Before the Gates Close: The Final Ten Days and Your Eid
[Arabic,إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ، نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَسَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.]
Indeed, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our wrong actions. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide; whomsoever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah alone without partner, and Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger.
Part One: Three Gates, One Month — Where We Are and What's Left
Brothers,
We are seventeen days into Ramadan. That is more than half gone. Less than two weeks remain.
I want you to sit with that number for a moment. Seventeen days. If you wasted them — the time for regret is short. If you made something of them — the time to protect that momentum is now. Either way, there is no more time for watching this month pass. The clock is running.
The Prophet ﷺ described this month in a way that every man in this room needs to hear clearly. Salman al-Farisi (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed them on the last day of Sha'ban and said:
[Hadith,Ibn Khuzaymah,"O people, a great and blessed month has come upon you. A month that contains a night better than a thousand months. Allah has made its fasting obligatory and its night prayer a voluntary act. Whoever draws close to Allah in it with a good deed, it is as if he did an obligatory act outside it. Whoever performs an obligatory act in it, it is as if he performed seventy obligatory acts outside it. Its first part is mercy. Its middle part is forgiveness. Its last part is freedom from the Fire."]
Three parts. Three gates. Each one greater than the last.
The First Ten: Mercy
The first ten days of Ramadan are the days of mercy — rahma. Allah opened this month by flooding it with His mercy. He created an environment where even the smallest act of worship is multiplied beyond measure:
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained."]
Those ten days are behind us. They are done.
The question each man must ask himself: Did I receive the mercy that was on offer? Did I use those days to soften my heart, to lower my pride, to turn toward Allah? If you did — al-hamdu lillah. Guard what you built. If you did not — then understand that the doors of mercy have not closed. Mercy is not locked to the first ten. Allah's mercy spans the entire month:
[Quran,7:156,"My mercy encompasses all things."]
But the middle ten are calling you now.
The Middle Ten: Forgiveness
Brothers, we are in the middle ten. These are the days of maghfira — forgiveness. This is where we are standing right now.
Allah says:
[Quran,39:53,"Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves — do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."]
All sins. Not most. Not the small ones. All of them. That promise is sitting on top of these middle ten days like a sky-high ceiling. Every man in this room — regardless of what is written in his past, regardless of what brought him here, regardless of the years he spent far from Allah — can look up right now and say: I am still in the window. The door of forgiveness is still open.
The Prophet ﷺ confirmed it plainly:
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward — all his previous sins will be forgiven."]
The condition is not perfection. The condition is iman and ihtisab — faith and seeking Allah's reward sincerely. If those two are real in your heart, the sins go with them.
We have a few days left in the middle ten. Do not drift through them. Make istighfar today. Make it tomorrow. Keep making it. The Prophet ﷺ himself — whose sins were all forgiven, past and future — made istighfar more than seventy times each day. If he did it, you and I have no excuse to stop.
[Quran,3:135,"And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins — and who can forgive sins except Allah? — and who do not persist in what they have done while they know."]
That last part is the key. Do not persist. Turn, and do not return.
The Last Ten: Freedom from the Fire
Here is where it gets serious.
In three days, the last ten nights of Ramadan begin. These are the greatest nights of the entire year. Not just of Ramadan — of the entire year. The Prophet ﷺ treated them like nothing else:
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist belt, stay up throughout the night, and wake his family."]
Three things: he cut away every distraction, he prayed all night, and he brought his family into the worship with him. He did not coast to the finish. He pushed harder at the end than at any other point in the month.
This is the sprint. This is what the last ten is.
The reason is simple. Hidden in these ten nights is one night that Allah described in His own words:
[Quran,97:1-5,"Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."]
Better than a thousand months. Over eighty-three years of worship. In a single night. Allah placed it in the last ten and did not tell us exactly which night — so we would seek all ten. The Prophet ﷺ narrowed it for us:
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."]
The 21st. The 23rd. The 25th. The 27th. The 29th. Five chances. Any one of them could be the night that changes everything.
