The month of Dhul-Hijjah is a season of
worship, and seasons of worship bring along blessings, benefits
and opportunities to correct one's faith and make up for
shortcoming. Every one of these special opportunities involves
some kind of worship, which brings the slave closer to his
Lord. And Allah bestows His blessings and Favors on whom
He wills. The fortunate person is he who makes good use
of these special months, days, and hours, while worshiping
Allah. He is most likely to be touched by the blessings
of Allah. [Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa'if pp. 8]
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are marked blessed for
both, the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims. Rewards of good
deeds are multiplied in these days. Imaam Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah)
(d. 751H) said: “Indeed, its days are the most excellent
of all the days with Allah. It has been confirmed in Saheeh
al-Bukharee from Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) that the
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: 'No
deed are more virtuous than deeds on these days.' The companions
asked: 'Not even Jihad (fighting in Allah's Cause)?' He
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: 'Not even Jihad for
the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out risking himself
and his wealth for the sake of Allah, and does not come
back with anything.' [Saheeh al-Bukharee vol: 2, no: 457]
And it is these ten days, of which Allah takes an oath saying:
'By the dawn; by the ten nights.' [Soorah al-Fajr (89):
1-2] This is why it is recommended to increase in making
Takbeer, Tahlil and Tamhid during these days.” [Zaad
al-Ma'aad vol: 1, pp: 56]
Yawm al-Arafat: The 9th
day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat. It is this day
when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat,
praying and supplicating to their Lord. The day of Arafat
holds great importance in Islam since this is the Day when
Allah completed his revelation on His Messenger (sallahu
alaihe wa-sallam). It is reported in the Saheehayn (i.e.
Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim), from Umar Ibn al-Khattab
(radhi allahu anhu) that a Jewish man said to him: “O
Ameer al-Mumineen (O head of the Muslims)! There is a verse
in the Qur'aan, which if was revealed on us, the Jews, we
would have taken that day as an Eid (festival).” Umar asked:
“Which verse?” He said: “This day I have perfected your
religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have
chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Soorah al-Maidah
(5): 3] Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: “We know on which
day and in which place was this verse revealed to Allah's
Messenger (sallahu alaihe wa-sallam). It was when he was
standing in Arafat on a Friday.”
Arafat is the day on which Allah took the covenant from
the progeny of Adam (alaihis-salaam), it was reported that
Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated: “The Messenger
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) related: When Allah
created Adam (alaihis-salaam) Allah took covenant from him
in a place Na'maan on the day of Arafat, then He extracted
from him all the descendants who would be born until the
end of the world, generation after generation, and spread
them out in front of Him in order to take a covenant from
them also. He spoke to them face to face saying: 'Am I not
your Lord?' and they all replied: 'Yes, we testify to it.'
Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness
that He was their Creator and only true God worthy of worship.
He said: That was in case you (mankind) should say on the
Day of Resurrection, 'Surely, we were unaware of this. We
had no idea that You, Allah, were our Lord. No one told
us that we were only supposed to worship You.' …” [(Saheeh)
by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah
vol: 4, no: 1623] Indeed, the day of Arafat is a blessed
day and there is no other covenant greater than this covenant!
Arafat is a day of Forgiveness from sins, freedom from the
Hell-Fire for the people who are present in the plain of
Arafat. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrated the Messenger
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “There
is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire
than the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His
pride to the angels saying, 'What do these people (the Hajis)
want?'” [Saheeh Muslim]
This Haadeeth mentions forgiveness for the pilgrims. In
addition to this, fasting on the day of Arafat is a Sunnah
and an expiation of sins for the residents.
Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of
the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
used to fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, on the day of
Aashoorah, on three days of each month, and on the first
two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” [(Saheeh)
by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh Abi Dawood vol: 2, no: 462]
It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that when the Messenger
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked about the
fasting on the day of Arafat, he said: “It expiates
the sins of the previous year and that of the following
year.” [Saheeh Muslim] This fasting is Mustahabb only
for the non-pilgrims and not for the Hajis (the pilgrims)
because it was not the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) to fast on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage
and in a narration he also forbade doing so. Imaam at-Tirmidhee
(rahimahullah) (d. 275H) said: “The People of Knowledge
consider it recommended (Mustahabb) to fast on the day of
Arafat, except for those at Arafat." [Jaami'ut-Tirmidhee
(3/377)]
Yawm an-Nahr: The tenth
day of Dhul-Hijjah is the greatest day of Hajj. It is known
as Yawm an-Nahr (the day of Sacrifice), since it marks the
ending of the major rite of Hajj - the Sacrifice. And it
is on this day that the Muslims commemorate the bounties
and blessings of Allah. It was recorded in a Hadeeth by
Imaam Ahmad (in his Musnad vol: 4, no: 350) that the day
of Nahr is the most virtuous day to Allah. The Messenger
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The greatest
day of Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of an-Nahr (Slaughtering).”
