10 Days of Dhul Hijjah

[Amatullah]

As-Salamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

With the Days of Hajj fast approaching I here is a short article about the importance of the First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. InshaAllah it will benefit those who plan to perform the Haj this year and even those who cannot.


Ibn Abbas says about the Qur'anic verse: "Remember Allah during the well known days," (2:203) that it refers to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. (Sahih Bukhari)


Allah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "By the dawn; by the 10 nights." (89:1-2)

Ibn Abbas, Ibn Zubair, Mujahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Kathir said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 8/413)


Praise be to Allah Who has created time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy toward His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepares himself for death and supplies himself in readiness for the Day of Judgment.


This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one's faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Everyone of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allah, and some kind of blessing though which Allah bestows His favor and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, Al-Lataaif, p. 8)


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah ( Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days (meaning the 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah)." The companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the way of Allah?" He said: "Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger (for Allah’s sake) and return's with neither of them.” (Imams Bukhari, Abu Dawood, Tirmizi and Ibn Majah.)


Ahmad and Tabarani record from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

that the Messenger of Allah ( Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: "There is no day more honorable in Allah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these 10 days." So say Tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah La ilaha illallah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest) and Tahmid (Al Hamdulillah: All praise is due to Allah) a lot (on those days)."

(Imam Ahmad)


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: "There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting any day during the 10 days it is equivalent to fasting one year and to perform Tahajjud (late-night prayers) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr)." (Imams Tirmizi, Ibn Majah and Baihaqi)


Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that at Mina, the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: “Do you know what is the day today?" The people replied: "Allah and His Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) know it better." He said: "It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?" They replied: "Allah and His Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) know it better." He said: "This is the forbidden (sacred) town (Makkah). And do you know which

month is this?" The people replied: "Allah and His Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) know it better." He said: "This is the forbidden (sacred) month." The Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) added: "No doubt, Allah made your blood, your properties, and sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours."


Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: "On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul Hijjah), the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) stood in between the Jamrat during his Haj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said: 'This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul Hijjah).' The Messenger

(Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) started saying repeatedly: 'O Allah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message). He then bade the people farewell. The people said: '(This is Hajjatul Wida)."' (Sahih Bukhari)


Fasting Day of Arafat


Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: "Fasting on the day of Arafat is an expiation for two years', the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it." (Imams Muslim, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Nisaie).


Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "There are five things that the Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) never abandoned: fasting the day of Ashurah, fasting the (first) 10 (days of Dhul Hijjah), fasting three days of every month and praying two rakats before the dawn (Fajr) prayers." (Imams Ahmad and Nisaei)


Uqbah Bin Amr (mav Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger or Allah (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) said: "The Day of Arafat, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Days of Tashreeq are Eids for us -- the people of Islam - and they are days of eating and drinking. (Imams Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood and Tirmizi).


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: "The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) forbade fasting on the Day of Arafat for one who is actually at Arafat." (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Nisaei and Ibn Majah)


Imam Tirmizi comments: "The scholars prefer that the day of Arafat be fasted unless one is actually at Arafat."


Takbir


It is Sunnah to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahmid (Al Hamdulillah), Tahlil (La ilaha illallah) and Tasbih (Subhan Allah) during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Almighty Allah. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.


Allah says in the Qur'an: "That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Haj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." (22:28) The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), "The appointed days are the first 10 days (of Dhul Hijjah)."


The Takbir may include the words Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah; wa Allahu Akbar wa Lillahilhamd (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah; Allah is Greatest and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.


Takbir at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbir, except from a few people. This Takbir should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbir is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Shariah for doing this.

[hidden]

Bismillahir rahmanir rahim
Wa Alaikum Assalaam Wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Jazaki Allahu khairan ukhtee...

[Smazy]

:( i can and cant wait till eid...
Can: because its eid dahh!
Cant: Eid is over our house this time and all the relatives come over + my dad is going to buy sheep for lunch:(...:banghead:

:torture: .... :vomit:

Jazakum Allahu kheir for sharing that with us!

