DHUL-HIJJAH: SMALL DEEDS, GREAT REWARDS
Written by Inspire FM on June 29, 2022
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most virtuous days of the year and carry great rewards.
These days are a great opportunity to increase our acts of worship. The Prophet PBUH said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these (ten) days”. (Abu Dawud)
Here are small ways you can get great rewards during the best ten days of the year:
Fast on the first 9 days
It is recommended to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially on the 9th which is the blessed day of Arafah. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the day before Eid, known as the day of Arafah).
Allah’s Messenger encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; and indeed, fasting is one of the best of deeds.
The Prophet PBUH was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “I ask Allah that it may expiate for (the sins of) the year that comes before it and the year that comes after it.”
Therefore, we should try our utmost to fast all the blessed 9 days of Dhul Hijjah particularly the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah which is the day of Arafah.
The blessing of fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, in particular, is that Allah (SWT) removes our wrongdoings from the previous year and the year to come, subhanAllah!
Recite tasbeeh, tahmeed and tahleel abundantly
It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (La-ilaaha ill-Allaah) and tasbeeh (SubhanAllah) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
These words should be recited abundantly in the masjids, homes, streets and in every place where it is permissible to remember and glorify Allah.
Allah says: “and mention the name of Allah on appointed days.” [al-Hajj 22:28]
Ibn Abbaas said: “The ‘appointed days’ are the first ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah)”
The Prophet PBUH said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (La-ilaaha ill-Allaah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah).” (Ahmad).
Recite the Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah
From Fajr on 9th Dhul-Hijjah to Asr on 13th Dhul-Hijjah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd.
Translation: “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and
Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.”
Give Sadaqah
As the rewards of doing good deeds during these days are increased significantly then we should also give as much as we can to charity.
Abu Bakr (RA) gave everything he had to help those in need. As Prophet Muhammad PBUH said: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself” (Bukhari).
Your giving doesn’t have to be big. Allah (SWT) knew that when the light of Islam enters the heart, we look to how we can benefit others. So, He made it possible for anyone to contribute – even if it’s simply with a smile!
What counts is your intention, so give whatever you can, for example:
– Donate to charity
– Offer someone a smile
– Volunteer your time to help others
Make a lot of Dua
Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an, “When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.” [Suratul Baqarah:186]
We should busy ourselves in Dua during these 10 blessed days and nights, particularly on the night and day of Arafat which is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Duas are also readily accepted during fasting, especially just before Suhur ends and just before breaking the fast.
Recite Qur’an
Let’s make the most of these beloved days by reading and reciting as much of the Holy Qur’an as we can, insha’Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten good deeds like it. I do not say that alif-lam-meem is one letter, but rather alif is a letter, lam is a letter, and meem is a letter.” (Tirmidhi)
SubhanAllah! Imagine, if one single letter of the Qur’an equals ten good deeds, then picture how great the reward is for reading these blessed letters during the beloved days of Dhul-Hijjah – the best days of the year!
Once this blessed month ends, we should also strive to read and recite the Qur’an throughout the rest of the year.
The benefits are immense. By reading the Qur’an you can:
– See guidance from Allah (SWT)
– Calm your soul
– Improve your Arabic (you’ll even be rewarded if you struggle!)
– Gain intercession on the Day of Judgement
So, make the Qur’an your blessed friend this Dhul-Hijjah!
Repent
We all sin. None of us are perfect. And that means that we should call ourselves to account regularly and ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.” (Ibn Majah)
We should therefore take some time to ask Allah (SWT) to forgive all our sins and mistakes – including both those we know of and those we aren’t aware of.
The Hujjaj (pilgrims undertaking Hajj) will be standing on the Day of ‘Arafah begging Allah for forgiveness and we can do the same from home. Just as the Hujjaj try their best to change their lives for the better after returning from Hajj, we too should commit to changing for the better.
We should sincerely ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness (istighfar). We should also turn back to Allah with a sincere intention not to return to the original wrongdoing (tawbah).
It’s also important that if we have wronged an individual, we ask them for forgiveness and try to right the wrong. For example, if we have taken something, we should return it.
Remember Allah’s love and strive for a more righteous future: “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him)” (Qur’an, 2:222).
Offering the Qurbani (sacrifice of a livestock animal)
The qurbani (also known as udh’hiya) is the sacrifice of a livestock animal during Eid ul-Adha. It is the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
It is a means of getting closer to Allah. It is obligatory upon every sane adult who is not a traveller and can afford it (wealth equal
to or more than nisab). It is performed on the days of sacrifice which is the 10th, 11th or 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.
One may sacrifice a thousand animals on days other than these, but it will never be regarded or considered as udh’hiya. Therefore, the qurbani is a sacred act which can only be done during the three days of Dhul-Hijjah as specified.
Regarding the qurbani, Allah says in the Qur’an:
“It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches Allah, It is their piety that reaches Allah.”
[Surah Al-Haj:37]
Inspire FM’s key charity partners can carry out the Qurbani on your behalf. Contact Families Relief or Human Appeal.
