And one must incite, animate and persuade his family to perform acts of worship, especially in these great times in which no one neglects it except that he has been deprived.  What is more incredible than this is that while the people are performing prayer and making tahajjud, some individuals spend their time in forbidden gatherings and sinful events.  This is indeed the greatest loss.  We ask Allaah for his protection.

Therefore, embarking on these last days means entering into the profiting from righteous deeds in what remains of the month.  From the unfortunate matters is to see that some people excel in righteous actions, such as prayer and recitation of the Qur'aan, in the first part of the month, but then signs of fatigue and weariness begin to show on them afterwards, especially when the last ten days of Ramadaan come in.  And this is in spite of these last ten days possessing a greater standing than the first ones.  Thus, one must persevere in striving and struggling and increase his worship when the end of the month draws near.  And we must keep in mind that a person's actions are based on his last ones.

Footnotes:

[1] Al-Bukhaaree (4/269) and Muslim (1174)
[2] See Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif: pg. 219
[3] See Al-Muwatta (Eng. Dar El-Fiker): vol. 1, pg 154
[4] Also in the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik: vol. 1, pg. 156
[5] Surat-uz-Zumar: 15