And its last part — 'itqun min al-nar — freedom from the Fire. This is the greatest thing a human being can receive. Not comfort in this life. Not money. Not release from prison. Freedom from the Fire is the ultimate freedom. Every other freedom is temporary. This one is eternal.
Brothers, that is what is sitting in front of you right now. Three days until the last ten begin. Three days to prepare your heart and your intention.
Part Two: How to Win the Last Ten — And Eid
Brothers, I will not be back before Ramadan ends, so plan ahead. Here is what the Prophet ﷺ himself gave us for these days and for Eid morning.
What to Do in the Last Ten Nights
First: Stay up as long as you are able after Isha.
Not all night — that may not be possible in your situation. But push past your normal limit. The Prophet ﷺ exerted himself in these nights like no other time. Aisha (RA) described him as doing something no ordinary man would sustain. You do not have to match it perfectly. But you need to try.
Two rak'at of night prayer, consistently, every single night — no exceptions. This is the floor. Build above it if you can.
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward — all his previous sins will be forgiven."]
Second: Make this du'a. Repeat it constantly.
Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ: if I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say? He did not give her a long list. He gave her one du'a:
[Dua,اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي,Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni,"O Allah, You are Pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me"]
The word 'afuww means more than forgiveness. It means to wipe the record completely — as if the sin never happened. This is what you are asking for. Say it on the 21st. Say it on the 23rd. Say it on every odd night. Say it on every night if you are unsure. Say it until Ramadan ends.
Third: Fill every idle moment with istighfar and dhikr.
Walking to the bathroom. Waiting in line. Lying on your bunk before sleep. The tongue should not go quiet in these nights. SubhanAllah. Alhamdulillah. Allahu Akbar. La ilaha illallah. Astaghfirullah.
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"Two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale, and beloved to the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi. SubhanAllahil 'Azim."]
These words are light on the tongue and heavy on the scale. They cost nothing and they earn everything.
Fourth: Open the Quran.
Ramadan is the month of the Quran.
[Quran,2:185,"Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity, with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong."]
Jibril would come to the Prophet ﷺ every night of Ramadan and they would review the Quran together. In the last ten days especially, the angels descend and fill the earth with peace until dawn. On Laylatul Qadr, every letter you recite is multiplied by a night better than a thousand months. You cannot afford to let those nights pass with the Quran closed.
[Hadith,Tirmidhi,"Whoever recites one letter of the Book of Allah will have one good deed recorded for him, and that good deed is multiplied ten times. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter — rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter."]
Even two pages. Even one page. Open it and read.
Fifth: Make sincere du'a for everything.
Pour out your heart to Allah in these nights. Ask for your family. Ask for your release. Ask for health. Ask for guidance. Ask for Jannah. Ask to be freed from the Fire. Allah is closer and more responsive in these nights than at any other time of year. Do not miss the window.
[Quran,2:186,"And when My servants ask you about Me — indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be guided."]
He responds. That is a promise from Allah. Call Him.
Eid — The Sunan to Follow
Eid al-Fitr will fall around March 17-18 this year, in sha Allah. Here is what the Sunnah requires and recommends:
Takbeer — Begin the night Ramadan ends.
When the last day of Ramadan passes and Maghrib enters, begin saying the takbeer. This is the Sunnah — to glorify Allah from the moment Ramadan ends until the Eid prayer has been completed.
[Dua,اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ,Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd,"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no deity but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah"]
Say it quietly to yourself throughout the night and morning. Say it together as brothers when you can. This is how the Companions celebrated Eid — with the greatness of Allah on their lips.
Ghusl — The morning of Eid.
Ibn Umar (RA) would take a full bath before going out on Eid morning. If you are able to take a full shower before the day begins, do it. It is Sunnah. Come to this day clean.
Eat something before Eid — odd number.
The Prophet ﷺ did not go out on Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates — in an odd number: one, three, or five. You are breaking a month of fasting. Before anything else on that morning, eat something. Even a few bites. This is the Sunnah.
