Ramadan: “Sizing Up” in the Last 10 Nights

I’m not the healthiest person, but I do generally try to avoid eating junk food. Whenever I go to the movies, though, I just can’t stop myself from buying that huge bucket of popcorn. Not only because I love movie theater popcorn, but more so due to the price differences between the sizes that are offered. How can I justify paying up to $6 for a tiny Small, when a Medium costs only 75 cents more? But then, if I’m paying more anyway, what difference will another 75 cents make? Might as well just get a Large, which includes a free refill.

This logic has costed me more than a few cents in the long run; I often regret sizing up (and not just because of how my stomach feels afterwards). But it’s also applicable to us in another way, which is actually beneficial, and that’s in the month of Ramadan. Normally, we do a good deed and get a certain reward for it (inshaAllah), but many scholars say that in Ramadan, doing the same good deed earns us a much greater reward.

The best and most valuable part of it, though, is Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power/Decree). Allah (swt) says, “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months (of worship)” (Qur’an 97:3). JACKPOT. This one night is like being upgraded from a Small or Medium to a Large with unlimited refills, just by giving that little bit more. The only catch is that it could be any of the last 10 nights of Ramadan (as narrated in Sahih Bukhari), so the only way we can definitely gain the benefits of that night is by trying our best during all 10 nights. Such a small price to pay for the massive reward and forgiveness of all our sins.

Such a small price to pay for the massive reward and forgiveness of all our sins.

“Aisha (ra) reported, ‘With the start of the last 10 days of Ramadan, the Prophet (saws) used to tighten his belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.'” [Bukhari]