These first days of Dhul Hijjah are very blessed days to do good deeds. Fasting on the Day of Arafat has many blessings including expiation for our sins of the previous year and the one to come. The Day of Arafat falls on the day before Eid.
Take this opportunity to read these three articles and try to do some things differently and make dua for all the Muslims.
Early Eid Mubarak :)
The First 10 Days of Dhu al-Hijjah:
The Greatest Days of the Year.
All Praise is due to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (saws), his family, and all those who follow him until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Ramadan was a fleeting visitor that vanished as suddenly as it appeared, leaving us with sweet memories and mountains of reward or regrets. The month left us heart-broken, each for our own reasons. Some of us missed out on the great month, failing to invest in its nights and days, and losing the chance for forgiveness and salvation. Others savored every moment, growing closer to Allah and increasing their worship. In those few special days, we lived with Allah, the Generous, the Giving; only He knew our sorrow when the month disappeared.
But now, Allah is giving us a salve to ease our sorrow and bring back that happiness. It is a blessed gift, a fresh opportunity to erase our sins and cleanse ourselves. It is also a second chance, for those who felt Ramadan slip through their fingers.
The Prophet (saw) said, "Perform good year-round. And seek out the breaths of Allah's mercy. For Allah has breaths of His mercy-they touch whom He wills of His servants."
Such a breath of mercy has arrived, like a gentle breeze that suddenly rushes through us. This Friday marks the start of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, days that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) preferred over all other days of the year:
"There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these ten days." The companions asked him, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He replied, "Not even Jihad for the sake Allah-except for a man who goes out with his self and wealth, and returns with neither" (sahih).
May the peace and blessings be upon you, O Prophet of Allah! You are always giving us extra chances. No one should let this chance for forgiveness slip through his fingers and then regret losing it when regret can do no good. Allah Himself ordered us to increase our remembrance of Him in these days. {And to Remember the name of Allah through the Days appointed.} (al-Haj, 28)
What are the "appointed" days? They are none other than the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, as Ibn 'Abbas explained. They are the greatest days of the year, filled with boundless potential for the soul seeking the pleasure of Allah. While the opportunities for reward are countless, there are some special actions you can do to draw closer to Allah during the ten days of Dhu Al-Hijjah.
1. Dhikr
This act of worship requires no effort, and can be done any time and any place. All that is required is presence of mind and heart. The Prophet (saw) said, "There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor days in which deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these ten days. So fill them with the praises of 'la ilah illa Allah', 'Allah Akbar', and 'alhamdu lilah" (sahih). Dear brother and sister, engage in these blessed remembrances frequently, just as your beloved Prophet asked.
2. Fasting
Can there be a greater deed than fasting purely for Allah's sake? The Prophet (saw) taught us about fasting and its great virtue: "Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Hellfire a trench equal to the distance between the sky and the earth" (sahih).
Do not forget the reward of fasting the day of Arafah alone. The Prophet (saw) said, "Fasting the day of Arafah erases the sins of two years: the previous year and the coming one."
3. Charity
Our brothers and sisters who made it to Hajj this year have spent selflessly from their wealth and energy to fulfill their obligation to Allah. Do not hold back your own wealth and time. Give generously and try to earn a position with those who will be shaded by the throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment. Remember, {You shall not attain righteousness until you give from that which you love!} (Aal 'Imran, 92).
4. Quran
Make sure, dearest brother and sister, to fill these blessed moments with the Quran. Read it with devotion, ponder its meanings, and involve your heart. Listen to this stirring description by Allah: {Allah has revealed the greatest of messages-a Book, consistent within itself, oft-repeated: sending a shiver through the skins of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the remembrance of Allah.} (al-Zumar, 23)
When you truly live with the Quran, Allah will make you of His own people, a special group chosen to be close to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "Amongst mankind are the People of Allah." Who are they O Prophet of Allah? "They are the People of the Quran-(they are) the People of Allah and His special circle" (sahih).
