The Month of Dhul-Hijjah

DOING GOOD DEEDS IN GENERAL:



The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best and most
virtuous days of the year. They are the days in which Allaah the Mighty and
Majestic – most loves the doing of good deeds. About this the Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best days in the world are the ten
days.” [1]

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) – rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed,
its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allaah. And it has been
confirmed in Saheehul-Bukhaaree (2/382), from Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu
’anhumaa) who said, that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)
said, “There ore no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah
than these (ten) days.” He was then asked, ‘Not even jihaad in the path of
Allaah?’ So he replied, “Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah, except for a
person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing.”
And it is these ten days that Allaah has taken an oath by in His Book, by His
saying,

“By the Dawn and by the Ten Nights.” [Sooratul-Fajr 89:1-2]

This is why it is recommended to increase in making takbeer
(saying Allaahu akbar), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illallaah) andtamheed
(saying Alhamdulillaah) during these days …”[2]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are
no days that are greater with Allaah, and in which good deeds are more beloved
to Him, than these ten days. So increase in making tasbeeh (saying
Subhaanallaah), tamheed, tahleel and takbeer, during them.”[3]

FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH:

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah, since it
is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah,
praying and supplicating to their Lord. It is mustahabb (highly recommended)
for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah,
so he said, “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [4]
Likewise, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘There is no day on
which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He
comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before
His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [5]

Imaam at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) – rahimahullaah – said, “The
People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah,
except for those at ’Arafah.” [6]

SLAUGHTERING ON THE DAY OF AN-NAHR AND ’EEDUL-ADHAA OR THE
FOLLOWING THREE DAYS:

The tenth day of Dhul-Hiijah is known as the day of an-Nahr
(slaughtering), since it marks the ending of the major rites of
Hajj(Pilgrimage), and commemorates the bounty and mercy of Allaah – the Most
High – in that He gave His beloved Prophet Ibraaheem – ’alayhis-salaam – a ram
to sacrifice in place of his firstborn son Ismaa’eel – ’alayhis-salaam. And out
of the ten best days of the year, it is the day of an-Nahr which is the most
excellent day of the year with Allaah.

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah –
said, “The most excellent day of the week is the day of Friday, by the
agreement of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year is the day of
an-Nahr. And some of them said that it is the day of ’Arafah. However, the
first opinion is the correct one, since it is related in the Sunan collections
that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most excellent days
with Allaah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr (the day that the
Muslims reside in Minaa).” [7]” [8]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The
greatest day of the Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of an-Nahr (Slaughtering).”
[9]

The day of an-Nahr is also known as ’Eedul-Adhaa (the
Festivity of Sacrifice) and is one of the two major festivals that Allaah has
granted to this Ummah. Anas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, ‘The Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to al-Madeenah and the people of
al-Madeenah had – since the times of jaahiliyyah (Pre-lslaamic Ignorance) – two
days which they marked out for play and amusement. So the Prophet (sallallaahu
’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘I came to you, and you had two days of play and
amusement in the times of jaahiliyyah. But Allaah has replaced them with
something better for you: The day of al-Adhaa (sacrificing) and the day of
al-Fitr (ending the Fast).” [10]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, “The
day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the days of at-Tashreeq (the three
days after an-Nahr) are our days of ’Eed (festivity); and they are days of
eating and drinking.” [11]

’Eedul-Adhaa, is a day in which the Muslims slaughter a
camel, cow, sheep or goat, in commemoration of the sacrifice of Ibraaheem -
’alayis-salaam. And this sacrifice is an obligation upon all those who have the
means to do so – according to the most correct opinion of the Scholars. [12]
The basis of this is the Prophet’s (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “One
who has the ability to sacrifice, but chooses not to do so, should not approach
our place of (’Eed) Prayer.” [13] And his (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)
saying, “Whosoever sacrificed before the Prayer, then let him do so again. But
whosoever has not sacrificed, then let him sacrifice.” [14] So this order
refers to those who have the ability to do so – and Allaah knows best.

