----- Original Message -----
From: Musa Amadu Pembo <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 2:20 AM
Subject: Announcement concerning the beginning date of Dhul Hijjah
> Announcement concerning the beginning date of Dhul Hijjah
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> It was announced tonight in Mekkah Mukarramah that the crescent moon of the
> month of Dhul Hijjah was officialy sighted,
>
> thus making Sunday , corresponding to 02 February 2003, the first day of
> the month of Dhul Hijjah.
>
> Thus, the Day of Arafat, 9 Dhul Hijjah, will be on Monday, corresponding to
> 10 February 2003.
> We ask Allaah to help us in remembering Him, praising Him, and perfecting
> His worship.
>
>
> Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
>
>
> How do the first ten days of the Month of Dhul Hijjah differ from other days
> of the year?
>
> 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 one's 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-Lataa'if, p.8)
>
> The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of
> Allaah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allaah
> says (interpretation of the meaning):
>
> "And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty." [al-Hijr
> 15:99] The mufassireen (commentators) said: "'The certainty' means death."
>
> Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah,
> which Allaah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn 'Abbaas
> (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet
> (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days in
> which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The
> people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even
> jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to
> fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with
> nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).
>
> Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported
> that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There
> is no deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater in reward, than
> a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice." He was asked, "Not even
> jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of
> Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and
> his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by
> al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa', 3/398).
>
> These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all the
> other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of
> Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better, because they
> include Laylat al-Qadr ("the Night of Power"), which is better than a
> thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. (See Tafseer
> Ibn Katheer, 5/412).
>
> You should know, my brother in Islaam, that the virtue of these ten days is
> based on many things:
>
> 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 ten 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 Dhu'l-Hijjah. Ibn
> Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413)
>
> The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) testified that
> these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from
> saheeh ahaadeeth.
>
> The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged people
> to do righteous deeds because of the virtue of this season for people
> throughout the world, and also because of the virtue of the place - for the
> Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of Allaah.
>
> The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to
> recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and
> Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") during this time. 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar (may Allaah
> be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and
> blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days greater in the
> sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than
> these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel ("La
> ilaaha ill-Allaah"), Takbeer and Tahmeed." (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad
> Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).
>
> These ten days include Yawm 'Arafaah (the Day of 'Arafaah), on which Allaah
> perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two
> years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice), the
> greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines
> acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.
>
> These ten days include the days of sacrifice and of Hajj.
> Question: What must the Muslim avoid during these ten days if he wants to
> offer a sacrifice?
>
> The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop
> cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the
> beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice, because
> the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When you see
> the new moon of Dhu'l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice,
> then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his
> sacrifice." According to another report he said: "He should not remove
> (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin." (reported by Muslim with
> four isnaads, 13/146)
>
> The Prophet's instruction here makes one thing obligatory and his
> prohibition makes another haraam, according to the soundest opinion, because
> these commands and prohibitions are unconditional and unavoidable. However,
> if a person does any of these things deliberately, he must seek Allaah's
> forgiveness but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrifice in expiation;
> his sacrifice will be acceptable. Whoever needs to remove some hair, nails,
> etc. because it is harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound in a
> site where there is hair, should do so, and there is nothing wrong with
> that. The state of ihraam is so important that it is permitted to cut one's
> hair if leaving it will cause harm. There is nothing wrong with men or women
> washing their heads during the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, because the
> Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only forbade cutting
> the hair, not washing it.
>
> The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who wants to offer a sacrifice
> from cutting his hair etc., is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in
> some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may draw closer to
> Allaah by offering the sacrifice. So he leaves his hair and nails alone
> until the time when he has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allaah
> will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And Allaah knows best.
>
> If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first ten days of
> Dhu'l-Hijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrifice, then he
> decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must
> refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes this
> decision.
>
> Some women may delegate their brothers or sons to make the sacrifice on
> their behalf, then cut their hair during these ten days. This is not
> correct, because the ruling applies to the one who is offering the
> sacrifice, whether or not he (or she) delegates someone else to carry out
> the actual deed. The prohibition does not apply to the person delegated,
> only to the person who is making the sacrifice, as is indicated in the
> hadeeth. The person who is sacrificing on behalf of someone else, for
> whatever reason, does not have to adhere to this prohibition.
>
> This prohibition appears to apply only to the one who is offering the
> sacrifice, not to his wife and children, unless any of them is offering a
> sacrifice in his or her own right, because the Prophet (peace and blessings
> of Allaah be upon him) used to sacrifice "on behalf of the family of
> Muhammad," but there are no reports that say he forbade them to cut their
> hair or nails at that time.
>
> If a person was planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides to go and
> perform Hajj, he should not cut his hair or nails if he wants to enter
> ihraam, because the Sunnah is only to cut hair and nails when necessary. But
> if he is performing Tamattu' [whereby he performs 'Umrah, comes out of
> ihraam and enters ihraam anew for Hajj], he should trim his hair at the end
> of his 'Umrah because this is part of the ritual.