Strive to be one of the People of Allah. Try to join them by reciting the Quran, memorizing it, and contemplating its meanings. Beware of those who read its words and ignore its teachings. Know always that every word you recite carries great reward.
"Whoever recites one letter of the Quran, for him shall be one reward (hasanah) and each reward is multiplied by ten. I do not mean that 'Alif Lam Meem' is a letter; rather, 'Alif' is one letter, 'Lam' is one letter, and 'Meem' is one letter."
5. Qiyam al-Layl
Due to its worth in the sight of Allah, the reward for the extra night prayers has been kept secret. {No soul knows what delights of the eye lie hidden for them-a reward for what they used to do!} (al-Sajdah, 17)
The Prophet (saw) taught us that these night prayers "are the path of the righteous before you, a source of closeness to your Lord, a guard against wrong, an eraser of sins, and a cure for your bodies" (sahih). That is why the Prophet (saw) would never allow a night to pass without a soothing dose of qiyam.
6. Dua'
Wherever you are and whatever state you are in, remember to turn constantly to Allah, and never tire of asking Him for your needs in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet (saw) told us that "Dua' is the essence of worship." So, worship Allah in these days by turning to Him and asking Him.
Dear brothers and sisters, as great as these ten days are, Allah has especially singled out the ninth day, the Day of Arafah. So you too, mark it and make it special. Increase your acts of worship, your remembrance, and your supplication throughout this great day. This is a day in which salvation from the hellfire is within your reach. The Prophet (saw) said, "There is no day in which Allah liberates more servants from the hellfire than the Day of Arafah" (sahih).
The days of Dhu al-Hijjah are also an opportunity to bring our communities closer and encourage one another. Every community should inspire its members to pursue the blessings of Dhu al-Hijja. MAS recommends that every center or MSA:
a) Educates its members on the virtue of these days.
b) Organizes a qiyam program for one of the nights.
c) Holds a group iftar on the day of Arafah.
Finally, what about the day of Eid? Eid is nothing less than one of these blessed days, the tenth and final day. Do not let it pass without the remembrance of Allah: 'alhamdu lilah,' 'la ilaha illa Allah,' and 'Allah Akbar.' Do not let all the good you did in the past nine days be wasted by sinning and forgetting Allah on the last day, a day marked by Allah to celebrate our worship. Wear your best, put on your favorite fragrance, attend the Eid prayer and participate in the festivities. Reach out to your relatives, give charity, and incorporate dhikr, dua', and Quran into this happy day. You began these days seeking the pleasure of Allah, so end them with the pleasure of Allah.
May Allah bless these days and accept from all of us. May He make them days of happiness and mercy for the ummah.
Thirteen Blessed Days
by
Muhammad al-Jibaly
Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem
With Allah's bounty, we are at the doors of very blessed days for both the hajeej (pilgrims) and the residents. So we should know the Sunnah regarding these days in order to make the best out of them.
I.The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah:
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1. Ibn Abbas (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these (Ten) Days" He was asked: "Not even Jihaad in Allah's way?" He replied: "Not even Jihaad in Allah's way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none (i.e., lost all for Allah)." [Al-Bukhaaree,...]
2. Ibn Umar (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "There are no other days that are greater before Allah (T), or that good deeds are more beloved to Him in them, than these Ten Days, so say in plenty Tahleel (laa ilaaha illa 'Llaah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu lillaah)." [Ahmad & at-Tabarani; authentic]
3. In Tafseer of the aayah {And to mention and remember Allah's Name [plentifully] on known days} [al-Hajj 28], Ibn Abbas said: "These are the Ten Days." [Ibn Katheer]
4. Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah used to go out to the market places on the Ten Days making Takbeer. And people used to say Takbeer too based on their action. [al-Bukhaaree].
