SubhanAllah wal hamdulillah, wa la ilahaillAllah wa Allahu akbar “I praise Allah (or All Praise if to Allah) above all attributes that do not suit His Majesty. All praise is for Allah. This is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah. Allah is Great.” Reward: This combination of dhikr is the one most beloved by Allah, subhana wa ta’ala. When you say them, sins fall off of you like leaves off of trees.

Fiqh of the Islamic Months The Month of Muharram The First Month of the Islamic Calendar Extracted from Lata�if al-Ma`arif of Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (Allah have mercy on him) In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate This is the first of a regular series of posts, inshaAllah, giving the fiqh of the months of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, based on the comprehensive work by Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (Allah have mercy on him, 736-790 AH), Lata�if al-Ma`arif fi ma li Mawasim al-`Am min al-Wadha�if. Imam Ibn Rajab filled his magnificent work with hadiths, sayings of the righteous, and treasures of knowledge and wisdom. Only a small handful of the vast oceans of this wisdom is translated, because of the large size of the work, which is close to 600 pages in length. Details relevant to Hanafi fiqh will be added to this, inshaAllah. Faraz Rabbani. Duties of the Month of Muharram 1. It is the best of months for general voluntary fasts, after Ramadan. 2. It is especially recommended to fast the 10th of Muharram (known as the Day of `Ashura�), with a day before it or after it. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Kasani�s al-Bada�i`] 3. It is also virtuous to give in charity on this day. Extracts from Ibn Rajab�s Lata�if al-Ma`arif, regarding the month of Muharram: The Virtues of Fasting in the Month of Muharram and Its First Ten Days Muslim reported from Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said , �The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.� [Muslim, 1163] This refers to general voluntary fasts according to Imam Ibn Rajab (Allah have mercy on him): These are best in the month of Muharram, just as the best general voluntary prayer is night prayer. The virtue and honor of this month can be attested to by the fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) called it, �the Month of Allah.� (Shahr Allah) Such ascription is only made by Allah to the most special of His creation, such as the ascription of the Prophets Muhammad, Ibrahim, Ishaq, Ya`qub, and others to his slavehood (Allah�s peace and blessings be on them all), and His ascription of the House (Ka`ba) and the camel to himself. Given that Allah ascribed fasting, between all spiritual works, to Himself [saying, �It is Mine,�] it was suitable that this month, which is also ascribed to Allah, be selected for this particular form of worship. Fasting is a secret between the servant and his Lord. This is why Allah Mighty and Exalted says, [in the divine hadith (hadith qudsi)], � Every action of the son of Adam is his, except for fasting. It is Mine, and it is I who reward it.� [Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayra] The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said, �The fasting person has two joys: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord.�[Muslim] Night Prayer As for voluntary night prayer (qiyam al-layl), it is superior to voluntary prayer during the day because it is closer to secrecy, and nearer to sincerity (ikhlas). Allah Most High said, �Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.� [Qur�an, 73.9] This is because the time of the night vigil (tahajjud) is the best of times for voluntary prayer, and the closest a servant gets to his Lord. It is a time when the doors of the skies are opened, supplications answered, and needs fulfilled. Allah Most High has praised those who wake up at night in His remembrance, supplication, seeking forgiveness, and intimate entreating (munajat), saying, �Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them. No soul knows what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.�[Qur�an, 32.16-17] And, �Or he who pays adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only those of understanding will pay heed.� [Qur�an, 39.9] And He said to His Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), �And some part of the night awake for it, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a praised estate.� [Qur�an, 17.79] It has been said that those who worship at night will enter Paradise without reckoning, and that standing in night prayer shortens the length of one�s Standing on the Day of Judgment. This is why the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, �Stick to night prayer, for it was the way of the righteous before you. Night prayer is a means of closeness to Allah Most High, of expiating for bad deeds, avoiding sins, and keeping away illness from one�s body.� [Tirmidhi (3543], Bayhaqi, and others; it is a sound (hasan) hadith] Similarly, it has been related that fasting is a means for good health. The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) is reported to have said, �Fast, and you shall have good health.� [Ahmad, from Abu Hurayra] Lovers have no time more joyous than when they are alone in entreating their Beloved. This is the healing for their hearts, and the great thing that they could long for. This is why Abu Sulayman al-Darani would say, �The people of the night find more joy than the people of distraction (lahw) in their distractions. Were it not for the night, I would not like to remain living.