Zul-Hijjah is the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.
Zul Hijjah is the sacred month in which fighting is forbidden and Eid ul Adha falls in this month. The term Zul hijjah signifies “Lord of the Pilgrimage/Hajj”. It is the month in which Hajj is performed on eight; ninth and tenth Dhu al-Hijjah. On Tenth Zul Hijjah Eid ul Adha prayers and sacrifice are made. Virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are stated in this verse where :
“By the dawn; by the ten nights.” [Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1-2]
Is it all about hajj in zul hijjah?
No!
Not everyone can perform hajj every year !!! Allah Almighty does not deprive any of His Creature of the blessings. If one cannot get a chance to earn His pleasure and favors; He paves another way for him to get those. The good news is, there are many other virtues of Zul hijjah as well which you can enjoy!
Hadith on Virtues of Zul Hijjah:
1. Most beloved deeds:
Righteous deeds are beloved to Allah round the year but in the sacred moments of the First Ten Days of Zul hijjah such deeds become dearest to The Lord and the rewards are multiplied many times. Narrated from Ibn Abbas (R.A) that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah; unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Bukhari
So try giving more charity during these 10 days; Pray more prayers in the Masjid, Increase ties of kinship; trying not to dishearten anyone, not lying, helping those in need by money or service; Perform more voluntary prayers at home, Read more AlQuran; Do more Dhikr, Ask for forgiveness more frequently.
2. Remembering Allah (Zikr):
We should start these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah with sincere repentance to Allah and perform these deeds. Allah says in the Holy AlQuran:
“Remember Allah during the well known days” (2:203)
Ibn Abbas says about the Ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah; that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Bukhari
3. Fasting in Zul hijjah:
Fasting these days is practiced by our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and is declared to expiate the sins of the past and future. It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife that one of the wives of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
“The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’; and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.“ al-Nasaai and Abu Dawood
It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (R.A) that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah(9th Zul Hijjah). He said;
“It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Muslim
4. Reciting Takbeer:
It was narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar (R.A) that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
“There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days. So recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” Ahmad
Takbeer: Allah akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar; wa Lillah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great; Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).
Tahleel: Saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allah).
Tahmeed: Saying al-hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allah).
It is Sunnah to recite Takbeer, Tahmeed, Tahleel, and Tasbeeh during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So, saying these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets, and every place in which it is permissible to remember Allah, to perform this act of worship openly and proclaim the greatness of Allah. Men should recite out loud and women should recite quietly.
5. Do not cut or trim your Hairs or nails:
After sighting the moon of Zul Hajjah, do not cut or trim your hair and nails until you have offered the sacrifice. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“When any one of you intending to sacrifice the animal enters in the month (of Dhu’l-Hijja) he should not get his hair or nails touched (cut)” .Muslim
A Few Days left in Zul Hijjah. So if there is anyone who has to get a haircut or wants to trim nails, should get it done now before the first Zul Hijjah.
Let us make the most of these great days by reciting Takbeer and doing righteous deeds. Indeed, it is a favor of Allah Almighty for the whole Muslim Ummah that they are blessed many times a year with chances to earn good deeds and earn a good standing to be successful and at peace on the day of judgment.
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