The Count down has begun …
You are probably familiar with the excellence of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Well, let us introduce you to 10 days that are even MORE virtuous, yet many people are not aware of it. They are the first ten days of the Islamic calendar month of Dhul-Hijjah.
But the last ten nights of Ramadan are better than the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, because they include Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. {Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412}
The Prophet (SAW) 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 Dhul-Hijjah). So, increase in them the saying of Tahlil (La Ilaha illa Allah), and Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmid (al-Hamdu li-llah)”. {Musnad Ahmad}
The Prophet (SAW) said concerning the fast observed on the Day of Arafah: “I have full confidence in Allah for the one who observes a fast on the day of Arafah that his previous year’s sins and the proceeding year’s sins are forgiven”. {Muslim}
SubhanAllah! Our Rabb– in His infinite compassion ends the Islamic year with a parting gift for us-a fresh start, by wiping out our ‘previous year’s sins and the proceeding year’s sins’ inshaAllah. Better than any Gregorian New Years’ eve’s offering!
In these first 10 days of the Month of Dhul-Hijjah we find:
- the 9th day is the day of Arafah,
- and the 10th day is Eid ul Adha. The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘For every nation there is a feast and this is our feast.’ {Bukhari}
Even if you are not going for Hajj, you can put in extra effort to do good deeds.
What extra good deeds can you do?
- Trim hair and clip nails before 1st Dhul-Hijjah and not cut them again until after the sacrifice (qurbani)
- Fast the first 9 days especially on Youm-e-Arafah (The Day of Arafah in Saudi Arabia) – can’t fast on our Eid day.
- Give more charity.
- Strengthen ties of kinship (visit family, say kind words to them, etc).
- Perform extra voluntary prayers.
- Read more Qur’an, contemplating on the meanings.
- Do additional Dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
- Ask Allah for forgiveness repeatedly(Do a lot of Astaghfaar).
- Say the “Eid” Takbeers aloud wherever you go. (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illa Allah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Walillaahil hamd.) especially after every salah.
May Allah (SWT) help and guide us in these days (and all others) & may He be pleased with us, ameen.