All praise is due to Allah alone and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the last Prophet.
One of graces of the Almighty to His worshippers that He has assigned seasons for acts of worship in order to multiply the good deeds and to compete with each other in what brings them close to their Lord, so the successful whom embraces the opportunity of these seasons without letting them pass by. One of these virtuous seasons are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah as the Prophet observed these days as the best of the worldly life and He has urged to do the pious deeds during them. Moreover Allah Almighty swore by these days, which is enough honour to them as The Magnificent does not swear except by the glorious.
Accordingly, this requires Muslims to work hard in these days to multiply the pious deeds, to receive them well and make good use of them. In this message there is an exposition of the favour of these days, the reward of the good deeds and recommended deeds during them.
May Allah help us to benefit the most from these days and to make the best use of them in the way that pleases Him.
How Muslims receive the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
Muslims should generally receive seasons of worship with certain preparations:
1-True repentance:
Muslims should receive the seasons of worship generally by true repentance and serious decision to return to Allah, as repentance leads the worshipper to success in the worldly life and the Hereafter .Allah Almighty said: {And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.} [Surat An-Nur: 31].
{وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ} النور: 31
Transliteration: watooboo ilaAllahi jameeAAan ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona
2- Serious intention to make a good use of these days:
Muslims should strongly adhere to fill up these days with the pious deeds and sayings, as who seriously intends to do certain thing; Allah will assist and provide him with means that enable him to achieve his intention. Who is honest with Allah, Allah will satisfy him, Allah Almighty says: {As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh’s religion - Islâmic Monotheism). And verily, Allâh is with the Muhsinûn (good doers)."} [Surat Al-‘Ankabut 29:69].
{وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ} العنكبوت: 69
Transliteration: Waallatheena jahadoo feenalanahdiyannahum subulana wainna Allaha lamaAAa almuhsineena
3-Keeping away from sins:
As pious deeds are bringing us closer to Allah Almighty, likewise wrongdoings distance us from Allah and drive us out of His mercy, so a man may be deprived from the mercy of Allah because of committing sins. If you seek the forgiveness from sins and release from Hell, be aware not to commit sins in these days and other days. Who knows his aim, all his efforts will become easy.
Therefore, Muslim brother you should stick to benefiting from these days and receive them well not to regret, too late, about missing them.
Attribute of Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
1-Allah Almighty has sworn by:
When Allah swears by something, it reveals how great and superior this thing is, as Allah the Magnificent does not swear except by a glorious thing. Allah Almighty said: {By the dawn;(1) By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjahh)} [Surah Al-Fajr 89:1-2].
{وَالْفَجْرِ (1) وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ} الفجر: 1-2
Transliteration: Waalfajri (1) Walayalin AAashrin
The ten nights are the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. All interpreters whether from early or late periods are unanimous concerning that the ten nights are the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer stated in his book of interpretation: "It is the correct view".
2-These are the days that Allah ordained for remembering Him
Allah Almighty says: {and mention the Name of Allâh on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjahh) , over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice), [at the time of their slaughtering by saying: (Bismillah, Wallâhu-Akbar, Allâhumma Minka wa Ilaik).]} [Surah Al-Hajj 22:28].
{وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ} الحج: 28
Transliteration: wayathkuroo isma Allahi fee ayyamin maAAloomatin AAala ma razaqahum min baheemati alanAAami
Majority of scholars agree with the opinion that the ten nights are the first nights of Dhul-Hijjah, and among them Ibn Omar and Ibn Abas.
3- The Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, stated that they are the best days in the worldly life.
It was Narrated by Jaber that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said: “The best days of the worldly life are the ten days – meaning the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah- It was said: Are not they like fighting for the sake of Allah? He said: No, except for a man whose face was covered with dust striving for the cause of Allah.” [Reported by Al-Bazar and Ibn Habban and authenticated by Al-Albani due to the multiplicity of its chain of narrations]
«أفضل أيام الدنيا أيام العشر - يعني عشر ذي الحجة - قيل: ولا مثلهن في سبيل الله؟ قال: ولا مثلهن في سبيل الله إلا رجل عفر وجهه بالتراب» رواه البزار وابن حبان وقال الألباني: صحيح لغيره
4-They include the day of ‘Arafa:
The day of ‘Arafa is the greatest day of pilgrimage, forgiveness of sins, and release from Hell. It is enough honour for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah that they include the day of ‘Arafa as it was previously mentioned about the reward of the day of ‘Arafa and the Prophet tradition in it in the message of (Pilgrimage is ‘Arafa).
