بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The first 10 DAYS of Dhul-Hijjaah are the best 10 DAYS of the entire year!!
They are even better than the last 10 DAYS of Ramadhaan!
(The last 10 NIGHTS of Ramadhaan are the 10 best nights of the year)
The 1st of Dhul-Hijjah 1434 هـ is on October 06, 2013.
ALLAAHu Akbar!
'Eid ul-Adhaa (10 Dhul-Hijjah 1434 هـ) will be on October 15, 2013.
Prophet
(salla ALLAAHu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
“There are no days on
which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.”
The companions asked:
“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 (radhi ta 'ala anhu); Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2/457
Prophet (salla ALLAAHu 'alayhi wa sallam) 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 (radhi ta 'ala anhu); 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 (salla ALLAAHu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
The Prophet (salla ALLAAHu 'alayhi wa sallam) 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.(Source: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/1699/dhul%20hijjah)
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).
NOTE: Fasting on Day of Eid is haraam.
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.
In a hadith reported by Um Salamah, may Allah be satisfied with her, the Prophet (alayhi salaatu was salaam) says:
“He
who intends to sacrifice an animal [on the day of sacrifice] should not
cut his hair nor his nails from the beginning of the Thul-Hijja until
after the sacrifice is performed.”
8. HAJJ AND UMRAH
If you haven't already made plans for this, its a little to late now. InshaALLAAH! Start planning for next year.
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 (radhi ta 'ala anhu); 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!
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!