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Sunday Open Thread – Dhul Hijjah is upon us!

Published

November 7, 2010

Bushra

For those of you who have been on another planet, it’s that time of the year again. Yep, there are some amongst who have been blessed with the amazingly beautiful opportunity to go and fulfil one of the most difficult, yet immensely rewarding pillars of Islam – Hajj.

But before I announce the Hajis-to-be on here, I’d also like to give some good news. As I’m sure is pretty evident by the glaringly obvious logo on the left-hand side of this website above the poll, MuslimMatters has been nominated for the Seventh Annual Brass Crescent Awards in the following categories:

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Now that Dhul Hijjah is upon us, there are several virtues of this month, particularly in the first 10 days.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allah [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said,
“There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein, than the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer late-night prayer during one of its nights is like performing the prayer on Lailatul Qadr.” [Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Al-Baihaqi]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays. Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2/462.

It was narrated from Abu Qataadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “It expiates for the past and coming years.” Narrated by Muslim (1162). According to another report: “I ask Allaah that it may expiate for (the sins of) the year that comes before it and the year that comes after it.”

And, as part of a longer hadith: Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

These ahadith pretty much sums up the importance of these days, so let’s make the most of stacking up those good deeds in these days and nights.

Hajj is an experience shared with the millions of Muslims around us, not least because of the unity experienced by being there solely for the sake of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala) as brothers and sisters in Islam, but also because all these people come back with Hajj memories, stories and survival tips that they pass on to the following year’s Hajis-to-be.

Alhamdulillah, this year we have several members of MuslimMatters who have, by the Grace and Mercy of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala), been given the opportunity to perform Hajj this year. They are Br. Amad, Sr. Umm Reem, Br. Ismail Kamdar and Sr. Haleh Banani.

Please make du’a for them that Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala) grants them all a safe, easy and, above all, a Hajj Mabroor…Ameen.

I am sure they will come back with many wonderful memories, insha’Allah. But what about Hajj tips? There are so many books on Hajj out there in the Islamic bookshops, but for those of you who have already been on Hajj, what is the most important thing to remember whilst one is out there? And for those who haven’t been yet or are planning to go, what would you want to know?

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Bushra

Bushra is a recent Computer Science grad from King's College London and is currently shaking off her newly wedded status. Aside from writing for MM, she vents on her blog: http://bushrabinthashmat.blogspot.com/ Currently working for a global IT firm, she is pursuing various studies, both Islamic and career-related. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she is living the lifestyle of a nomad, jumping from place to place, packing and unpacking and visiting family at the same time. She is an accredited Software Tester. Nevertheless, this won't take her away from writing about Islam and life in general. Amongst all the working, writing and family commitments, she somehow manages to fulfill one of her other, slightly devilish (so to speak!) passions - baking desserts!

13 Comments

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Ummousama

November 7, 2010 at 7:56 AM

Assalamu alaikum,

The hadeeth that you quoted is inauthentic:

“There are no days more beloved to Allaah that He is worshiped in except the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, fasting one of its days is equal to fasting a whole year, and staying up at night in prayer is equal to staying up on Laylatul Qadr.”
[Inauthentic: Abu ‘Eesa [at Tirmidhee] stated: ‘This Hadeeth is Ghareebâ€¦’, refer to: Da’eef Sunan at Tirmidhee, Da’eef Sunan ibn Maajah # 377, al Miskhkaat # 1471, Da’eef al Jaami’ as Sagheer # 5161, Da’eef at Targheeb wat Tarheeb # 123 and as Silsilah ad Da’eefah # 5142. This Hadeeth has different wordings.]

How can fasting one of its days be like fasting a year? We have the six days of Shawwal for that. Fasting Arafat, which is the best day of the year, “only” expiates the sins of the year before and the year to come. Would the other days of Dhul-Hijjah be better than ‘Arafah? How can staying up in one of its night be equal to staying up in lay at-ul-qadr? What would be the point of seeking layout-ul qadr if you can have 10 tomes the rewards at another time of the year?

We really have to think when hearing a hadeeth whether it is even possible for it to be authentic. When I read it on another site, I asked myself indeed if it could be possible.

Reply
- Bushra
  
  November 7, 2010 at 8:31 AM
  
  Jazakallahukhair for pointing that out, sister. I’ve made the appropriate changes. May Allah(swt) forgive me for making such a grave error.
  
