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Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The New Year


 The New Year
by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

Having just completed the year, the ‘New Year’ is seen and heard all around us. However, the question remains as to what should be a Muslim’s take on these events.

Upon the passing of a year, the common trend is to celebrate; people have birthday parties, wedding anniversaries etc. However, in certain spheres this is not the case; take the example of a businessman who at the end of the (financial) year will first take stock of the past year. He will meticulously go through the accounts of the past year taking into account every single penny. He will check to see if he made a profit, and if so then how can he make more in the coming year. He will check his expenses: where did he spend his money? Can he make further savings? All of this is done so that he can make the coming year more profitable than the one that has passed.
This should be the case at the end of the year in every Muslim’s life for we too have been sent to this world as businessmen with the commodity of time; which is life. We will have to one day give account for every second in the Court of Allāh ta‘ālā, when our books of deeds shall be presented.

We will bring forth a book for him that he will find wide open, (and We will say to him) ‘Read your book. Enough are you today to take your own account.’ (17:13-14)

‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhu, emphasising the same, says:

Take stock of your own lives before Allāh ta‘ālā reckons you. And assess yourself before you are assessed by Allāh. And prepare yourselves for the great summoning.

It is our belief that on the Day of Judgement Allāh ta‘ālā will reckon us for everything that we did in the world.

On the day when everybody shall find present before him whatever good he did and whatever evil he did, he will wish there would have been a wide space between him and that (day). (3:30)

No matter how minute or trivial an act we did, we will find that it is present in our book of deeds.

So, whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle will see it. And whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle will see it. (99:7-8)

This will be to the extent that in awe people will say:

‘Woe to us! What a book is this! It has missed nothing, minor or major, but has taken it into account.’ Thus they will find whatever they did present before them, and your Lord will not wrong anyone. (18:49)

We need to keep this reality in mind and spend our lives with regular reflection on our actions with Murāqabah and Muhāsabah. Murāqabah means to supervise and oversee oneself to ensure that he/she stays away from disobediences of Allāh ta‘ālā and spends every moment seeking the Pleasure of Allāh ta‘ālā. Muhāsabah means taking account of one’s activities at the end of the day, week and year; and thanking Allāh ta‘ālā for the ability to have performed any good actions and seeking forgiveness for any sins one may have committed. Inshā’allāh, if this is adhered to, then we will see a great change in our lives. We will find ourselves spending every second of our lives with great care.

The end of a year is a time to reflect and say to yourself, ‘Another year from my precious life has passed. Who knows how many more years, if any, I have remaining?’ Let us spend them in those avenues that bring the pleasure of Allāh ta‘ālā and stay away from those things that bring His displeasure, so that we can meet Allāh ta‘ālā in a state that He is pleased with us.

© Riyādul Jannah

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Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

Children

By Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafidhahullah

Children are a Blessing

Being gifted with children is a great blessing from Allah (subanahu wa ta’aala). For any blessing we receive we need to do shukr, i.e. be grateful to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala). True shukr meets the following requirements:

1. Realise the blessing is the result of the Grace of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) and that it has come to you without your being deserving of it.

2. Acknowledge your gratitude in your heart and express it verbally as well.

3. Use the blessing in the way Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) wants you to, and observe the rules and limits He (subhanahu wa ta’aala) has set for it.

As with all blessings, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) has set rules and limits regarding the blessing of children too, e.g. when to be lenient, when to reprimand, what to teach them, what to keep them away from etc. Following these rules when dealing with children is called ta’leem (education) and tarbiyyah (upbringing).

Giving children correct ta’leem and tarbiyyah is a major responsibility of parents. If they fail to make proper arrangements for the ta’leem of their children and do not give them proper tarbiyyah, they will face severe questioning on the Day of Reckoning. Failure to provide children with ta’l?m and tarbiyyah is failure to do shukr for the blessing of children.

