Salman Al-Farisi (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad PBUH stated,
“The first half of Ramadan is the time for mercy, the second half is for forgiveness, and the third is for release from Hellfire…”
This hadith reveals the importance of the three Ashras of Ramadan. Muslims all over the world look towards this holy month so they can benefit from all its Ashras. To make their dream tour happen, pilgrims opt for all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah packages to enjoy maximum services during their tour. Let us share with you, the distinct vitality of each Ashra and the reasons behind why most pilgrims prefer doing Ramadan Umrah in the last Ashra.
Significance of Each Ashra of Ramadan
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First Ashra of Ramadan
As obvious from the Prophet’s saying, the first Ashra is known as the days of mercy. Muslims praise Allah and seek His mercy in these days. The first 10 days of Ramadan can be hard as the body is still in the process of adopting fasts. However, these days are also important to set a routine for doing good deeds. Muslims are advised to recite this dua specific for the first Ashra as much as possible:
رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِين
Translation:
“O Allah! Forgive me and have mercy on me. You are the Most Merciful of all”
Let’s shed light on the good deeds and worships to include in your routine to set a tone for the coming two Ashras.
Taraweeh
Taraweeh is a prayer that the Prophet PBUH used to perform in solitude after Isha. The word itself means to rest or relax. Thus, the meaning of Taraweeh is ‘to pray while taking recurrent breaks,’ as Muslims rest a few minutes after praying 4 rakats. This prayer is observed in the sets of 2 rakats until finishing at 20. Observing this prayer in the Haram or Prophet’s Mosques while listening to the soulful voice of the imam surely elevates spiritual bliss.
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Increased Acts of Kindness
Abu Huraira R.A narrated a hadith by the Prophet PBUH:
“Every act of the son of Adam (done in Ramadan) is multiplied in reward such that, a good deed would receive tenfold to seven hundredfold rewards.”
Considering this hadith, Muslims need to practice and increase good deeds such as empathy, patience, kindness, and forgiveness in this holy month. Although, a Muslim should observe these deeds his whole life. However, you can view Ramdan as the practice month to routinely observe these deeds and perfect this behavior.
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Second Ashra of Ramadan
The second Ashra is specific for forgiveness so every Muslim is advised to frequently recite this dua in these ten days:
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْۢبٍ وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْہ
Translation:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin I committed.”
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Suitable Conduct to Invoke Allah’s Mercy
It is important to remember that we should forgive others before asking for forgiveness, especially relatives and friends. Allah Almighty loves to forgive and He shows mercy on the person who forgives in His name.
Seeking forgiveness must not be an insincere action. A believer should repent for his sins and make the resolve to avert them in the future. Moreover, Muslims should Continue giving alms to the poor and needy in this Ashra as well, recite the Quran, and keep invoking Allah’s mercy for He is the most forgiving.
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Increase in Alms
Another blessing of Ramadan is the increase in charity done just for the sake of Allah. Even smiling at a fellow Muslim brother is an act of charity as per a hadith reported by Abu Dharr R.A. In the same hadith, the Prophet ﷺ also states that:
“Commanding good and avoiding evil is charity and giving directions to a man lost in the land is also charity for a Muslim.”
Thus, Muslims should increase charity as the second Ashra of forgiveness approaches to benefit from its spiritual benefits. Remember to consider relatives first when giving charity as they are the most deserving according to the Quranic teachings.
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Third & Last Ashra of Ramadan
This Ashra is about invoking Allah’s mercy to prevent from entering hellfire. Although the entire Ramadan is full of boons, however, the stakes raise up as the month reaches the Last Ashra. Aisha R.A narrated in Sahih Bukhari that with the onset of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet PBUH used to tighten his waist belt (meaning ‘get ready’) and pray all night, and also used to keep his family awake for the prayers.
Following this sunnah, every Muslim prepares himself to observe night-long prayers, read the Quran, and make special Dua’s for himself and the whole Ummah. The dua for the last Ashra is:
اَللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ
Translation:
“O Allah! save me from the fire (Jahannam).”
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I’tikaaf
I’tikaf means ‘isolation’ in literal words as the Prophet PBUH used to go into isolation for the last ten days of Ramadan and pray to Allah. Thus, observing I’tikaf is a sunnah and one of the major blessings of the last Ashra. The spiritual bliss of doing i’tikaf increases tenfold when done in the holiest sites on Earth.
A Muslim is supposed to offer prayers, and pray to Allah for His blessings and forgiveness. He should read the Quran, ponder over this world and the Creator, and ponder over his life just like the Prophet PBUH used to do in the cave of Hira.
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The Night of Qadr
Another major blessing of the last Ashra, the night of Power, decree, or Qadr is one of the most important nights for Muslims around the world. In the words of Allah, this night is better than a thousand nights and the best chance to get your sins removed and raise the rewards for good deeds. Nobody knows exactly when this night befalls but Muslims agree to search for this night on odd days as several hadiths suggest.
Embark on Ramadan Umrah in the Last Ashra
Although, every Ashra of this holy month is best to embark on Umrah. However, pilgrims mostly opt for the last ten days to look for the Night of Qadar and pray, and observe I’tikaf in the holiest sites on Earth.
Imagine the reward for doing Umrah (which is equal to a Hajj) and spending the blessed night of Qadr, praying every second in the hope of gaining maximum reward. Adding I’tikaf to your pilgrimage trip can add to the spiritual experience and pilgrims can hope for maximum rewards. If you intend to observe I’tikaf then you just have to register at one of the booths inside Haram without paying extra charges.
Ramadan is a significant time of the year when prayers are heard and mercy is shown more than any other month. So, learn about the best deeds to perform in all three Ashras of this holy month and contact Muslims Holy Travel if you want to embark on the Ramadan pilgrimage. Avail our all-inclusive Umrah packages 2025 to enjoy maximum benefits during your spiritual voyage.
