The First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. The first ten days of this month are full of virtues and blessings from the Almighty. In fact, The Almighty Allah takes an oath in the Glorious Qur`an “by the ten nights” of Dhul Hijjah [89:1-2]. This is to substantiate the sanctity, importance and greatness of the first ten days and nights of this sacred month.
The Prophet (peace and salutations be upon him) also expressed, “There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to The Almighty than these ten days [of Dhul Hijjah]”. [al-Bukhari]
How can we appreciate and value these blessed days and nights of Dhul Hijjah?
- It is preferred to fast during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, especially on the ninth (also known as the day of `Arafah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Fasting on the day of `Arafah (i.e. ninth of Dhul Hijjah) compensates [for the sins] of the past and the coming year.” It should be noted that it is impermissible to fast on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah – it is a day of rejoicing and consuming from the meat of the animal sacrificed in the name of the Almighty Allah.
- It is wajib to recite the takbirat at-tashriq [audibly for men] after every fardh salah from the Fajr of the ninth of Dhul Hijjah till the `Asr of the thirteenth (in total, twenty-three prayers). In fact, it is recommended to glorify the Almighty abundantly (tasbih, tahlil, tahmid and takbir), particularly during these days.
- It is wajib upon every sane adult who is not traveling and owns enough wealth [equal to or more than nisab] to sacrifice a livestock animal (known as qurbani or ud`hiyyah) during any of the three days of `Eid al-Ad`ha (i.e. which is after the `Eid salah on the 10th until the sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah). It is preferable for a person to slaughter his animal himself or have it slaughtered in front of him. Any of the following animals could be slaughtered in qurbani: goats, sheep, rams or even cows, bulls, buffaloes and camels. However, while a goat, sheep and ram will only suffice for one individual, up to seven people may hold a share (i.e. of one seventh each) in a cow, bull, buffalo or camel. If a person is unable to slaughter an animal during these days, then he should give the price equivalent to any [of the above-mentioned] animal to the poor.
The act of qurbani is also a sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and very rewarding. The Prophet (peace and salutations be upon him) said, “There is nothing dearer to the Almighty during the days of Qurbani (i.e. 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah) than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed in reward). The sacrifice is accepted by the Almighty before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” Furthermore, there will be `a reward for every hair` [or `every fiber of the wool`] on the sacrificed animal.
- In order to attract the mercy of the Almighty Allah, we should increase in righteous deeds such as reciting the Qur`an, offering our missed salah, giving more in charitable and humanitarian causes, increasing in dua and in the remembrance of the Almighty, visiting one`s family and the sick etc.
- It is preferable to refrain from cutting the hair or clipping the nails from the moment the moon of Dhul Hijjah is sighted till the qurbani is performed [for those who are intending to perform qurbani]. While hundreds of thousands will have donned the ihram and will be visiting the sacred places, this may be a small gesture to imitate them [by not removing any hair or nails during these days] and thereby call out the mercy of The Almighty to enshroud us too along with the pilgrims.
May Almighty Allah give us true piety since; “It is not that their meat, not their blood that reaches the Almighty, but it is your piety that reaches Him” [Qur`an]. Ameen
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Posted in Uncategorised on 1st Sep 2016 by Our Imam | 6282 Views
