In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
Dhul Hijjah is a very important time of the year for the Muslims; more specifically the first ten days of this blessed month which have been favoured by Allaah over any other days throughout the year. They are from the most beloved days to Allaah, so much so that He took an oath by them. He said,
{By the dawn, and by the ten nights…} [89:01-02]
Ibn Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhumaa) said: “The ten nights relates to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah”.
The virtue of these days are also shown by the fact that Allaah legislated for Hajj to occur within them; they contain the great days of Hajj:
- The Day of Tarwiyah wherein the Hujjaaj go from Makkah to Minaa to begin the pilgrimage
- The Day of An-Nahr regarding which the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “From the greatest days with Allaah is: the Day of An-Nahr.”
- The day of ‘Arafah regarding which the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is the best day upon which the sun rose.”
Whilst some Muslims have been blessed with the opportunity to answer the call of Allaah and perform Hajj, others have remained behind. However Allaah, the Kind, legislated that even the Muslims who have remained behind also take a share of the reward. The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,
There is no other day where righteous actions are more beloved to Allaah than these days (meaning the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).
They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, better than even fighting Jihaad in the way of Allaah?”
He replied,
Yes, even better than fighting Jihaad in the way of Allaah, except a man who left for Jihaad with himself and all his wealth, and then he did not return back with anything
This Hadeeth shows the superiority of these first ten days, and that any worship that is performed in these first ten days is better and more beloved to Allaah than all the other days of the world without exception.
Some of the scholars mention that a lesser form of worship in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is more beloved to Allaah than that which would otherwise be a better action in any other day throughout the year. It is also said that an obligatory form of worship in these days is better than the same worship in any other day, and similarly an optional act of worship is better in these days than the same worship in any other day throughout the year.
There are certain good deeds that have been specified above others:
1. Fasting during these days – Hafsa, the wife of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned that, “the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) would never leave the fasting of Ashoora (the 10th of Muharram), the first 9 days of this month (the 10th day is ‘Eid al-Adhhaa) and three days of every month.”
2. The praying of the night prayer – Many of the Salaf, including Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee, would emphasise the night prayer during these days. Sa’eed bin Jubayr would strive much in praying the night prayer in the ten days, to an extent that he would almost go beyond that which he was physically able to do.
3. Dhikr: the remembrance of Allaah –This is in accordance with the following verse:
{…and make mention of the name of Allaah throughout the appointed days…}
‘The appointed days’ refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said,
There are no other days more greater with Allaah and no other days wherein worship is more beloved to Allaah than these ten days, so increase in your remembrance of Allaah by making Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illa Allaah), Takbeer (saying Allaah Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdulillaah)
4. Staying away from oppression and sins: The Quraysh of Makkah who were pagans knew and appreciated the sacredness of these days, they would be careful to ever oppress any other tribe. More than this, Allaah said,
{So do not oppress yourselves within these days} [09:36]
Qataadah (rahimahullah) said, “Oppression and wrong-doing in the sacred months is more severe in sin than in any other months. Even though oppression is severe in ever time, however Allaah chooses to increase [in severity] whatever He wills.”
5. Saying the Takbeeraat: The Sunnah of the Muslims from the time of the Companions, throughout the Salaf and to our time is that they would say the Takbeeraat aloud. It is said in the following form:
“Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Laa Ilaaha illa Allaah, wAllaahu Akbar, Allaah Akbar wa lillaahil Hamd”
The Takbeeraat are said in every place, in all times, starting from the Maghrib Prayer the night before the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until the Eid Prayer. They are not to be said in congregation, nor is it specified that the Takbeeraat are said after the obligatory Prayers.
Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (radhiAllaahu anhumaa) would even go out to the market places and raise their voice with the Takbeeraat to encourage the people to say Takbeeraat, and the people would do so. [Al-Bukhaareee]
6. In general all other good deeds – avoiding sins and making Tawbah (repentance) and Du’aa. Therefore, as Muslims we should strive in performing good deeds during these blessed days, there is no replacement or value that can be put on them.
Perform righteous actions and strive before these blessed days are gone – just as Ramadhaan has previously. Benefit from these days before there comes a time when you will be sorrowful for leaving off such opportunities; before there comes a time when you will ask to be returned to this world so you can perform good deeds but will not be given the opportunity. Do not wait until it is too late…
‘The nights of the ten are nights when the du’aa is accepted
So strive and rush [to] attain their reward,
Alas, there is no other time for worship
where the reward is greater and more readily accepted
truly, than these nights of the ten.
So prepare yourself and toil, and seek in them repentance.’
May Allaah give us the Tawfeeq to increase in righteous deeds during these blessed days, and forgive our sins.
Written by the one in need of Allaah,
Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz
Islamic University of Madeenah, Saudi Arabia