Assalamu3alaykum wr wb

[AbuMubarak]

Ten Days Allah Swore By

The First Ten Days of Dhu'l Hijjah



In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate



The first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah (which start on Monday or Tuesday, depending where you are) are blessed days: Allah Most High Himself swore by them in the Qur’an:



“By the Dawn,

and the Ten Nights...”



[Qur’an, Surat al-Fajr, 89.1-2]



The commentators generally concur that the ten nights refers, ‘the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah,’ as one may find in Shaykh al-Islam Abu Su`ud’s Irshad al-`Aql al-Salim ila Mazaya al-Qur’an al-Karim [famous as Tafsir Abi al-Su`ud, 9.153] or in Tafsir al-Jalalayn.



Imam Ahmad and Nasa’i report from the Mother of Believers, Sayyida Hafsa (Allah be pleased with her) that, “The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) did not leave four matters: Fasting `Ashura [10th of Muharram], [during] the ten days [of Dhu’l Hijja], and three days of each month.”



1. Fasting the First Nine Days, Especially the Day of `Arafah (9th)



The scholars concur that it is recommended to fast during the first nince days of Dhu’l Hijja. (The tenth day is the day of Eid, and is prohitively disliked and sinful to fast this day.) [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`; Nawawi, Majmu`; Fatawa Hindiyya; Haskafi, Durr al-Mukhtar; Dardir, al-Sharh al-Saghir]



Of these, it is particularly recommended to fast the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah], even for the one on Hajj in the Hanafi school, if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`]



As for hadiths in which the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) commanded against fasting this day for the pilgrim at `Arafah, this was understood by the Hanafi imams to refer to those whom it would weaken or tire. [As explained by Imam Tahawi in Sharh Ma`ani al-Athar, 2.82-83]



This is because of the numerous hadiths that have come in praise of this day in particular and fasting in it. Among these is:



Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming. And fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram] expiates for the past year.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]



2. Increasing One’s Spiritual Works During these Ten Days



Similarly, it is recommended to busy oneself these days with worship of Allah. Imam Sharaf al-Din al-Hijjawi, the great Hanbali faqih, states in his primary text, al-Iqna`,:



“It is recommend to excert oneself in good works during the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah, such as remembrance of Allah (dhikr), fasting, charity, and other righteous actions, because they are the best of days.” [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`, 2.60]



This is confirmed by scholars of all the Sunni madhhabs. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq; Haskafi/Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar; Nawawi, al-Majmu` and others]



Many scholars even stated that daytimes of these ten days are more virtuous than the ten daytimes of the last ten days of Ramadan, because of the strength of the primary texts related to them.



3. Spending the Nights of These Days In Prayer and Worship



It is especially recommended to spend some part of each of the nights of these ten days in prayer and worship. [Nawawi, Majmu`; Ibn Qudama, Mughni; Dardir, al-Sharh al-Saghir; Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Ibn Abidin/Haskafi, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar]



This was deduced by clear primary texts, such as Prophet’s words (Allah bless him and give him peace) that, “There are no days in which good works are more beloved to Allah than these days – meaning the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah.” The Companions asked, ‘Not even jihad in the path of Allah, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said (Allah bless him & give him peace), “Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for the one who goes forth with his person and wealth and does not return with any of it.” [Bukhari and others]



May Allah give us success in these blessed days and nights, and in every moment of our lives, to follow the path of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), and may He make us of those whom He loves and who love Him.



Walaikum assalam,



Faraz Rabbani

[AbuMubarak]

AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS
P.O.Box 1106 Kroonstad,South Africa, 9500
Tel no.: 27-56 -2124604 / 27-56-2181133


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The First Ten Days of Zul- Hijjah

