The first ten days of Dhul
Hijjah are full of virtues and great blessings. According to a large group of
mufassireen (commentators of the Qur’aan), the ten nights mentioned in Soorah Al
Fajr are the nights of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. ALLAH says:
العشر الاوائل من ذى الحجه
وَالْفَجْرِ(1)وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ(2)وَالشَّفْعِ وَالْوَتْرِ(3)وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا
يَسْرِ(4)هَلْ فِي ذَلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِذِي حِجْرٍ(5)
By the Break of Day; By the Ten Nights; By the Even and Odd (contrasted); And by
the Night when it passes away;
Is there (not) in these an adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand? (Surah
al-Fajr 89:1-5)
This oath substantiates the greatness and sacredness of these ten nights in the
eyes of ALLAH. This is an extra ordinary oath; it is very reliable and
significant and the wise men can understand that by this oath, ALLAH too
attaches great importance and value to the ten nights of Dhul Hijjah.
وَأَذِّنْ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ
يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ(27)لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا
اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ
الْأَنْعَامِ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَاوَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ(28) ثُمَّ
لْيَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ
الْعَتِيقِ(29)
"And proclaim the Pilgrimage among people; they will come to thee on foot and
(mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and
distant mountain highways. That they may witness the benefits (provided) for
them, and celebrate the name of ALLAH, through the Days Appointed, over the
cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice).
So eat you thereof and feed the distressed ones in want.
Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and
(again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (Surah al-Hajj 22:27-29)
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى
لِلْعَالَمِينَ(96)فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ
كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ
سَبِيلًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ(97)
The first House (of worship) appointed for people, was that at Bakkah; full of
blessing and of guidance for all beings.
In it are Signs manifest; the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains
security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to ALLAH, those who can afford
the journey; but if any deny faith, ALLAH stands not in need of any of His
creatures. (Surah Al ‘Imran 3:96-97)
We are in the month of Dhul Hijjah. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the
most sacred days of the year. They are mentioned as special days in Surah al-Fajr.
These are the days of special blessings. Muslims are urged to do more Dhikr,
charity and good deeds during this time. Fasting in these days is prescribed as
Nafl from first to the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah. The blessed Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him) said:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهِنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ
الْأَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ
وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم
عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَاالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَ مْيَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ
(الترمذي688)
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to ALLAH than these
ten days."
The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of ALLAH?"
He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of ALLAH, except in the case of a man who
went out to fight,
giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing."
(Reported by Al-Tirmidhi 688)
In another Hadith reported by Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (radhiyALLAHu anhu), the
Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “On no days is the worship of ALLAH
desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The fast of each of
these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of
these nights is equal to the worship of Lailat-ul-Qadr.”
f0Tirmidhi V1 pp58
Moreover, what other virtue can be greater for these blessed days than the fact
that certain specific devotions cannot be performed but in these specified days.
ALLAH Almighty has specifically chosen these days for the fulfillment of two of
the most important devotions, viz. Hajj and Qurbani.
One may argue and say that there are other forms of devotions too, which are
fixed to specific days and moments; hence what is the speciality of these
particular days ? The answer to this argument is simple. Although there are
other devotions too, which are also fixed to specific time, such as fasting in
the month of Ramadhaan; but one may, if he desires, fulfill the devotion of
fasting in days other than Ramadhaan i.e. as an optional devotion. On the
contrary, the wuqoof of Arafaat (which is the essence of Hajj), the wuqoof of
Muzdalifah, etc., cannot be performed but in these specified days.
If one was to remain in Arafaat for many months after the 9th Dhul Hijjah, he
will not receive any reward whatsoever and it will never be considered an act of
ibaadah.
Similarly, Qurbaani is performed only in three days one of which is 10th Dhul
Hijjah. There is no possibility whatsoever of a nafl Qurbaani once these days
have lapsed, so much so that qazaa Hajj or qazaa Qurbaani is not even possible.
It is because of these distinguishing characteristics that the ulamaa have
stated, in the light of Qur’aan and Hadith that after the days of the month of
Ramadhaan, the greatest days in virtue are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The reward of ibaadah in these days increases abundantly and the results are
honoured with specified blessings and mercies by the Creator.
THE SPIRITUAL & SOCIAL ASPECT OF HAJJ
Hajj is an important rukn of Islam. It has many benefits. It is a command of
ALLAH. It is obligatory once in life on every adult Muslim male or female who
can afford it physically and financially. Muslims perform Hajj every year in
millions in number. They go there with great love and devotion.
Hajj has a form and a spirit. Its form is to have Ihram, perform Tawaf and Sa'y,
go to Mina, ‘Arafat, Muzdalifah, do the ramy at the Jamarat and make sacrifice
of a sheep, goat or camel. There are detailed rules that Pilgrims learn. Here at
this time, however, I want to discuss few points about the spirit of Hajj for
our benefit and let us think about it in these days. This will help us here
also.
1. Hajj is a ceremony of love and devotion to ALLAH. A Muslim's relation with
ALLAH is that of deep love, devotion and obedience. We love ALLAH, because He
loves us. “ He loves them and they love Him ...” (al-Ma'idah 5:54). Prophet
Ibrahim –peace be upon him- loved ALLAH and ALLAH took him as a Friend (Khalil).
