Sunday June 27, 2021

What is Dhul Hijjah?

The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest periods of the Islamic year SubhanAllah. A month of increased spirituality, we witness two very special events (Hajj and Hari Raya Haji) – all in devotion to Allah (SWT).

Many people don’t know that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year, the 10 best days with no exception. They are even better than the days of Ramadan, SubhanAllah!

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days” (Bukhari), meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

After the holy month of Ramadan, maybe you feel that you could have done more throughout the sacred month? Perhaps you’ve since let go of that Ramadan feeling?

Well, these beloved ten days offer another chance to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven and reach great levels of piety, Insha’Allah.

A month of increased spirituality, we witness two very special events – all in devotion to Allah (SWT).

Not only is this the month of Hajj, but also the blessed day of Eid al Adha.

On this day, each and every one of us, who is able, offers Qurbani – just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did – in devotion to Allah (SWT) and to help vulnerable communities in need across the globe.

At Islamic Relief, we work all year round to relieve food poverty and help families maintain a healthy, stable livelihood.

Every Eid al-Adha, Islamic Relief is at the forefront of distributing Qurbani meat to some of the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, in over 30 countries.

In 2021 alone, we distributed Qurbani meat to 3,467,973 people in need.

For many, this is the only time they will be able to eat meat in the entire year.

By donating your Qurbani, you’ll not only bring happiness to those less fortunate than ourselves, but you’ll also enable vulnerable communities across the globe to enjoy Eid al-Adha without worrying about how and what they will feed their families.

 

By giving your Zakat and Sadaqah during this blessed time, you’ll be helping families and entire communities have a happy Hari Raya Haji. Your Sadaqah and Zakat could provide a food parcel to a family living in poverty, safe water to communities struggling against drought or essential healthcare to those suffering from disease, ill-health or conflict.

By giving in this blessed month, we offer crucial solidarity and hope. Dhul Hijjah is a sacred month loved by Allah.

Give to Islamic Relief and reap the rewards of the 10 best days.

Virtues of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are often referred to as the best ten days of the year, and a second chance after Ramadan. For those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year, this is still a great time of blessing and immense reward.

Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Hajj during these days. While many of us are unable to make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.

In  Surat Al-Fajr, Allah says:

 

“By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights.” (Qur’an 89:1-2)

According to many scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds than usual. These can include anything such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship by being mindful of our prayers and ensuring we pay our zakat on time.

For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make dua’a that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so soon.

Fasting and remembrance are particularly recommended.

 

Dhul Hijjah: Fasting Nine days, especially on the Day of Arafah

It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, because fasting is one of the best of deeds. In a hadith qudsi, Allah says: “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.” (Bukhari, 1805)

It is reported that “The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” (Abu Dawood, 2/462)

The ten days of Dhul-Hijjah include Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. The Prophet  said: “Fasting the day of `Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one.” (Muslim)

 

Remembrance

Our Prophet  said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah or 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)

  • Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)

  • Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)

  • Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God)

While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd.

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise.

The companions would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer out loud and people would also recite after hearing them.

Let us follow their footsteps and encourage others to recite the takbeer as well, as an act of worship and a proclamation of the greatness of Allah.

Reap the rewards of this blessed month – Donate Now.

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