Dhul-Hijjah is the last month of Islamic year. It is a month of great importance for Muslims. True, we all know that it is the month of Hajj, the greatest ibadah. But what if we are not going to hajj? Would we miss out all the ajr? Not really!

 

 Dhul-Hijjah was the month of Hajj even before the advent of Islam. The Arabs respected it and avoided fighting in the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

 

Allah SWT gave Dhul-Hijjah immense importance, particularly the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, which can be seen as Allah  SWT swore an oath by them in the Quran:

 

“By the dawn; And [by] ten nights.” [1]

 

In his tafseer, Ibn Katheer explained that the “ten nights” in this verse stand for the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

 

Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people 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, and came back with nothing." [2]

 

If these ten days are so beloved to Allah, what  should we do to make the most of these ten days?

 

1.         Dua at the start of Dul-Hijjah:                                                           
Start by making masnoon dua when you see the moon for Dhul-Hijjah:

 

اللَّهُمَّأَهْلِلْهُعَلَيْنَابِالْيُمْنِوَالإِيمَانِوَالسَّلاَمَةِوَالإِسْلاَمِرَبِّيوَرَبُّكَاللَّهُ 

 

"O Allah make the new moon rise on us with blessing, faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and Your Lord is Allah"

 

2. Look after your Salah well!

Five times salah is obligatory for all adult Muslims. Try to take your salah to  a higher level.

a.          Pray on time.

b.         Pray with congregation (Jamaat) [for men]

c.          Try to offer as many nawafil as you can with each salah.

d.         Try to offer ishraq and tahajjud salah.

e.          Try to recite lengthy surahs in Qiyaam.

 

 

3. Make Quran your best friend!

 

a.          Try to recite as much Quran as you can manage.

b.         Attempt to learn some surahs. You can revise what you have learnt in your salah.

c.          Recite Quran and try to understand its meanings; either through tafseer, or by joining a Quran class. If you cannot manage it, try enrolling in Online Quran Class. Online Quran Class helps to save your time, and can easily fit into your schedule.

 

 

4. Fasts!

 

a.          These ten days are a good time to make up your fasts, or for voluntary fasts.

b.         You can also fast on Monday and Thursday

c.          Fast on 9th of Dhul-Hijjah:

 

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah SAW was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah ( 9th of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, "Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” [3] 

  

5. Dhikr and Dua!

 

a.        According to one hadith in Masnad Ahmed, we should recite Tehleel, Takbeer, and Tehmeed abundantly in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; Whereas Tehleel means saying لَاإِلٰهَإِلَّاٱلله 

Takbeer means saying اللهأكبر

Tehmeed means saying الحَمْدلله

 

 

 

b. According to another hadith of Sahih Muslim, reciting

 

سُبْحَانَاللَّهِوَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِوَلاَاِلهَإِلاَّاللَّهُوَاللَّهُأَكْبَرُ

 

was more beloved to our Prophet SAW then all the things on which the sun rises.

 

c. According to one hadith, reciting

لاَاِلهَإِلاَّاللَّهُ

is the best Dhikr, while reciting

الْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ

is the best dua.

 

c. Reciting Takbeerat loudly:

It is sunnah to recite Takbeerat during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah often, and audibly. It was the custom of sahabah to recite the takbeerat loudly in the market places, so that everyone was reminded and then everyone joined in reciting takbeerat. We should attempt to revive this sunnah. If not possible, then at least try to recite yourself.

 

اَللّهُاَكْبَرُ،اَللّهُاَكْبَرُ،اَللّهُاَكْبَرُ،لاَاِلَهَاِلاَّاللّهُاَللّهُاَكْبَرُ،اَللّهُاَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّهِالْحَمْدُ 

 

d. Making loads of duas everyday, but particularly on 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, or Youm ul Arafah (the Hajj day), because Allah SWT mentions the Hajj day as the day of making duas and remembrance of Allah.

 

6. Charity:

Don't forget to remember you brothers in need during these ten days. Spend on them! Sadaqah, khairaat;s in any way. Any good deed done in these special days, holds special ajr. We should try to gain as much air as possible.

 

7. Be More helpful!

Be on your best behaviour during these ten days. Be more helpful, more caring, more humble,  and understanding than usual, and all with a smile; Because according to one hadith, the best amongst ourselves is the one with the best character (Ikhlaq)

 

8. Sacrifice:

 If you are a sahib e nisaab, then you should be planning to offer sacrifice. You can offer your sacrifice individually, if you sacrifice a small animal, like goat or sheep; or you can participate in sacrifice if you are planning to offer a large animal like cow, or camel.

 

If you are planning to offer sacrifice, here are some points to remember:

a.          Do not cut your nails or hair during these ten days, until you have offered sacrifice.

b.         Try to cover all sunnahs regarding Eid day.

c.          Offer Salat ul Eid.

d.         Divide the meat into three parts according to the sunnah; one for the poor, one for the relatives, and one for yourself.

 

9. Manage your Time!

Last, but not the least, manage your time well. Make the best use of these ten days to gain maximum ajr. Plan ahead, and let go of all events that can be distracting. May Allah Help us to achieve the most out of these blessed days. Ameen.

 

 

References:

[1] Chapter 89, Al Fajr, Verses 1-2

[2] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 2/457

[3] Narrated by Sahih Muslim, book 5, hadith 700