What to do on these days

We continue to take a look at some virtuous and noble deeds and actions which we should try to carry out during the Blessed ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Qurbani (sacrifice)

During Dhul Hijjah, every Muslim who has the financial means must sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat to the poor and needy as well as family, friends and neighbours.

This act commemorates the story of Prophet Ibraheem AS and his willingness to submit to the will of Allah.

Anyone who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting their hair and nails or removing anything from their skin from the beginning of the 10 days until after he/she has offered his sacrifice.

That’s because the Prophet said: “When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.”

Perform Dhikr and Takbeer

The Prophet ﷺ said: “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 ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillaah).” (Ahmad -Saheeh)

Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (RA) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Bukhari)

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ غَدَوْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ مِنًى إِلَى عَرَفَاتٍ مِنَّا الْمُلَبِّي وَمِنَّا الْمُكَبِّرُ

Abd Allah bin Umar said We proceeded along with the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) from Mina to ‘Arafat, some of us were uttering talbiyah and the others were shouting “Allaah is most great.”

Stand the Night in Prayer

Seeking Allah’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 Allah.

Allah Almighty calls out to His servants in the latter 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 ﷺ 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.”

Make Sincere Repentance

Allah loves those who repent to Him in complete submission. The act of sincere repentance to Allah with intention to never return to His disobedience and sin is very dear to Allah. Return to Allah 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 Allah loves.

Allah says,

فَأَمَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْلِحِينَ

“However, the one who has repented in this life, and believed, and done good deeds may hope to be among those who will achieve salvation.” [Al-Qasas 28:67]

Return to the Book of Allah (The Quran)

It is time to dust off your copy of the Quran. Establish a beautiful new relationship with the book of Allah starting in these ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. 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 Quran 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.

Increase in doing ALL good deeds

One should make good of the time that we have during these blessed days by doing any and every possible good deed. Every act that is done with sincerity for the pleasure of Allah 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]