The month of Dhul Hijjah: In the Islamic calendar, not all days are made equal Allah SWT preferred and blessed certain days and timings over others. The wisdom behind it may never be known by us but Allah SWT has given us a chance to do more good deeds and earn his reward and blessings. Dhul Hijjah may be the last month in the Islamic calendar but it is deemed as one of the most important in the Quran and Hadith.
This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for
any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed.
What is the Importance of the Month of Dhul Hijjah?
It is the month of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage, but those who aren’t able to perform Hajj still can reap the benefits of this month.
Significances Of Dhul Hijjah
The month of Dhul Hijjah comprises many important events, thus its importance is mentioned in Hadith, and Allah SWT has addressed it in the Quran as well. All the importance this month is confined to the first 10 days, where we have
- Hajj
- The Day of Arafah
- Eid ul Adha
- Sunnah of Sacrifice
- First 10 days of the Month
Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
The days of Dhul Hijjah are so sacred that Allah SWT makes an oath by them in the Quran when He says,
وَٱلْفَجْرِ. وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
By the dawn. And (by) ten nights. (89:1-2)
Some scholars refer to these nights as the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. When Allah swears by or takes an oath in the Quran, it signifies its importance and demands our attention.
1- Hajj
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the defining rituals of Islam. Every able Muslim is required to journey to Makkah at least once in their life. Why?
- It is obligatory (Fardh) for anyone who can afford and is physically able.
- It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
- All sins will be forgiven.
The reward for performing an accepted Hajj is no less than Paradise as the Prophet ﷺ informed us.
The reward for an accepted Hajj is no less than Jannah– BUKHARI
Here is our detailed guide on How To Perform Hajj.
2- Day Of Arafah
If we find out that there might be a great sale held on some specific day, and we know it is happening once a year, will we miss out on it? No, we definitely will try to get the most out of it. However, what if you were told that there was a day in which the return is far greater than any sale of the year. What day is this? The Day of Arafah. Just like the Laylatul Qadr is the greatest of all nights, the day of Arafah is the greatest of all days. Why is this day so special?
- Arafah is known as the day Allah perfected the religion of Islam mentioned in the Quran , Surah Maidah (5:3)
- Sins are forgiven by Allah SWT
- Fasting for the people who are not performing Hajj.
3- Eid Ul Adha
The second of the two major Muslim festivities, also known as the Feast Of Sacrifice. Muslims celebrate Eid al Adha, Arabic for “sacrifice,” by slaughtering livestock, as a symbol of Ibrahim’s AS willingness to sacrifice his only son. What is Eid ul Adha about:
- Dress your best and for for Eid prayers.
- Perform the Qurbani (sacrifice).
- Eat from the meat of the sacrificed animal.
- Distribute the meat among the needy.
Eid ul Adha also marks the climax of Hajj, when Muslims performing Hajj make sacrifices of livestock as well and become free from the state of Ihram (a sacred state Muslims must enter to perform Hajj or Umrah).
4- Sunnah Of Sacrifice
Qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal approved by Islamic rules, is to be done after Eid prayers until just before the sunsets on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
Whoever offers a sacrifice after the (Eid) prayer has completed his rituals (of Eid) and has followed the way of the Muslims.” BUKHARI
Scholars have different opinions as to the sacrifice is Wajib (is that which is proven to be obligatory based on unclear evidence) or Mustahabb (highly recommended). This act revives the Sunnah of Ibrahim and brings us closer to Allah SWT.
When asked about the sacrifice, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ strongly encouraged the practice and said,
“It is the way of your forefather Ibrahim…. There is one reward for every strand of wool.” AHMED
5- First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah
We need to know that each day of the first 10 days of this month is very virtuous. It is like getting a second chance after Ramadan. We must make the most out of these days. One of the greatest deeds that can be done during these days is performing Hajj, but if one is not able to do so, you are not deprived of the rewards every good deed brings immense reward. The Prophet ﷺ said,
No deed is better in the sight of Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of Al-Adha.
It was asked,
“Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied,
“Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for Jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” BUKHARI
Such is the greatness and superiority of these days. It is to be remembered any and every good deed will be rewarded it can include anything such as giving charity, honoring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.
a)Fasting
For those who are not able to Hajj, it is highly recommended they fast the first 9 days of this month, especially on the Day of Arafah. Try your best to fast all these days. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said :
b) Increase Your Nawafil Prayers
What a better way to come closer to Allah SWT than voluntary prayers, Allah SWT says in Hadith Qudsi:
….And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, BUKHARI
The most rewarding of nawafil prayer is tahajjud, there is no fixed number of Rakahs, it can range from 2 to 100 or how many you can take it upon yourself to pray. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
c)Dhikr (Remembarance Of Allah SWT)
Our Prophet ﷺ 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 (لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ), takbeer ( الله أكبر) and tahmeed(الحمد لله) during them.” AHMAD
These words should be recited abundantly in the masjid, homes, streets, and in every place where it is permissible to remember and glorify Allah. The companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer out loud and people would also recite after hearing them. This also includes reciting the Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq (اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد) after every fardh salah from the Fajr of the 9th to the Asr of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Men can recite the above audibly. Women should recite it silently.
Here are some tried and tested Tips to Increase Focus in Namaz.
d) Seeking Forgiveness
Hajj is the ultimate act of worship we can perform as Muslims to seek forgiveness from Allah and expiate our sins, but most of us are lucky if we can go even once in our lifetime. These days are a blessing in disguise for those who want another chance. Repent at every possible moment you have, you never know which one could be your last. Allah SWT has yet again given us 10 more blessed days after Ramadan so that we can do more good. Ask for forgiveness, for your sins past and present. It will bring us closer to Allah SWT and cleanse our souls. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said :
If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” ABU DAWUD
You should also go through these Powerful Duas to Ask Allah for Forgiveness of Sins.
e)Giving Sadqah
Since these are the days when all rewards are increased, try to give as much sadaqah as possible. Try to give away that year’s Zakah, it is not obligatory but why miss out on the chance of earning more reward. Sadaqah is referred to as the beautiful loan to Allah SWT in the Quran
“If ye loan to Allah a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness: for Allah is Most Ready to appreciate (service), Most Forbearing.” QURAN 64:17
f) Read Quran
Another very rewarding act of worship that brings us closer to Allah SWT. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter. TIRMIDHI
So if one letter of the Qur’an is equivalent to ten good deeds then can we imagine how much reward there is for reading each letter during these blessed 10 days which are said to be the best days of the year! If reciting Quran isn’t a part of your daily routine maybe it is high time we started.
As These Days Come To An End
Why can’t we make Islam a full part of our lives, why is it that our worship is only confined to these special days? We put all our effort into building our life here, which is to end. Why is it so difficult for us to give more time to polish our Deen? This short life is our only opportunity to build our Hereafter. In the Hereafter, we will want to be taken back to this life to live it again so that we can worship Allah. But we will not be able to.
