The Virtues and Blessings of Dhul Hijjah
The month of Dhul Hijjah is just about to begin, and now, not only does this signal the launch of the long-awaited Hajj pilgrimage but it also signifies the beginning of the best ten days of the year.
In fact, the first ten days of this month are so special that Allah ﷻ Himself takes oath by these very days in the Quran.
❝By the ten nights❞
Quran 89:2
The Prophet ﷺ even taught us that ❝There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything backs❞
Sunan Ibn Majah
Make The Best Out Of These Special Days
So if you want to know how to make the most out of these ten days before they leave us, here are a few tips to get you started.
Make A Sincere Intention
First and foremost, get your intention in place. Make a sincere intention to worship Allah ﷻ during these days to the best of your ability. Start thinking about how you will put in the best effort you possibly can to seek Allah’s pleasure. A great way to start is to find out when the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are and to mark them on your phone calendar and start setting a plan today.
One of the greatest deeds that can be done during these ten days is to visit the sacred House of Allah and perform the Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam obligatory upon every capable Muslim. The reward for performing an accepted Hajj is no less than Paradise as the Prophet ﷺ informed us.
❝…the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.❞
Sahih Al Bukhari
Fast on The 9th of Dhul Hijjah
It is also recommended that those that aren’t attending the Hajj Pilgrimage fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, placing particular importance on the 9th, which is the blessed day of Arafah. In fact, fasting this day alone will expiate sins for two entire years, the preceding year and the current year.
Therefore try your best to fast as much as you can within these ten days, but if you can’t then at least fast the 9th day, the day of Arafah.
Sunnahs of Dhull Hijjah
It is also a virtuous Sunnah to recite Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), Tahmeed (Alhamdulilah), Tahleel (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), and Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah) as much as you can during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Recite them abundantly wherever you are and remind everyone around you to say them too. There is a sound report that Abu Hurayrah and Ibn Umar would even go to the market places reciting Takbeer encouraging others to join in with them.
And of course, the best of Athkaar one can make this month is to recite the Quran.
Recite The Quran
Reading Quran outside of these days attracts endless rewards, one can only imaging the rewards it will receive within these exceptionally beloved days to Allah ﷻ. Remember you are not only rewarded for every word you read, but rather for every letter that comes off your tongue.
Offer Qurban
Another very important action Muslims must perform this month is the Qurban sacrifice. This sacrificial slaughter is a great Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to be completed on the day of Eid Al Adha.
Nevertheless, all good deeds within this month are virtuous and are multiplied in numerous folds, so we should try our best to engage in all acts of goodness from all aspects of our faith. Whether it includes giving in charity, enjoining kindness to our parents, praying our voluntary prayers, maintaining ties of kinship, making supplication for ourselves and those around us, giving Dawah to the path of Allah ﷻ and of course repenting to Allah ﷻ from our previous sins and making active effort to change our lives for the better. In fact, one of the best times to repent is when you follow it up with good deeds as we hope to be doing so this month.
Last but not least we ask Allah ﷻ to accept from us all our deeds this month, make them heavy on our scales and may He enter us all into the gardens of Paradise with those whom He loves.