Sacred month Dhul Hijjah: Its Virtues and Blessings

Dhul Hijjah

The month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the holiest months of the Islamic year. It is the last month of the lunar calendar. This is a month of high spirituality, as we observe two very special events Hajj and Eid ul Adha in it.

THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF DHUL HIJJAH

There are no days in the year more beloved to Allah than these days; just like the last ten nights of Ramadan, these ten days are full of opportunities to earn the reward. As Prophet (PBUH) said:

There are no days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.

Bukhari

Ten days mentioned above are the first ten days of meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. These days carry special status with the blessed worship of “Pilgrimage(Hajj).”

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:

There are no days more beloved to Allah that He be prayed in them than the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, fasting every day of them is the equivalent of fasting a year, and standing every night of them is the equivalent of standing on the Night of Qadr. 

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 758

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,(meaning the ten days of Dhul Hijjah). They said: “O Prophet 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 return anything.

Al- Bukhari

Allah Almighty blessed the community of Muhammad(PBUH) with the number of opportunities to reap the rewards and blessings. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are also a great occasion for us to multiply our good deeds.

The following are some deeds for getting blessings of this holy month InshaAllah.

Performing Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam, worship by sacrifice, physical effort, and wealth spending. However, people with certain wealth and invitations from Allah can perform hajj. Others still have many ways to earn the pleasure of Allah.

Fasting

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Anyone which fasts for one day for the pleasure of Allah, Allah will keep his face away from the fire for seventy years(70 years).

Bukhari, Muslim

Fasting these days is very much rewarded other than in Ramzan. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, and he said:

Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah(9th of dhul hijjah is the day of Arafah) is an expiation for the previous year (all the sins) and expiation for (all the sins) the coming year.

Muslim

Perform Dhikr and Takbeerat

The Prophet(PBUH)said: There are no days on which righteous deeds are bigger or more beloved to Allah than done on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel(Laa ilaaha ill-Allah) Takbeer(Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed(Alhamdulillah).

Ahmad -Saheeh

Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer when people heard them, they also recite Takbeer.

Bukhari

Saying Takbeer in these days is a Sunnah. This is not a common practice during the starting days of Dhul hijjah, but it has a great reward. Performing dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is one of the easiest ways to get a reward and which can fit around our everyday routine.

Night Prayer

Seeking Allah’s forgiveness and supplication and worship during the last part of the night is an act of worship that is much beloved to Allah. Prophet(PBUH) said:

Our Allah, the Superior, the Blessed, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the latter third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may confer him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”

Sahih al-Bukhari 1145

Allah almighty call us out to forgive and bless us. That’s time to rush for his blessings and attain what we want. Allah loves those who repent with complete submission. So, it’s a chance for sincere repentance to Allah with pure intention to never return to sin and His disobedience.

Reciting the Quran

Dhul hijjah is another chance for us to establish a beautiful relationship with the Quran. Each word of the Holy Quran increases our good deeds. And implementing commands of Allah from this Book is of more importance and rewarding, for this life and hereafter. Its complete guidance and success for us. So, we must have to start reciting the Quran in this blessed holy month.

Sacrifice | Qurbani

Abdullah bin Umar narrated that: the Prophet of Allah gave the sacrifice on the Day of Sacrifice in Al-Madinah. He said: “if he did not offer the Nahr (sacrifice a camel) he would have offered Dhabihah (sheep) at the prayer place.”

Sunan an-Nasa’i 4367

Eid prayers

Attending Eid prayers is the Sunnah and no sacrifice for Eid is accepted without it. We should be keen on practising this Sunnah. we must also share our happiness with others, especially those who are needy.

Thank Allah

Thanking Allah is One of the biggest forms of worshipping. Thank him for blessing us with these ten days and ask Him for forgiveness, blessings and guidance.