Sending children to Madrasah from the age of 5 to the age of 12 and completely handing over the responsibility of ta’leem and tarbiyyah to their teachers is not sufficient or satisfactory. Even after enrolling their children in a madrasah, parents need to keep abreast of how they are learning and how their conduct and character are forming.

How Much Ta’leem?

Every child needs to be educated to the extent that he/she becomes aware of all the questions of halaal and haraam that are likely to confront an average person in life. Every child should know what is fard and w?jib and what is optional, and the difference between makrooh tahrimi, which entails sin, and makrooh tanzihi, which does not.

In addition to this, every child needs to understand that when confronted with any situation in life that he/she has no knowledge about then a qualified ‘alim or mufti needs to be consulted. The masaa’il related to business are an example; they are not taught as standard, for every child will not need them, but when a child grows up to become a businessman he needs to acknowledge the need to consult a mufti at every step in order to learn the masaa’il of business.

Where to Obtain ‘Ilm From

“Truly this ‘ilm is Deen, so be careful who you take your Deen from.”

In today’s age in particular, when authentic and inauthentic ‘ilm are both widespread, correct ta’leem is essential. People nowadays resort to the internet if they want to know something and google provides them with masses of information on the masaa’il they are looking for, without any check on authenticity. Part of ta’leem is to instruct children in the correct avenues for acquiring ‘ilm.

In Islam, great importance is given to the chains of teachers and students that go back to the fountainhead of ‘ilm, Ras?lull?h (sallalaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). When the source of ‘ilm is authentic, the ‘ilm taken from that source will also be authentic, therefore the source of ‘ilm should be someone linked to a chain of authentic teachers and who is regarded as authentic by the contemporary ‘ulama

Tarbiyyah

Tarbiyyah means training your children’s minds and hearts in such a way that they live their lives according to the ta’l?m they receive. It is not enough, for example, just to teach them that alcohol is haraam; it is also necessary to nurture within them love for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) and His commands and fear of His displeasure and Jahannam, so that a genuine desire not to displease Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) and fear of the consequences of their actions are what drive them to abstain from alcohol.

Without this sort of tarbiyyah, youngsters will know that alcohol, drugs, zina, theft etc. are haraam yet still indulge in them. So ta’leem and tarbiyyah are two distinct things.

Take the example of salaah. A child of seven receives the ta’leem that salaah five times a day is fardh, and his father also makes him go with him to the masjid for salaah regularly.

Then when the child reaches his teens he stops going for salaah. The father complains that his child used to be so good and has suddenly turned bad, whereas it is the failure of the father to do tarbiyyah of his child’s mind and heart about salaah that is the real cause of the child abandoning salaah after reaching the age of independence.

The Power of Tarbiyyah

Tarbiyyah should result in children never opposing the ‘ilm they learned, no matter what the circumstances. They should have the message firmly ingrained in their minds that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) is the One who controls benefit and harm, andto obey Him is to please Him and to disobey Him is to displease Him. And seeing as He controls benefit and harm, it is not possible for someone to lose out by pleasing Him, whatever the circumstances, even though the intellect may argue differently.

An episode from the life of Shaykh ‘Abd-ul-Qadir Jilaani sufficiently illustrates this point. His mother did his tarbiyyah properly and one of the points she stressed to him was to always tell the truth and never lie. She then sent him away to study ‘ilm, cleverly sewing some money into his clothing so that it would not be stolen on the journey. He did run into bandits on the way though, and when they asked if he had anything valuable he told them he had money and where it was hidden.

When the chief of the bandits asked him why he had admitted he had money, he said simply that his mother had taught him always to tell the truth, for it pleases Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala).

Shaytaan always tricks people by telling them of all the potential harms of telling the truth and the potential benefits of lying, but the tarbiyyah of his mother meant he understood that benefit can only come from obeying pleasing Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala). The bandits were greatly moved and repented.

Some Advice on Tarbiyyah

In order to do tarbiyyah properly, parents should show love to their children, be their friends,give them rewards for good behaviour and sit and talk with them. They should read stories of our pious predecessors to them and also take them into the companyof the ‘ulam? and mashayikh.