� The Day of `Ashura�: The Tenth of Muharram It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura� [10th of Muharram]. He said, �I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day,� meaning the Day of `Ashura�.� [Bukhari (2006), and Muslim (1132)]. The Day of `Ashura� has great virtue, and tremendous sanctity (hurma). The virtue of fasting it was known among the Prophets (peace be upon them all). Both Prophet Nuh and Prophet Musa (peace be upon them both) fasted it. The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to fast this day even in Mecca, though he had not yet ordered others to do so, as mentioned in both Bukhari and Muslim. [Bukhari (2002), Muslim (1125)] When he migrated to Medina, and found the People of the Book fasting this day and venerating it, he ordered the Muslims to fast it, and encouraged it so much that even the children would fast it. It has been reported in both Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), that, �When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) reached Medina, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura�, so he asked them, �What is this day you are fasting?� They said, �This is a tremendous day. Allah saved Musa and his people on this day and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of thanks, so we fast it too.� The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, �And we are more deserving of Musa than you are.� So he fasted this day, and ordered that it be fasted.� [Bukhari (2004) and Muslim (1130)] At the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) made the determination not to fast this day alone, but with another day [f: either before or after it], in order to be different from the People of the Book. It has been reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on him), also from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that, �When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fasted the Day of `Ashura� and ordered his companions to fast it, they said, �O Messenger of Allah! This is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.� So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, �When next year comes � if Allah wills � we will fast the Ninth [of Muharram with it].� But the next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed away.� [Muslim (1134), Abu Dawud (2445)] And it is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him), from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, �Fast the Day of `Ashura� and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it.� [Ahmad] Giving in Charity on the Day of `Ashura� It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that �Whoever fasts `Ashura� it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.� Mourning on the 10th of Muharram is an Innovation As for the mourning and grieving of the Shiah on this day because of the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali (Allah be pleased with him and his father), this is of the actions of those whose actions in this life are misguided while they think that they are doing well. Neither Allah Most High nor His Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace) commanded us to mourn on the days of the tribulations of the Prophets, or their deaths, let alone anyone else. [F: The fuqaha have mentioned that it is an innovation to consider Muharram a month of mourning. It is not disliked to marry in this month. It is a highly reprehensible innovation to participate in the rituals of the Shiah in mourning the death of Husayn (Allah be pleased with him).] Some of the Virtues of the Day of `Ashura� It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. Tirmidhi relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to a man, �If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.� [Tirmidhi (841)] And Allah alone gives success.

10 ways to Maximise the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: “On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the ibaadat (worship) of each of these nights is equal to the ibaadat of laylatul qadr.” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah) Ibn `Abbas (Ra) reported that the Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) 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 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." (Reported by Al-Bukhari) The above Hadith confirm that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah possess tremendous blessings and excellence. The Scholars have stressed that these special and blessed days and nights should be spent in intensive worship and virtuous acts as well as contemplation. Therefore we should ensure that we make the best of these blessed 10 days. We cannot afford to miss out on such immense rewards at any cost! Scholars also confirm that the daytimes (Fajr to Maghrib) of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are more virtuous than the daytimes of Ramadan. This clearly indicates how special and blessed the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah really are. The following are 10 ways we can maximize the first ten days of the Dhul Hijjah: 1. Purifying our intentions "Verily actions are judged by intention." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It is crucial that we purify & correct our intentions before doing any acts of worship. This is because we may have other underlying intentions in our hearts without even realizing it. Like for e.g. we may have in our hearts that we fast because we don't want to look bad in front of our family or friends or because others fast etc. So before doing any good deed we need to align & focus our intention to ONLY pleasing Allah. By doing this we will increase the sincerity in our worship & acts of virtues & by having better intentions when doing any good act is a means of earning greater rewards for whatever good deed we are doing. Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: "Maybe a small action is made great by its intention, and maybe a great action is made small by its intention." Even daily routines like eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, travelling etc can be a source of great reward by having the right intentions. Having good Intentions is easy & great rewards can be gained without making any hard physical effort. By just spending a couple of seconds having the right intention in our hearts we can turn a whole day to a day of worship. It is like turning dust into gold. 2. Schedule & Monitor Daily Worship What better way to maximise our worship during these blessed days and nights than to plan & schedule our time so that we can spend it as effectively as possible. By setting ourselves daily targets we can ensure that we are more likely to achieve them. Below are links where you can download an hourly scheduler where you can set yourself hourly worship targets & schedule your daily worship. There is also a daily worship check where you can check & monitor your daily worship throughout the last ten nights: 1. Daily Worship check Ibaadah_Check.pdf 2. Daily hourly worship scheduler We should strive to worship on all if not at least as many of the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah as is possible inshallah, for these rewards are unmissable and time is short and we need as many good deeds as possible in order to please Allah before we are taken. Making a structured timetable may help one to better organise oneself especially during these precious 10 days so that one can maximise them and make best use of them. 3. Avoiding distractions There will be many things getting in our way & distracting us from our worship. But we must take all necessary precautions & measures in order to avoid any possible distractions. The first thing we must do is to avoid major distractions like TV for a month or at least as much as possible. Putting away games consoles. If we meet with friends then we must try not to get into useless & idle discussions. Not going to places like the mall or high street's unless it is absolutely necessary. We should spend as little time as possible on things other than worship. We should fulfil our daily duties as quickly as possible & spend as much time as possible in worshiping Allah. 4. Fasting the First 9 Days, Especially the Day of `Arafah (9th) The scholars have concurred that it is recommended to fast during the first nine days of Dhu’l Hijja. Note: The tenth day of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha and is prohibitively disliked and sinful to fast on this day. [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`; Nawawi,Majmu`; Fatawa Hindiyya; Haskafi, Durr al-Mukhtar; Dardir,al-Sharh al-Saghir] Of all the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah it is particularly recommended to fast on the Day of `Arafah (9th of Dhu’l Hijjah), even for the one on Hajj (in the Hanafi school), if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`] Forgiveness for 2 years of sins (Minor sins) for fasting on the day of Arafah. Abu Qatada (Ra) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah (f: 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah) expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming. And fasting the Day of `Ashura (f: 10th of Muharram) expiates for the past year.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah] So we should try our best to fast all 9 days of Dhul Hijjah particularly the 9th which is the day of Arafah. If we cannot fast all 9 days then we should try and fast as many of the 9 days as possible particularly the 9th which is the day before Eid Ul Adha. 5. Recite the Qur’an abundantly We should try our best to read as much of the Holy Qur’an as is possible especially during the daytimes of the first 10 days of Dhu Hijjah. We should aim to try and complete the whole Qur’an within this period which is around 3 Juz (chapters) a day. Every action is judged upon its intention so even if we do not complete the entire Qur'an we should at least intend to do so for Allah looks for every excuse to reward his servants and may reward us like we completed the whole Qur'an if he wanted to for he is most generous and will reward his servants as much as he wants. Annas (Ra) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever reads the Quran, Allah grants that person ten good deeds for every letter. And for one who hears the Qur’an being recited, Allah grants a good deed for every letter, and such a person will be resurrected among those who will recite and ascend the stages of Jannah." Abbas (Ra) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam) said: "He who listens to one letter of the Quran, ten good deeds are recorded for him, ten sins are forgiven, and his status is elevated by ten stages." So if one letter of the Qur'an is equivalent to ten good deeds then imagine how much reward there is for reading each letter in these blessed 10 days which are said to be the best days of the year! Subhanallah! Note: We should try & recite Surah Ya-sin everyday particularly after Fajr time. We should also try to recite Surah Mulk before going to sleep & Surah Kahf every Jumma. Other very rewarding Surahs we can recite much of are Surah's Zilzalah, Al Kaafirun & Al Ikhlas Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (RA) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A) Therefore let us recite as much of the Qur’an as we can in these first ten days and nights of this month and aim to finish at least one Qur'an if we can. Then let us continue