With the start of the last ten days of
Ramadan, Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah peace and blessings be upon him) would pray all the night, and would keep his family awake for the prayers. He tied his lower garment (i.e., avoided sleeping with his wives) and devoted himself entirely to prayer and supplication. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

COMMENTARY

The author - may Allah shower blessings on him- said regarding what he reported on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Aa’isha, the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (may Allah be pleased with them both) about the condition of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) during the last ten days of Ramadan.

When it reaches the last ten days he peace and blessings be upon him - would tie his loincloth; keep awake during the night and be entirely dedicated to worship.

It has been mentioned in the hadeeth earlier that he (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand up in prayer during the night until his feet get cuts.

And that he stood for even more than a half of the night or half or one-third of the night.

However, during the last ten nights in Ramadan, he (0) would spend the entire night standing in Prayer, engaged in worship.

At sunset, he would break the fast, have his dinner and the ‘Ishaa Prayer and do other things of seeking closeness to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.

This does not mean that he engaged in Prayer all night long based on the evidence that Safiyyah bint Huyayy bin Akhtab would come to him and he would discuss with her after the ‘Ishaa Prayer.

Nevertheless, all of what he - peace and blessings be upon him - would engage in during those nights were acts of drawing nearner to Allah whether the Prayer, preparation for the Prayer or the like.

This (hadeeth) is a proof that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to stay awake during the last ten nights in Ramadan but would not stay entirely awake at other nights.

That is, he does not stay completely awake during any other night except during the last ten days of Ramadan in other to meet the Laytul Qadr (the Night of Decree) which comes in one of the nights within the last ten days of Ramadan especially during the last seven nights of it.

This is the night in which Allah and free is Allah from all imperfections - ordains all that will occur in that year. It is as Allah - the Exalted - said:

“It is better than a thousand months...” (al-Qadr: 3)

So, he would stay awake throughout its night, “And whoever stands (for Prayers) during Laytul-Qadr with faith and hope for reward (from Allah) will have all his past sins forgiven.”

Thereafter, the author - may Allah shower blessings on him mentioned the meaning of his saying: “ . .and would tie his loincloth.”

There are those who interpreted it to be a metonymy for staying away from women since he would be performing the I’tikaf and women are not allowed the person in I’tikaf as Allah - the Exalted - said, “....and do not have sexual relations with them (i.e. your wives) while you are in I’tikaf...” (Al-Baqarah: 187)

Others among them hold that: It is metonymy for sedulity and really exerting oneself.

The two meanings are correct because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not have intercourse with his wives during the last ten days of Ramadan because he is fully devoted observing the I ’tikaaf at the period.

Therefore, he would tie the loincloth, strive (in worship) and exerts himself. This is a kind of striving.

Hence, it is necessary for one to exert himself during the meritorious periods by spending the time in devotion to Allah.

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen's Explanation on Riyadh us Soliheen.