If a child makes a mistake, parents should not ignore tarbiyyah and just suffice with a reprimand.

Today’s mistakes, if left untended, will grow and grow. If, for example, a child tells a lie then the parents should understand that the sickness of lying is in the child’s heart and will not be removed by just shouting or getting angry with the child. Concerned parents should refer to the experts, the mash?yikh, for a solution. If the sickness is not cured through tarbiyyah then the child will go on lying, only in ways that his parents will not detect.

Finally, it should be understood that being harsh and overly strict with children is not tarbiyyah. Love is what is needed. If children are treated with love 90% of the time then on the rare occasion’s parents do get angry for some reason the child will feel ashamed rather than resentful.

May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) grant all parents the ability to be truly grateful for the great blessing they have been given in the form of children. And may He (subhanahu wa ta’aala) also grant them the ability to fulfil the requirements of shukr by ensuring that ta’leem and tarbiyyah are properly carried out. Ameen.
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Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The Month of Muharram

By Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah – Islamic Da’wah Academy, Leicester.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Glorious Qur’ān:

Lo! The number of the months with Allāh is twelve months by Allāh’s Ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them…(9:36)

The specification of these four sacred months is stated in a hadīth narrated by Abū Bakrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu that Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Verily time has completed its cycle and returned to its original stage as it was on the day Allāh created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them occur consecutively; Dhul Qa‘dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, (the fourth being) Rajab of Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which occurs between Jamādi‘ul Ākhir and Sha‘bān.” (Bukhārī)

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadān is the fasting of Allāh’s Month of Muharram and the best of salāh besides the fard (compulsory) salāh is the tahajjud salāh (performed after midnight before dawn).” (Muslim)

In another hadīth, Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that the Messenger of Allāhsallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “He who fasts on the day of ‘Arafāt (9th Dhul Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years, and one who keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast.” (Tabrānī, at-Targhīb wat-Tarhīb)

THE DAY OF ‘ĀSHŪRĀ (10th Muharram)
The tenth day of the month of Muharram is known as ‘Āshūrā. It is one of the most important and blessed days in the Islamic calendar. Some ‘ulamā (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadān, the fast of the day of ‘Āshūrā was compulsory upon the Ummah. This is stated in a hadīth reported by ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā that the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam ordered the observance of the fast of ‘Āshūrā. However, when the fast of Ramadān became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast. (Bukhārī)

But the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, nevertheless, continued to fast this day and encouraged his companions to do the same. Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhu says, “I did not see Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of ‘Āshūrā.” (Bukhārī)

Humayd Ibn ‘Abdur Rahmān radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrates that he heard Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā on the day of ‘Āshūrā, during the year he performed Hajj, saying on the pulpit, “O the people of Madīnah! Where are your ‘ulamā? I heard Rasūlullāhsallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam saying, ‘This is the day of ‘Āshūrā. Allāh has not enjoined its fasting on you, but I am fasting it. Whosoever wishes, keep (this) fast and whosoever desires do not observe (this fast).’” (Bukhārī)

In another hadīth, Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrates that the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam came to Madīnah and found the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Āshūrā. Hence the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam inquired of them, “What is (the significance of) this day on which you fast?” They replied, “This is a great day. On this day Allāh saved Mūsā ‘alayhis salām and his people and drowned Fir‘awn and his nation. Thus Mūsā ‘alayhis salām fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day.” The Messenger of Allāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “We are more worthy of Mūsā and nearer to him than you.” Thereafter, the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam fasted on this day and ordered (his companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum) that a fast be kept on this day. (Muslim)

RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF ‘ĀSHŪRĀ
1)  The noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. Abū Qatādah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrates that the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of ‘Āshūrā. The noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.” (Muslim)

NOTE: It must be borne in mind that wherever a promise of forgiveness of sins is made upon the fulfilment of some action, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. The major sins are not forgiven without true tawbah (repentance).

