Ramadan is the month of mercy and the month of revelation of the Holy Quran. This month is the most important time of the year for all Muslims to get 70 times multiplied rewards. Three stages (ashras) of Ramadan lead us to get fruits for both worlds. Ramadan Kareem is the month of guidance, fasting, reflection, giving, devotion, and sacrifice. We do great preparations before its arrival both spiritually and worldly.
It is said by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) :
“It (Ramadan) is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness, and its end, release from the fire of hell.”
The stages of Ramadan are called Ashra and this is an Arabic term that means “ten”. There are different duas mentioned for each stage (ashra). We will see each ASHRA in detail to obtain benefits at most.
Duration of Three Stages (Ashras) of Ramadan
As mentioned above, three stages (ashras) of Ramadan have different duration and duas to recite. With the sighting of Ramadan moon, the first stage (Ashra) of Ramadan starts and ends on the 10th of Ramadan whereas the second stage (Ashra) is from 11 to 20th Ramadan and the third stage (Ashra) is from 21st to 30th Ramadan. The first Ashra reflects Mercy of Allah and it is Ashrah of Mercy. The second Ashra reflects Forgiveness of Allah and it is called Asra of Maghfirah. Third Ashra of Ramadan reflects Freedom from Hell and it is known as Ashra of Nijat.
First Ashra of Ramadan (Mercy)
Ramadan is the best time to have more blessings than other months. The first ten days of Ramadan are the days of Mercy where Allah asks His creature to seek mercy from Him. We should recite duas for seeking mercy and blessings from Allah (SWT).
Dua for the first Ashra is,
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
Translation:
“O! My Lord forgive and have Mercy and You are the Best of Merciful.”
So one should set the goal of Ramadan’s first Ashra to serve other human beings. Practice being merciful and kind to all other fellows and give charity at most that is possible for you. Allah loves those who serve selflessly to people. However, the most important thing to consider is to control your temper through all Ashras.
Second Ashra of Ramadan (Forgiveness)
Second Ashra is from 11th to 20th Ramadan and it is the time to ask forgiveness from Allah (SWT). So in these days, one should repent for all his/her sins. For this Ashra, there is a dua that we have to recite more often and seek refuge.
It is :
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللہَ رَبِّی مِنْ کُلِّ زَنْبٍ وَّ اَتُوْبُ اِلَیْہِ
Translation: “I ask forgiveness of my sins from Allah who is my Lord and I turn towards Him.”
With the recitation of Holy Quran, make sure to recite this dua as many times possible as it is the peak time to ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah.
Third Ashra of Ramadan (Nijat)
Third Ashra of Ramadan initiates from 21st and ends 29th or 30th Ramadan. It is the Ashra to ask Almighty Allah the freedom from hellfire. In this Ashra, make sure to recite duas and offer prayers. This Ashra is superior over the other two Ashras as Lailatul Qadr falls in this Ashra and we know that it is better than the nights of thousand months.
In this Ashra, some people practice Aitkaf where they can give their whole time to all ibadah. The importance of Lailatul Qadar is mentioned in the Holy Quran as:
“We sent it (Quran) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning. Therein (in that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Quran or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger) (As) a Mercy from your Lord.”
(Quran, 44: 3-6)
Dua for third Ashra of Ramadan is,
اَللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ
Translation: “O Allah! Save me from the Hell-Fire.”
Verily Allah alone is the best knower and all-wise. He is the sole provider of strength to His creatures. So ask all things from Him and utterly three stages (ashras) of Ramadan are the best time to collect more blessings from Allah while praying for forgiveness and to get protection from Hellfire.
May Allah guide us best. Aameen. How are you spending your Ramadan? Share with MuslimKits and spread your word.
Related Posts
