The Third Ashra or the last Ashra of Ramadan is the ending days of this Holy Month. It begins on the 21st of Ramadan and ends on the 29th or 30th of Ramadan. This Ashra of Ramadan holds greater importance as Muslims perform Itikaf, which is the way to connect with Allah in solitude. The Most Powerful Night (Lailat ul Qadar) occurs in the Last Ashra in which The Holy Quran was revealed from Heaven to Earth. It is the Night of Decree which is better than thousand months and is concealed among odd nights also in this Ashra we (Muslims) observe Jummat ul Widah that is the last Friday of Ramadan and is marked to commemorate the farewell to the month of fasting.
The Third Ashra is superior among all and it is called Ashra e Nijaat i.e. to get sanctuary from the fire of Hell.
What is the fire of hell?
The fire of Hell, in Arabic, is called Al- Naar. It means a dark storm or a stern expression.
It is Allah’s kindled fire that reaches up to the hearts. It is closed in over them in long columns and spread out above and below in layers, has black smoke, boiling water, and poisonous hot wind. (Quran 104: 5-9)
The Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) stated:
Hellfire was burnt for one thousand years it became red, then it was burnt for another one thousand years then it became white, then again it was burnt for another one thousand years now it is black and dark. It is scorching hot. If a person burning in it were shown to the Earth, the human would faint and die due to its terrible appearance (Tirmidhi).
Allah (S.W.T) has threatened and warned 77 times about the fire of hell in the Quran and also mentioned seven levels or gates of Hellfire. Every level does not only have a different intensity but different punishments as per the sins. There are some whom fire will take up to their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists, and yet others up to their collar bones.
These seven levels are mentioned below:
i. The First is called Jahanum, because the fire will scorch the faces of men and women (Surah Nisa).
ii. The Second is called Ladha’, because the fire will eat the body parts one by one internally and externally (Surah Ma’arij).
iii. The Third is called Saqar because the fire will just eat the flesh of humans not the bones (Surah Mudathir).
iv. The Fourth is called Al Hutamah, because the fire will shatter the bones and burn the hearts also (Surah Humazah).
v. The Fifth is called Jaheem, because the fire itself is a piece of one bigger coal (Surah Haqqah).
vi. The Sixth is called Sa’eer because the fire is constantly kindled since the day it was created (Surah Mulk).
vii. The Seventh is called Al- Haawiyah because whoever enters this level of the hellfire will never come out. The fire has a well, whose breeze is that hot and powerful that another level of hell seeks refuge in Allah from it (Surah Al Qariya). It is mentioned in The Holy Quran: Those who will enter the horrible fire of hell. They are the deviators of Oneness of Allah, Those who break the treaty, neglect Salahs (Namaz), backbite; eat up unjustly inheritance especially of orphans and women, the sinners, the arrogant, the wrong advisors, the murderers. All will dwell in hell. The most common word used for punishment will be given to them is “Adhab”.
It is nothing but small enjoyment. They are the men whom Allah hath cursed, and their final refugee is hell, and wretched is the resting place and they will not find from it an escape. (Al Quran 4:52)
The last ten days of Ramadan are an opportunity of spiritual cleansing, purification to gain multiple rewards, and seek emancipation from the Hellfire by increasing Ibadah. These days are the most precious so make sure to pray five times, recite The Holy Quran, maintain Taqwa, help others, give Sadqa and Zakat, quit bad deeds and habits, be kind, generous, and patient to others.
When the last ten days of Ramadan began, Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) kept awake at night for prayers and devotion, to a greater extent than ends other time (Muslim 6:2644).
Who knows if we would be able to see The Month of Ramadan again? So, we should follow the footsteps of Our Holy Prophet (S.A.W), we must devote ourselves fully to the cause of The Almighty Allah and pray with zeal and fervor, we should do Ibadah, seek sanctuary from the fire of Hell, and keep reciting the supplication (Dua) as many times as we can to reap maximum benefits as Allah (S.W.T) has created Jannah also for the righteous and true Muslim and Believers.
Recite these supplications with a sincere heart to seek refuge from the fire of Hell before this Ramadan ends.
Oh, Allah (S.W.T), You’re AL-GHAFOOR, (The Forgiving), AL-KAREEM (The most Generous), AT-TAWWAB (The Ever Pardoning), AL-AFUW (The Pardoner), I ask for your pleasure and for paradise, and I seek refuge from your displeasure and from Hellfire.
Dua for last Ashra-Seeking sanctuary from Hell’s Fire:
Allahumma Ajirni Minan Naar
Translation: “O Allah, save me from the fire (fire of hell).”
Written By: Miss Saima Javed
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