THINGS TO DO on the first 10 days of Dzulhijjah ^_^

Bismillah and salaam to all ^_^

The month of Dzulhijjah is the last month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. What’s so special about it? It’s the month of Hajj, where pilgrims embark on a wonderful sacred journey in Mecca to please God, masyallah. As Muslims, we should make use of the first 10 days of Dzulhijjah and maximize in doing good deeds. Here are the things Muslims ought to do:

1. In order to completely embrace Dzulhijjah, one should learn and get to know the importance of the month. The significance of this month has been highlighted in the Quran, especially on the first 10 days. So let’s increase our knowledge and receive great blessings and rewards from Allah, insyallah!

Related verse from the Quran:
“By the Dawn and by the Ten nights, by the odd and even (8th and 9th Dzulhijjah)” [ Al-Fajr 89:1-3]

Related hadith:
Prophet (pbuh) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Bukhaari]

2. The next good deed we Muslims ought to do is to remember and glorify Allah. To do so, recite “Laa ilaaha illallah” and “Alhamdullilah”! In addition, increase in doing good deeds such as praying on time, fasting or doing charity during the 10 days mentioned. It is also sunnah to glorify Allah (takbir) from Fajr prayer on the day of Arafah (9th Dzulhijjah), up until after Asar prayer on the last day of Tashreeq (11th to 13th of Dzulhijjah). After each prayer, to takbir:

“Alahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar (Allah is great, Allah is great, Allah is great)
Laa ilaaha illallah, wallahu akbar (None has the right to be worshipped except Him)
Allahu akbar wa lillaahil-hamd (Allah is great and to all praises belong to Him)”
Hadith from: Ibnu Abu Shaybah in al-Musannaf / authenticated by Al-Albanee

Related hadith:
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days” [Al- Bukhari vol 2, book 15, hadith # 86 ]

3. The 9th day of Dzulhijjah is the day of Arafah, where on this day, the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of Arafah, praying and making dua’ to Allah. For those of us who are not in Arafah, it is mustahabb (HIGHLY recommended) to fast on the day of Arafah! By doing so, according to a hadith from Muslim, our sins from last year and the coming year will be “deleted!” masyallah!

Note: Arafah will fall on Monday, 15th of November 2010. So try to fast on this day!

Related hadith:
Narrated by Abu Qatadah (r.a ): The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah will expiate for you your sins of the past year and the coming year” [Muslim #1162 ]

4. Though Qurban (Udhiyyah – Sacrificial Slaughter) is sunnah and not wajib (compulsory), we Muslims should participate in the ritual if we can afford it (monetary). It is indeed a pious, sacred and righteous deed loved by Allah! If you could do so, ask your nearest mosque or Islamic Community Center for further details.

NOTE: For a person who wants to participate in the Qurban, one is not allowed to remove anything from their hair (cut hair) or nails for the first 10 days of Dzulhijjah [Hadith from Muslim]

Related verse from the Quran:

“It is not the flesh and blood of your sacrifice that reaches Allah, but it is taqwa from you that reaches Him” [Al-Hajj 22:37]

5. Make loads of nice dua’s for the pilgrims; such as your mum, dad, grandmother/father, siblings, aunties/uncles, neighbours or even your friend from the internet/social network who have embarked upon the Hajj. Make dua’ to Allah for Him to safeguard the pilgrims from misfortunes and for their safe returns, and also for them to attain Hajj Mabrur, insyallah.

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