Ibada in first 10 days of Dhul-Hijja
Bismillah
Regarding the Ibada and good deeds of the first ten days of Dhul Hijja, which
include Hajj and the Day of Sacrifice:
Yawm 'Arafaah (the Day of 'Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His
Religion. Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two years.
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.
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."
More Good Deeds
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. (see Udhiyah)
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.
Allahumma (Oh God), I seek refuge in You from knowledge
that does not benefit,
from a heart that is not subdued,
from a supplication that is not answered,
and from a soul that is not satisfied.
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