5- It includes the day of Immolation (sacrifice):
Which is the best day of the year according to some of scholars. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, said: “The greatest day to Allah is the day of immolation (sacrifice), then the day of Qarr (the day of sojourn in Mina).” [Reported by Abu Dawud and Authenticated by Al-Albani].
»أعظم الأيام عند الله يوم النحر ثم يوم القر«رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني
6-It gathers the main acts of worshipping:
Al-Hafez Ibn Hajar in the book of “Al-Fath” said: “The reason behind the superiority of the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah is that they gather the main acts of worship which are prayer, fasting, alms and pilgrimage, which does not occur in other days.”
Rewards of deeds of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
It was narrated by Ibn Abas, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said: “There are no such favourable days to Allah to accept the good deeds like these ones (the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah) - They (the companion) said: “O Messenger of Allah, is not jihad (fight) for the sake of Allah favourable?” He said: Not even that, except for a man went out (fighting for the sake of Allah) sacrificing his soul and his property and came back with nothing.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari].
«ما العمل في أيام العشر أفضل من العمل في هذه . قالوا: ولا الجهاد ؟ قال: ولا الجهاد، إلا رجل خرج يخاطر بنفسه وماله، فلم يرجع بشيء» رواه البخاري
It was told about Abdullah Ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “I was with the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and he said: I mentioned deeds to him, then he replied: there is no days such favoured for pious deeds than these ten days, so they (companion) wondered: O Messenger of Allah, what about jihad (fighting) for the sake of Allah? He glorified such a deed and replied: Even that, except for a man went out with himself and his property for the sake of Allah which he extremely loves.” [Reported by Ahmad].
«كنت عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: فذكرت له الأعمال فقال: ما من أيام العمل فيهن أفضل من هذه العشر، قالوا: يا رسول الله، الجهاد في سبيل الله؟ فأكبره، فقال: ولا الجهاد إلا أن يخرج رجل بنفسه وماله في سبيل الله، ثم تكون مهجة نفسه فيه» رواه أحمد
Those two previous Hadiths and other indicate that doing good deeds in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is more favourable to Allah than in other days. Hence, if they are more favourable, so, deeds are more preferable to Allah. Also the two Hadiths indicate that the pious deeds doer is better than fighting for the sake of Allah except for the fighter for the sake of Allah with himself and his property, moreover, the rewards of the pious deeds are multiplied without any exception.
The recommended deeds in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah:
Muslim brother, if you realize the rewards of doing good deeds in these ten days rather than other day, how these seasons are blessings and graces from Allah to His worshippers and a great opportunity that should be seized, then you should pay more attention to these days, exert yourself by pious deeds and more kinds of charity as the pious forefathers used to do. Abu ‘Uthman An-Nahdi said: They (the forefathers) were glorifying three tens (days): the last ten days of Ramadan, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the first ten days of Muharram.
Some of the good deeds that Muslims should adhere to and increase in these days are:
1- Performing rituals of Hajj (pilgrimage) and ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage):
They are the best pious deeds in the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, and whomsoever has been enabled to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah in the way that Allah accepts, his reward will be in paradise as Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said: “Sins committed between one ‘Umrah and another are expiated and the reward of Hajj (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but paradise.” [Agreed upon]
«العمرة إلى العمرة كفارة لما بينهما، والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلاّ الجنّة» متفق عليه
Hajj (the one accepted by Allah) which is consistent with the Sunnah of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and it is free of any hypocrisy, celebrity, obscenity, or wickedness, rather it is surrounded by pious and good deeds.
