CSS Forums - DHUL HIJJAH:10 days of blessings

Ibn 'Abbas says about the Aayah, "Remember Allaah during the well known days," that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. [This is related by al-Bukhari]

Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "By the dawn; by the 10 nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion." [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]

Praise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct ones faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. [Ibn Rajab, al-Lataaif, p.8]

Ibn 'Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah]." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in the way of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allaah's sake] and returns with neither of them." [This is related by the group except Muslim and an-Nasa'i]

Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allaah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest : Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]

Ibn 'Umar narrated that at Mina, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Do you know what is the day today?" The people replied, "Allah and His Messenger know it better." He said, "It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?" They replied, "Allah and His Messenger know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (sacred) town (Mecca). And do you know which month is this?" The people replied, "Allaah and His Apostle know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (sacred) month." The Messenger added, "No doubt, Allaah made your blood, your properties, and your honour sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours."

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijja), the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said, "This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul-Hijjah)." The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) started saying repeatedly, "O Allah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message)." He then bade the people farewell. The people said, "(This is Hajjat-al-Wada)." [Bukhari 2.798]

Fasting Day of Arafat

Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of 'Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it." [This is related by "the group," except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]

Hafsah reported, "There are five things that the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) never abandoned: fasting the day of 'Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak'ah before the dawn prayer." [This is related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i]

'Uqbah ibn 'Amr reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "The day of 'Arafah, the day of sacrifice, and the days of tashreeq are 'ids for us--the people of Islam--and they are days of eating and drinking." [This is related by "the five," except for Ibn Majah. At-Tirmidhi grades it sahih]

Abu Hurairah stated, "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) forbade fasting on the day of 'Arafah for one who is actually at 'Arafah." [This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah]

At-Tirmidhi comments: "The scholars prefer that the day of 'Arafah be fasted unless one is actually at 'Arafah."

Takbeer

It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allaah") during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the Masjid, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]

The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father), "The appointed days are the first ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah)."

The Takbeer may include the words "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahil- hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Shari'ah for doing this.

1)Allah completed our religion and, the day of Arafa, as He revealed to the Prophet peace be upon him: (This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.) [5:3]
It was a Friday and the Prophet peace be upon him was standing on mount Arafa.

2)These ten days are the completion of the forty days that Allah appointed for Musa peace be upon him, Allah says: (We appointed for Musa thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten (more): thus was completed the term (of communion) with his Lord, forty nights.) [7-143 ]
Ibn kathir may Allah have mercy on him said: “The scholars of tafseer have different opinions on the meaning of these ten days. The majority are of the opinion that the thirty days are the month of Dhul Qiada and the ten are the first of Dhul Hijja; Mujahid, Masrouq, and Ibn Jarij said this, it was also related to Ibn Abbas and others."

3)These ten days complete the months of Hajj (For Hajj are the months well-known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj and whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it.) [2:197]

4)These ten days are the appointed days that Allah prescribed for us to celebrate His name for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Allah says: (That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days Appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them.)[22-28 ]
Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy on him said: “The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah”

5)These days are the greatest days of the year. The Prophet peace be upon him said: “The greatest days of the World are (these) ten days” Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy on him said: “The apparent reason for the preference of the ten days of Dhul Hijja is that it all the main form of worship are performed in it; Prayer, Fasting, Zakah, and Hajj, and this does not happen in any other days”.

6)It has the day of Arafa in it. The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:" There is no day when Allah sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these seek?"

7)It has the day of Nahr. The Prophet peace be upon him said: ""This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul Hijjah)."

What should we do in these days?

1)Making remembrance of Allah, this is general, all kinds of zikr, reading Quran, making salah and sending durood to Prophet Mohammed(SAWS), Allah says: and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days Appointed.[22-28]
There is also specific dhikr which should be done in these days, the Prophet peace be upon him said: "There is no day more honorable in Allah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah : La ilaha illAllah ), takbir (Allah is the greatest : Allahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah : alhamdulillah) a lot [on those days]." Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out to the marketplaces during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and recite out loud the takbeer and people would repeat it after them. It is commended to recite them out loud (women should do it silently) in marketplaces, at homes, roads, Masajid and elsewhere.

2)Fasting the first nine days (the tenth day is the day of eid, and you are not allow to fast this day) especially the day of Arafa (the ninth day). It was related by the wives of the Prophet may Allah be pleased with them that the Prophet peace be upon him used to fast all of these nine days. The Prophet peace be upon him said: “Any slave of Allah who observes fast of a day in the cause of Allah, Allah would separate between him and the Fire a distance of seventy years on account of observing that day. The Prophet also said about fasting the day of Arafa: “I expect Allah to expiate the sins that were committed during the preceding year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after."

3)Praying at night (qiyam). Saeid ibn jubair may Allah have mercy on him used to say: “do not turn out your lights during the ten night”, and he would do acts of worship until he was barely able to do any more.

4)Sacrificing and slaughter of an animal on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. Some scholars say this is Wajib, but the jimhoor (vast majority) say it is Sunnah Mu'akadah (important sunnah). When you sacrifice you say "bismillah Allahu akbar Allahuma 3any wa3an ahl baity" ("In the name of Allah - Allahu akbar - oh Allah this is for me and my family.") Reputable scholars all agree that doing the sacrifice is better than giving its equivalent, because sacrifice is a worship in and of itself. A leader of the household can sacrifice for himself and for his dependants such as children, women and men like the sahabah and salaf used to do. One planning on sacrificing should not cut his hair or nails until sacrifice is complete. This only applies to the head of the house who is paying for the sacrifice and not his dependants. It is not requested that you do it by hand however that is the best, you may oversee the sacrifice as well or if unable give the power to someone to do this for you. The sacrifice should be done after 'Eid prayer and you have until three days after, the Prophet peace be upon him ordered those who sacrificed before prayer to do it again.

5)The Muslim must make sure to observe Eid prayer in its designated place, and attend the khutbah of the Eid. Makhnaf ibn Seleem, who is counted as a companion, said: “Going out to the prayer of the day Fitr is equivalent to (doing) Umrah and going out to the prayer of the day of Addha is equivalent to (doing) Hajj.

6)One should generally try to do more good deeds and try to stop the evil deeds. Here are some examples of deeds that you can do: The Prophet peace be upon him said:" Whoever walks to a prescribed prayer in congregation it is like (doing) one Hajj” he also said “He who observed the Isha in congregation it was a if he prayed until the middle of the night and he who observes Fajr in congregation it is as if has prayed the whole night” he also said “A person can attain with his good manners the levels of the one who fasts (everyday) and stands (all night praying).

7)Performing Hajj and Umrah, which are the best of all observances. Its excellence is signified by many Prophetic traditions. The Prophet peace be upon him said: “Performing Umrah and following it with another expiates sins that are committed in between. And the perfect Hajj would be rewarded with nothing other than Jannah." He also said: ""Whoever performs hajj to this Ka'ba and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commit sins (while performing hajj), he will come out as sinless as a new-born child, (just delivered by his mother)."

May Allah help us to use these days the best way we can, and may He accept from us our deeds and forgive our shortcomings.