5. Hafsah (R) said: "There are four acts that the Messenger of Allah (S) never stopped to do: Fasting on Aashooraa, on the Ten Days, and three days of every month, and to pray two rak'aat before the morning prayer." [Ahmad & an-Nasaa'ee; authentic]
6. One of the wives of the Prophet (S) said: "Allah's Messenger (S) used to fast the (first) nine days of Dthil Hijjah, the Day of 'Aashooraa', and three days of each month." [Sahih Abi Dawud by al-Albaani]
7. Fasting on all these days, however, is not a waajib or a sunnah that the Messenger (S) was strictly constant in it. Aaishah (R) said: "I never saw the Messenger (S) fasting the Ten Days." [Muslim]
8. It is reported that once the Ten Days started, Sa'eed bin Jubair used to exert very excessively (in worshiping Allah) that it was almost beyond his capability.
II. The Day of 'Arafah:
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1. Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger (S) said: "Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of two years: past one and coming one. And fasting the Day of 'Aashooraa' expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim, ...]
2. Aaishah (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "There is no day on which Allah (T) frees people from the Fire as He does on the Day of 'Arafah. He comes close and then He boasts to His angels: 'What are these people seeking?'" [Muslim, an-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah]
III. The Ruling of the Udhiyah (Sacrifice):
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1. Suurat ul-Kawthar ((... For Your Lord Pray and offer Sacrifice ...))
2. ((Say: my salaah, sacrifice, life, and death are for Allah the Lord of the peoples. He has no Partners, with this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the believers.)) [al-An`aam 6:162-163]
3. Abu Hurairah (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "He who has the capacity but chooses not to sacrifice may not approach our prayer place (on Eed)." [Ibn Maajah, Ahmad, ..; authentic]
4. Anas reported that the Messenger (S) said: "He who slaughtered before the prayer (of Eed) has only slaughtered for himself. But the one who did it after the prayer has indeed completed his sacrifice and conformed with the Sunnah of the Muslims." [Al-Bukhaaree]
5. Al-Baraa' reported that the Messenger (S) said: "The first thing that we do on this day (al-Adhaa) is to pray. Then we go back and slaughter. The one who does this has indeed complied with our Sunnah, but the one who slaughtered earlier had only gotten some (regular) meat for his household, which does not count as sacrifice in the least." [Al-Bukharee & Muslim]
6. The one who cannot afford to sacrifice has been covered by the Messenger (S) who sacrificed for those who did not sacrifice in his Ummah, as was reported by Jaabir. [abu Dawud, at-Tirmiddhi, ...; authentic:Irwa ul-ghaleel]
IV. Some Sunan and Regulations:
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1. Umm Salamah (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "The one who has a slaughtering to slaughter (on Eed) then, once the hilaal of Dhil Hijjah is observed, he should not cut any of his hair or nails until he sacrifices." [Muslim, ...]
2. Anas (R) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) sacrificed two rams of beautiful (dark) eyes and large horns. He slaughtered them himself, putting his foot on the side of the neck, and saying: "Bismillah, wallahu Akbar." [Al-Bukharee and Muslim]
3. Aaishah (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said to her: "Give me the knife." Then he said: "Sharpen it against a stone." Then He took it, laid down the ram, and slaughtered it saying: "Bismillaah. O Allah, accept from Muhammad, Muhammad's family, and Muhammad's Ummah." And thus he sacrificed it.
4. The Messenger (S) first prohibited saving any of the Sacrifice's meat, to benefit poor people. Then permitted it saying: "Eat (from the meat), save, and give as Sadaqah." [Al-Bukharee & Muslim]
5. It can be done on any of the three days (Days of Tashreeq) following the Eed. Jubair bin Mut'im (R) reported that the Messenger (S) said: "All the Days of Tashreeq are slaughtering days." [Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, etc. Good in its collective chains of narrators]
6. Ibn Umar said: "The days of slaughtering are the day of adhaa and the two days following it." [Al-Muwatta'; Authentic]
V. The Three Days of Tashreeq:
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1.'Uqbah bin Aamir said the the Messenger (S) said: "The day of 'Arafah, the day of slaughtering, and the days of Tashreeq are our Eed - Muslim people. They are days of eating and drinking." [Abu Dawud; authentic]
2. 'Amr bin al-'Aas said: "These days (the Days of Tashreeq) are the days that the Messenger (S) used to order us to eat on them and to prohibit us from fasting them." [Abu Dawud; authentic]
3. Nuhaishah al-Hudhali said that the Messenger (S) said: "The Days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and mentioning Allah." [Muslim, Ahmad]
4. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (S) said: "The Days of Minaa are days of eating and drinking." [At-Tahaawi & Ahmad; as-Saheehah 1282 by al-Albaani]
Wa Salla 'Llaahu 'alaa Muhammad.
