On The First Day of Dhul-Hijjah, My True Love Gave To Me…

(Okay, maybe that's not such a great idea for a nasheed…)

On a more serious note, I am delighted and pleased to announce to you (a bit late, perhaps) that Saturday the 29th of November, 2008 is also the first of Dhul-Hijjah, 1429 of the Hijri calendar.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allāh be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allāh than these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah).” The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allāh?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allāh, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Bukhāri, 2/457).

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allāh be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allāh and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allāh”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” According to another report he said: “He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin.” (reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146)

Yaa Ayyuhal Muslimeen! Allāh Himself swears by these 10 days… will we not give these days their due? Will we not take advantage of them? Verily, they are the best ten days that Allāh has designated in the entire year; amongst these days is the blessed day of 'Arafah, that day when He 'azza wa jal boasts to His angels of His slaves who turn to Him in humility, that day when He will expiate the sins of the fasting person for two years: the year preceding, and the year to come. They are the days by which our Creator swore, “Wal Fajri, wa layaalin 'ashr!”

Indeed, our true Love has given us the most precious of gifts… these first ten days of the month of Hajj. Will we not show gratitude and appreciation? Will we not pay heed to the words of our Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), when he advised us to increase in our worship of Allāh subhaanahu wa ta'aala?

Let us seize the moment, let us recall the beautiful blessed days of Ramadhaan which passed us by only a few months ago, let us revive that spirit of emaan and 'ebaadah!

Those of us who can, let us fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah (the 10th being ''Īd al-Aḍḥa, when it is haraam for us to fast); if we cannot, then at least make the effort for Yawm al-'Arafah. Let us raise our voices in Takbeer, Tahmeed, Tasbeeh, and Tahleel! These days, the rewards for obedience to Allāh and striving for His Pleasure are multiplied by Allāh as many times as He wishes.

Woe unto those who turn their backs on these days! Woe unto those who deny Allāh's favour upon us! Woe unto those who do nothing to grow closer to Allāh, and increase only in their evildoing!

Ya ayyuhal-latheena aamanu, think of what you can do to deserve that Pleasure and reward promised to the ones who make the effort! Enjoin the ties of kinship. Give in sadaqah. Perfect your ṣalāh and increase it. Make du'a for the best of this world and the Hereafter. Recite the Qur'an and ponder upon it. Moisten your tongue with the remembrance of Allāh! Think of those who are on their way right now towards the most blessed of all places on this earth to Allāh, to al-Makkah al-Mukarramah, to BaytAllah al-Haraam, to perform the Hajj – Hajj Mabroor, inshā'Allāh. Think of them, and what they will be doing, and think of the times you went for Hajj, or beg of Allāh that He make it feasible for you to go in the future.

Ya Allāh, make easy the affairs of the hujjaaj and accept their Hajj. Ya Allāh, make us amongst those who increase in their worship in these blessed days. Ya Allāh, accept from us our fasts, our prayers, our deeds, and our intentions. Ya Allāh, make us amongst those whose sins are forgiven. Ya Allāh, make us amongst your believing, obedient, humble, sincere, striving, repentant slaves! āmīn, thumma āmīn, ya Rabb al-'Aalameen!