Islamic Month-Zill Hajj-The Blessed First Ten Days Of Zill Hajj- How to Spent

THE BLESSED TEN DAYS OF
ZILL HAJJ

The Prophet Muhammad [Peace be Upon Him] said,

“There is no deed that is better in
the sight of Allaah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the
(first) ten days of Zill Hajj”. It was asked, “Not even Jihaad for the sake of Allaah?”
The Prophet [Peace be
Upon Him] replied, “Not even Jihad for the sake
of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for Jihad taking his wealth with him
and does not come back with anything.” 

 Narrated by Al-Bukhari

Allaah Glorified and Exalted be He
blessed the nation of Prophet Muhammad [Peace be Upon Him], with opportunities to reap rewards and blessings every day
of the year. The last ten nights of Ramadan (the month of fasting) are among
the most Blessed nights of the year; in particular Lailaa Tul-Qadr (The Night
Of Power) is extremely sacred. 

Similarly, the first ten days of Zill Hajj (the
12th Islamic calendar month) carry special status during the Blessed month of
“Pilgrimage.” The above Hadees of the Prophet [Peace be Upon Him] spells out the importance of these ten days in the sight of Allaah
Glorified and Exalted be He and the amplified reward for all good deeds during
this blessed season.

Just like the last ten nights of
Ramadan are the best ten nights out of the year, these first ten days of Zill
Hajj are the best days of the year and the most beloved to Allaah as they
combine acts of worship in a way unlike any other time.

So, the questions we should be asking
ourselves are, “How do we make the most of this season of blessings?”, “What
deeds can I perform to attain His pleasure?”. The following are some examples
of the acts of worship that will help us gain His pleasure In shaa Allaah. 

Hajj1. Perform Hajj
(Pilgrimage)

Obviously, Hajj is one of the best
deeds that one can do during these ten days. However, for those of us who were
not invited to His House this year, there are still many more ways to earn the
pleasure of Allaah Almighty.

2. Fast all nine days
and especially on the ‘Day of Arafaat’

The Prophet [Peace be Upon Him] used to fast on the ninth day of Zil Hajj and he said:
“Fasting the Day of ‘Arafaat (ninth Zill Hajj) is an expiation for (all the
sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming
year.” (Muslim)

3. Perform Zikr and
Takbeer

The Holy Prophet [Peace be Upon Him] said:

“There are no days on which good
deeds are greater or more beloved to Allaah than on these ten days, so recite
much

Tahleel

Saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah,

There is No God but Allaah

Takbeer

Saying

 Allaahu Akbar

Allaah is the Greatest

and

Tahmeed

saying

Alhamdu Lil laah.

All Praises be to Allaah

(Ahmad -Saheeh)

The Companion’s of the Prophet used
to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Zill Hajj, reciting
Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them.

 (Bukhari)

Takbeer at this time is a Sunnah that
has mostly been forgotten, especially during the first few days. So, say it in
the masjid, in your home, on the street and every place where it is permitted
to remember Almighty Allaah. Revive the Sunnah that have been virtually
forgotten and earn great rewards for doing so.

The Prophet [Peace be Upon Him]:

“Whoever revives an aspect of my
Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to
that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from
their reward.” 

(Tirmidhi- Hasan)

4. Stand the Night in
Prayer

Seeking Al Allaah’s forgiveness and
humbling ourselves in front of Him in supplication and prayers during the
latter part of the night is an act of worship that is very beloved to Allaah
Glorified and Exalted be He. 

Allaah Almighty calls out to His
servants in the later part of the night:

“Is there anyone to invoke Me, so
that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may
grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may
forgive him?” 

(Bukhaari, Muslim)

We should seize this opportunity and
beg Him Glorified and Exalted be He for His Divine Generosity and Mercy. We
should ask Him as our Prophet [Peace be Upon Him] taught
us

“Our Lord, Bless Us with the Best of
This World and The Best of Hereafter and Save Us from The Fire of Hell.”

5. Make Sincere
Repentance

Allaah Glorified and Exalted be He
loves those who repent to Him in complete submission. The act of sincere
repentance to Almighty Allaah with intention to never return to His
disobedience and sin is very dear to Him Glorified and Exalted be He. Return to
Allaah by giving up all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes. Be
regretful of your sins and disobedience and resolve to never return to sin and
to firmly adhere to the path which Almighty Allaah loves.

Allaah Glorified and Exalted be He
says,

“But as for him who repented,
believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are
successful.” 

[Al-Qasas 28:67]

6. Return to Book of
Allaah (The Quraan)

It is time to dust off your copy of
the Quraan. Establish a beautiful new relationship with the book of Allaah
starting in these ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Recite its verses and you will reap
its blessings. Understand its message. Implement the commandments of this book
in your life. This relationship with the Quraan will open for you the doors of
wisdom and happiness in your life. This will ultimately lead to guidance and
success in this life and the Hereafter.

7. Increase in doing
ALL Good Deeds

If you are not able to perform Hajj
this year, occupy yourself during these blessed days by any and every possible
good deed. Every act that is done with sincerity for the pleasure of Allaah
Glorified and Exalted be He will bring you closer to Him.

“So whosoever does good equal to the
weight of an atom, shall see it; and whosoever does evil equal to the weight of
an atom, shall see it. “

[Al-Zalzalah
99:7-8]

8. Slaughter an animal
and distribute the meat (Sacrifice)

Ibn Umar said: “The Prophet peace be
up on him, [Peace be
Upon Him] lived in Madeenah for ten years and every year he slaughtered an animal.” 

9. Attend Eid prayers

Attending Eid prayers is from the
Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet [Peace be Upon Him]. We should be keen on practicing this Sunnah and performing
it according to His teachings. Eid is a time of joy and happiness and we should
be inclusive of all of our brothers and sisters who may not be as fortunate to
have enough to enjoy this blessed occasion. 

10. Thank Allaah

One of the biggest forms of
worshiping Allaah Glorified and Exalted be He is to thank Him, deeply,
sincerely and continuously. After all, it is He who blessed you with all that
you have. In fact, you wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the Mercy of your
Creator. So thank Him for ALL that He gave you: the blessing of Islam, the
blessing of life and every blessing you possess. Thank Him for the opportunity
to experience these ten days. Ask Him for His mercy, forgiveness and guidance.

Alhamdulillah, there is much to be
gained in these coming days. So make the most of this perfect opportunity
offered by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good deeds
and appreciate this blessing and make the most of it.

“And worship your Lord until there
comes unto you the certainty (death).”

 [Al-Hijr 15:99]