How Muslims spend their last 10 days of Ramadan

As the crescent moon of Ramadan fades and Eid-ul-Fitr draws near, Idle Lohos, 23, is among hundreds of Muslims in Garissa who have left the comforts of their homes to camp at various mosques for seclusion, seeking the divine mercy that descends during the undisclosed, precious Night of Power, hidden within the last ten days of Ramadan.

Idle is observing a practice followed by Muslims worldwide, who intensify their night prayers to seek the spiritual bounty of the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).

In the last ten days of Ramadan, the majority of Muslims around the world retreat into devotion and night prayers, with some camping in mosques day and night to perform I'tikaf. They are set to return home once the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan, is sighted.

I'tikaf is a spiritual retreat where a person withdraws to a mosque for a specific period, focusing on worship, reflection, and seeking closeness to Allah, disconnecting from worldly distractions.

Unlike Idle, other Muslims in Garissa walk from their homes to mosques, braving the heavy rains experienced in the area on the 25th, 27th, and 28th nights of Ramadan—rain that brought an end to a prolonged dry spell.

At Quba Mosque in Garissa town, Idle arrived with a mattress and pillow, securing a space in the mosque's compound where he recites the Quran and engages in other spiritual practices that strengthen his connection to God and allow him to access the blessings of the much-sought night.

It is a night when the first verse of the Quran was revealed, and according to Islamic teachings, its blessings are worth more than 83 years of worship.

Many scholars consider the 27th and 29th nights of Ramadan to be the most likely occasions for Laylat al-Qadr.

Muslim scholar Mufti Menk explains that Allah has hidden the exact timing to encourage intensified worship among Muslims during the final ten days of Ramadan.

Nearby, more than 200 worshippers are camping inside the mosque compound, performing prayers, reciting the Quran, making supplications, and praising their Creator— a practice Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) observed during the last ten days of the holy month.

"I left home to avoid worldly distractions, wasting time, and engaging in unnecessary activities. I want to strengthen my connection with God and seek mercy and forgiveness during these last ten days," Idle said.

"We are seeking the bounty of the Night of Power, when Angel Jibril (Gabriel) descended to Earth with God's decree and the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Although the exact night remains unknown, we believe it falls within the last ten nights—most likely the odd-numbered nights, especially the 27th and 29th. But only Allah knows for certain."

Next to him is Abdi Gedi, a civil servant who took a break from his official duties to camp at the mosque and perform an Islamic tradition that holds profound significance among Muslims as Ramadan draws to a close.

"This is the perfect time to seek forgiveness, protection, guidance, good health, and the fulfilment of our hopes in this world and the Hereafter," he asserts.

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He explained that Muslims also express gratitude for their blessings, repent, and forgive those who have wronged them, as they seek forgiveness from God.

Abdi says that the Prophet encouraged Muslims to repeatedly recite prayers such as: "O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive. So forgive me." "I seek refuge in You from Hellfire and the torment of the grave," among many other supplications.

On Monday, Mufti Menk, a renowned Muslim scholar, encouraged Muslims worldwide to seek the blessings of the Night of Power.

In his sermon The Night is Hidden: Here is How to Find It, he explained that the night, found within the last ten days, is the most revered in Islam. Worship and good deeds performed on this night are rewarded more abundantly than worship spanning a thousand months—approximately 83 years.

He urged Muslims not to focus on determining the exact timing of the night but to instead heighten their devotion throughout the final ten days of Ramadan.

"Its hidden timing inspires sustained worship across the final ten days. If anyone engages in Taraweeh prayers (performed hours after Iftar), recites the Quran, offers supplications and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), gives charity, and performs righteous deeds while avoiding prohibited acts, they have a high chance of receiving the blessings of the Night of Power," he said.

Taraweeh prayers are special, voluntary night prayers performed during the Islamic month of Ramadan, after the Isha prayer and before the Witr prayer, and are a significant aspect of Ramadan worship for many Muslims.

Muslims also look for signs associated with Laylat al-Qadr, including a sunrise with soft rays, a peaceful, tranquil, and quiet night, a lightly foggy night sky, rainfall during the night or day, and the moon appearing like a split bowl.