QURBAANI - (2)
by Al-Jamiat Publications

VIRTUES OF THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF ZIL HAJJ

"By the Dawn! And the ten nights! And the even and the odd!" (89:1/2/3)

Allah Ta'ala has endowed Friday to be the best day of the week, the month of Ramadaan to be the best month of the year, and the last ten days of this month to be the best days of Ramadaan. Similarly He has declared the first ten days of the month of Zii Hijj to be a period of exceptional benevolence.

As a mark of distinction, Allah Ta'ala has manifested the sanctity of these "Ten Nights" in the Holy Quran. According to some learned scholars of Islam, the "Ten Nights" refer to the last ten nights of Ramadaan or the first ten days of Muharram or the last five odd nights of Ramadaan which includes the Night of Power, both the Eid Nights, Meraj, Arafaat and the 15th of Shabaan. But the majority of scholars believe that the "Ten Nights" refer to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. It is for this reason that Hajj is performed during these days.

An additional significance of this month is the fact that the day of Arafaat is found in it. The day of Arafaat falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the most significant days of the year and the day of Arafaat is the most significant day of these ten days. It is therefore the most significant day of the year. Allah Ta'ala bestows the greatest honour on His servants by forgiving them. Success in the hereafter greatly depends on seeking forgiveness; this day is the day of forgiveness. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said that a Muslim who fasts on the day of Arafaat has his minor sins of the year forgiven.

There is yet another auspicious day in this blessed month, the day of sacrifice. This is the day on which Hazrat Ibraheem (Alayhis-Salaam) was tested to sacrifice his beloved son, Hazrat Ismaeel (Alayhis-Salaam). To commemorate this event, Muslims have been directed to sacrifice animals on this day so that all Muslims can remember this incident and learn a lesson from it. Hence, this day, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, is known as Eid-ul-Adha.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has observed that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is a period for offering invocations, supplications, prayers and other Ibaadat performances. In these blessed days if one keeps a fast for one day one obtains the blessing for fasting for one year and the reward for remembering Allah Ta'ala during one night of the ten nights is equal to the reward and blessings of Laila-tul-Qadr (the Night of Power). These days are filled with special virtues and a virtuous deed performed in this period is most pleasing to Allah Ta'ala. The hadith mentions the special significance and great excellence relating to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu-Anhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, "On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allah than on these days, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah." The Sahaaba asked, "O Rasulullah, not even Jihaad in the way of Allah Ta'ala?" Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) replied, "Not even Jihaad in the way of Allah Ta'ala, except for that person who goes out to fight with his life and wealth and does not return with anything." (BUKHARI)

It is reported from Abu Huraira (Radhiallahu-Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, "On no days is the worship of Allah Ta'ala more loved than in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the Ibaadat of each of these nights is equal to the Ibaadat of Laila-tul-Qadr.' (TIRMIZI & IBN MAJAH)

It is related by Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu-Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, 'No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. So in these days increasingly read TASBEEH (Subhanallah) TAHLEEL (La Ilaha Illallah), TAHMEED (Alhamdulillah) and TAKBEER (Allahu Akbar)." (TABRAANI)

Hazrat Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (Radhiallahu-Anhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) was asked about the saum (fast) on the day of Arafaat (9th Dhul Hijjah). He said, "It compensates for the minor sins of the past year and the coming year." (MUSLIM)

NOTE: This fast is Mustahab. There is no sin if it is not kept.

It is related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, "Whoever stays awake and makes Ibaadat on the nights of Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha, his heart will not die on the day when all hearts will be dead." (TARGHEEB)

Hazrat Muaaz lbn Jabal (Radhiallahu-Anhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, "Jannat is waajib for those who stay awake with the intention of making Ibaadat on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and the night of 15th Shabaan.' (TARGHEEB)

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)