As-salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh
The Prophet (sa) said, “Be in this world like a traveler.” It is obvious from this statement that our life is transient – we are heading towards our Lord. What is often over looked is that a traveler requires specific provisions, used to insure safe passage and arrival. One of the most important provisions for this passage is the respect of time.
Prophet Muhammad (sa) emphasized the importance of time when he said, “There are two blessings that most people fail to utilize: time and health.”
Time is so important that God swore by it in a number of places in the Qur’an:
“(I swear) by time.”
The utilization of time is a sign that a person understands the futility of this life, the permanence of the Hereafter. Al-Hassan al-Basri said, “People, you are only days. When a day passes, you pass!”
With that in mind, some special days are fast approaching and these are the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. These days are so important that God swore by them in the Qur’an:
“(I swear) by the dawn, and by the 10 nights.”
Most scholars hold that the “10 nights” here is in reference to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Days Beloved to God
By God’s grace we are set to start the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. These ten days are special days that act as doors leading to God’s mercy! They mark the Hajj season and lead up to one of our most important celebrations: ‘Eid al-Adha. However, while those observing the major pilgrimage are consumed with its rites, those The Prophet (sa) said:
“There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to God than during these days. His followers said: Oh Messenger of God! Not even struggling in the path of God? He (s) said: Not even struggling in the path of God except for the man who goes out in the path of God with his life and his wealth and returns with neither of them.” Ibn Abbas, a companion of the Prophet (sa), said: “Ibn ‘Abbas said: “(The reward for good) deeds are multiplied seven hundred times in these days.” For that reason, it is crucial to have a strategy on an individual and communal level, to insure that we take advantage of this important opportunity. Khalid bin M’dan said, “If a door of goodness is opened for you, the rush to enter it because you don’t know when it will close.”
Here are some things you can observe to reap the benefits of these days
1.Finish a reading of the Qur’an (If it is done as a family, that is better)
2.Increase your observance of good deeds
3.Increase your remembrance of God – The Prophet (sa) said, “There is no day more honorable in Allah ‘s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah: La ilaha illAllah), takbir (Allah is the greatest: Allahu akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah: alhumdulillah) a lot.”
4.Say takbir (Allahu Akbar) as it is the sunna of the Prophet (sa) and his companions (God be pleased with them) to do so during these days
5.Fasting for those who are not on Hajj during these days and on the day of ‘Arafa in particular. “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafa is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of `Ashura is an expiation for the year preceding it.”
6.Spend time with family members or friends, discuss the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and its means for Muslims today. An underlining theme is sacrifice and struggle as a family
7.Reflect on the greater meaning of Hajj. Hajj is a rite that demands that all parts of our community come together, assisting each other towards the service of God and community. How does that play out here in America?
8.Attend event held at local Mosques honoring these days
Source: S.Webb
The Prophet (sa) said, “Be in this world like a traveler.” It is obvious from this statement that our life is transient – we are heading towards our Lord. What is often over looked is that a traveler requires specific provisions, used to insure safe passage and arrival. One of the most important provisions for this passage is the respect of time.
Prophet Muhammad (sa) emphasized the importance of time when he said, “There are two blessings that most people fail to utilize: time and health.”
Time is so important that God swore by it in a number of places in the Qur’an:
“(I swear) by time.”
The utilization of time is a sign that a person understands the futility of this life, the permanence of the Hereafter. Al-Hassan al-Basri said, “People, you are only days. When a day passes, you pass!”
With that in mind, some special days are fast approaching and these are the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. These days are so important that God swore by them in the Qur’an:
“(I swear) by the dawn, and by the 10 nights.”
Most scholars hold that the “10 nights” here is in reference to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Days Beloved to God
By God’s grace we are set to start the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. These ten days are special days that act as doors leading to God’s mercy! They mark the Hajj season and lead up to one of our most important celebrations: ‘Eid al-Adha. However, while those observing the major pilgrimage are consumed with its rites, those The Prophet (sa) said:
“There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to God than during these days. His followers said: Oh Messenger of God! Not even struggling in the path of God? He (s) said: Not even struggling in the path of God except for the man who goes out in the path of God with his life and his wealth and returns with neither of them.” Ibn Abbas, a companion of the Prophet (sa), said: “Ibn ‘Abbas said: “(The reward for good) deeds are multiplied seven hundred times in these days.” For that reason, it is crucial to have a strategy on an individual and communal level, to insure that we take advantage of this important opportunity. Khalid bin M’dan said, “If a door of goodness is opened for you, the rush to enter it because you don’t know when it will close.”
Here are some things you can observe to reap the benefits of these days
1.Finish a reading of the Qur’an (If it is done as a family, that is better)
2.Increase your observance of good deeds
3.Increase your remembrance of God – The Prophet (sa) said, “There is no day more honorable in Allah ‘s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah: La ilaha illAllah), takbir (Allah is the greatest: Allahu akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah: alhumdulillah) a lot.”
4.Say takbir (Allahu Akbar) as it is the sunna of the Prophet (sa) and his companions (God be pleased with them) to do so during these days
5.Fasting for those who are not on Hajj during these days and on the day of ‘Arafa in particular. “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafa is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of `Ashura is an expiation for the year preceding it.”
6.Spend time with family members or friends, discuss the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and its means for Muslims today. An underlining theme is sacrifice and struggle as a family
7.Reflect on the greater meaning of Hajj. Hajj is a rite that demands that all parts of our community come together, assisting each other towards the service of God and community. How does that play out here in America?
8.Attend event held at local Mosques honoring these days
Source: S.Webb
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