The first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah
Among the special seasons of worship are the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, which Allah has preferred over all the other days of the year.
Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.”
The people (the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them) asked: “O Messenger of Allah , not even Jihad in the path of Allah ?” He, Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa sallam, said: “Not even Jihad in the path 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 (lost both his property and life).”
The preferred good deeds in these days:
1- Fasting
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"(Allah said), 'Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk."
How generous the reward will be when Allah adds it to himself?
2- Zekr
The Prophet (PBUH) 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 (la ilaaha illa Allah ), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah).” (Ahmad; sound)
Importance of Zekr
1- Reminds of him (in the presence of Allah)
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عِيسَى الطَّحَّانِ، عَنْ عَوْنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَوْ عَنْ أَخِيهِ، عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ مِمَّا تَذْكُرُونَ مِنْ جَلاَلِ اللَّهِ التَّسْبِيحَ وَالتَّهْلِيلَ وَالتَّحْمِيدَ يَنْعَطِفْنَ حَوْلَ الْعَرْشِ لَهُنَّ دَوِيٌّ كَدَوِيِّ النَّحْلِ تُذَكِّرُ بِصَاحِبِهَا أَمَا يُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ - أَوْ لاَ يَزَالَ لَهُ - مَنْ يُذَكِّرُ بِهِ " .
It was narrated from Nu'man bin Bashir that: the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"What you mention of glory of Allah, of Tabsih (Subhan-Allah), Tahlil (Allahu-Akbar) and Tahmid (Al-Hamdu lillah), revolves around the Throne, buzzing like bees, reminding of the one who said it. Wouldn't any one of you like to have, or continue to have, something that reminds of him (in the presence of Allah)?'"
2- Self balance/comfort/peace/Assurance
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ" سورة الرعد, اية 28"
"Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." Surah Ar-Ra'd [13:28]
3- The great reward
عن أبي هريرة - رضي الله عنه - قال: قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم -: ((كلمتان خفيفتان على اللسان، ثقيلتان في الميزان، حبيبتان إلى الرحمن: سبحان الله وبحمده، سبحان الله العظيم)) رواه البخاري و مسلم
There are two words that are very easy to say, yet very heavy on the Scale, most beloved to The Merciful, “SubhaanAllah wa bihamdihi subhaanAllahi ’l-`Azheem.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
3- Making Duaa
Prepare your needs and ask Allah from his bounty.
4- Sadaka (charity)
Spend from anything you have, money, knowledge, or effort, even the smile is Sadaka.
-- Written By sister, Mervat Hegazy
a Quran teacher