2- Fasting:
It is considered one of the main pious deeds rather it is one of the best as Allah has kept it for Himself because of its significance and superiority. Allah Almighty said in Qudsi Hadith (divine Hadith): “All the deeds of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting which is for Me, and I reward it Myself.” [Agreed upon]
«قال سبحانه فى الحديث القدسي: كل عمل ابن آدم له إلاّ الصوم فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به» متفق عليه
The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, emphasized on fasting the day of ‘Arafa which is one of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and illustrated its significance as He said: “By fasting the day of ‘Arafa, Allah expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming one.” [Reported by Muslim]
«صيام يوم عرفة، أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله . والسنة التي بعده» رواه مسلم
Accordingly, a Muslim should fast the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah because the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, has urged to make good deeds during these days. Imam An-Nawawi recommended to fast the ten days as he said: “Fasting these days is highly recommended.”
3- Prayer:
It is one of the best, the greatest and the most virtuous pious deeds, therefore Muslims should keep performing prayer on time and in congregation. They also should do more supererogatory works which are of the best pious acts. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah upon Him, said by narrating from his Lord: “My worshipper continues to seek closeness to me by supererogatory acts till l love him.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«قال الله: وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إليّ بالنوافل حتى أحبه» رواه البخاري
4-Glorifying, praising, declaring oneness of Allah and invoking Him:
It was narrated by Ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said: “There are no days greatest to Allah nor loved to perform good deeds than the these ten days (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah), so increase in invocations by Tahlil (Lai ilaha ila Allah- There is no God except Allah), takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and tahmid (Al Hamdu lilah – Praising Him).” [Reported by Ahmad]
«ما من أيام أعظم عند الله ولا أحب إليه العمل فيهن من هذه الأيام العشر، فأكثروا فيهن من التهليل والتكبير والتحميد» رواه أحمد
Al-Albani said: “Ibn Omar and Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them), were going out to markets in these ten days glorifying Allah (saying Allahu Akbar) and people were repeating after them.”
“When Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) was glorifying Allah in his dome at Mina, people in The Masjid heard him and accordingly they repeated after him, so did people in the market to the point that Mina was quaking. Also Ibn Omar was glorifying in Mina on these days (the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah), after prayers and in his bed as well as in his tent, while he was sitting and walking all these days long.”
It is recommended to Muslims to declare glorifying Allah and to say it out loudly beside they should avoid collective glorifying as it has not been reported about the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, or any of the ancestors, and Sunnah (Prophet’s tradition) dictates that everyone glorify solely.
5- Alms:
It is one of the pious deeds which is highly recommended for Muslims to do and Allah has promoted to do as He says: {O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers).} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:254].
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لاَّ بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلاَ خُلَّةٌ وَلاَ شَفَاعَةٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ} البقرة: 254
Transliteration: Yaayyuha allatheena amanoo anfiqoo mimma razaqnakum min qabli an yatiya yawmun la bayAAun feehi walakhullatun wala shafaAAatun waalkafiroona humu alththalimoona
Also Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said: “Charity does not diminish out property.” [Reported by Muslim]
«ما نقصت صدقة من مال» رواه مسلم
Besides what was mentioned above there are other pious deeds that are recommended to be increasingly done, some of which will be pointed out as a reminder:
Reciting and learning the Qur’an, seeking forgiveness, dutifulness to parents, connecting with one's kinship, propagation of greetings, offering food, reconciliation between people, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, keeping tongue from evils - gossip, lying and so on - and guarding one's modesty, treating neighbour kindly, hospitality to guests, spending for the sake of Allah, moving away harms from paths, supporting one's wife and children, sponsorship of orphans, visiting patients, meeting brothers' needs, keeping off causing harm to Muslims, being gentle with others, keeping in good relation with parents' friends, praying for the Muslim brothers in their absence, paying deposits and keeping promises, keeping the good relation with aunts and uncles, praying upon the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah upon Him, helping the needy, lowering the gaze from what is forbidden, performing ablution perfectly, invocation between the prayer call and the iqama call (second call for prayer), reciting Surah Al-Khaf (from Quran) on Fridays, adherence to congregation prayer in Masjids, keeping on the Sunnan Al Rawateb (supererogatory prayers associated with the five obligatory prayers) and performing Eid prayer in place of prayer, remembering Allah after each prayer, seeking lawful sustenance for living, bringing happiness to Muslims, sympathy for the weak, attempting to do favours and guiding to good, continuous supplication to Allah, being honest in buying and selling, praying for one's parents, working on purifying one's heart and avoiding bitter feeling, directing boys and girls and cooperation with Muslim on what is good.
Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, His family and His companions.
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