@kabeeryousef –
They say, on a lighter note, that the first 10 days of the holy month are for children while the second for youngsters and the third for elders which means, as the Ramadhan days progress, the level of one’s endurance is tested all the more.
The Prophet (SAW) said about the blessed month of Ramadhan: ’And it is a month, the first (part) of which is mercy, the middle (part) of which is forgiveness and the last (part) of which is freedom from the Fire’. [Ibn Khuzaimah].
The second phase, among the three, is the real testing ground of one’s integrity, adherence to human values and the ability to let go all the material pleasures that we look forward to, during the day.
According to the holy Quran, the first 10 days of Ramadhan are the days of ‘Mercy of Allah’ while the following 10 days are ‘Forgiveness from Allah’ and the last phase being ‘Salvation from hellfire’.
The second 10 days, being the days to seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah, are of great importance to a believer as fasting is moving forward taking us on an extensive spiritual voyage.
Hatim Abdissalam, a religious scholar, advises us to look at these days in a broader angle and engage ourselves in doing better things useful to humanity.
“The second 10 days of the holy month is more prosperous and one should cultivate better values inside him/her and discard unwanted feelings like hatred and jealousy,” he said.
According to scholars, some of the qualities that we can try increase during these days are, continuously extinguishing one’s sins, giving charity and taking more care of the poor and destitute.
“Charity is one of the swiftest good deeds, because it could be just smiling at people, simply saying a good word and, in this day and age, a quick online donation to the needy. A good way to extinguish your sins continuously is through Sadaqah Jariyah, such as planting an olive tree, sponsoring an orphan or building a water well.”
Another habit that we can cultivate is to forgive others for their mistakes so that you will be forgiven.
The Prophet (SAW) said, ’Be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you’. [Ahmad]
“During the second 10 days, make sure you forgive anyone you’ve had a falling out with. If you are holding onto any anger, bitterness or pain, it will help neither you nor them – in fact, you could be missing out on Allah’s forgiveness because of it. Take the first step towards building bridges, as Allah forgives those who have a forgiving nature,” he adds.
Also, a steadfast trust in Allah’s forgiveness is essential to get closer to the Almighty and have faith that His infinite mercy that his bounty will not let you fall and even if you fall, he will teach you how to fly.