Let us make the most of the blessed month: Zhul Hijjah
Allah in His infinite wisdom has made up the year of twelve (12) months and has chosen four of them as sacred, hence elevating their virtues. Allah said: “Surely the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). S9 V36
The month of Zhul Hijjah, especially its first ten days have special virtues in Islam. It is the last month of the Muslim calendar and the period of the fifth pillar of Islam- Hajj.
To indicate the importance and the great benefit of the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah, Allah swears an oath by them: “By the dawn, by the ten nights” Al fajr-S89 V1-2.
Ibn ‘Abas (r) confirmed that this refers to the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah. Ibn ‘Abas also reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allah, or greater in reward than a good deed done during the ten days of sacrifice” He was asked: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause of Allah, and came back with nothing” Albukhary
These texts and others indicate the virtues of the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah. Therefore, we should take this opportunity to get closer to Allah with many acts of Ibadah (worship) such as reciting a lot of TASBEEH “SUBHANALLAH”, TAHMEED “ALHAMDULILLAH” and TAKBEER “ALLAHU AKBAR”.
‘Abdullah ibn Umar (r) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of TAHLEEL “LA ILAHA ILLALLAH”, TAKBEER and TAHMEED” Ahmad.
The Prophet (s.a.w) also said: “One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship of “LAYLATUL QADR””. Tirmiziy
These ten days include YAWMU ARAFAH*, the day of ARAFAH and fasting the day of ARAFAH* expiates for the sins of two years (for those who are not performing Hajj). It is also strongly recommended to recite after every prayer “ALLAHU AKBAR ALLAHU AKBAR, LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU ALLAHU AKBAR ALLAHU AKBAR WALILLAHIL HAMD” and this from the Fajr of the day of ARAFAH up to the Asr prayer of the 13th of Zhul Hijjah (AYYAMUT TASHREEQ).
May Allah in His mercy grant us the virtues of these blessed days.
By cheick Sidic C
