Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (Daamat Barakatuhum)
Dien is undoubtedly the perfect and only solution; infact it is the only
prescription for our success in dunia and Aakhirat! …But what is Dien? Dien is
not only the outward attire – although that itself is essential and very much
required. It is not the titles of Mufti, Moulana, Imam, Hafiz, Qari, Tablighi,
Sufi, if the reality is a wolf in sheep clothing. It is not the Darul Ulooms,
Khanqahs, the work of Tabligh, social and welfare efforts, etc. All these are absolutely
required and are part of our Dien. However, Dien itself is sincerely and
honestly PRACTISING on the Commands of Allah Ta’ala. When Islam is
practically implemented in our lives, we will see with our bare eyes and the
eyes of the heart, all our open and manifest solutions and successes. Others
too will see the same, be they Muslims or non-Muslims! The requirements are Amal and
Ikhlaas.
The four sacred months of the year - al Ashur al Hurum – are Rajab, Zhul Qadah, Zhul Hijjah and Muharram. The rewards of all good deeds are multiplied and compounded tremendously. We should be conscious of the value of these months and increase our Ibaadaat in them. We should also bear in mind that sins are also multiplied at such times, and should thus be shunned completely. Just as we endeavour to observe the month of Ramadaan, similarly these months should also be honoured and observed! Nabi Sallaahu ‘alayhi Wasallam is reported to have said: “The reward of 700 years of worship will be recorded for that person who fasts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the sacred months [of Rajab, Zhul Qa’dah, Zhul Hijjah and Muharram.][1]
Dien for the present ten sacred days of Zhul Hijjah are the performance of Hajj and Qurbani. Whilst the last 10 nights of Ramadaan are the most valuable nights of the year, the first 10 days of Zhul Hijjah are the most valuable days in the entire year. These days are the King of days of the whole year!
Hadhrat Ibn `Abbas (Radhiyallahu 'Anhu) reported that Rasulullah Sallaahu ‘alayhi Wasallam said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."
The people asked: "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?"
He (Sallaahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) said: "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing."[2]
This shows that Ibaadaat in these days is even more valuable than Jihaad, which is well known to be so superior and honourable.
The King of Ibaadah is Salaah, so Salaah should be performed in quantity and quality, with Khushoo (concentration and devotion). We should undertake to perform our Qadha-e-Umri, and also engage in Tilawat of Qur’aan Sharief, Zikr, Dua and other forms of Ibaadaat.
One particular Ibaadah for the first 10 days of Zhul Hijjah, as mentioned in the Hadith, is the third Kalimah. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu) related that Rasulullah (Sallaahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) said: "No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Zul Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read: Subhanallah, Laa ilaaha illallaah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar."[3]
Reciting this easy formula of Zikr during these days is greater in reward than Jihad! Do take a moment to reflect, ponder and ask oneself: How many times have I read the third Kalimah during these days? In these particular days, the King Zikr, as prescribed by Nabi Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, is the third Kalimah.
Salaatut Tasbih, wherein we recite the same Tasbeeh x 300, will become the King of Nafl Ibaadah during these special days. How wonderful if we could perform this Salaah every day and night in this blessed time!!! We should try to create an environment as we do in Ramadaan; and since there is no Taraweeh, let us read Salaatut Tasbih.
A person who passes these days, but does not read the third Kalimah is like a person who passes Ramadaan and does not recite Qur’aan Sharief, or he goes to Makkah Sharief and does not go the Haram Sharief; does not make Ziyaarat of the honourable Ka’bah Sharief; or he visits Madinah Sharief and does not go to the Raudhah-e-Mubarak!! How sad! What a deprivation and colossal loss!!!
9th ZHUL HIJJAH
Then arrives the 9th of Zhul Hijjah which is the King of Kings of days, the Day of Arafah, in which Allah Ta’ala boasts about His bondsmen, and shaytaan becomes the most dejected and miserable on this day. Allah Ta’ala loves His Ibaadah the most on this day, in the entire year! On this day, the GREAT, GREAT, Ibaadah is the fourth Kalimah:
Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu Laa sharieka lahu lahul mulk walahulhamd yuhyi wa yumiet
bi yadiehil khair wa huwa alaa kulli shaien Qadier!
We should read this Kalimah in great abundance on this day, together with other forms of Ibaadaat!!
Fasting for each of the first 8 days is equal to a full year's fasts. The fast of the 9th includes atonement for the sins of the previous and coming year! What a great spiritual windfall! Forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala is a great and much needed bounty, which can be acquired here so, so easily!!!
TAKBEER-E-TASHREEQ
We are commanded to recite the Takbeer-e-Tashreeq after the Fardh Salaah, beginning from Fajr of the 9th of Zhul Hijjah until Asr of the 13th of Zhul Hijjah - twenty three Salaah in total.
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa-ilaaha illallaahu, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,
wa-lillahil Hamd.”
Allah Ta’ala’s Greatness, Oneness and Praise are expounded in this beautiful Takbeer. Reflecting over the meaning and words will build our Imaan and cultivate the quality of Abdiyyah (servitude) in our lives.
HAJJ AND QURBANI
What to say of the five days of Hajj! …Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, back to Mina, Makkah Sharief, Tawaaf and Sa’ee!!! What great and honourable days! Even if we are not there physically, we should be there with our hearts and souls!
Then the 10th, 11th and 12th are the great days of Qurbani, wherein nothing is more beloved to Allah Ta’ala than the slaughtering of Qurbani animals! We should do the Qurbani with large, open hearts! The animal's weight will be increased 70 times and put on the scales of good deeds with its horns, hooves and so forth!
Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: "There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, sacrifice with an open and happy heart."[4]
Even if Qurbani is not Waajib on a person, he too is encouraged to make Qurbani, if he can arrange and put together some money. It is encouraged (not Waajib) to make Qurbani for one's minor children, with one’s own money (not with the money of minors). Nabi Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said sacrifice with an open and happy heart!
May Allah Ta’ala grant us true appreciation for these magnificent opportunities, and grant us the Taufeeq of following through with the beautiful direction given by Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
[1] Baheshti Zewar Part3, appendix 1, named Baheshti Gohar, page 74. Quoted from Targieb
[2] Sahih Al-Bukhari
[3] Musnad
Ahmad
[4] Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah
