Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days” (Sahih Bukhari)
In the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah marks the final month of the year. As a month where we are thankful to have experienced another year, it is also a time most blessed by Allah (SWT). This is especially true for the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, as Muslims around the world increase in worship towards our Creator and prepare for the important events of Hajj and Eid al-Adha during these most sacred days. Within Islam, several verses and ahadith emphasise the importance of Dhul Hijjah and its first 10 days as the holiest days of the year. In the Quran, Allah (SWT) swears an oath by these first 10 days by saying: “By the dawn and by the ten nights,” (Al-Fajr 89:1-2). As the Creator of the universe and beyond, when Allah (SWT) swears an oath by something, it is indicative of how important and of great benefit they are to us as His creations. Likewise, on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafah, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received this verse: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:3). Much like how Laylatul Qadr during the blessed month of Ramadan is considered the greatest night of the year, the Day of Arafah is considered the greatest day of the year. As it was on this Day of Arafah that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and approved Islam as a way of life.
In turn, ahadith that signify how blessed the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are include: “The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul Hijjah being distinguished in excellence is due to the assembly of the greatest acts of worship in this period – salawat (prayers), siyam (fasting), sadaqah (charity) and the Hajj (pilgrimage). In no other periods do these great deeds combine.” (Fath al-Bari). “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari). As such, many Muslims use the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah to increase their remembrance of Allah (SWT). As a time beyond Ramadan when we have the best opportunity to maximise our blessings and rewards from Allah (SWT), we should make the most of these best 10 days by elevating our good deeds and acts of worship. Generally, all good deeds are greatly rewarded during the blessed 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. This is especially true on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, as “There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah.” (Muslim). Good deeds include actions such as praying, reading the Quran, making Dua (supplication), seeking Allah’s forgiveness (Istighfar), Tawbah (repentance), giving in charity and being good to our families, and other voluntary (nafl) righteous deeds of worship. On the other hand, there are also specific good deeds mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah that are encouraged for us to carry out during these best 10 days. The month of Dhul Hijjah is also known as “The Month of the Pilgrimage”. On the 8th, 9th and 10th day of the month, Muslims from all around the world come together in Makkah to fulfil Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, in the hope they will have all their previous sins forgiven upon completion. This is because performing Hajj is considered one of the best deeds that one can do during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Likewise, for the one who sincerely performs and completes Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.” (Ibn Majah). Fasting in the month of Dhul Hijjah is greatly encouraged during the first nine days. This is especially true for the Day of Arafah, as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years” (Muslim). Dhikr, the verbal remembrance of Allah (SWT), is another virtuous act that is especially beloved to God in these first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. In Quran, it is stated: “And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days” (Al-Hajj 12:28). The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) and Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar) during this time. He (SAW) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah in which Good Deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” (Ahmad). The 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid Al-Adha, a day where we perform Qurban (sacrifice). This ritual of Eid Al-Adha commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to Allah (SWT). In his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS) for the sake of Allah (SWT), God intervened and sent a ram to be sacrificed in Ismail’s place. As a time where no deed is more beloved to Allah (SWT) than one done during these blessed 10 days, it is also a time when we beautify our acts of worship towards Allah (SWT) to reap the most rewards from God. But it is also in our elevated remembrance of Allah (SWT) that we honour the legacy of Dhul Hijjah and the sacrifice, trust and devotion shown to Allah (SWT) by our Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Ismail (AS) and Hajara (AS). Without the trials they were willing to face for the sake of God, we would not have the rituals of the important events of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha, which are integral to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Hajj, as one of the five pillars of Islam, is a vital aspect of Islam. During the 8th, 9th and 10th days of Dhul Hijjah, the month of the pilgrimage, Muslims from around the world come together to travel to the Ka’aba in Makkah to perform the sacred rituals of Hajj.
One of the most significant rituals of Hajj is the pacing between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Within the Quran, we are told: “Behold! Safaa and Marwa are among the symbols of God. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, there is no blame on them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to Good, be sure that God is One Who is Responsive, Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:158). Decreed as signs and symbols of Allah (SWT), Safa and Marwa are representative of His Divine Protection, Wisdom and Mercy in times we face conditions of material and worldly distress. This is also because the act of pacing between the two hills seven times commemorates the hardship of Hajara (AS), one of the wives of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Before Makkah became a thriving city, it was originally a dry and desolate land. It was in this desert where Allah (SWT) asked Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to separate from Hajara (AS) and Ismail (AS) as a test of their trust in His Divine Will. Ibrahim (AS) was initially hesitant to leave his wife and son in the desert, but it was only when Hajara (AS) told him to trust in Allah (SWT) that he agreed to go.
