The first ten Days of Dhu lhijjah Among the reports transmitted regarding the sanctity of the first ten days of Dhul Ḥijja, the following has been related on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There are no days in which [good] actions are superior than in these days.” It was asked, “Not even fighting for the sake of God?” He replied, “Not even fighting for the sake of God, except that a person sets out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither.”[1] On the authority of Abū Hurayra (RA), the Messenger of God (PBUH) said: “There are no days more beloved to God that He be worshiped in them than the ten days of Dhul Ḥijja. Each day of fasting in it is equivalent to the fast of an entire year. And each night standing in prayer is equivalent to standing in prayer on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).”[2] Also due to the stature and merits of these days, God swore by them when He said: “By the Dawn. And by the ten nights [al-Fajr: 1-2],” and in them, He bestowed many of His bounties on His Prophets. Ibn ʿAbbās (RA) relates that in the ten days of Dhul Ḥijja, God accepted the repentance of Prophet Adam (AS), and in it Prophet Ibrāhīm n became the intimate friend (khalīl) of God “…God took Ibrahīm as His intimate friend [al-Nisāʾ: 125].” Hence, he submitted his wealth to the two noble guests (i.e. the angels sent to the people of Lūṭ [Hūd: 69-79]), his soul to the flames, his son to sacrifice, and his heart to the Most-Merciful One (al-Raḥmān). In it the Prophet Mūsā (AS) was also honored with the following call, “[God] said: ‘O Mūsā, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful’ [al-Aʿrāf: 144]," and Prophet Dāwūd was granted forgiveness, “So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return [Ṣād: 25].” It is said that the chief of all the months is Ramaḍān and the most sanctified of the sacred months (ashhur al-ḥurum) is Dhul Ḥijja and the most beloved days of this month to God is the first ten. Good works in them are multiplied. It is also said that whoever honors these ten days, God honors him with ten bounties: blessing in his life, increase in his wealth, protection of his family, atonement for his sins, multiplication of his good deeds, ease in his last days of life, light for his darkness, weight on his scale, salvation from descending [into Hellfire], and ascension into [Heaven]. It is reported that al-Awzaʿī said: “It has reached me that good works in the ten days have the worth of fighting for the sake of God. [Nobody] fasts its day and worships during its night, except that God records for him [the reward of] martyrdom for the sake of God.” For this reason, it is encouraged for one to strive to worship and perform good deeds during these days; including acts such as fasting, prayer, remembrance (dhikr), visiting the sick, showing kindness to orphans, attending gatherings of knowledge, and turning one’s focus towards God. It is also reported that ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb and Ibn ʿAbbās (RA) used to go out to the marketplace and exalt God through saying takbīr and that the people used to join them in their exaltation of God. Among the distinct days of these ten, is the eighth of Dhul Ḥijja known as the Day of “Watering” (yawm al-tarwiya) because on this day the pilgrims in Mecca are given drink and they fill their vessels in preparation for the Day of ʿArafa
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 22:49:38 +0000
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