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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
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The virtues of the first
ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah Praise be to Allah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others; some months, days and nights better than others; when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves; Allah says: “Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: no choice have they (in the matter): Glory to God! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!” (28:68) This in order to encourage 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 Judgment. Dear Muslims, Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Allah swore by these days in Quran: “By the dawn; And by the ten nights,” (89:1-2) Prophet Mohammed (saws) also testified that these are the best days of this world. Ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allah or greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice”. He was asked, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, 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." (Al-Bukhari) So, Performing worships and act of obedience in these days is also preferred over doing it in other days of the year, even the last ten days of Ramadan. However, it is strange that you find that Muslims are heedless about the value of these days, and that they have no spirit to do worships especially in comparison to Ramadan. It is common to see people increase their worships and be encouraged to do righteous deeds in Ramadan, while they don’t do the same in the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Brothers and Sisters These ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are a good chance for us to repent from our sins, perform righteous deeds and bring ourselves close to Allah and His guidance. We all have to do our best to get the maximum benefits of these special days. This can be achieved by leaving sins and perform our religious duties. Moreover, since the rewards are increased in these days, doing act of obedience such as charity and sadaqaha, performing prayers, promotion of virtues and prevention of vices, reciting Quran, remembrance of Allah, visiting our relatives and preserve the ties of kinship, and doing good to our parents is highly recommended during these days. Of special importance in these ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah is the remembrance of Allah, especially Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allah") during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly. Allah says: “And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways * That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them. Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor having a hard time.” (22:27-28). The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Takbeer in these days 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 Allah 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. 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 Allah 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.” (Al-Tirmidhi) Another special deed which has great value during these ten days is offering a sacrificial animal. By choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, Muslims will be spending money for the sake of Allah. Allah ordered His prophet to do it in Quran saying: “to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice” (108:2); and hence we should also do it following our prophet as Allah says: “Say: "If ye do love God, Follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins: For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."” (3:31). And “So take what the Apostle assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear God; for God is strict in Punishment” (59:7). Dear Muslims, I urge you to use this great season to revise your deeds and bring your self closer to your Lord. Fasting is one of the deeds that preferred during the ninth days of Dhu’l-Hijjah; and that can give us huge rewards. It is also recommended to increase our Dua’a (supplication) in these great days, as prophet Mohamed said: “The best supplication is the supplicationon the day of Arafat”. (Al-Tirmidhi and Malik)
Amen
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