The virtuous first 10 days of Zil-hajjah
Those who could not perform Hajj have a golden opportunity to bag the blessings by doing righteous deeds
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 31 2017 11:53PM | Updated Date: Aug 31 2017 11:53PM
Praise be to Allah the creator of universe Who has created time and has made some times better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. He encourages believers to do more righteous deeds during an opportune time 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 the Day of Judgment.The month of Zil-hajjah holds a great significance in the Islamic calendar, as one of the important pillars of Islamic faith, Hajj is performed in this month. Undoubtedly one of the best deeds that one could do during these ten days is to perform Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah. Prophet (saw): said, “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.” But all of us are not fortunate enough to be chosen amongst those performing Hajj this year, whoever is not able to go to Hajj should engage himself/herself at this blessed time with good deeds recommended for these days.
Allah swears an oath by these days and swearing an oath by the Creator of Universe Himself is indicative of its importance significance and great rewards. Syedna Ibn ‘Abbas (RA ) reported that the Prophet (saw) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.( Bukhari). The companions of the Holy Prophet and their first generation followers used to spend this month in extra prayers and supplications, particularly during the first ten days.These days include the 9th of zil-Hajah the day of Arafat. It is this auspicious day when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord, hoping for the mercy from the Lord of the universe. Syedna Aishah (RA), mother of believers, reported that the Messenger (SAW) said: "There is no day on which Allah frees people from the fire as He does on the Day of 'Arafah. For the non-pilgrims, it is recommended to fast on the day of Arafah,9th zil-hajjah. Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger (S) said: "Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of two years: past one and coming one." While those not performing Hajj some scholars recommend fasting for first nine days or part of it but fasting especially on the ninth of Zil-hajjah ,(the day of Arafat) is most virtuous. Since these ten days are counted amongst the most blessed ones; therefore every Muslim should make much from this opportunity. The other righteous deeds to be performed these days is remembering Allah repeatedly by reciting: Tasbeeh; Tahmeed; Takbeer- ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) reported that the Prophet (saw)commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillah”) and Takbeer (“Allahu akbar”) during this time. (Ahmad,7/224): It includes glorifying Allah. From the day of Arafat until the Asr prayer of the 13th day of Zil--hajjah, one should make Takbeer after every obligatory Salah. Ibn Abee Shaybah relates that Ali (RA) used to make the Takbeer beginning after the Fajr prayer on the day of Arafat, until after the Asr prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in al-Irwa.].“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise). Other good deeds are offering abundantly supererogatory prayers (Nawafal), reciting Qur’an; making supplication, giving charity, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other such acts of worship are highly rewarded at this blessed period. A small act of worship, good deed, and generosity performed during this period earns more reward than acts which carry more value and reward at another normal period. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice for the sake of Allah. Imam Muslim and others narrated from Umm Salamah that the Prophet (SAW) said,” when you see the moon of the month of zil-hajjah if any one among you intends to sacrifice an animal, he should restrain from pulling or cutting his hair and nails till the Sacrifice is done. This restriction appears to apply only to the one who is offering the sacrifice. These special ten days of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults, reform life, showing generosity towards needy one, chose right way /methods and make up for any shortcomings one would need to turn to Allah so that our deeds would attract mercy and forgiveness from Him. Thus speaks God: 'O you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God's mercy: behold, God forgives all sins'(zumr). The doors of sincere repentance are open at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during these days of most virtue, it yields better results. Allah the Almighty says: “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [Al-Qasas].There is much to be gained during these invaluable ten days, so let us not waste timed in doing do good deeds, Let not satan deceive you us by laziness, lead us to astray. O, you whose heart is full of despair, sadness and disobedience isn’t it time to expose yourself to the gentle breeze of your Lord’s mercy during these ten days, for Allah will cause this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and whoever is touched by it will be happy on the Day of Judgment. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (SAW)and all his Family and companions.(aameen)
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