The First Ten Days of Zhul Hijjah

 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!!!

 

9^th 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 9^th of Zhul Hijjah until Asr of the 13^th 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 12^th 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

 

Surah Kahf

 Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Make Salaam Common

 Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Dealing with the Unrest and Anarchy

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)

 

Conditions are only from Allah Ta’ala and their solution is to return to Allah Ta’ala, to Dien, to the Masaajid. There is no doubt that Dien and only Dien is the solution to ALL problems! Dien is not only the knowledge of Dien or the efforts of Dien or titles or outward appearances; Dien is to practise upon the Qur’aan and Sunnah, correctly.

 

In spite of all that is happening we must never forget the greater Ni'mats which we are enjoying and make Shukr for them. On Shukr, Allah Ta’ala will remove these problems and increase His favours!

 

“And when your Lord declared, 'If you express gratitude, I shall certainly give you more, and if you are ungrateful, then My punishment is severe."

[Surah Ibraheem 14:7]

 

What is unfolding before us here in South Africa - of chaos, destruction, looting and burning – is really due to us turning away and becoming neglectful of our beautiful Dien of Islam. Whilst it is easy to blame the government and many others, we need to reflect over our own actions, because our actions invite different conditions from Allah Ta’ala. Good actions invite good conditions and bad actions invite bad conditions. …What we are experiencing are the consequences of our disobedience to Allah Ta’ala.

 

Notwithstanding the unrest, turmoil and violence, it is never too late to turn to Allah Ta’ala – who is in Control of all affairs.

 

We should take lesson from the people of Hazrat Yunus (Alaihis Salaam): When Hazrat Yunus (Alaihis Salaam) left his people in anger, after warning them of the punishment of Allah Ta’ala, they observed the sky change colour and perceived a tremendous punishment descending upon them from Allah Ta’ala. They immediately turned to Allah Ta’ala, cried, sincerely repented, sought Allah Ta'ala's Protection and made Dua for the return of their Nabi. Their cries and pleas found acceptance in the heavens.

 

Allah Ta’ala accepted their repentance and Dua, and removed the impending punishment. They became Believers in Allah Ta’ala and secured His Forgiveness.  Allah Ta’ala mentions:

 

“If only there had been a community (of all those that were destroyed of old) that believed and profited by its belief as did the people of Yunus! When they believed We drew off from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the world and gave them comfort for a while...” 

[Surah Yunus 10:98]

 

Allah Ta’ala also informs us of the Dua of Hazrat Yunus (‘Alaihis Salaam), through which he was delivered from the belly of a large fish, to safety – and which is a means of delivering us from our difficulties as well:

 

Allah Ta’ala promises to save and rescue all Believers, in distress and suffering, who turn to Him in repentance.

 

“…Then, he called (Us) in depths of darkness saying, "There is no god but You. Pure are You. Indeed I was among the wrongdoers". So We responded to him and rescued him from the distress. And this is how We rescue the Believers.”

[Surah Ambiyaa 21 : 87 / 88]

 

THE NEED OF THE HOUR IS:

 

1.)   Sincere Taubah and Istighfaar.

The starting point is to realise and acknowledge that we are the cause of these problems. Our sins, and particularly the immodesty and immorality, draw Divine retribution. This is what we are seeing. We need to thus give up all sins.

 

2.)   To have an earnest intention and make a genuine effort to correct our lives, our Salaah and all our Dienie matters, including Qadha Salaah, unpaid Zakaat, inheritance matters not settled, etc. And live our lives according to the noble Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam.

 

3.)   Abundance, Abundance!!! of Durood Sharief.

 

4.)   Reciting the three Quls (Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas) with Bismillaah each time, after Fajr and Maghrib. A MUST, MUST!!!

 

5.)   For the menfolk to make I'tikaaf in the Masaajid, by rotation, and to keep the Masaajid alive with A’maal-e-Masjid: Salaah, Tilawat of Qur’aan Sharief, Zikrullah, Dua, etc. - 24 hours.

 

6.)   Ladies to also keep themselves busy with A’maal: fasting, Tilawat of Qur’aan Sharief, Zikrullah, Duas, etc. - preferably individually.

 

7.)   Give Sadaqah frequently, even if it be in small amounts.

 

8.)   At least once a day, recite the following:

 

-         Durood-e-Tunjeena,

-         500 x Laa haula wa laa quwwata illaa billah,

-         Durood e Tunjeena

-         Make Dua

 

(The 500 can be shared as well)

 

9.)   Recite Surah Kahf daily; or at least the first and last ten Aayaat and on Jumu’ah, the entire Surah. When it is the protection against the Fitnah of Dajjaal, it will definitely be protection from these Fitan which we are dealing with.

 

10.)          Make Salaam common and widespread, as we have been commanded. It brings peaceful conditions all around, as well as the Rahmah (Mercy) of Allah Ta’ala and the much needed Barakaat (blessings)!!!

 

11.)              Khidmat and support to one another; helping to protect our Imaan, Islam, Masaajid, Madaaris, lives, and property in all forms.

 

12.)              Making all the required efforts, placing one’s full trust solely in Allah Ta’ala, turn to Him in all sincerity and honesty. Only He can change conditions. But we have to change our lives and return to His Obedience.

 

13.)              We should not panic. Understand that all conditions are only from Allah Ta’ala and Allah Ta’ala Alone is in control of everything even now.

 

14.)              On such occasions, anger, hatred and cursing comes to the fore. A person can become filled with it. However, the ideal is to make Dua of Hidayat for the people at this moment. This will move the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Remember the occasion of Taif when Nabi Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam made Dua for those who oppressed him. The Imaan of one person is so valuable!

 

May Allah Ta’ala have mercy upon us and forgive us. May Allah Ta’ala protect and give Barakah in our Imaan, Islam, lives, businesses, property and all related, permissible matters and affairs! Aamien! Aamien! Aamien!!!