The Best 10 Days of the Year! (STARTING TOMORROW)

[Islam : The Religion]

*~*~*~*~* بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ *~*~*~*~*
In the name of ALLAAH, the Beneficent, the Merciful
شروع الله کے نام سے جو بڑا مہربان نہایت رحم والا ہے

As Salaam O 'Alaykum Wa Rehmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh! Sibling in Islam,

Hope this mail finds you in the best of health and emaan, Insha-ALLAAH!

Tomorrow the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are starting!
ALLAAHu Akbar!

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.”

They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?”
He said:

“Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.”

Narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him); Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2/457


Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“There is no deed that is better before Allaah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of al-Adha.”

It was said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?”
He said:

“Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.”

Narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him); Narrated by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwa’, 3/398.


It was  that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“There are no days that are greater before Allaah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.”

Narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him); Narrated by Ahmad, 7/224; its isnaad was classed as saheeh by Ahmad Shaakir.


It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one 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 first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2/462.



How can we try to make the most of these days that are beloved to Allah jallay wa 'ala:

1. FAST!
Try to fast from the 1st to 9th of Dhul Hijjah if you can, but if you cannot, then at least try to fast the Day of Arafat (the 9th day, day before Eid).

2. Do lots of ADHKAAR
Spend your time doing lots of dhikr, saying Takbeer (ALLAAHu Akbar), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), Tahleel (La ilaa ha ill-Allah) and Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah). Also recite the takbeerat on the first ten days, as well as the three days of Eid. The takbeer is "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).

3. Read as much QURAN (one of the greatest form of dhikr) as you can
Whatever you normally read, try to increase it and read a bit more each day. Read the translation as well if you dont understand the Arabic and take time to reflect on its meaning and see how you can apply the words of ALLAAH azza wa jal in your daily life

4. Make lots of DU'AA
Remember that Allah azza wa jal always near and He always hears the supplication of everyone who calls on Him

5. Makes lots of ISTAGHFAR
Make sincere repentance to Allah subhanu wa ta'ala for your mistakes and give up all things that Allah azza wa jal doesn't like.

6. Increase in all general GOOD DEEDS
Give sadaqa, be good to parents and family members, help the needy, visit the sick..

7. Make a SACRIFICE
Make arrangements for the sacrifice of a cow, sheep whatever. Read the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his sacrifice and ponder on the lessons on this story

8. HAJJ AND UMRAH
Well....if you haven't already made plans for this, its a little to late now

9. Perform more VOLUNTARY PRAYERS (especially QIYAM AL LAYL)
Try to pray at least 2 rakat in the last 3rd of the night.
Prophet Muhammd (salla Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

"Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?"

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA); This hadith is from Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book of night prayers, Hadith No: 1081
 
If you are fasting, an easy way to do it is just wake up 20 minutes (at least) earlier than usual for suhoor!

10. ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO MORE GOOD DEEDS
Insha-ALLAAH you will share in their reward, when you call them to goodness!


If these points were of any benefit for you, please make du'aa for the entire Muslim Ummaah, Insha-ALLAAH!

JazakALLAAH Khair!

Short talk by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explaining the merit of these days and what acts to perform:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWixVC04yyU

Oh Allah jallay wa 'ala Help us to make the most of these days and accept all our good deeds and reward us with Jannat-l Firdaus al 'ala!

Aameen Ya Rabbal 'Aalameen!

w ALLAAHu Subhanu wa ta'ala 'Aalam!

Take Care,

As Salaam O 'Alaykum Wa Rehmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh!