ZIl Hajj - A Month of Mercy
The first ten days of Zil Hajj are often referred to as the best ten days of the year, and a second chance after Ramadan. For those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year, this is still a great time of blessing and immense reward. Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Hajj during these days. While many of us are unable to make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.
The month of Zil Hajj is known as the month of the Pilgrimage. It is recommended to fast the first 9 days of the month specifically, on the 9th day (the Day of Arafah), it is more emphasized to fast on this day. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says that: “Fasting on this day can expiates your sins from the preceding year and the current year” (Muslim).
This holy month has importance because of Pilgrimage. According to our cherished Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the primary 10 days of Zil Hajj are a unique time for devotion. For folks that aren’t capable of the tour for the pilgrimage, that is a unique time to recollect Allah and spend more time in devotion and precise deeds.
Abu Hurairah (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) stated: “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the (first) ten days of Zil Hajj. Fasting any day during these days is equivalent to fasting for one year. And to offer Salatul Tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late-night prayer on the night of Qadr.” (Tirmidhi)
Fasting in the ten days of Zil Hajj is one of such occasion in which if a Muslim fast, he or she can earn great reward for it compared to fasting in any other day of the Islamic year. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fir for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari)
Ask Allah Almighty for His blessings and mercy go hand in hand with seeking forgiveness from Him. As humans we are full of errors and mistakes which translate into sins. Therefore, every wise Muslim tries to seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty whenever and wherever possible. The first ten days of Zil Hajj undoubtedly are the ideal days for committing good deeds, however, it also seems natural that in these days a person asks for forgiveness from Him and try to make amends for whatever has happened in the past either intentionally or unintentionally. Allah says in Quran: “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” (Quran, 28:67)
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith about the blessed days of Zil Hajj in these words: “There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days.” They (the companions listening) said, “Not even Jihad?” He (SAW) said, “No, not even Jihad except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything” (Bukhari).
It is clear from the above sayings that these 10 days possess tremendous blessings and excellence. Therefore, we should spend these 10 blessed days and nights in intensive worship and virtuous acts. One of the most important and virtuous acts is fasting during the first 9 days of Zil Hajj with prayer and other good deeds.
Fasting is one of the greatest deeds and is considered the best form of worship. The above hadith recommended that we should fast during the first 9 days of Zil Hajj having an extra significance of fasting on 9th Zil Hajj (The Day of Arafah). In another hadith, Hazrat Hafsah (RA) stated that: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would fast the (first) nine days of Zil Hajj, the Day of Ashura and the three days of every month: The first Monday of every month and the following two Thursdays”. (Abu Dawud)
The month of Zil Hajj is considered as one of the blessed months in Islamic calendar. So do a lot of dhikr and seek forgiveness for all our wrongdoings.
Translation: “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.”
“There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillah).” (Ahmed- Sahee)
So, the ten days of Zil Hajj are the most blessed days for Muslim. Thus, whatever little or greater good deed possible, a Muslim should strive towards performing it and at the same time seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty as well. May Allah forgive all of us. Ameen
Embrace the spirit of Zil Hajj - A Month of Mercy. Join us in spreading love and kindness to all. Malbus, let's make a difference
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