The virtues of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

[bint abee saeed]

By the Grace of Allaah we have started the month of Dhul-Hijjah (the month of Hajj or Pilgrimage), in which Allaah has marked out, for both the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims, some very blessed days. So we shall mention here some of the virtues and rewardful acts that are connected to these blessed days.

 

DOING GOOD DEEDS IN GENERAL:

 

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best and most virtuous days of the year. They are the days in which Allaah the Mighty and Majestic - most loves the doing of good deeds. About this the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best days in the world are the ten days.†[1]

 

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allaah. And it has been confirmed in Saheehul-Bukhaaree (2/382), from Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhumaa) who said, that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There ore no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these (ten) days.†He was then asked, ‘Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah?’ So he replied, “Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah, except for a person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing.†And it is these ten days that Allaah has taken an oath by in His Book, by His saying,

 

“By the Dawn and by the Ten Nights.†[sooratul-Fajr 89:1-2]

 

This is why it is recommended to increase in making takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illallaah) and tamheed (saying Alhamdulillaah) during these days ...â€[2]

 

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days that are greater with Allaah, and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in making tasbeeh (saying Subhaanallaah), tamheed, tahleel and takbeer, during them.â€[3]

 

FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH:

 

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah, since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said, “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.†[4] Likewise, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.†[5]

 

Imaam at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.†[6]

 

SLAUGHTERING ON THE DAY OF AN-NAHR AND ’EEDUL-ADHAA OR THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS:

 

The tenth day of Dhul-Hiijah is known as the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering), since it marks the ending of the major rites of Hajj (Pilgrimage), and commemorates the bounty and mercy of Allaah - the Most High - in that He gave His beloved Prophet Ibraaheem - ’alayhis-salaam - a ram to sacrifice in place of his firstborn son Ismaa’eel - ’alayhis-salaam. And out of the ten best days of the year, it is the day of an-Nahr which is the most excellent day of the year with Allaah.

 

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The most excellent day of the week is the day of Friday, by the agreement of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year is the day of an-Nahr. And some of them said that it is the day of ’Arafah. However, the first opinion is the correct one, since it is related in the Sunan collections that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most excellent days with Allaah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr (the day that the Muslims reside in Minaa).†[7]†[8]

 

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The greatest day of the Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of an-Nahr (Slaughtering).†[9]

 

The day of an-Nahr is also known as ’Eedul-Adhaa (the Festivity of Sacrifice) and is one of the two major festivals that Allaah has granted to this Ummah. Anas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to al-Madeenah and the people of al-Madeenah had - since the times of jaahiliyyah (Pre-lslaamic Ignorance) - two days which they marked out for play and amusement. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘I came to you, and you had two days of play and amusement in the times of jaahiliyyah. But Allaah has replaced them with something better for you: The day of al-Adhaa (sacrificing) and the day of al-Fitr (ending the Fast).†[10]

 

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, “The day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the days of at-Tashreeq (the three days after an-Nahr) are our days of ’Eed (festivity); and they are days of eating and drinking.†[11]

 

’Eedul-Adhaa, is a day in which the Muslims slaughter a camel, cow, sheep or goat, in commemoration of the sacrifice of Ibraaheem - ’alayis-salaam. And this sacrifice is an obligation upon all those who have the means to do so - according to the most correct opinion of the Scholars. [12] The basis of this is the Prophet’s (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “One who has the ability to sacrifice, but chooses not to do so, should not approach our place of (’Eed) Prayer.†[13] And his (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whosoever sacrificed before the Prayer, then let him do so again. But whosoever has not sacrificed, then let him sacrifice.†[14] So this order refers to those who have the ability to do so - and Allaah knows best.

 

As regards those who intends to sacrifice - normally the head of the household - then they are prohibited from cutting their hair or nails, starting from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah up until after the sacrifice. Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the ten days start, and one of you intends to sacrifice, then let him not cut his hair or his nails.†[15]

 

GLORIFYING ALLAAH WITH THE TAKBEER:

 

From the day of ’Arafah (the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), up until the ’Asr Prayer on the thirteen day, are days in which the takbeeraat (saying Allaahu Akbar) should be said. Imaam al-Khattaabee (d.456H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The wisdom behind saying the takbeeraat in these days is that in the times of jaahiliyyah (pre-lslaamic ignorance), they used to slaughter for their tawaagheet (false objects of worship). So the takbeeraat were prescribed in order to indicate that the act of slaughtering is directed to Allaah alone, and by mentioning only His - the Mighty and Majestic - Name.†[16]

 

Shaykhul-lslaam Ibn Taymiyyah - rahimahullaah – said, “All praise be to Allaah. The most correct saying concerning the takbeer - that which the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the Scholars from the Companions and Imaams were upon - is to begin making the takbeer from Fajr (dawn) on the day of ’Arafah, up until the last day of at-Tashreeq (the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah), after every Prayer.†[17]