reciting the Qur'an throughout the rest of the year, for there is no better worship of Allah than to recite the Qur'an! 6. Worshipping the 10 days and the nights of the 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah Scholars have concluded that the days (between Fajr and Maghrib) of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year, even more so than the days of Ramadan. Therefore we should increase ourselves in worship during these blessed 10 days by fasting the 9 days, doing excessive Dhikr, reciting the Qur'an, making Dua and sincerely repenting as much as possible. Jannat becomes incumbent on those who worship during the nights of the 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah: Mu'ãdh Ibn Jabal (Ra) relates that Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Jannat is wãjib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making 'Ibãdah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Zul Hijjah, the night of 'Eedul Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha'bãn." (Targheeb) Therefore we should make utmose effort to worship Allah during these blessed nights. If we cannot worship in all 3 nights then we should at least worship as much as we can even if it is for an hour, half an hour etc. On the day of judgement we will look back and be in utter regret at the opportunities we missed to do good deeds. So grab the opportunity NOW and let us NOT be of those in utter regret saying.."Why didn't i do so and so? I am truly in utter loss." Women on menses during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah: Those women who are on their menses during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah can still gain the same rewards by: fasting the days they are pure, make excessive Dhikr, Dua and repentance, listen to Qur'an, read Islamic books, listen to lectures, ponder and contemplate over the greatness of Allah, give in charity and serve their parents, relatives, families etc. 7. Praying Nawafil (voluntary) prayers What better way of drawing closer to Allah during I'tikaf than by praying the voluntary prayers: Allah says in Hadith Qudsi: ....And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari] Want the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah? Rabi'ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nawafil prayers)." (Muslim) Since the days of Dhul Hijjah are the most blessed then we should strive to pray as many Nawafils as possible, so we can please Allah and get closer to him, as well as gain the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah. Sunnah & Nawafil prayers to pray during the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah 1. Pray 12 Raka'ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr & 2 Sunnah of Maghrib Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day & night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” (Muslim) 2. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 minutes after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins) So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur'an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise & pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday. 'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats & it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) 3. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nawafil of Dhuhr Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer & four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi) 4. 4 Raka'ahs Sunnah of Asr The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said:"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka'ahs) before 'Asr prayer."(Abu Dawud) 5. Two Raka'ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim) 6. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka'ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution) Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal (RA) replied: “I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)” 7. The MOST REWARDING Nawafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud Allah Most High said: “Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, & (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn. Lo! (The recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.” (Qur’an, 17: 78-79) Imam Abu Sa'id al-Khadimi said, "There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous acts is the night vigil prayer." [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya] The scholars derived the following in regards to Tahajjud from the Qur'an & Prophetic Hadiths: 1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 Rakaats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir] 2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 Rakaats, because this was the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir] 3. Lengthier recitation of Qur'an is superior to a larger number of Rakaats prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtaar, Radd al-Muhtar] If one has not memorized much of the Qur'an then one should recite whatever they know or recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Faathiha in each rakah to gain reward of reciting entire Qur'an. 4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short Rakaats, because of the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats." [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud] During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah we should aim to pray Tahajjud every night. If not then we should pray it in as many nights as we possibly can. When fasting during the first 9 nights of Dhul Hijjah we should wake up a little earlier for Sehri, make Wudu & pray 2-12 Raka'ahs of Tahajjud. It