for my sisters who can't pray during the days of hajj
your efforts are still valid. all ten days still remain just as blessed as when you were praying. please don't let this precious time pass you by. seize every opportunity.
here are some ideas to (hopefully) help:
1. azkaar- just because you can't pray or read the quran doesn't mean you can't keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah ﷻ and durood upon our blessed prophet ﷺ. the best zikr on the day of arafah is
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، بيده الخير وهو على كل شيء قدير
another great zikr to constantly recite is
سبحان الله والحمد لله، لا إله إلا الله والله أكبر.
additionally, you can recite the takbeers of the days of tashreeq abundantly.
2. duasss- this is the perfect opportunity to make all the duas you forget to make when you're praying. in place of praying nawaafil, spend an hour and a half asking Allah ﷻ for every little thing you can think of. pray for forgiveness, divine mercy, barakah, goodness in this life and the next, all your needs and wants. be sure to keep the hujjaaj in your duas as well as the entire ummah. and if you remember, please pray for me as well
3. cleaning- if you can get it done when you aren't praying, that'll leave more time for other ibadah when you are. plus, cleaning is a huge part of faith, so you're still receiving rewards!
4. cooking- or any type of meal prep. if you can't fast, still reap the reward of fasting by giving someone else food or drink by which they may break their fast. as the hadith goes, whoever breaks someone else's fast receives the full reward, without taking away anything from the fasting persons reward (أو كما قال ﷺ)
5. studying- build a deeper connection with the quran by brushing up on some tafsir, or if you'd rather, delve into a new aspect of islamic knowledge. educate yourself about the story and teachings of sayyiduna ibrahim ﷺ and learn about the final hajj of our beloved prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
6. quran- and on that note, your ears aren't impure. you can definitely listen to lots of recitation and get a feel for which qiraah style you are most drawn to
7. sins- just because you cannot pray doesn’t mean you should unpause any sins you are abstaining from during these days. stay away from sins at all costs and try to make a firm intention to uproot them completely from your life going forward
8. good character-this isn't a break from trying to be your absolute best self. keep up with the good habits you've been trying to instill within yourself and try your best not to revert back to any bad habits just because you aren't fasting
9. sadaqa-with eid just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to give charity. remember, every cent you donate is being multiplied many many times so be as generous as possible, and remember: even smiling is a form of sadaqa!
10. help someone in need-whether a family member, friend, or a complete stranger, try to help at least one person each day. perhaps such a dua will escape their heart and reach the throne of Allah ﷻ that will complexly change your life.
“If one is unable to fast due to menstruation or due to sickness but had the intention to fast, Allaah Ta'aala will reward them as though they fasted.” (Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury)
so just remember: you are a daughter of adam ﷺ and Allah ﷻ has chosen this for you. there is definitely khair in that which the Creator ﷻ has decreed for His ﷻ beloved creation