 

Ibn Abee Shaybah relates, “That ’Alee (radiyallaahu ’anhu) used to make the takbeer beginning after the Fajr Prayer on the day of ’Arafah, up until after the ’Asr Prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.†[18]

 

As regards the actual wording of the takbeeraat, then nothing authentic has been related from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). However, certain wordings have been authentically related from a group of Companions. From them:

 

Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu ’anhu) would say, “Allaah is great, Allaah is great. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. And Allaah is great, Allaah is great. And to Him belongs all praise. [Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaahaa illallaah, wallaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar wa lillaahil-hamd.]†[19]

 

Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, “Allaah is great, Allaah is great, Allaah is great, and to Allaah belongs all praise. Allaah is greater and Sublime. Allaah is greater to what He has guided us to. [Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahil-hamd. Allaahu akbar wa ajalla. Allaahu akbar ’alaa maa hadaanaa.]†[20]

 

Unfortunately, many Muslims have neglected the takbeer established from our Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and have instead resorted to additions which have no basis at all.

 

Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.856H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed, additions have been invented upon this day, which have no basis at all.†[21]

 

And may Allaah have mercy upon the one who said,

 

“Every good is in following the Salaf; And every evil is in the innovations of the late-comers.â€

 

And all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allaah extol and send the choicest blessings of peace upon our Leader, Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions, and all those who follow them.

 

http://www.troid.org/articles/ibaadah/hajjandumrah/dhulhijjah.htm

[Muhammad]

JazakAllah khair walaal for the reminder

[Asxabul_kahf]

masha allah, jazakalah kheyran

 

When do these 10 days start, please let me know.

 

salama aleykum

[Salafi_Online]

As salaamu aliakum

 

I found a few lectures in which Sheik Al Baani makes clear that it is not allowed to fast on Saturdays even if they coincide with the day of Arafat, Ashoora or the 13, 14, and 15 of the month.

 

please visit.

 

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=10&topic=3157

[sweet_gal]

Are u wondering when it is in what part of the world u are in after all its based on the lunar calendar. We'll I wanted to know too and so I found a site: here it is.

 

 

1st of Dhul Hijjah 1426 AH is expected to be:

 

Sunday 1st January 2006 for Mu'mineen in the Caribbean, Central and South America and the southern belt of North America.

 

Monday 2nd January 2005 for Mu'mineen in the rest of the world.

 

Based on our community sighting criteria, the first sighting should Inshallah occur in the South Atlantic Ocean on Saturday 31st December 2005. Mu'mineen in Brazil should be the first to be able to sight the crescent.

 

Should the crescent be sighted as expected, in accordance with the rulings of Ayatullah Seestani (based on the Theory of Differing Horizons), 1st Dhul Hijjah 1426 will be on Sunday 1st January 2006 for Mu'mineen in the Caribbean, Central and South America and the southern belt of North America, and Monday 2nd January for Mu'mineen in the rest of the world.

 

The Hilal Committee of IEB will confirm the sighting and a subsquent statement will be released on the eve of the new month.

 

http://ieb.world-federation.org/Article89.html

[Warrior of Light]

Asalaam aleykum,

 

Jazkallah kheir Ukti for the reminder of these sacred days ahead of us. Inshallah may Allah give us the capability to seek the favours of these days.

 

Originally posted by Salafi da'wa:

As salaamu aliakum

 

I found a few lectures in which Sheik Al Baani makes clear that it is not allowed to fast on Saturdays even if they coincide with the day of Arafat, Ashoora or the 13, 14, and 15 of the month.

 

please visit.

 

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=10&topic=3157

Unfortunately,the link doesnt not work from my end nor could I visit the website.

 

And wouldnt it be an innovation to say saturday to be a " Not allowed" day to fast? The hadiths so far I have come across regarding fasting during the week state the Prophet SAW perfered fasting on mondays and thursdays and except for fardh saum on Fridays he shunned from fasting on that day as its considered an Islamic holiday.

Where does saturday's importance come from, can you elaborate more?

 

Fiamanillah

Wol

[Salafi_Online]

Salamu alaykum

 

The hadith, "Don't fast on Saturday except that which is obilgatory upon you, even if one of you does not find except the bark of a tree then let him chew upon it."[saheeh see Irwaa al Ghaleel (3/960])

 

The point is that the Prophet,(salalahu alayhi wa salam) prohibited in this authentic hadith fasting on Saturday except that which is obligatory, and that is only the month of Ramadan, fasting during it's time or making it up.

 

Off course there are some hadith that allow the fasting on saturday,However there are some points to mention regarding this position:

 

Those that prohibit fasting Saturday like our sheikh Muhammad Abdulwahhab al Banna say that the forbiddence takes precedence over the allowance as is known in Usool al Fiqh.

