By SHEIKH Arkam Nooramith
Gen. Secretary-ACJU Srilanka
Gen. Secretary-ACJU Srilanka
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. It is the month following Dhul Qa’dah. It is the final month of the Islamic Lunar calendar.
Month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the four Sanctified Months (Al-Ash-hurul-Hurum) mentioned in the Qur’an.
“Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months.” (Surah Tawba, Verse 36)
Hazrat Abu Bakrah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumaada (As-Saani) and Sha’baan.” (Saheehu Muslim 1679)
Dhul Hijjah is the final month of the three months known as ‘Ash-harul Haj’. Months of Shawwaal and Dhul Qa’dah are also known as ‘Ash-harul Haj’. The most important acts of Ibaadah of Haj are performed in the Month of Dhul Hijjah.
“The Hajj is (to be performed in) the months that are well-known. So whoever undertakes Hajj in them, there should be no obscenity, no sin, no quarrel in the Hajj.” (Surah Baqarah, Verse 197)
Hazrat Ibnu Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) states that: Shawwaal, Dhul Qa’dah and the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are known as the months of Haj. (Source: Tafsir Ibnu Kathir – Volume 01)
The following days of this month are called by special names.
8th day called Yawmuth tharwiya – The day of Tharwiya
9th day is called Yawmu ‘arafah – The day of ‘arafah
10th day is called Yawmun Nahr – The day of Nahr
11th, 12th & 13th days are called Ayyamuth Thashreeq – The days of Thashreeq
Significance of the first 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah
Promise made by Almighty Allah, upon the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran: ‘By the dawn. And by Ten Nights’ (Surah Fajr: Verse 1, 2)
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhuma) has declared that these ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Good deeds performed during the first 10 days are much desired by Allahu Ta’ala.
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhiyallaahu anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” (Sahih Bukhari 969
Important acts of worship of Islam are performed during these 10 days
Hazrat Hafiz Ibnu Hajar Rahmathullahi Alaihi says: The reason for the first 10 days to be so much glorified is because Salah, Fasting, Sadaqa and Hajj are performed together within these 10 days. In other periods this does not happen together. (Fathhul Baari, Vol-02)
Day of Arafah is within these 10 days
This day is a very significant day. All sins are forgiven and freedom of Hell is granted.
Hazrat ‘A’isha (RadhiyAllaahu Anha) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do they want? (Sahih Muslim 1348)
About the Ibaadah performed during the first 10 days
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“There is no virtue more to the liking of Allah in any day than in these days, that is, the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. They (the Companions) asked: Messenger of Allah, not even the struggle in the path of Allah (Jihad)? He said: (Yes), not even the struggle in the path of Allah, except a man who goes out (in the path of Allah) with his life and property, and does not return with any of them.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2438)
Performing Haj
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RadhiAllahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
He who came to this House (Ka’ba) (with the intention of performing Pilgrimage), and neither spoke indecently nor did he act wickedly, would return (free from sin) as on the (very first day) his mother bore him. (Sahih Muslim 1350)
Performing Umrah
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah said: “Alternate between Hajj and Umrah; for those two remove poverty and sins just as the bellows removes filth from iron, gold, and silver – and there is no reward for Al-Hajj Al-Mabrur except for Paradise.” (Sunan Tirmidhi 810)
Observing Fasts
It is narrated on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashura’ and three days of every month, that is, the first Monday (of the month) and Thursday. (Sunan Abi Dawud 2437)
Observing the Fast of Arafah
Hazrat Abu Qatada (RadhiAllahu Anhu) reported that when asked about the fasting on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah) Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. (Sahih Muslim 1162)
Note: For more clarifications regarding fast of Arafah, refer the below link – https://acju.lk/…/1381-clarification-on-fasting-on-the…
Reciting Takbeer, Tahmeed, Tahleel abundantly
Hazrat Ibn Umar (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘There no good deeds greater and more beloved to Allah than those performed in the first 10 days of Thul Hijjah, so recite ‘La ilaha illAllah’, ‘Allahu Akbar’, ‘Alhamdulillah’ in abundance’. (Source: Musnad Ahmad: 6154)
Reciting Takbir
From the Fajr prayer of day of Arafah (09th Dhul Hijjah) until Asr prayer of 13th of Dhul Hijjah, it is Sunnah to recite Takbeer after Farl Prayers and in other circumstances. (Al Majmu’ Vol: 05)
Engaging in Duas (supplications) on the night of Eid
Imam Shafi’e (Rah) has stated that it has been reported: Duas supplicated on the following 5 nights are accepted: Night of Jumu’ah, night of Eid-ul-Adha, night of Eid-ul-Fitr, first night of Rajab and the 15th night of Sha’baan. (Al-Ummu, Vol 01)
Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha
Hazrat Anas ibn Malik RadhiyAllahu Anhu narrated: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (what is the significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves on them in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Allah has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) and the day of the breaking of the fast Eid-u-Fitr). (Sunan Abu Dawud 1134)
Eid prayer and Khutbah
Hazrat Abdullah bin `Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhuma) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer the prayer of `Id-ul-Adha and `Id-ul-Fitr and then deliver the Khutba after the prayer. (Sahih Bukhari 957)
Uldhiyyah (Offering Qurban)
Hazrat ‘Aishah (RadhiAllahu Anha) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A human does no action from the actions on the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah then spilling blood (of sacrificial animals). On the Day of Judgement, it will appear with its horns, and hair, and hooves, and indeed the blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it.” (Sunan Tirmidhi 1493)
Note: For more clarifications regarding Uldhiyya, please refer the following ACJU Fatwas:
If one offers the money of Uldhiyya as Sadaqah, will he receive the virtue of Uldhiyyah? https://acju.lk/…/recent…/item/1735-2019-08-05-12-00-05
Is it permissible to offer animals other that goats, cows, camels, as Uldhiyyah? https://acju.lk/…/recent…/item/1734-2019-08-05-11-45-09
Religious clarification on collective Uldhiyya- https://acju.lk/…/recent…/item/1380-2018-08-17-12-38-25
Is it permissible to fix the price after slaughtering the Uldhiyya cattle- https://acju.lk/…/recent…/item/897-2016-09-05-14-41-07
What is the religious ruling, if Uldhiyya is unable to be performed due to compelling situation? https://acju.lk/…/recent…/item/569-2016-08-01-06-40-46
As these are virtuous days in which good deeds are most pleasing to Allah, lets engage in good deeds such as recitation of the Holy Qur’an, seeking forgiveness, reciting Salawath upon Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), honoring one’s parents, associating with relatives, propagating Salam, feeding, enjoining good and forbidding evil, associating with neighbors, spending on wives and children, helping orphans, caring for the sick, attending to the needs of brothers, helping the afflicted, and cooperating in good deeds.
May Almighty Allah grant us Thowfeek to engage in good deeds abundantly during these days, Aameen!
