Laila tul Qadr (Night of Decree) which falls in the last ten days of Ramadan, Huzoor(aba) said the Holy Prophet(sa) declared to seek Laila tul Qadr in the odd numbered nights of the last ten days. Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) relates that the Holy Prophet(sa) advised her to say the following prayer if she happened to discover Laila tul Qadr: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwan tohibbul afwa fa’fu anni.”
With reference to writings of the Promised Messiah(as) Huzoor(aba) said that there is indeed another kind of Laila tul Qadr and that is the spiritual deflexion and darkness which is followed by a prophet or reformer sent from God, like the advent of the Holy Prophet(sa). Huzoor(aba) added that in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Prophet(sa) the Promised Messiah’s(as) advent too took place after the pristine message of Islam all but remained in name. Huzoor(aba) referred to an inspirational writing of Hazrat Khalifa tul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) in which he draws attention to the advent of the Promised Messiah(as)> as Laila tul Qadr and admonishes to take advantage from it and attain nearness to God and to spiritually reform oneself availing of the blessing of the opportunity provided to us.