We all know how to do math, right? There are 30 days in Ramadan. If one was to split it into 3 parts, how many days would be in each part? 10. The word “ashra” literally means “10 days,” and during Ramadan 3 ashras are observed. During each ashra, we should make our du’as specific to the pursuit of the corresponding theme. The first two themes have been recapped in previous posts, the first being mercy, and the second being forgiveness. The third ashra is Nijat, or protection from hellfire.

Overall, the three ashras combine to teach us a lesson about why to make du’as in general and also follow the themes of the ashras. The topics are as follows:

1st ashra: Mercy

2nd ashra: Forgiveness

3rd ashra: Protection from hellfire.

If we make du’a to Allah (SWT) to have mercy on us, he will then forgive us which will grant us protection from the hellfire. Insha’Allah, we all make good du’as so that we get whatever we want or need from this life and the one after it.

Listed above is another du’a, this time about the third ashra that we introduced. This time around, it is a simple one that requires no breaking down at all. If we make this du’a and it is granted, then we will be given access to Jannah, which is the ultimate goal. The other two ashras are factors/facets of Allah’s character which will enable us to be handed this ashra (protection from the hellfire).

This is how the 3 ashras beautifully and efficiently recap the reason we are on this Earth and where we want to end up. We must ask for the mercy of Allah, and be reliant on the forgiveness He gives us to be protected from the hellfire.