during the time of the prophet some of the companions would attempt to fast without a break for food and drink between fasts, in order to make the most of the fleeting days of ramadhaan. however, the prophet forbade them from that and said: "whoever likes to continue fasting without a break, let him do so until a short while before dawn only." [al-bukhaari] they reduced their food to only one meal during that short time, to make up for both the iftaar and suhoor, with the intention to dedicate all their time to allaah the almighty, obtain solace with him and seek his forgiveness. they would take account of their deeds and words, rectify their relationship with their lord, engage in those means which qualify one to win the reward of the lord, and witness the night of al-qadr.

of course, those last ten (days of ramadhaan) did not come so that the messenger of allaah would say: "we would like to sleep a little, and rest a bit!" his comfort and happiness lay in his standing (in prayer) to his lord the almighty, as described by allaah the almighty who says (what means): {and those who spend [part of] the night to their lord prostrating and standing [in prayer].} [quran 25:64] the prophet said: "and the comfort of my eye has been made in prayer." [ahmad and an-nasaa’i] he would get comfort, happiness and pleasure only from this prayer, which people are now too lazy to perform and rather like to get rid of its burden, by refraining from standing (in prayer before allaah the almighty) in it.