Donating Qurbani is a highly encouraged act for every Muslim who is financially able to do so and can be done so through a certified charity. As the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are well upon us, we hope that this blessed month marks a time of great joy, reflection and blessings for all. To make the most of this blessed period, we should strive to increase our dua, supplicating to Allah (SWT) for His Mercy, forgiveness and blessings. May we take this opportunity to make the most of the rewards Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon us, insha’Allah!
However, left in the arid desert, Hajara (AS) soon ran out of water and food to sustain herself and the infant Ismail (AS). Desperately, Hajara (AS) paced through the valley between the hills of Safa and Marwa, searching for signs of life, supplicating and calling out to Allah (SWT) for aid. It was through her struggle and devotion to God that the archangel Jibreel, the same angel who sent down Quranic revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was sent down to aid her. Soon after, water sprung from the ground beneath the feet of Ismail (AS), and the well of Zamzam was gifted to them. With the steady supply of water, the previously uninhabitable land gave way to life. And when Ibrahim (AS) came back to Hajar and Ismail (AS), he was graced with the sight of a small, but burgeoning community, founded by his wife. For the Makkah we know today, we owe it to Hajara (AS) for not just finding this site but also for her sacrifice, trust and communication with Allah (SWT) that brought the area to life. In her story and the rituals of Hajj, we reflect on the capacity of Hajara (AS) to trust and believe in Allah (SWT) and follow her example in cherishing His mercy, love and care for us. In Islam, we have two celebration festivals: Eid Al-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid Al-Adha, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. On the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to Eid prayer and sharing happiness with loved ones, Muslims worldwide perform Qurban through the act of sacrificing an animal – sheep, goat, cow or camel – for the sake of Allah (SWT). An act of worship beloved to Allah (SWT) on this day, the reason we perform Qurban on Eid Al-Adha comes from the story of Ibrahim (AS) and his devotion and trust in the Divine Will of Allah (SWT). One night, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that Allah (SWT) told him to sacrifice Ismail (AS), his beloved son. At first, Ibrahim (AS) believed the dream was Shaytan playing tricks on him and immediately disregarded it. However, when the same dream came to him the following night, Ibrahim (AS) came to realise that the dream was, in fact, a message from Allah (SWT). Ibrahim (AS) loved his son, Ismail (AS), but he had faith in Allah’s (SWT) plan and Divine Wisdom and did as he was instructed. Likewise, when telling his son about his dream and what Allah (SWT) had commanded him to do, Ismail (AS) reassured his father to follow the wishes of God and perform the sacrifice. In both their devotion and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of God, Allah (SWT) replaced Ismail (AS) with a ram, who was then slaughtered in his place. In this story, we see that Eid Al-Adha is not just a celebration, but the remembrance of one of the greatest sacrifices in history. It is a festival where we commemorate and be inspired by the trust and belief Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) have in the Almighty and His Divine Mercy and Protection. Indeed, Prophet Ibrahim, Hajar, and their son Ismail (may peace be upon them all) experienced many struggles and trials in their lives. But Allah (SWT) always came through and showered them with mercy and blessings for their steadfast belief and gratitude towards Him. As such, the month of Dhul Hijjah is about honouring this legacy of sacrifice and devotion to Allah (SWT). In this chance to learn from and apply the spiritual journey of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajar and Ismail (may peace be upon them all) in our own lives, we should also take this time to be empathetic and supportive of the struggles of others. Through partaking in good deeds that truly improve our lives and the lives of others, we can be the difference that changes the world for the better in one of the most blessed months of the year. Thus, on Eid Al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect this great act of worship. Following the sacrifice, the meat is divided, in which at least one-third of the meat must go to the poor or vulnerable. Donating Qurbani is a highly encouraged act for every Muslim who is financially able to do so and can be done so through a certified charity. As the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are well upon us, we hope that this blessed month marks a time of great joy, reflection and blessings for all. To make the most of this blessed period, we should strive to increase our dua, supplicating to Allah (SWT) for His Mercy, forgiveness and blessings. May we take this opportunity to make the most of the rewards Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon us, insha’Allah!
(The authors write regularly on “Islamic Topics” exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. . The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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