10/06/2024
Making good use of the Opportunities of the Most Sacred Days
The First ten days of Dhi al-Hijjah are esteemed days by which Allah has sworn: " By the dawn, and the ten nights, " [ Qur’an 89 : 1, 2].
The Prophet of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, elucidated the significance of righteous deeds during this period, proclaiming: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days." When questioned if this included engaging in jihad, he responded: "Not even jihad, except for the one who marches forth for it, putting his life and wealth at risk, yet returns with neither." [Narrated by Bukhari]
To truly benefit from these days, one should devote his/her time to acts of obedience and worship, such as:
1. Keeping Allah in Remembrance:
The Prophet of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said: " I am as My servant thinks I am (1). I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a cubit, and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed." [Agreed upon]
2. Repentance and Forgiveness
The Prophet of Allah (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged: "O people, turn in repentance to Allah, for verily, I turn to Him in repentance a hundred times each day." [Agreed upon]
3. Observing Fasting during the First Nine Days of Dhul Hijjah
It is reported that some of the Prophet's wives (Allah’s peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and may Allah be pleased with them all stated: "The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast the nine days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, the day of 'Ashura, and three days of every month." [Reported by Abu Dawud]
Regarding the fasting on the day of Arafat, the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) declared: "It serves as expiation for the sins of the preceding and forthcoming year." [Reported by Muslim]
4. Strive to perform the obligatory prayers in the mosque. The Prophet of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, proclaimed: "Whoever goes to the mosque and returns, Allah prepares for him/her a dwelling in Paradise every time s/he makes the journey." [Agreed upon]
5. Recitation of the Qur'an. The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated: "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will be rewarded with a good deed, and a good deed is multiplied tenfold. I do not say that 'Alif Lam Mim' is one letter, but 'Alif' is a letter, 'Lam' is a letter, and 'Mim' is a letter." [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi]
6. Supplication. The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) conveyed: "There is no Muslim who makes a supplication without sin or severing family ties, except that Allah will grant him/her one of three outcomes: Either his/her supplication will be swiftly answered, or it will be stored for him/her in the Hereafter, or it will avert a similar harm. " When asked if they should increase their supplications, he responded, "Allah is indeed abundant in His blessings." [Reported by Ahmad]
May Allah accept our good deeds and yours, and grant you well-being every year. May Allah accept our righteous actions, and may all praises and blessings be upon our Lord and Master, Muhammad, and may all gratitude be directed to Allah, the Lord of all creation.
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