Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

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,
pre-pare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day
of Judgement.
This
season of worship brings many benefits, such as the oppor-tunity to
correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that
one might have missed. Every one of these spe-cial 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 whom-soever 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. Cool

The
Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of
Allaah and persist in doing good deeds until the mo-ment of death.
Allaah says
“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) ) said:rreported
that the Prophet (
“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 noth-ing.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
2/457)
) said:rIbn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported that the Prophet (
“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 vari-ous 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 some-thing is
indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says:
“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)
) testified that these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh ahaadeeth.rThe Prophet (
)
encouraged people to do righteous deeds be-causerThe Prophet ( 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.
)
commanded us to recite a lot of TasbeehrThe Prophet (
(“Subhan-Allaah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allaahu
akbar”) during this time. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased )
said:rwith him and his father) reported that the Prophet (
“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 ex-piate for the sins
of two years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahr (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?
Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Ha5

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Ha5

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 of-fered his )
said:rsacrifice, because the Prophet (
“When
you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a
sacrifice, then he should stop cut-ting his hair and nails until he has
offered his sacrifice.”
According to another report he said:
“He should not remove 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 uncondi-tional and
unavoidable. If a person does any of these things de-liberately, he must
seek Allaah’s forgiveness but is not however 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
) onlyrduring the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (
forbade cutting the hair, not washing it.
The
wisdom behind this prohibition from cutting his hair etc. for the one
who wants to offer a sacrifice, 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 some-one 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
)roffering a sacrifice in his or her own right, because the Prophet (
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 be-cause 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 per-fume, 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 bless-ing 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.
Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Hajj24

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Hajj24

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, ) urged us to do
good deeds during this time, andrbecause the Prophet ( 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)
)
used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah.rThe Prophet ( Hu-naydah ibn
Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of ) said:rthe
Prophet (
)
used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, onr“The Prophet ( 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”), Tah-meed (“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 re-cite them quietly.
Allaah says:
“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 cat-tle
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 ‘Ab-baas ): “The
‘appointed days’ are the first ten days (of Dhu’l-Hijjah.”t(
The Takbeer may include the words:
“Allaahu
akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Al-laahu 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 for-gotten,
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 evi-dence 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 re-cite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea
behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should
recite it indi-vidually, 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 ):rwords of the
Prophet (
“Whoever
revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgot-ten 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 cor-roborating
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 ):rthe
rituals properly is included in the words of the Prophet (
“An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Para-dise.”
Doing
more good deeds in general, because good deeds are be-loved 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, re-membering 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 imme-diately 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.
Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Hajj8

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Hajj8

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 suc-cess, in sha Allaah. Allaah says:
“But
as for him who repented, believed and did right-eous deeds, then he
will be among those who are suc-cessful.” [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 pre-pare 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:
“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.
* Note: all verses are interpretations of the meaning of Allah’s Words.
Adapted
from www.islamqa.com. We would like to express our sincere appreciation
to those who contributed to the publication of this book. May Allah
reward them for their efforts. If you have any corrections, comments, or
questions about this

» Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
» First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah: Days of Virtue and Righteous Deeds
» Making up missed days of fasting
» Hajj: its Virtues and Benefits
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