The month of Zul-Hijjah is indeed a month of tremendous virtues and blessings. The First Ten Days of this month are especially significant and are among the most magnificent days in the Islamic calendar. It is reported from Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " There is no day wherein any good action is more beloved to Allah Ta'ala than these ten days (the first ten days of Zul Hijjah)". The Sahaabah(radhiyallahu anhum) enquired: " Not even Jihaad in the path of Allah ? "(i.e. are actions performed in these days more beloved than even the act of Jihaad)". " Not even Jihaad in the path of Allah," replied Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) , " with the exception of that person who left with his life and wealth (in the path of Allah) and did not return with any of it (i.e. he is martyred)". (Bukhari, Tabraani)

It is also narrated from Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallanhu) that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of ZUL-HIJJAH ". Therefore in these days increasingly recite: "La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Al-Hamdu-lillah, Sub-hanallah." (Tabraani)

Fasts in the First 10 Days:
Hazrat Abu Huraira narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "There are no days more dearer to Allah, in which to perform His Ibadat, than the first ten days of Zhul-Hijja. The fast of one of those days is equivalent to one year's fasting; and the ibadat of one night during this period is equal to the ibadat of Laylatul- Qadr."(Ibne Maja, Tirmizi)

The 9th day of Zulhijjah:
The 9th day of Zulhijjah is called 'Youmul - "Arafah' (The Day of 'Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj ( pilgrims) assemble on the plain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al-Mukarramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj, namely, the 'Wuqoof of'Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat)'.

The Fast of Youmul 'Arafah:
For those not performing hajj, it is mustahabb (desirable) to fast on this day according to their own lunar calendar dates of their own country . The fast of 'Youmul 'Arafah' has been emphasized by the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) as a mustahabb (desirable) act. According to a hadith, the fast of this day becomes a cause, hopefully so, of forgiveness for sins committed in one year.

Abu Qataadah(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " I have hope in Allah Ta'ala that the fast of Arafaat will be an atonement for the sins of the past and the forthcoming year." (Tirmizi)

Takbir-ut-tashriq:
Beginning from the Fajr of the 9th Zulhijjah up to the 'Asr prayer of the 13th, it is obligatory on each Muslim to recite the Takbir of Tashriq after every fard prayer in the following words.
"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahilhamd."
(There is no god but Allah and Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)

According to authentic Islamic sources, it is obligatory on each Muslim, to recite this Takbir after every fard salah. Whether one is performing salah with Jama'ah (collectively) or on one's own (individually) makes no difference. One must recite the Takbir. However, male Muslims should recite it in a loud voice, while females should recite it in a low voice.
MAY ALLAH GIVE US ALL THE STRENGTH AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THESE SACRED MOMENTS IN HIS WORSHIP AND SERVICE, AMEEN.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com

[Arsalan]

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[Arsalan]

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

How do the first ten days of the Month of Dhul Hijjah differ from other days of the year?


Praise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa’if, p.8)

The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of Allaah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty." [al-Hijr 15:99] The mufassireen (commentators) said: "‘The certainty’ means death."

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allaah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice." He was asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa’, 3/398).

These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better, because they include Laylat al-Qadr ("the Night of Power"), which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412).

You should know, that the virtue of these ten days is based on many things:

Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) testified that these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh ahaadeeth.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds because of the virtue of this season for people throughout the world, and also because of the virtue of the place - for the Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of Allaah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") during this time. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel ("La ilaaha ill-Allaah"), Takbeer and Tahmeed." (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

These ten days include Yawm ‘Arafaah (the Day of ‘Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice), the greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.

These ten days include the days of sacrifice and of Hajj.


Question: What must the Muslim avoid during these ten days if he wants to offer a sacrifice?

The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice." According to another report he said: "He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin." (reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146)

The Prophet’s instruction here makes one thing obligatory and his prohibition makes another haraam, according to the soundest opinion, because these commands and prohibitions are unconditional and unavoidable. However, if a person does any of these things deliberately, he must seek Allaah’s forgiveness but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrifice in expiation; his sacrifice will be acceptable. Whoever needs to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound in a site where there is hair, should do so, and there is nothing wrong with that. The state of ihraam is so important that it is permitted to cut one’s hair if leaving it will cause harm. There is nothing wrong with men or women washing their heads during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only forbade cutting the hair, not washing it.