is recommended to pray at least 8 Raka'ahs. Abu Hurayrah (RA), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth & proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, & I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything & I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, & I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim). The last third portion of the night is the most blessed & Dua's are readily accepted at this time. So by praying Tahajjud it gives us the best opportunity to get closer to Allah & to make sincere Dua, repenting for our sins past & present & to crying & asking of Allah for whatever we want. If we cannot cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least make the face as if we are crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quicker & more promptly when it is crying in the same way Allah tends to his servants quicker when they are crying. Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "I cannot pray at night." He said, "Your sins have prevented you." 8. Increase in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) We should glorify Allah night and day, especially in these first ten days of the blessed month of Dhul Hijja. Remembering Allah much through acts of Dhikr brings much peace and tranquillity to the heart. It also gives us a sense of Taqwa (fearful awareness of Allah), a consciousness that makes us realise that Allah Almighty is ever near and that we should always strive to please Him. "…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28) Remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. (29:46). We should recite the following 3 Dhikr excessively during the first 10 days and nights of Dhul Hijjah: 1. “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd.” (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises)- [(Saheeh) Irwaa al-Ghaleel (650), Daraqutne, Ibn Shaibah] 2. “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd; Allahu Akbar wa-ajal, Allahu akbaru ala mahadana.” (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises. Allah is the Greatest to that which He has guided us to) - [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/315)] 3. “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar kabeera.” (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest) - [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/316)] The following are 10 Dhikr, supported by Hadith that we can also recite throughout the days & nights During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah and until our last breath: 1. Subhaanallah 2. Alhamdulillah 3. Allahu Akbar 4. Laa ilaaha illallah The first 4 should be recited abundantly during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah - (Takbeer al-Mutlaq) 5. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH-HIL ALIYYIL ADHEEM 6. Asthaghfirullah-halladhee Laa ilaaha illa-huwal Hayyul Qayyuumu Wa athoobu Ilay 7. Or short version: Asthaghfirullah 8. SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI SUB-HAAN'ALLAH-IL ADHEEM Or short version: SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI 9. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm 10. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr Or the shortened version: Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer We should also recite much of Durood e Ibrahim which is the Durood that is recited towards the end of Salaah. Or the shortest Durood is: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim 9. Dua and Repentance We should busy ourselves in making sincere Dua and repentance during these blessed 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. How unfortunate is the one who does not make use of these blessed 10 days and nights in order to supplicate to his lord to gain his mercy and forgiveness. We find many reassurances throughout the Quran for those who make Dua: Allah the Exalted, has said: "And your Lord says: Pray unto me: and I will hear your prayer" (Quran 40:60), "Call upon your Lord Humbly and in secret" (Quran 7:55), "When My servants question thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me" (Quran 2:186), Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: "Is not He (best) who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering." (Quran 27:62) "When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186] The place of Duaa is so high to Allah, that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than Du`a." [Sahih al-Jami` no.5268]. He also said: "The most excellent worship is Du`a." [Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1133]; What a beautiful thing it is to create a relationship with Allah through Dua and asking his help and invoking in him for whatever we want in this life and the next! Especially in these days we should increase the amount of Dua’s we do especially in the latter part of the nights when they are most listened to. Aisha (Ra) said: "No believer makes Dua and it is wasted. Either it is granted here in this world or deposited for him in the Hereafter as long as he does not get frustrated." In fact, it is even wrong to never make Dua, "Whosoever does not supplicate to Allah, He will be angry with Him." [Saheeh Jaami`as-Sagheer #2414] Not to rush Dua: Many of us rush our Dua’s & quite often our hearts are not present whilst we are making Dua to Allah. That is why we lose out on much of the benefits & blessings of Dua. Therefore we should not let our minds wonder whilst in Dua & we should concentrate more, making sure our hearts are present whilst asking of Allah. Whilst we are in Dua we should imagine Almighty Allah in front of us & so we should humble ourselves in front of him in a state of meekness & humility. It may also help if we made a list of what we want to ask Allah during our Dua’s. We can then refer to this list as a reminder so that we can cover everything we need to ask him, which may help in making our Dua’s longer & more sincere. This is because we will not always remember everything we want to ask Allah unless we note it down & refer back to it when we need to. The times when Dua's are most accepted: 1. The third portion of the night shortly before Sehri ends. 2. Whilst fasting. 