  Reply
Amad

November 7, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Okay, don’t line up for this… but pls do forgive me if I was harsh to you online or you felt unjust in anyway… would prefer not having an online battle hang over the acceptance of my hajj inshallah :) Trust me, I don’t bite. You’ll have to meet me in person to know that :)

Reply
- Sabour Al-Kandari
  
  November 7, 2010 at 1:33 PM
  
  It’s a trap, Amad actually bit me!
  
  Just kidding, may Allah accept your Hajj and the Hajj of all the other brothers and sisters. Ameen
  
  Reply
UmA

November 7, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Nice dhul hijjah leaflet
http://forums.almaghrib.org/showpost.php?p=466677&postcount=1

Reply
Amatul Wadood

November 7, 2010 at 6:07 PM

Salam warat wabart!

May AllahSWT make it easy for the ones who are going to perform hajj and accept their hajj!

And i hope the ones who are going for hajj will remember the rest of your brother and sisters in your duas!! :)

plz pray for khair for everyone in this world and akhira and to have a blessed return to our Lord!

Reply
a_sister

November 7, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Asalaamu alaikum,

I was blessed to have gone on Hajj last year with my parents. It was an amazing experience, alhamdullilah. Some practical advice I would give to the brothers and sisters going this year insha’Allah would be:

– if you are going with family members, it can be very helpful to purchase cell phones for each one of you when you arrive there (you should be able to find electronics stores in the market place near Al Masjid Al Haram). You will also need to buy the Hajji special sim cards to top up the phones (these can be bought at the same store you purchase the cell phones from). Having cell phones can be handy in case you get seperated in the crowds, or if a sister/brother wants to contact their family member of the opposite gender who’ll be staying in a seperate tent at Mina.

– take sports drink mixes with you since these can be very helpful in dealing with dehydration which can result from the heat and intense physical activity.

– medicine (e.g. Advil cold and sinus) and cough drops like Halls, since pretty much everyone in our group developed a bad cough towards following the Hajj

– Toilet paper and soap! These are very handy at Mina.

Reply
Shiraz

November 8, 2010 at 8:28 AM

A little late, but here are some useful tips.

Reply
Shafkat

November 8, 2010 at 10:38 AM

As salaam alykum,

Lots of controversies regarding the first ten days of Dhull-Hijjah . So what is the Authentic Hadith relating to these ten days ?? Please advise.

We have another dilemma which also needs to be clarified and that is the sighting of the moon ( Yes, yet once again.. the ‘fitnah’ raises its head !).

Saudia announced the begin of Dhull-Hijja to be Sunday 07th Nov .. The majority of the other countries in the world where the moon could be sighted ( including here in East Africa) today ( Monday 01st Nov) was the first day of Dhull-Hijja ..

So when do we fast the fast of Arafat ? According to the Saudi days or according to ours??

PLEASE HELP !

Ma asalaam

Reply
- ummousama
  
  November 9, 2010 at 2:16 AM
  
  Assalamu alaikum,
  
  This hadeeth is sufficient for the days of Dhul-Hijjah:
  
  It was narrated by Ibn Abas, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him, said (in the meaning): â€œThere are no such favourable days to Allah to accept the good deeds like these ones (the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah) – They (the companion) said: â€œO Messenger of Allah, is not jihad (fight) for the sake of Allah favourable?â€ He said: Not even that, except for a man went out (fighting for the sake of Allah) sacrificing his soul and his property and came back with nothing.â€ [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
  
  Just imagine the reward of any of the good deeds in these days. Wouldn’t you wish such a reward?Do it by multiplying your good deeds as much as you can. Fasting is one of those good deeds, paying zakat in this month is also a good deed, visiting relatives, visiting the sick, giving more sadaqah than usual, reading more Qur’an, praying all the Sunnah and praying Qiyam-ul-Layl, smiling more than usual, … The good deeds that you can do are plenty. Fasting is one of those deeds that “don’t take time”, i.e. you can do it together with all the other deeds and this is why many people choose to fast those days. Of course, the best deed you can do in those days is going to Hajj. May Allah grant us the possibility to go on Hajj again and again. Ameen.
  
  Reply
  - Shafkat
    
    November 9, 2010 at 10:27 AM
    
    JazakAllah kheir Ummousama for your reply.
    
    Can someone now please comment on the dilemma of when to fast the fast of Arafah when different countries begin Dhul-Hijjah on different days.. i.e. the 09th of Dhul-Hijjah falls on different days…
    
    This one is a tough one, but then maybe it’s not ! ( Cause of a lot of Fitnah down here for sure).
    
    May Allah (swt) make it easy for all of us and guide us to the straight path. Ameen.
    
    Reply
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