As regards those who intends to sacrifice – normally the
head of the household – then they are prohibited from cutting their hair or
nails, starting from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah up until after the sacrifice.
Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the ten days
start, and one of you intends to sacrifice, then let him not cut his hair or
his nails.” [15]

GLORIFYING ALLAAH WITH THE TAKBEER:

From the day of ’Arafah (the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), up until
the ’Asr Prayer on the thirteen day, are days in which the takbeeraat(saying
Allaahu Akbar) should be said. Imaam al-Khattaabee (d.456H) – rahimahullaah –
said, “The wisdom behind saying thetakbeeraat in these days is that in the
times of jaahiliyyah (pre-lslaamic ignorance), they used to slaughter for their
tawaagheet(false objects of worship). So the takbeeraat were prescribed in
order to indicate that the act of slaughtering is directed to Allaah alone, and
by mentioning only His – the Mighty and Majestic – Name.” [16]

Shaykhul-lslaam Ibn Taymiyyah – rahimahullaah – said, “All
praise be to Allaah. The most correct saying concerning the takbeer – that which
the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the Scholars from the
Companions and Imaams were upon – is to begin making the takbeer from Fajr
(dawn) on the day of ’Arafah, up until the last day of at-Tashreeq (the
thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah), after every Prayer.” [17]

Ibn Abee Shaybah relates, “That ’Alee (radiyallaahu ’anhu)
used to make the takbeer beginning after the Fajr Prayer on the day of ’Arafah,
up until after the ’Asr Prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.” [18]

As regards the actual wording of the takbeeraat, then
nothing authentic has been related from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa
sallam). However, certain wordings have been authentically related from a group
of Companions. From them:

Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu ’anhu) would say, “Allaah is
great, Allaah is great. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. And
Allaah is great, Allaah is great. And to Him belongs all praise. [Allaahu
akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaahaa illallaah, wallaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar wa lillaahil-hamd.]” [19]

Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, “Allaah is great,
Allaah is great, Allaah is great, and to Allaah belongs all praise. Allaah is
greater and Sublime. Allaah is greater to what He has guided us to. [Allaahu
akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahil-hamd. Allaahu akbar wa
ajalla. Allaahu akbar ’alaa maa hadaanaa.]” [20]

Unfortunately, many Muslims have neglected the takbeer
established from our Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and have instead resorted to
additions which have no basis at all.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.856H) – rahimahullaah – said,
“Indeed, additions have been invented upon this day, which have no basis at
all.” [21]

And may Allaah have mercy upon the one who said,

“Every good is in following the Salaf; And every evil is in
the innovations of the late-comers.”

And all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the worlds. And may
Allaah extol and send the choicest blessings of peace upon our Leader,
Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions, and all those who follow them.

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh: Related by al-Bazzaar (1/234). It was
authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 1133).

[2] Refer to Zaadul-Ma’aad (1/56).

[3] Saheeh: Related by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (3/110/1)
It was authenticated by al-Mundharee in at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (2/24).

[4] Related by Muslim (no. 1162), from Aboo Qataadah
(radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[5] Related by Muslim (no. 1348), from ’Aa‘ishah
(radiyallaahu ’anhaa).

[6] Refer to Jaami’ut-Tirmidhee (3/377).

[7] Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1765), from
’Abdullaah Ibn Qart (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee
inIrwaa‘ul-Ghaleel (no. 2018).

[8] Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (25/288).

[9] Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1945), from Ibn
’Umar (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in al-lrwaa‘
(no. 1101).

[10] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (3/103).it was authenticated
by al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Bulooghul-Maraam (no. 398).

[11] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (no. 1945), from ’Uqbah Ibn
’Aamir (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in
Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 8192).

[12] As explained by Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa
(23/162-164).

[13] Hasan: Related by Ibn Maajah (no. 3123), from Aboo
Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee
inTakhreej Mushkilatul-Fiqr (no. 398).

[14] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5562) and Muslim (no.
1960), from Jundub Ibn ’Abdullaah al-Bajalee (radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[15] Related by Muslim (no. 1977), from Umm Salamah
(radiyallaahu ’anhaa).

[16] Quoted from Fathul-Baaree (21/586).

[17] Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (24/220). However, what seems more
correct is not to restrict the takbeeraat to being just after every Prayer, as
al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr pointed out in Fathul-Baaree (21/587).

[18] Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (2/1/2). It
was authenticated by al-Albaanee in al-lrwaa‘ (31/125).

[19] Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah with an authentic chain of
narration

[20] Related by al-Bayhaqee (3/315) with an authentic chain
of narration.

[21] Fathul-Baaree (2/536).

(Source: www.Troid.ca)