The Holy month of Dhul-Hijjah.
Dhul-Hijjah 5th, 1425 A.H.
On the authority of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be please with him: the Prophet (salAllahu 3alayhi wassalam) said, "There is no action which is better than one done in these 10 days," they said, "Not even Jihad" He, (salAllahu 3alayhi wassalam) replied, "Not even jihad unless a man went out [in jihad] with his life and wealth but returned with nothing."
-Rawahu (related by) al-Bukhari
In another narration we find:
"There are no days which are greater in the eyes of Allah nor any more beloved to Him in which good deeds are performed, other than these 10 days; so say La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, and al-hamdulillah, a lot in them."
The scholars of Islam, in discussing the virtue and excellence of the these days say it is because these 10 days combine the essential acts of worships in Islam:
1. Salah 2. Fasting 3.Charity 4.Pilgirmage (Hajj) & supererogatory acts, as these are not present in any other days.
For this reason they said that the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year in the same way that the last ten nights of Ramadhan are the best 10 nights of the year.
So how can we attain the bounty of Allah sub7anahu wa ta3ala in these blessed days?
**Renew our relationship with Allah sub7anahu wa ta3ala through sincere repentance and seeking His forgiveness for our sins.
It is appropriate that a Muslim receives all these blessed times by making sincere repentance and to prevent himself from all forms of sin and disobedience, as it is such sins which forbid a person the bounty of his Lord and veil his heart from the Mercy of his Creator and Sustainer.
**Fasting, as it has been confirmed that those not making pilgrimage should fast the day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah)
There is no day on which Allah sub7anahu wa ta3ala frees more people from the hellfire than on the day of Arafah.
On this day sins are forgiven, Allah becomes closer to His servents, His angels boast of the people standing on the plain of Arafah: humbly, sacrificing, remembering Allah and seeking His forgiveness.
This is the day of the Great Pilgrimage; a day of praise for Allah, a day of remembrance and repentance.
So make room on this day, to Remember Allah sub7anahu wa ta3ala, to read Quran, and seek His forgiveness... in the hope that He will accept it from you and shower you in His Mercy, in both this life and the next.
**It is recommended that we make
a) takbir - to say Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
b) tahlil - la ilah illa Allah (there is no deity except Allah) and
c) tahmid - to praise Allah by saying al-hamdullilah hamdan kathiran.
In the hadith narrated Ibn Umar (ra): "Make tahlil, takbir and tahmid much on these days."
...constantly, constantly, constantly...
Imam al-Bukhari said that Ibn Umar & Abu Hurayrah (radhiyaAllahu 'anhum) would go into the market in the first 10 days [of Dhul Hijjah] and make takbir and the people would follow them.
He also said that Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would be in his tent in Mina and make takbir until the people in the mosque heard him and would follow him making takbir. Indeed the people in the markets of Mina also followed them until the whole of Mina would shake with takbir.
These are among the greatest days to Allah (swt)...full of countless merits and have the greatest reward. To win reward from Allah ('azza wa jall) during these days, a Muslim must redouble their efforts multifold in performing prayers, fasting, giving alms, performing Hajj and reciting the Holy Quran.
And if you are reading this, you probably did not get the opportunity to make Hajj this year...so make du'a that Allah sub7anahu wa ta3ala will give you that blessing next year:
Blessed are the days that occur in a month in which one of Islams greatest duties takes place - al-Hajj. May Allah bless us all with pilgrimage and a visit to the Holy Mosque at least once in our life times.
Let's be eager to benefit from this fleeting opportunity, in a life where our days our numbered & the Day of Taking into Account is near.
walhamdulilahi rabbila 'alameen.