[(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Irwa al-Ghaleel (no: 1101).
Abu Dawood no: 1945]
Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) said: “The most excellent
day of the week is the day of Jumuah (Friday), by the agreement
of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year
is the day of an-Nahr. Some of them said that it is the
day of Arafat. However, the first opinion is the correct
one, since it is related in the Sunan collections that the
Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: 'The most excellent
days with Allah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr
(the day that the Muslims reside in Mina).' [(Saheeh) by
Shaikh al-Albanee in Irwa al-Ghaleel (no: 2018). Related
by Abu Dawood no: 1765].” [Majmoo al-Fatawa vol: 25,
pp. 288]
The day of An-Nahr is also known as 'Eid al-Adhaa' meaning
the festival of Sacrifice and it is one of the two festivals
which Allah has granted to the Ummah of Prophet (sallahu
alaihe wa-sallam). Anas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated, “Allah's
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) came to Medina and
the people of Medina in the days of Jahiliyyah had two days
of play and amusement. So, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) said: “I came to you and you had in Jahiliyyah,
two days of play and amusement. Allah has replaced something
better for you. The Day of an-Nahr and the day of al-Fitr.”
[(Saheeh) by Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Buloogh al-Maraam.
Related by Musnad Ahmad vol: 3, no: 103]
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“The day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the
days of at-Tashreeq (the three days after an-Nahr) are our
days of Eid (festivity); and they are days of eating and
drinking.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh
al-Jamee (no: 8192). Related by Musnad Ahmad (no: 1945)]
Glorifying Allah with Takbeer (Takbeer
al-Muqayyid): From the day of Arafat until the Asr
prayer of the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah, one should make Takbeer
after every obligatory Salaat. Ibn Abee Shaybah relates
that Alee (radhi allahu anhu) used to make the Takbeer beginning
after the Fajr prayer on the day of Arafat, until after
the Asr prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.” [(Saheeh)
by Shaikh al-Albanee in al-Irwa. Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah
in al-Musannaf]
Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: “The
most correct saying concerning the Takbeer - that which
the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the
Scholars from the Companions and Imams were upon - is to
begin making the Takbeer from Fajr (dawn) on the day of
Arafat up until the last day of at-Tashreeq (the thirteenth
of Dhul-Hijjah), after every Prayer.” [Majmoo al-Fatawa
(24/220)]
Imaam al-Khattaabee (rahimahullah) (d. 456H) said: "The
wisdom behind saying the Takbeer in these days is that in
the times of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), they used
to slaughter for their Taaghoots (false objects of worship).
So the Takbeers were prescribed in order to indicate that
the act of slaughtering is directed to Allah alone, and
by mentioning only His Name.” [Fath al-Baree]
As regards to the actual wording of the Takbeers, then nothing
authentic has been related from the Messenger of Allah.
However, the following have been reported from the Sahabah:
1. Ibn Mas'ood (radiyallahu anhuma): “Allahu Akbar,
Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu
Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd.” [(Saheeh) Irwaa al-Ghaleel
(650), Daraqutne, Ibn Shaibah] (Allah is the Greatest, Allah
is the Greatest, There is none worthy of worship except
Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and
to Allah belongs all praises)
2. Ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhuma): “Allahu Akbar, Allahu
Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd; Allahu Akbar wa-ajal,
Allahu akbaru ala mahadana.” [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/315)]
(Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is
the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises. Allah is
the Greatest to that which He has guided us to)
3. Salman (radhi allahu anhu) : “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,
Allahu Akbar kabeera.” [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/316)] (Allah
is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest)
“Increase in these days you Tahlil, Takbeer and Tamhid.”
(Takbeer al-Mutlaq)
“...And mention the name of Allah on the appointed Days...”