>
> The things that are described above as being prohibited for the person who
> is planning to offer a sacrifice are reported in the hadeeth quoted above;
> the person is not forbidden to wear perfume, have marital relations, wear
> sewn garments, etc.
>
> Concerning the types of worship to be performed during these ten days: one
> must understand that these days are a great blessing from Allaah to His
> slave, which is appreciated properly by the actively righteous. It is the
> Muslim's duty to appreciate this blessing and make the most of the
> opportunity, by devoting these ten days to paying more attention to striving
> hard in worship. Among His blessings to His slaves, Allaah has given us many
> ways in which to do good and worship Him, so that the Muslim may be
> constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord.
>
> Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first
> ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah are:
>
> Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu'l-Hijjah, because the
> Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to do good
> deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allaah has
> chosen fasting for Himself, as is stated in the hadeeth qudsi: "Allaah says:
> 'All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is
> for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.'" (Reported by
> al-Bukhaari, 1805).
>
> The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the
> ninth of Dhu'l-Hijjah. Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some
> of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
> said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast
> on the ninth of Dhu'l-Hijjah, on the day of 'Aashooraa', on three days of
> each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month."
> (Reported by al-Nisaa'i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as
> saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462).
>
> 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 Dhu'l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the
> mosque, 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 Dhu'l-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be
> pleased with him and his father): "The 'appointed days' are the first ten
> days (of Dhu'l-Hijjah)."
>
> The Takbeer may include the words "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha
> ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahi'l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great,
> Allaah is Most Great, there is no god 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 Hurayrah (may
> Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the
> first ten days of Dhu'l-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 Sharee'ah for doing this.
>
> Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten is a deed
> that will bring an immense reward, as is indicated by the words of the
> Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whoever revives an
> aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward
> equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in
> the least from their reward." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a
> hasan hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed).
>
> Performing Hajj and 'Umrah. One of the best deeds that one can do during
> these ten days is to perform Hajj to the Sacred House of Allaah. The one
> whom Allaah helps to go on Hajj to His House and to perform all the rituals
> properly is included in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
> Allaah be upon him): "An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than
> Paradise."
>
> Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allaah
> and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj
> should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allaah, praying
> (salaat), reading Qur'an, remembering Allaah, making supplication (du'aa'),
> giving charity, honouring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship,
> enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and
> acts of worship.
>
> Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allaah
> during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality
> animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allaah.
>
> Sincere repentance. One of the most important things to do during these ten
> days is to repent sincerely to Allaah and to give up all kinds of
> disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allaah and foregoing
> all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has
> passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it,
> but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allaah loves.
> If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at once, without delay,
> firstly because he does not know when he will die, and secondly because one
> evil deed leads to another.
>
> Repentance at special times is very important because in most cases people's
> thoughts turn towards worship at these times, and they are keen to do good,
> which leads to them recognizing their sins and feeling regret for the past.
> Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere
> repentance with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this is a sign of
> success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "But as
> for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be
> among those who are successful." [al-Qasas 28:67]
>
> The Muslim should make sure that he does not miss any of these important
> occasion, because time is passing quickly. Let him prepare himself by doing
> good deeds which will bring him reward when he is most in need of it, for no
> matter how much reward he earns, he will find it is less than he needs; the
> time of departure is at hand, the journey is frightening, delusions are
> widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever watchful, and to Him
> will we return and render account. As the Qur'aan says (interpretation of
> the meaning):
>
> "So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it,
>
> And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it."
>
> [al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]
>
> There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by
> these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before
> death strikes, before one can regret one's negligence and failure to act,
> before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered,
> before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for,
> before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.
>
> O you whose hard heart is as dark as the night, is it not time that your
> heart was filled with light and became soft? Expose yourself to the gentle
> breeze of your Lord's mercy during these ten days, for Allaah will cause
> this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and whoever is touched by it will be
> happy on the Day of Judgement. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all
> his Family and Companions.
>
> With the very best of good wishes,
> Musa Amadu Pembo
> Glasgow,
> Scotland
> UK.
> [log in to unmask]
> Da'wah is to convey the message with wisdom and with good words. We should
> give the noble and positive message of Islam. We should try to emphasize
> more commonalities and explain the difference without getting into
> theological arguments and without claiming the superiority of one position
> over the other. There is a great interest among the people to know about
> Islam and we should do our best to give the right message.
> May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,guide us all to His Sirat Al-Mustaqim (Righteous
> Path).May He protect us from the evils of this life and the hereafter.May
> Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,grant us entrance to paradise .
> We ask Allaah the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will
> benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allaah Subhanahu
> Wa Ta'ala grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family
> and
> companions..Amen.
>
>
>
>
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