Virtues of Thul-Hijjah
If you are not amongst those, who by Allah's grace have been able to attend this great act of worship, then do not despair!!
The first ten days of the sacred month of Thul-Hijjah represent a great opportunity to invest in the way of good deeds.
Narrated Ibn Abbaas: The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah." Then some of the companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked: 'not even Jihad?' he replied: "not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger for Allah's sake and does not return with any of these things." (Bukhari)
Even, by just abstaining from cutting one's hair or clipping one's nails during these days, for the person who intends to sacrifice in Al Adha Eid, is an act of Sunnah and, Insha Allah, will be rewarded accordingly. May Allah help us to be amongst those who make the most of those blessed days? Being a pilgrim or otherwise. Ameen.
SUPERIORITY OF DOING GOOD DEEDS:
Every Muslim is recommended to exploit the superiority of these days by increasing his practice of good deeds, such as Nafl prayers, donations, reciting Quran, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), fasting, etc. Islam emphasizes, particularly in these days, the following actions:
1. Performing Hajj and Umrah are the best deeds that can be done on those days. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "Al Hajj Al-Mabroor has no reward but Jannah." (Bukhari and Muslim)
2. Fasting the day of Arafah for those who are not in Hajj, as it expiates the sins of two years, the year that passed and the year that follows. As for the day of Arafah, where all the pilgrims gather in that very special place, "the Mount of Arafat", hoping that they might be amongst those who will be saved from the grueling punishment of Hellfire, The mother of the Faithful "Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that she heard the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) saying: "There is no day when Allah sets free more servants from hell than the day of Arafah."
Those who are not performing Hajj, can also share the blessings of this day through fasting: the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "Observing the fast on the day of Arafah amends the sins (committed during the past year and the subsequent one." (Muslim)
3. The Takbeer (saying Allahu-Akbar). Ibn Omar and Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go to the market saying Takbeer during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the people would say it after them. It is recommended to say Takbeer after daily congregational prayers starting from Fajr prayer of the day of Arafah (the 9th) to Asr prayer on the last day of Al Tashreeq (the 13th).
4. Attending the Eid prayer on the 10th day and then listening to the Khutbah (sermon).
5. Offering the sacrifice.
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