Dhul Hijja awaits us

The first 10 days of the Arabic month, Dhul Hijja awaits us, as pilgrims are getting ready for their journey of a lifetime to the Kaaba, as it has surely been a dream of theirs, to fulfill Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. There is no need for us to despair, for there are other ways for us to take advantage of these holy days, although we were not destined to be pilgrims this year.

Allah favoured specific days over others in order for us to feel enthused to do as many good deeds as possible. We should take advantage of this holy period by doing deeds such as fasting, repenting, increasing dhikr (remembrance), increasing extra voluntary deeds, like prayer and reading Koran, and the list goes on.

It was narrated by Ibn Abbas that Prophet Mohammad said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” (Reported by Bukhari).

The previous hadith, along with others, indicates that these 10 days are better than all other days of the year. They are even better than the last 10 days of Ramadan, but the last 10 nights of Ramadan are better, because they include Laylatul Qadir; as it’s mentioned in the Koran, it’s better than a thousand months.

This year, the first 10 days of Dhul Hijja will start on Sunday, the 12th of August, thus Eid will inshallah be on Tuesday, the 21st of August.

Thawra Ali