[Hadith,Bukhari,"The Prophet ﷺ would not go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, eating them in odd numbers."]
Zakat al-Fitr.
This is obligatory — a small amount of food or its equivalent paid before the Eid prayer, to purify the fast and provide for those in need. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported:
[Hadith,Abu Dawud,"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ obligated Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and as food for the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakat. Whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a charity."]
Brothers, I understand that paying Zakat al-Fitr from inside is not straightforward. If you have family on the outside who can pay it on your behalf — ask them. If you have commissary funds and a way to direct them to someone in need — do it. If neither is possible and you have no means, then Allah knows your situation. He does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Make the intention, ask for forgiveness if you are unable, and move forward. But do not simply forget it.
The Eid prayer — if you are able to hold it.
Eid prayer is two rak'at with extra takbeers. If the administration permits you to gather and one of the brothers can lead — pray it. The first rak'ah has seven additional takbeers before the recitation. The second has five additional takbeers before the recitation. After the prayer, there should be a short reminder or khutbah. If you cannot hold a formal prayer, that is between you and the circumstances — but the day is still Eid.
Allah commanded us to complete the month and then glorify Him for it:
[Quran,2:185,"...and to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Allah for having guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful."]
The Prophet ﷺ commanded even women and children to attend Eid, including those who could not pray, because the day itself is a gathering of the community in the remembrance of Allah.
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"Every nation has its festival, and this is our festival."]
Greet your brothers.
The Companions greeted each other on Eid with these words:
[Dua,تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ,Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum,"May Allah accept from us and from you"]
Say it to every brother you see that morning. Embrace them. Smile. This is the day Allah gave you after thirty days of effort. Receive it with gratitude and joy.
Do not let anyone take Eid from you. Not the walls. Not the schedule. Not the guards. Not the circumstances. Eid is in the heart first. A man in full freedom who has no consciousness of Allah on Eid has less of a holiday than the man in this room who says Allahu Akbar and means it.
What Eid Actually Means
Brothers, think about what Eid represents. You fasted. You prayed. You controlled your tongues — at least you tried. You gave whatever small charity you could. You opened the Quran. You stood in the night. You made it through the month.
Eid is the day Allah gives you to celebrate that you showed up.
The Prophet ﷺ told us:
[Hadith,Bukhari & Muslim,"The fasting person has two moments of joy: when he breaks his fast, and when he meets his Lord."]
The first joy is Eid — the breaking of the month-long fast. The second joy is the Day of Judgment, when the fasting believer stands before Allah and receives what was promised.
Eid is not just a holiday. It is a proof. Proof that you can do it. That you can control yourself. That thirty days of submission to Allah is possible for a human being — even in here. Do not let that evidence sit quietly. Carry it into the months ahead.
[Quran,10:58,"Say: In the grace and mercy of Allah — in that let them rejoice. It is far better than whatever they accumulate."]
The joy of Eid is not the food, not the clothes, not the celebration. It is the grace of Allah. Rejoice in that.
And when Eid ends, do not let Ramadan end with it in your heart. The Prophet ﷺ recommended fasting six days of Shawwal — the month that follows — because whoever does:
[Hadith,Muslim,"Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year."]
A full year of fasting reward, from thirty days plus six. If you are able to fast those six days in Shawwal, even separately throughout the month, do not miss that gift.
These last ten nights are yours. Laylatul Qadr is within reach. Freedom from the Fire is within reach. Go get it.
Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum. May Allah accept from all of us.
We ask Allah to carry us through the last ten nights with strength and sincerity. We ask Him to grant us Laylatul Qadr and to count us among those freed from the Fire. We ask Him to let us reach Eid with clean hearts and accepted fasts. We ask Him to accept our prayers, our du'as, and our every attempt — however imperfect — to draw near to Him this month.
Whatever good was said in this khutbah is from Allah alone, and whatever mistakes or errors are from myself and from Shaytan. I ask Allah to forgive me and you for any shortcomings.
I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and you all. Seek His forgiveness — indeed, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Arabic,أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.]