“ ALLAH took Ibrahim as a friend .” (al-Nisa' 4:125). Hajj is deeply associated
with Prophet Ibrahim and his life-story. Hajj gives us a sense of History. Our
faith is deep rooted in History. This is the religion of ALLAH given to us by
His many prophets: Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Ismael and finally Prophet Muhammad
–peace be upon them all. These were the people who loved ALLAH and ALLAH loved
them and made them the guides of humanity.
2. Hajj gives the universal spirit of Islam. People of all races, colors and
nationalities go there. They become one people without any class or distinction.
They look alike and do the same things. The spirit of Hajj is to foster unity
and universal brotherhood and sisterhood among the believers.
3. Hajj gives us a focus, center and orientation. We have one Qiblah and that is
our direction for worship. But we should not have only one Qiblah for worship;
we should also have unity of purpose and mission in our life. Muslims should be
the people of a focus and direction, not a confused people or a people without
any orientation and direction. Our focus of life is ALLAH and House of ALLAH,
the Ka'bah on this earth. We have with us ALLAH's book that we must hold fast
together. “ And hold fast all together ALLAH's rope and be not divided… (Al
‘Imran 3:103).
4. Hajj is the ceremony of peace and harmony. The pilgrims come in peace and
spend their time together in the most peaceful and respectful manner. They
respect every person and every thing. They do not harm any one or anything. This
is also the spirit of Islam. Islam is a total commitment to care, compassion and
kindness. Hajj is symbol of this commitment and it must manifest in our daily
life.
5. Hajj is also a movement, action and sacrifice. The pilgrim keeps on moving
all the time, with Tawaf, Sa'y, going to Mina, ‘Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina again,
around the Jamarat and other places. It is a dynamic ceremony and this is the
way a Muslim's life should be. Motion, action, and sacrifice – these things
bring success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
ACTS OF VIRTUE
There are certain specific acts of virtue in these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah
which are enumerated and explained below:
1. Upon sighting the moon of Dhul Hijjah, those people intending to perform
Qurbaani should neither cut their hair nor clip their nails until the Qurbaani
is performed. This is a mustahab (desirable) act derived from Hadeeth of the
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam wherein he has said:
“A person should neither clip his nails nor cut his hair until he performs
qurbaani”.
f0 Ibne Maajah
Some ulamaa have explained the reason and wisdom behind this order of the
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam thus that in this month, hundreds of
thousands of people are blessed with the opportunity of visiting the sacred
house of ALLAH in Makkah.
They enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the holy places and acquire maximum
benefit from the blessed moments.
Whilst they are there in the state of ihraam certain acts become impermissible
for them. Amongst them is clipping of nails and cutting the hair. The Prophet
sallallahu alayhi wasallam instructed those of his followers who could not reach
the blessed places, to imitate the pilgrims by not cutting the hair and clipping
the nails so that the mercy of ALLAH can enshroud them too together with the
pilgrims.
2. These days are so blessed that a day’s fast is equivalent to a year’s fast
and a night’s devotion is equivalent to the ibaadah of Laylatul Qadr. The
indication is towards the fact that we should endeavor to perform as many
virtuous acts as possible in these days.
3. 9th Dhul Hijjah is the day of Arafah in which the main fardh of Hajj is
performed i.e. wuqoof Arafah. This is a great moment for the pilgrims when the
Mercy of ALLAH descends upon them in abundance and their sins are forgiven and
du’aa accepted. ALLAH, through His Compassion and Mercy, has not deprived the
non-pilgrims of his mercy, but rather, shown the way to His Pleasure. The
Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was asked about the fast of the day of
Arafah. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming
year.”-Ibne Maajah
(Note: One should take note that the sins forgiven are minor sins. The major
sins are not forgiven without tawbah)
4. The reciting of Takbeeraate Tashreeq after every fardh Salaat from the Fajr
of 9th Dhul Hijjah to the Asr of 13th Dhul Hijjah (i.e. total of twenty three
fardh Salaat). It is waajib upon men to recite this takbeer once after every
fardh Salaat audibly. The women should recite it silently.
5. The Sunnah of Ibraahem alayhi salaam – the Qurbaani. It is to be performed on
10th, 11th or 12th Dhul Hijjah. One may sacrifice a thousand animals on days
other than these, but it will never be regarded or considered a Qurbaani.
Here, a believer is taught a great lesson that an action or a place or a time
does not hold any virtue in itself; but rather it is ALLAH’s command and order
that changes the status, level and grade of things. Regarding Qurbaani, the
Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)said:
f0 “There is nothing dearer to ALLAH during the days of Qurbaani than the
sacrificing of animals.
The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horn, hair,
and hooves (to be weighed).
The sacrifice is accepted by ALLAH before the blood reaches the ground.
Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.”- Tirmizi,Ibne Maajah
May ALLAH ta’aalaa bless us with spiritual gains and HIS Pleasure in these
blessed moments. Aameen