Not going to Hajj? Get closer to Allah in these Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

The Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

In what follows, we will highlight some of the Sunnah regarding these days, hoping by this to provide an incentive to make the best out of them and gain Allah’s reward, insha’ Allah.

Righteous actions in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are dearer to Allah than these ten [days of Dhul Hijjah]." They said, "O Messenger, even jihad in the way of Allah?" He said, "Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who leaves with his wealth, and does not return with any of it (life or wealth)." [al-Bukhari]

All good deeds can be done during these days and the early generations of Muslims used to exert themselves excessively in worshipping Allah. In particular, fasting and dhikr (mentioning and remembering Allaah) are to be done in plenty on these days. Charity , being kind to parents and relatives, neighbors, reciting Quran, are examples of other great deeds.


Dhikr

Ibn Abbas commented on the verse "…and to mention Allah’s name [plentifully] on Known days" [22:28] by saying: "…these known days are the ten days [of Dhul Hijjah]." [Tafseer ibn Katheer]
 

Fasting

One of the wives of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salam, said: "Allah’s Messenger used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashora, and three days of each month. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #2129]

The Day of Arafah - The Best Day of the Whole Year

The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah.

"Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting the day of Ashora expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim]

"There is no day on which Allah azza wa jall frees people from the Fire as He does no the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on `Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: "What are these people seeking?" [Muslim]

The best dua to make on the day of Arafah is:

The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

خير الدعاء دعاء يوم عرفة، وخير ما قلت أنا والنبيون من قبلي: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير

“The best supplication is the one made on the Day of ‘Arafah. The best thing ever said by me and the previous prophets is: There is no deity worthy of worship other than Allaah, who is alone, having no partner. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He is, of everything, All-Capable.”

The hadeeth was collected by Imam at-Tirmithee and others, and it has been authenticated by the scholars.

 

Again:

 

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

"The best of supplications is the supplication on the day of AAarafah and the best which I and the Prophets before me have said (is):

“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer (arabic right above)

Sources: At-Tirmithi No# 3585

 

The Day of Eid al-Adha

The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid ul-Adha or the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering). It marks the conclusion of the major rites of Hajj, and commemorates Allah’s bounty on His Messenger Ibrahim, when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son Ismael, alayhimassalam.

"The day of al-Fitr [i.e. `Eed ul-Fitr], the day of an-Nahr, and the days of Tashreeq are `Eid days for us Muslims. They are days of eating and drinking." [Ahmad, an-Nasae, Saheeh ul-Jaami #8192]


Allahu Aalam!

SOURCE: http://theracetojannah.blogspot.com/2010/11/not-going-to-hajj-get-closer-to-allah.html

A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST!