REAPING THE FULL BENEFITS OF THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF ZULHIJJAH
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
In Islam, the first ten days of Zulhijjah (the 12th month of the Islamic calendar) are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.
We therefore inshaAllah MUST try to plan properly these 10 days of Zulhijjah so that we can reap the maximum rewards and benefits. In STEPS2ALLAH, we must always remember that:
FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL!
The Virtue of the First Ten Days of the Month of Zulhijjah
FROM THE QURAN
So sacred are the first ten days of Zulhijjah that Allah SWT swears an oath by them when He (SWT) says in the Quran:
وَالْفَجْرِ
وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
“By the dawn; by the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Zulhîjjah)”
[al-Fajr 89:1-2]
Swearing an oath by something indicates its importance and great benefit.
FROM THE HADEETH
It is narrated from Ibn Abbaas (RAA) that the Prophet (SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah than these days, ie the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah). They said: O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihaad in the path of Allah? He said: Not even Jihaad in the Path of Allah, the Most High, except if a man goes out (for Jihaad) with his self and his wealth, then he doesn’t return with anything from that.”
(Al-Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood and others. The exact wording is that of Abu Daawood)
It is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“There aren’t any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah, the Most High, than these ten days (of Zul-Hijjah). So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (La Ilaaha illa Allah), and Takbeer (Allah Akbar) and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu li-llah)” (Musnad Imaam Ahmad)
Note this weak hadeeth:
The Prophet (SAW) has said, “One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in the “Lailatul-Qadr”.(Tirmidhi)
DEEDS THAT WE SHOULD PERFORM IN THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF ZULHIJJAH
- The performance of Hajj and Umrah,
These are the best of deeds that may be done. And what indicates their superiority are a number of Ahaadith:
Performance of Umrah is an expiation of the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah, and the reward of the Hajj which is accepted by Allah, the Most High, is nothing but Paradise. (Al-BukharI and Muslim)
Performance of the Hajj washes away all sins. Abu Hurairah narrates: I heard the Prophet say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any Rafath (obscenity) or Fusooq (transgression), he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother bore him” (Al Bukhari).
Hajj is one of the greatest deeds one can accomplish in his or her lifetime. Abu Hurairah narrates: The Prophet was asked, “What deed is the best?” He said, “Iman in Allah and His Messenger.” “Then what?” “Jihad in the sake of Allah.” “Then what?” “Hajj Mabroor, a Hajj accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala).” (Bukhari & Muslim)
- Fasting during these days
There is no doubt that the act of fasting is one of the best deeds, and it is from what Allah, the Most High, has chosen for himself, as in the Hadith Qudsee: Fasting is for Me, and it is I who give reward for it. Verily, someone gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for My sake…” (Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Maalik, at-Tirmidhee, Nasaa’ee and Ibn Maajah)
Also, from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree who said that the Messenger of Allah said: No servant (of Allah, the Most High) fasts one day in the Path of Allah, except that Allah, the Most High, removes his face from the Fire because of it (the distance of traveling) seventy years. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
From Abu Qatadah that the Prophet said: Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one’s sins of the previous year and the following year. (Muslim)
- At-Takbeer (Allah Akbar) and adh-Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah)
Allah said
وَيَذكُرُوا اسمَ اللَّهِ في أَيّامٍ مَعلوماتٍ
“And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days”(22:28).
This has been explained (by some) to mean the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah), and the scholars consider it desirable to increase adh-Dhikr in these days, based upon the hadith of Ibn Umar which contains the words:
… so increase in these days the Tahleel and Takbeer and Tahmeed… (Imam Ahmad)
It is reported about Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah that: the two of them used to go out to the market place during the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah) saying: Allahu Akbar, causing the people also to say it. (Al-Bukhaaree)
Ishaaq narrates from the scholars of the Taabi’een that in these ten days they used to say:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Laa Ilaaha illa ‘llah Wa ‘llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Wa li’llahi al-hamd.
It is a beloved act to raise the voice when saying the Takbeer in the markets, the houses, the streets, the Masjids and other places, because of the saying of Allah, the Most High, in Surah al-Hajj, verse 37: “… that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you”
- At-Tawbah (repentance) and abstaining from disobedience and all types of sins
…since forgiveness and mercy are the results of deeds. Disobedience is the cause of being far away (from Allah, the Most High) and repulsion, while obedience is the cause of being near (to Allah, Most High) and His love. In the hadith of Abu Hurairah he said that the Prophet said: Verily Allah has a sense of Ghaira, and Allah’s sense of ghaira is provoked when a person does that which Allah has prohibited. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
—
It is useless to have a learned tongue but an ignorant heart.
- Doing plenty of voluntary (nafl) righteous deeds of worship like Prayer, Charity, reading the Qur’an, Commanding what is Good and Forbidding what is Evil, and other such deeds.
Verily, these are amongst the deeds that are multiplied in these days. It is during these days that even deeds that are less preferred, are superior and more beloved to Allah than superior deeds done at other times. (These deeds are superior) even to al-Jihaad – which is one of the most superior of all deeds – except in the case of one whose horse is killed and his blood is spilled (loss of life in Jihaad).
- at-Takbeer al-Mutlaq
It is legislated in these days to make at Takbir al Mutlaq at all times of night and day until the time of the Eid Prayer.
Also, at-Takbeer al-Muqayyad is legislated, and it is done after the (five) obligatory prayers that are performed in congregation. This begins from Dawn (Fajr) on the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Zul-Hijjah) for those not performing Hajj, and from Noon (Zhur) on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Zul-Hijjah) for those performing Hajj (pilgrims); and it continues until Asr prayer on the last day of the days of Tash-reeq (13th of Zul-Hijjah).
