An Exclusive Occasion for Closeness to Allah ﷻ
The Virtues of Dhul Ḥijjah Authored By Ustadha Juwairia Ansari
4 minute read
In just a few days, we will witness the ḥujjāj (pilgrims) from around the world make their way to the Holy Lands. Abstaining from the pleasures of this world and draped in the remembrance of Allah, they will emulate our father, Ibrāhīm ﵇, and the Best of Mankind, Rasūlullah ﷺ as they perform the manāsik (rituals of Ḥajj).
These manāsik are sacred acts practiced by previous prophets in the Holy Lands, which have been sanctified from the beginning of creation. These sacred and ancient rites occur in the month of Dhul Ḥijjah, demonstrating the nobility and sacredness of this month. For those of us who are not embarking upon this great pilgrimage, it is imperative that we too recognize the nobility and significance of these days.
Allah ﷻ, out of His immense Mercy and Bounty, gives His servants different opportunities throughout the year to increase their reward, acquire raḥma and seek forgiveness. The first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah is one of these special occasions, as they offer an exclusive occasion to gain closeness with Allah and increase one’s reward.
These first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah are recognized as the best days of the year. The great companion ʿAbdullah b. al-ʿAbbas – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated, “There is no day in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah than these days.” (meaning the ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah) The Companions asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihād in the path of Allah?” The Messenger ﷺ responded, “Not even Jihād in the path of Allah, except a man who departs with himself and his wealth, and he does not return with anything.”[1] This ḥadīth conveys two important lessons:
1. Although Allah the Exalted loves the obedience and performance of righteous actions throughout the year, these deeds are most beloved to him during these ten days as opposed to the rest of the year. The more beloved an action is to Allah, the greater the reward associated with it. Thus, we should seek to increase our righteous deeds during these ten days because they are beloved to our Master. We should also seek the great reward that accompanies them.
2. Only the greatest form of Jihād, in which one sacrifices everything in the path of Allah, supersedes the actions performed in this time period. Most of us are not able to give up everything we have for the sake of Allah, so we should direct our efforts toward the next best available alternative, which is the performance of righteous acts during the first 10 days of Dhul Ḥijjah.
What righteous acts should be performed during these ten days? All forms of worship and righteous deeds can be practiced in abundance: Dhikr, Recitation of the Quran, the giving of charity, praying nawāfil, etc. The aḥādīth mention the following acts specifically:
1. Fasting: One of the wives of the Messenger ﷺ mentioned that the Messenger ﷺ would fast the nine days of Dhul Ḥijjah.[2] We should emulate his practice and strive to fast the nine days prior to Eid al-Aḍḥa as well.
2. Specific adhkār: ʿAbdullah b. ʿUmar narrates that the Messenger ﷺ said: “There is no day that is grander to Allah, nor in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah, than these ten days, so increase tahlīl, takbīr and taḥmīd in (these days).”[3] Tahlīl is to say Lā ʾilāha ʾillā Allah. Takbīr is to say Allāhu Akbar. Taḥmīd is to say Alḥamdulillah.
We ask Allah ﷻ for the tawfīq to perform righteous actions during the first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah in a manner that is pleasing to Him and accepted by Him.
[1] Sunan Abī Dāwūd: Kitāb al-Ṣawm, Bāb fī Ṣawm al-ʿAshr.
[2] Sunan Abī Dāwūd: Kitāb al-Ṣawm, Bāb fī Ṣawm al-ʿAshr.
[3] Musnad Aḥmad, Musnad al-Mukthirīn min al-Ṣaḥābah, Musnad ʿAbd Allāh b. ʿUmar