[Soorah al-Hajj (22): 28] This verse has been explained
(by some) to mean the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Scholars
consider it desirable to increase Dhikr (remembrance of
Allah) in these days, because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) is reported to have said: “There are no
days that are greater to Allah or in which deeds are more
beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase your Tahlil,
Takbeer and Tamhid during these days.” [Musnad Ahmad] Tahlil,
Takbeer and Tamhid mean saying 'La ilaha illa Allah', 'Allahu
Akbar' and 'al-Hamdu lillah', respectively.
Ishaaq narrates from the scholars of the Taabi'een that
in these ten days they used to say: Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar;
Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allah; waAllahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar; Wa-lillaahil-hamd.
It is a beloved act to raise the voice when saying the Takbeer
in the markets, the houses, the streets, the masjids and
other places, because of the saying of Allah Most High in
Soorah al-Hajj verse 37: “...that
you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you...”
Imaam Bukharee (rahimahullah) said in the book of al-Idayn
in the chapter of the Virtue of good) deeds during the days
of Tashreeq, Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhuma)
would go out in the marketplace during the ten days and
say Takbeer, and the people would say Takbeer when they
said Takbeer. [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
The Sunnah is to say the Takbeer individually. The saying
of Takbeer in congregation, i.e., everyone pronouncing the
Takbeer with one voice, is not permissible since this has
not been transmitted (to us) from the early generations
of the Sahaabah and those who followed their ways. .This
is applicable for all Dhikr and supplications, except if
the person doesn't know what to say. In that case he may
repeat after someone else until he learns (the words to
be said).
What You Can Do in these Blessed Days of Dhul-Hijjah?
The days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most blessed ones; therefore
every Muslim should make much from this opportunity. Among
the blessings of Allah is that He has given us many ways
to perform good deeds and to worship Him, so that the Muslim
may be constantly active and consistent in his worship of
his Lord. Here are some out of many good deed, which you
can perform in these days.
Remember, deeds, which are less preferred
are made superior and more beloved to Allah in these days,
than the superior deeds performed at other times!! This is
indicated in the Hadeeth where the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihe wa-sallam) said regarding Jihad which is the most superior
of all deeds to be less superior than the voluntary fast in
these days, except that the Mujahid, “goes out risking
himself and his wealth for the sake of Allah, and does not
come back with anything.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
• Hajj and Umrah are the best deeds performed in Dhul-Hijjah.
• Fasting as many days as possible, especially the day of
Arafat, which is a Sunnah. Fasting is one of the best of deeds.
Allah chose fasting for Himself from all the good deeds, as
is stated in the Hadeeth Qudsee: “All the deeds of the son
of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and
I am the One Who will reward him for it.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee
(1085)]
• Takbeer al-Muqayyid: The Takbeer, which is restricted to
the time after the five obligatory Salaat. This begins from
after Fajr prayer of the day of Arafat (for the non-pilgrims)
until the Asr prayer of the last day of Tashreeq.
• Takbeer al-Mutlaq: The unrestricted Takbeer; ‘Allahu Akbar’,
at all times of night and day until Eid al-Ahda.
• Perform plenty of Nafl (voluntary) prayers.
• Recite and Memorize the Qur'aan.
• Abstain from disobedience and sins, because disobedience
is the cause of Allah's Anger. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihe wa-sallam) said: “Verily Allah has a sense of Ghayrah
(honor, prestige and anger over it's violation), and Allah's
sense of Ghayrah is provoked when a person does that which
Allah has made prohibited.” [Saheeh Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
Whereas, obedience and abstaining from all those things, which
Allah has prohibited, is a form of worship and a means to
achieve Allah's Love.
• Hasten to make Sincere Tawbah (Repentance) to Allah because
repentance means coming back to Allah. It is forgoing all
those deed, which Allah dislikes in open and in secret, out
of regret for what has passed, abandoning them immediately
and being determined not to return to it again. When a Muslim
combines repentance with good deeds during the most virtuous
days, this is a sign of his success. Allah says: “But as for
him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he
will be among those who are successful.” [Soorah al-Qasas
(28): 67]
Give Charity
• Attend Salaat al-Eid and the Khutbah.
• Slaughter Udhiyah (Sacrifice) on the day of Eid al-Adha
is another good deed which brings the slave closer to his
Lord.
There is much to be gained, so make the most of this these
invaluable and irreplaceable days.
Source: Islaam.net