- Qurban (sacrifice of animal)
The slaughtering of a sacrificial animal (Adhiyah) is also legislated for the Day of Sacrifice (10th) and the Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th). This is the Sunnah of our father Ibraaheem – when Allah, the Most High, redeemed Ibraaheem’s son by the great sacrifice (of an animal in his place). It is authentically reported that The Prophet Muhammad slaughtered (sacrificed) two horned rams, black and white in colour, and said Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and placed his foot on their sides (while slaughtering them). (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
This is an obligation on each one of us and it represents the beautiful, complete submission of Prophet Ibrahim (as) when he chose to obey Allah Ta’ala fully and without question when it came to slaughtering his own son, Prophet Ismail (as). Before the knife was able to cut his son’s neck, Allah Ta’ala replaced Ismail (as) with a ram from Jannah. Ismail (as) was saved and Ibrahim (as)’s complete submission to God’s command was accepted !!
It is related by Aayesha (r.a.) that Rasulullah (SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta’ala during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the day of Qiyamah with its horns, hair and hooves (to be weighed in reward). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah Ta’ala before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” (Tirmizhi, Ibn Majah)
Zaid ibn Arqam (r.a.) related that the companions of Rasulullah (SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) asked, “O Rasulullah, what is sacrifice?” He replied, “it is the Sunnah of your father Ibraheem”. They asked again, “What benefit do we get from it?” he answered, “A reward for every hair of the sacrificed animal.” And what reward is there for animals with wool?” they asked. “A reward,” he said, ‘for every fibre of the wool.” (Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmad, Mishkaat)
- Those who do the Qurban, refrain from cutting nails and hair.
It has been narrated from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet said: If you see the Hilal (new moon) of Zul-Hijjah, and any one of you wants to make a sacrifice, then he should not cut (anything) from his hair and his nails. (Muslim and others) . And in one narration, he said: .Then he should not cut (anything) from his hair, nor from his nails, until he performs the sacrifice. Perhaps this is because of the similarity with the one who is bringing a sacrificial animal for slaughter (in Hajj). As Allah, the Most High, said: And do not shave your heads until the Hady (sacrifice) reaches the place of sacrifice…
The apparent meaning of this prohibition is that it is particularly for the one whom the sacrifice is for, and does not include the wife or children, unless there is an individual sacrifice for one of them. There is no harm in washing the head, or scratching it, even if hairs may fall out.
- DU’A ON DAY OF ARAFAH
The virtues of the Day of Arafah are as follows:
- It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allah’s Favour was completed.
In Al-Sahihayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Amir al-Muminin, there is a verse in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).” ‘Umar said, “Which verse?” He said: {This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.} [al-Maidah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafah on a Friday.”
- It is a day of ‘Eid for the people who are in that place.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Yawm ‘Arafah (the day of ‘Arafah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice ) and Ayyam al-Tashriq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are ‘Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking.” This was narrated by the authors of al-Sunan. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said: “It
– i.e., the verse ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafah, both of which – praise be to Allah – are ‘Eids for us.”
- It is a day by which Allah swore an oath.
The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm ‘Arafah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
وَشاهِدٍ وَمَشهودٍ
“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafah].” [al-Buruj 85:3]
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as sahih by al-Albani)
It is the “odd” [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allah swore in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“And by the even and the odd” [al-Fajr 89:3]. Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The even is the Day of al-Adha [i.e., 10th Dhu’l-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of ‘Arafah [i.e., 9th Dhu’l-Hijjah] This is also the view of ‘Ikrimah and al-Dahhak.
- Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years.
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah . He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim.
This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah in ‘Arafah.
- It is the day on which Allah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam.
Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’man, i.e., ‘Arafah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have been unaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practiced Al-Batil (i.e., polytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah)? [al-A’raf 7:172-173 – interpretation of the meaning].” (Narrated by Ahmad and classed as sahih by al-Albani) And there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this.
- It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there:
In Sahih Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’”
Ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the last part of the day on the Day of ‘Arafah, about the people of ‘Arafah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” (Narrated by Ahmad and classed as sahih by al-Albani)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “The best of dua is du’a on the day of Arafat, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulku wa lahu’l-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things).” (Tirmidhi-3585)
Another Hadith also mentions that whoever says these words with a sincere heart, attesting to the truth of that with his tongue, then Allah will surely tear open the sky until He looks at the person from amongst the people of the earth who said it. And the right of the servant whom Allah looks at is that He grants him whatever he asked for.” (An-Nisaee – Saheeh Al-Albani)
- Perform the Eid prayer.
It is incumbent for the Muslim (who is not performing Hajj) to make every effort to perform the Eid Prayer wherever it is performed, and to be present for the Khutbah and benefit.
He must know the wisdom behind the legislation of this Eid (celebration). It is a day of thankfulness and performing deeds of righteousness. So, he must not make it a day of wildness, pride and vanity. He should not make it a season for disobedience and increase in the forbidden things like music and singing, uncontrolled amusement, intoxicants and the like – those things which could cause the cancellation of the good deeds done in these days (of Zul-Hijjah).
- Do other deeds to please Allah SWT.
After what has been mentioned, it is fitting that every Muslim, male and female, take advantage of these days by obeying Allah, the Most High, remembering Him, thanking Him, fulfilling all the obligatory duties, and staying far away from the prohibited things. He must take full advantage of this season, and the open display of Allah’s gifts, to attain the pleasure of his Lord.
- Ghaira: A sense of honour and prestige, and the anger caused by its being violated.
- At-Takbeer al-Mutlaq: the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) which is unrestricted to specific times or any specific form.
- At-Takbeer al-Muqayyad: The Takbeer which is done at a particular time and in a specific manner.