The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who wants to offer a sacrifice from cutting his hair etc., is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may draw closer to Allaah by offering the sacrifice. So he leaves his hair and nails alone until the time when he has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allaah will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And Allaah knows best.

If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes this decision.

Some women may delegate their brothers or sons to make the sacrifice on their behalf, then cut their hair during these ten days. This is not correct, because the ruling applies to the one who is offering the sacrifice, whether or not he (or she) delegates someone else to carry out the actual deed. The prohibition does not apply to the person delegated, only to the person who is making the sacrifice, as is indicated in the hadeeth. The person who is sacrificing on behalf of someone else, for whatever reason, does not have to adhere to this prohibition.

This prohibition appears to apply only to the one who is offering the sacrifice, not to his wife and children, unless any of them is offering a sacrifice in his or her own right, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to sacrifice "on behalf of the family of Muhammad," but there are no reports that say he forbade them to cut their hair or nails at that time.

If a person was planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides to go and perform Hajj, he should not cut his hair or nails if he wants to enter ihraam, because the Sunnah is only to cut hair and nails when necessary. But if he is performing Tamattu’ [whereby he performs ‘Umrah, comes out of ihraam and enters ihraam anew for Hajj], he should trim his hair at the end of his ‘Umrah because this is part of the ritual.

The things that are described above as being prohibited for the person who is planning to offer a sacrifice are reported in the hadeeth quoted above; the person is not forbidden to wear perfume, have marital relations, wear sewn garments, etc.

Concerning the types of worship to be performed during these ten days: one must understand that these days are a great blessing from Allaah to His slave, which is appreciated properly by the actively righteous. It is the Muslim’s duty to appreciate this blessing and make the most of the opportunity, by devoting these ten days to paying more attention to striving hard in worship. Among His blessings to His slaves, Allaah has given us many ways in which to do good and worship Him, so that the Muslim may be constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord.


Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are:


Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, as is stated in the hadeeth qudsi: "Allaah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.’" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1805).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month." (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462).

Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allaah") during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may He be exalted.
Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]

The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father): "The ‘appointed days’ are the first ten days (of Dhu’l-Hijjah)."

The Takbeer may include the words "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee’ah for doing this.

Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten is a deed that will bring an immense reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed).

Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. One of the best deeds that one can do during these ten days is to perform Hajj to the Sacred House of Allaah. The one whom Allaah helps to go on Hajj to His House and to perform all the rituals properly is included in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise."

Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allaah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allaah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allaah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honouring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.

Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allaah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allaah.

Sincere repentance. One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allaah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allaah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allaah loves.
If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at once, without delay, firstly because he does not know when he will die, and secondly because one evil deed leads to another.

Repentance at special times is very important because in most cases people’s thoughts turn towards worship at these times, and they are keen to do good, which leads to them recognizing their sins and feeling regret for the past. Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this is a sign of success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful." [al-Qasas 28:67]

The Muslim should make sure that he does not miss any of these important occasion, because time is passing quickly. Let him prepare himself by doing good deeds which will bring him reward when he is most in need of it, for no matter how much reward he earns, he will find it is less than he needs; the time of departure is at hand, the journey is frightening, delusions are widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever watchful, and to Him will we return and render account. As the Qur’aan says (interpretation of the meaning):

"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it,

And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it."

[al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]

There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before death strikes, before one can regret one’s negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered, before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.

O you whose hard heart is as dark as the night, is it not time that your heart was filled with light and became soft? Expose yourself to the gentle breeze of your Lord’s mercy during these ten days, for Allaah will cause this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and whoever is touched by it will be happy on the Day of Judgement. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his Family and Companions.

excerpted with slight modifications from here (http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?pg=article&ln=eng&article_id=66)

[MG]

Invocation to be recited on the Day Of Arafat

The Prophet SAW said: The best invocation is that of the Day Of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what i and the Prophets before me have said:

"Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and his is the praise, and He is Able to do all things."

At-Tirmithi. Al-Albani graded good in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/184, and also Silsilatul-'Ahadith As Sahihah 4/6