The month of Dhul Hijjah, also known as Zil Hajj, holds immense importance in the Islamic calendar. It is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. Dhul Hijjah is one of the four sacred months in Islam. The month of Dhul-Hijjah is known as the month of the Pilgrimage.
It is advised to fast for the first nine days of the month, with special emphasis placed on the ninth day, or Day of Arafah, when fasting is most encouraged. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says that: “Fasting on this day can expiate your sins from the preceding year and the current year” (Muslim).
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It symbolizes unity, equality, and submission to Allah. Muslims perform Hajj during Dhul Hijjah (from the 8th to the 12th day) if they are financially and physically competent to do so.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are especially significant. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized their importance, stating that no good deeds done on other days are superior to those done during these days. Even Jihad is not superior except when done with self-sacrifice for Allah’s sake.
Narrated Ibn Abbas (R.A.), the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja).” Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger for Allah’s sake and does not return with any of those things.
Here are few things that Muslims should do in first 10 days of Dhul Hajj:
Dhikr:
Do a lot of dhikr and seek forgiveness for all our wrongdoings. Including the recitation of Takbeer from the 9th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ. وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
“Allahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar,Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,Wa lillahil Hamd”
Translation: “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.”
“There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillah).” (Ahmed- Sahee)
Fasting:
It is a Sunnah for the Muslims to fast on the first nine days of Zil Hajj, because fasting is one of the best of deeds. Almighty Allah says, “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.”’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-Hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)
“Fasting the Day of Arafah (9th Dul-Hijja) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)
Give Sadqah:
While many of us make the most of our Sadaqah during the final 10 nights of Ramadan, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are equally significant and offer the ideal chance to receive extra rewards for even the smallest acts of kindness!
Reciting the Quran:
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi]
Therefore, if one letter of the Quran is equivalent to ten good deeds then imagine how rewarding it is for reading each letter during these blessed 10 days which are the best days of the year! Hence, in these ten days, those who don’t know how to read the Qur’an should learn the Holy Qur’an and those who can read it should recite it excessively to gain reward.
In summary, Dhul Hijjah is a blessed month, and its first ten days offer a unique opportunity for worship and righteous deeds. May this information benefit you as you reflect on the significance of Zil Hajj!
Feel free to share this blog with others, and may your understanding of Zil Hajj deepen to gain rewards in this blessed month.
References:
https://www.muslimaid.org/islamic-calendar/dhulhijjah/
https://www.quranreading.com/blog/significance-and-masnoon-acts-for-the-month-of-zil-hajj/
https://www.quranreading.com/blog/significance-of-fasting-in-the-month-of-zil-hajj/
Image reference:
https://www.mathabah.org/dhul-%E1%B8%A5ijjah-making-the-blessed-days-count/