2)  One should also observe the fast of the 9th or 11th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Ibn ‘Abbāsradhiyallāhu ‘anhu said, “When Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam observed the fast of the day of ‘Āshūrā and ordered (his companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum) to fast, they said, ‘O Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians.’ Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, ‘The coming year, if Allāh wills, we will fast on the ninth (also).’” (Muslim)

Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said,“Should I live until the coming year, I will definitely fast on the ninth (also).” (Muslim)
The noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Observe the fast of ‘Āshūrā and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (Bayhaqī)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of ‘Āshūrā is makrūh tanzīhī as stated by ‘Allāmah Ibn ‘Ābidīn Shāmī rahimahullāh.

3)  One should be generous to one’s family and dependants and spend more on them than is normally spent. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “One who generously spends on his family on the day of ‘Āshūrā, Allāh will increase (his provision) for the whole year.” (Bayhaqī, at-Targhīb wat-Tarhīb)
This hadīth is not very authentic according to the science of hadīth. However, scholars of hadīth like Bayhaqī and Ibn Hibbān rahimahumallāh have accepted it as reliable.
These are the only actions supported by ahādīth.

ACTS TO REFRAIN FROM
1)  It is absolutely clear that the significance of the day of ‘Āshūrā is from the time of the noble Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. However, many people regard this day as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Husayn radhiyallāhu ‘anhu. The martyrdom of Husaynradhiyallāhu ‘anhu was indeed a great tragedy, but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Abū Sa‘īd radhiyallāhu ‘anhu relates that Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallamhas cursed mourners and those who listen to them. (Abū Dāwūd)

The pages of Islamic History are filled with the blood of the martyrs. Should we begin to mourn the martyrdom of the Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum alone, every other day would be a day of mourning. Thus, to attribute the significance of ‘Āshūrā to the martyrdom of Husayn radhiyallāhu ‘anhu is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom — mourning, lamenting and displaying grief — must be discarded. If mourning were permissible, then the day of the demise of Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam would have been more worthy for mourning and lamenting.

2) The following misconceptions with regard to ‘Āshūrā are baseless:
• This is the day in which Ādam ‘alayhis salām was created.
• This is the day in which Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām was born.
• This is the day on which Qiyāmah will take place.
• Whoever has a bath on the day of Āshūrā will never get ill.

3) Some regard the tenth of Muharram as a day of ‘Īd. They indulge in adornment, applying surmah (collyrium), wearing new clothes, spending lavishly and cooking a particular type of  meal which is not generally prepared. All these actions are regarded as sunnah according to their belief, whereas no authentic narration sanctioning and permitting such actions can be found.

4) Another misconception is that the month of Muharram is an unlucky month; hence marriage ceremonies should be avoided in this month. This concept is again contrary to the teachings of Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam.

Let us observe this great day according to the way of Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam and the Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allāh ta’ālā. May Allāh ta’ālā guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His Displeasure. Āmīn.

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Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

1. Allāh ta‘ālā has taken oath of ten nights in Sūrah Al-Fajr. According to the majority of the commentators of Qur’ān, the nights are those of the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

2. ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Good deeds performed on other days are not superior to those performed on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum inquired, “Not even jihād?” He replied, “Not even jihād, except for that person who goes out putting himself and his wealth in danger and does not return with anything.” (Al-Bukhārī)

3. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allāh than on these ten days (i.e. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum asked, “ O Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam! Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh?” Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh, except for that person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” (Abū Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

4. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no days is the worship of Allāh desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul-Qadr.” (At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah)

5. The mother of the believers, Hafsah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. (Abū Dāwūd, An-Nasā’ī, Ahmad) 

6. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “No days are as weighty with Allāh and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhānallāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, Alhamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar.” (Ahmad)

Virtues of the Day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah)

1. ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “ There is no day in which Allāh sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of ‘Arafāt. And on that day Allāh draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?” (Muslim) 

2. Talhah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytān is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of ‘Arafāt, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allāh’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkāt)

3. Abū Qatādah Al-Ansārī radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast on the day of ‘Arafāt. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Night of ‘Īd-al-Adhā 

The nights of both ‘Īds are described in the Hadīth as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of ‘Īd and perform ‘ibādah is a source of great virtue and reward.

