12th Month in the Islamic Calendar : Dhul Hijjah

The month of Dhul-Hijjah is indeed a month of tremendous virtues and
blessings. The First Ten Days of this month are especially significant
andare among the most magnificent days in the Islamic calendar.
It is reported from HadratIbn Abbas (Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu) that
Sayyadina Rasulullah (Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhiwa Sallam) said: "
There is no day wherein any good action is more beloved to Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) than these ten days (the first ten days of Dhul
Hijjah)". The Sahabah (Radi Allahu ta'ala anhum) enquired: " Not even
Jihaad in the path of Allah ? "(i.e. are actions performed in these
days more beloved than even the act of Jihad)". " Not even Jihad in
the path of Allah," replied Sayyadina Rasulullah (Salla Allahu Ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam) , " with the exception of that person who left
withhis life and wealth (in thepath of Allah) and did notreturn with
any of it (i.e. he is martyred)". (Bukhari, Tabrani)
It is also narrated from Hadrat Ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu)
that Sayyadina Rasulullah (Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhiwa Sallam) said:
" No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds
than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah ". Therefore in these days
increasinglyrecite: " La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar,
Al-Hamdu-lillah, Sub-hanallah. " (Tabrani)
Fasts in the First 10 Days
Hadrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu) narrates that Sayyadina
Rasulullah (Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: "There are no
days more dearer to Allah, in which to perform His Ibadat, than the
first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The fast of one of those days is
equivalent to one year's fasting; and the ibadat of one night during
this period is equal to the ibadat of Laylat al-Qadr."(Ibne Maja,
Tirmidhi).
Other Acts to undertake in these days :
1. The best deed in these ten days is to perform Hajj and Umrah.
According to the Hadith,"From one Umrah to the next Umrah there is
atonement of sins in between, and for Haj which is accomplished
sincerely, the reward is nothing but Paradise."
2. There is great virtue in fasting in these first nine days, or some
of them, especially on the Day of Arafat. There is no doubt that
fasting is one of the best deeds which Allah has chosen. It is related
in by Qatadah (Radi Allahu anhu) that the Beloved Muhammad (Salla
Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhiwa Sallam) said,"Whoever fasts on the Day of
Arafat, Allah may forgive his/her sins of the previous year and of the
coming year." Note: This does refer to major or intentional sins; only
to those of omission or forgetfulness. (Sahih Muslim)
3. Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) and dhikr (remembering Allah often)
during these days is highly recommended. As Allah tells us, (Quran
2:203): "And remember Allah in days appointed." which refers to these
ten days. It is related by Hadrat Ibn Umar (Radi Allahu anhu) ,
"Increase in these days, Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), Tahleel (saying
la ilaha ilallah) and Tahmeed (saying al-hamdulillah)," as already
explained. (Ahmad)
In Sahih al-Bukhari, related by Hadrat Ibn Umar (Radi Allahu anhu) and
Hadrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu) that they used to walk in
the markets glorifying and magnifying Allah. The people used to join
them. They used to say inthese ten days: 'Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar,
la ilaha ilallah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillah il-hamd .'
This takbirdoes not need to be collective, each person individually
glorifies Allah alone, and as in all Dhikr and Dua, one may do
whatever is easy for him/her.
4. One should make Taubah (sincere repentance) and avoid disobedience
and the rest of sins. Disobedienceis the reason for our being far
removed from Allah. On the other hand, obedience is what bringsus
closer to Allah and is the way of earning the love of Allah. In the
hadith related by Hadrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu) ,
Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Indeed
Allah has dignity, and His dignity demands that man should not come to
Him with deeds that may be forbidden." (Agreed upon)
5. We should do as many voluntary good deeds (nawafil) e.g. Salaat,
Saddaqa, recitation of the Qur'an al-kareem, feeding the poor, and the
encouragement of good deeds and the prevention of bad deeds or evil
within our society;These voluntary deeds are awarded twice the amount
for those done inany other days.
6. Do in these days individual takbir, in all the events of the day
andthe night, till the Salaat-al-Eid, and collective takbir which is
recited after every Prayer (Salaat) in congregation. It begins for
non-Hajis, i.e.those not performing Haj, from Salaat-al Fajr on the
Day of Arafat.
The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah
The 9th day of Dhulhijjahis called 'Yawmul -"Arafah' (The Day of
'Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj ( pilgrims) assemble on
theplain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al-Mukarramah, where
they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj,
namely, the 'Wuqoof of'Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat)'.
The Fast of Yawmul 'Arafah
The fast of 'Yawmul 'Arafah' has been emphasized by the Most Beloved
Prophet (Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) as a mustahabb
(desirable) act. Accordingto a Hadith, the fast of this day becomes a
cause,hopefully so, of forgiveness for sins committed in one year.
Abu Qatadah (Radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyadina Rasullullah
(Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhiwa Sallam) said: " I have hope in Allah
Ta'ala that the fast of Arafah will be an atonement for the sins of
the past and the forthcoming year." (Muslim & Tirmidhi)
Takbir-ut-tashriq
Beginning from the Fajr of the 9th Dhulhijjah up to the 'Asr prayer of
the 13th, it is obligatory on each Muslim to recite the Takbir of
Tashriq after every fard prayer in the following words.
" Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu
Akbar wa lillahilhamd ."
(There is no god but Allahand Allah is the greatest, Allah is the
greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)
According to authentic Islamic sources, it is obligatory on each
Muslim, to recite this Takbir after every fard Salaah. Whether one is
performing salah with Jama'ah (collectively) or on one's own
(individually) makes no difference. One must recite the Takbir.
However, male Muslims should recite it in a loud voice, while females
should recite it in a low voice.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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