Superior Days For Righteous Deeds
Shaykh Abdullah Ibn Abdur-Rahman al-Jibreen
The Superiority And Virtue Of The First Ten Days Of The Month Of Zulhijjah
And The Deeds Legislated In These Days
This article appeared in the Gulf Times in March '99
Verily, the praise belongs to Allah, the Most High, and may the Blessings of Allah and Peace be upon His Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, allof them. It is narrated from Ibn Abbaas (RAA) that the Prophet (PBUH) of 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 (Blessings of Allah andPeace be upon him) 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]
The Types of Deeds in These Ten Days:
First: The performance of Haj and Umrah, and these are the best of deeds that may be done. And what indicates their superiority are a number of Ahaadith, one of which is the saying of the Prophet (PBUH).
Performance of Umrah is an expiation of the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah, and the reward of the Haj which is accepted by Allah, the MostHigh, is nothing but Paradise. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Second: Fasting during these days - as many of them as may be easy (forone to fast); especially the Day of Arafah. There is no doubt that the act offasting 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 Iwho give reward for it. Verily, someone gives up his sexual passion, his foodand 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: Noservant (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 travelling) 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 followingyear. (Muslim)
Third: At-Takbeer (Allah Akbar) and adh-Dhikr (the remembrance of Allahthrough different words of praise and glorification) in these (ten) days, Allah said "And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days"(12:28).
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 narrated by Ahmad, which contains the words:
... so increase in these days the Tahleel and Takbeer and Tahmeed...
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 theyused to say:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Laa Ilaaha illa 'llah Wa 'llahu Akbar, Allahu AkbarWa 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 magnifyAllah for His Guidance to you"
The saying of Takbeer in congregation, ie everyone pronouncing the Takbeer with one voice, is not permissible since this has not been transmitted (to us) from the early generations of the Sahabah and those who followed their ways. Verily, the Sunnah is for everyone to say the Takbeer individually. And this is (generally) applicable to Dhikr and supplications, except if the person doesn'tknow what to say. In that case he may repeat after someone else until he learns (the words to be said). It is also permissible to make Dhikr with all the different wording of Takbeer and Tahmeed and Tasbeeh, and the rest of the Islamic legislated supplications (from the Qur'an and Sunnah).
Fourth: At-Tawbah (repentance) and abstaining from disobedience and all types of sins, since forgiveneand mercyare the results of deeds. Disobedienceis 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. Inthe 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)
Fifth: Doing plenty of voluntary (nafl) righteous deeds of worship likePrayer, Charity, Jihaad, 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 (lossof life in Jihaad).
Sixth: It is legislated in these days to make at-Takbeer 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 Haj, and from Noon (Zhur) on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Zul-Hijjah) for those performing Haj (pilgrims); and it continues until Asr prayer on the last day of the days of Tash-reeq (13th of Zul-Hijjah).
Seventh: 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)
Eighth: Offering animal as Udhyia 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 heshould 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 Haj). 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, unlessthere is an individual sacrifice for one of them. There is no harm in washingthe head, or scratching it, even if hairs may fall out.
Ninth: It is incumbent for the Muslim (who is not performing Haj) 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 notmake 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).
Tenth: 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.
Surely, Allah, the Most High, is the One Who grants success, and He is the Guide to the Straight Path. And may the blessings of Allah, the Most High, and peace be upon Muhammad and his family and companions!
source : http://www.jannah.org