 

From Usool al Fiqh, it is reported by at-Tayalisi in his Musnad (1922) "…Ibn Umar rahdiallaahu 'anhuma was asked about a man who swore that he will fast on a Friday? So he replied we have been ordered to fulfil our oaths and forbidden from fasting this day, the Messenger sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: if I order you with something then do what you are able and if I forbid you from something then keep away." Saheeh al Bukhaaree (9/77) Muslim (1337)

 

And such is the day of Arafat, if it coincides with Saturday do we fast. The answer is no. Except that which is obligatory upon you.The Sheik then makes the point that some people allow the fasting on Saturday if it coincides with the day of Arafat because of the great blessing for fasting on this day. But this is incorrect, as there is also great blessing for fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and the 13th 14, and 15th of the month, but if they coincide the the day of Eid we are still not allow to fast on them. So the prohibition is over the benefit.

 

And the Sheik states that the one who leaves off fasting on Saturday will have the reward for fasting and the reward for folling the command of the Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him.

 

Sheikh al Albaani rahimahullaah uses this to say the forbiddance of fasting on Saturday takes precedence over the allowance to fast.Secondly if the Prophet is seen to do an action and yet he forbids it then his forbiddance takes precedence over his action:

 

Sheikh al Albaani rahimahullaah does not allow joining Saturday with Sunday as there is no proof for that at all

 

The quotes have been taken from Sheikh al Albaani's tapes quoted on Sahab.net on the subject and also sheikh Ali Hasan's book on this issue as it deals with the topic very well, clearly outlining that the position of sheikh al Albaani rahimahullaah is a position based upon strong proof.

 

source:http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=10&topic=3157

 

other opinions:

 

Q: The people have differed here concerning the fasting of Arafat this year, as it coincides with Saturday. So from them are those that say, this is the day of Arafat, we will fast it, because it is Arafat. And the fact that it coincides with Saturday does not prevent fasting on it. And then there some who will not fast on it because it coincides with Saturday and we must not make it a great day, as to oppose the Jews…I searched for the answer but could not find any clear answer…I hope that you all(Esteemed ones) will guide me to the Islamic ruling on this issue…you will have a blessing with ALLAH for it for providing the Muslims with beneficial knowledge that will be for them in this life and the next.

 

A: It is permissible to fast the day of Arafat by itself whether it coincides with Saturday or any other day of the week because there is no difference in them. Because fasting the day of Arafat is an(independent) sunna and the hadith about fasting on Saturday is weak due to it contradicting and opposing authentic hadith.

 

The Permanent Committe

 

 

reply by Shaykh Albani (the hadith master)

 

"So if one who is in opposition to this says; how have you left the fast of A'ashuraa, which is an expiation for the previous year and the fast of A'rafah, which is an expiation for two years, based upon a hadeeth that is "Ghareeb" (strange) and "Shaadh" (contradictory)? We say, the hadeeth is indeed authentic, whoever makes it weak, does so without knowledge"

[Warrior of Light]

Salafi Brother,

 

so far I havent come across such a hadith in saheeh Bukhari. And couldnt find an english copy of Irwaa al Gaheel. And to be honest Irwaa al Gaheel is foreign to me. Please bear with me, got to do some reading for myself as Im not yet convinced.

 

Fiamanillah

[Salafi_Online]

Salamu alaykum

 

 

WOL, im not sure if you are familiar with the likes of Shaykh Al-albani, The hadith master of our time, if not as Shaykh 'Uthaymeen said" the greatest hadith master since Imam Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani"

 

Irwa al Ghaleel is written by Shaykh Albani,it contains all the hadith that he authenticated. You will not find such things in english.

 

Ps. Islam was revealed in Arabiyah...a small portion of it,is translated into other languages.

[Warrior of Light]

Waleikum salaam Salafi Brother,

 

I am aware of Sheikh Albani a scholar who lived in our century(born and died in the 19th century May Allah have mercy on him). He compiled alot of hadith which some he termed weak (and he also has a book on them if my memory serves me right). I also know he wrote the book but so far never got my hands on it except for the few excerpts here and there mentioning the title or asserting that the named ahadith is also reported in Irfaa al Ghaleel. Im am a fan of Sahih Bukhari,Muslim (still havent read much on Abu Dawud or Maliki) as I find they have collections which can be crosschecked and you find them complimenting each other. Remember the hadith were collected by the scholars they have to taken with precaution and double checked. It is bound to have Err only the Quran is unique(and with the exception of Hadith Sharif). Thats why we have cases of weak hadith or fabricated ones.

 

May Allah guide us and increase us in knowledge to search for the truth. Amin

 

Fiamanillah.

[Oz]

Originally posted by bint abee saeed:

And all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allaah extol and send the choicest blessings of peace upon our Leader, Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions, and all those who follow them.

 

May Allah accept our good deeds and make it easy for us, Ameen!

 

Jazakalaahukheyr