3. Between Asr & Maghrib. 4. Just before fast opens. 5. On Jumma before & after khutba. 6. Between Adhan & Iqamah. 7. After Qur'an recitation. 8. When it rains Repent for the past and present sins: Therefore should sincerely repent for our past and present sins with remorse and the intention never to repeat such acts again. We should ask of Almighty Allah to help us prevent ourselves from ever repeating such acts and we should strive to perfect our characters and better ourselves in everyway possible. We should also have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua’s if not in this world then in the Hereafter. If Allah does not answer it then he is delaying it to reward us more in the hereafter and has something better in store for us. Therefore we must accept his decree for he knows best in all matters. 10. Making the sacrifice (Qurbani): Qurbani is a practice commanded by Allah: "So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals)." (108.2) Aishah (Ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) 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" (Tirmidhi, p. 275, Vol.1). Zayd lbne Arqam (RA) relates that the Companions (RAA) asked, "O Rasulullah! (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalaam) What is Qurbani?" He replied, "It is the sunnah of your father lbraheem (As)." They asked again, "What benefit do we get from it?" He answered, "A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal)." "And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, 0 Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalaam)?" they asked. "A reward", he said, "for every fibre of the wool.", (Ibne Majah) When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the Day of Judgment with its blood, meat etc, and shall be increased in weight seventy times more than its own weight, and thereafter it will be placed on the scale of deeds. (Kandhul'Ummal) It is also Sunnah in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah to say: “Subhanallah” (Glory be to Allah), “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to Allah), “Allah hu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) and “La ila ha ill Allah” (There is no worthy of worship except Allah) and say it around ones home or streets or any place where it is permitted to remember Allah! Men should say these loudly and women should say them quietly. Allah says: (That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)...) (Al-Hajj 22: 28) Conclusion Making firm resolve to make pilgrimage to Hajj: One of the best deeds one can do during these blessed days is to perform Hajj in the Sacred House of Allah. The one whom Allah helps to offer Hajj to His House and to perform all the rituals properly is included in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise." If it was not in our destiny to go this year then we should make utmost effort to ensure that we go the year after, as time is uncertain and we can die at any second. If we can afford it but we keep delaying it because "we are not ready", then what are we waiting for to be ready? Death? Death is not going to wait around for us to be "ready, for it will strike at its appointed time and there will be no excuses on the day of judgement that we "weren’t ready". Those who can afford to go Hajj but do not end up going during their lifetime with no valid excuses can only expect a severe punishment. So let us make a firm resolve that we will do our utmost to ensure we make the pilgrimage to Hajj as soon as possible for it is a very difficult journey and it is best to go whilst one is young. Therefore we must not delay it if we can afford it. In the meantime we should do our utmost to do as many good deeds as possible in these blessed 10 days and nights of Dhul Hijjah and then continue to do good deeds, doing everything to please Allah and refraining from anything which may displease or anger him, throughout the year. If we don’t grab this opportunity now to exert ourselves during these blessed 10 days then surely we will be in utter regret if not later on in life then certainly on the day of judgement, for that is when we will truly realise what we have lost out on and how much we could have achieved! We cannot see the rewards of our good actions right now but if Allah showed us the rewards of each good action then we would crawl if we had to in order to do as much good as we could. The surely we will be in great loss on the day of judgement when we realise what we have missed out on. So let us not be of those who lost out and instead let us be of those who made the best of our time and spent it pleasing Allah and refraining from useless pursuits and that which will not be of any benefit to us on the day of judgement. We should strive to continue the good we have done in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah throughout the year and discontinue the evil that we left before these first ten days and NEVER go back to it. May Allah enable us to maximize these blessed 10 days and to continue maximizing each day of our lives in order to please Allah and get closer to him. May Allah make us of his pious servants. Ameen. Please feel free to forward to others so that they may benefit to.