1. Abū ‘Umārah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ‘ibādah (worship) on the nights of the two ‘Īds, with hope for abundant reward (from Allāh ta‘ālā), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyāmah) when all hearts will be dead.” (At-Targhīb)

2. Mu‘ādh Ibn Jabal radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā relates that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Jannat is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the night of ‘Īd-al-Fiṭr and the night of the 15th of Sha‘bān.” (At-Targhīb)

Virtues of Udhiyah (Qurbānī)

Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “There is nothing dearer to Allāh during the days of Udhiyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Takbirāt of Tashrīq

The Takbirāt of Tashrīq are:

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu Akbar,
Allāhu Akbar, Walil lāhil hamd.

“Allāh is the Greatest, Allāh is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allāh and Allāh is the Greatest. Allāh is the Greatest and all praises are for Allāh only.”
It is wājib for every adult Muslim to recite these Takbirāt of Tashrīq audibly once after every fard salāh from the Fajr of 9th Dhul-Hijjah to the ‘Asr of 13th Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. total of 23 salāh).

• Mas’alah: Women should not say it loudly but softly.

• Mas’alah: Takbīr should be recited immediately after concluding the fard prayer. 

© Islāmic Da’wah Academy
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Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

1. Allāh ta‘ālā has taken oath of ten nights in Sūrah Al-Fajr. According to the majority of the commentators of Qur’ān, the nights are those of the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

2. ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Good deeds performed on other days are not superior to those performed on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum inquired, “Not even jihād?” He replied, “Not even jihād, except for that person who goes out putting himself and his wealth in danger and does not return with anything.” (Al-Bukhārī)

3. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allāh than on these ten days (i.e. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum asked, “ O Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam! Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh?” Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh, except for that person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” (Abū Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

4. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no days is the worship of Allāh desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul-Qadr.” (At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah)

5. The mother of the believers, Hafsah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. (Abū Dāwūd, An-Nasā’ī, Ahmad) 

6. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “No days are as weighty with Allāh and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhānallāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, Alhamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar.” (Ahmad)

Virtues of the Day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah)

1. ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “ There is no day in which Allāh sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of ‘Arafāt. And on that day Allāh draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?” (Muslim) 

2. Talhah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytān is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of ‘Arafāt, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allāh’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkāt)

3. Abū Qatādah Al-Ansārī radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast on the day of ‘Arafāt. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Night of ‘Īd-al-Adhā 

The nights of both ‘Īds are described in the Hadīth as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of ‘Īd and perform ‘ibādah is a source of great virtue and reward.

1. Abū ‘Umārah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ‘ibādah (worship) on the nights of the two ‘Īds, with hope for abundant reward (from Allāh ta‘ālā), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyāmah) when all hearts will be dead.” (At-Targhīb)

2. Mu‘ādh Ibn Jabal radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā relates that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Jannat is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the night of ‘Īd-al-Fiṭr and the night of the 15th of Sha‘bān.” (At-Targhīb)

Virtues of Udhiyah (Qurbānī)

Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “There is nothing dearer to Allāh during the days of Udhiyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Takbirāt of Tashrīq

The Takbirāt of Tashrīq are:

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu Akbar,
Allāhu Akbar, Walil lāhil hamd.

“Allāh is the Greatest, Allāh is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allāh and Allāh is the Greatest. Allāh is the Greatest and all praises are for Allāh only.”
It is wājib for every adult Muslim to recite these Takbirāt of Tashrīq audibly once after every fard salāh from the Fajr of 9th Dhul-Hijjah to the ‘Asr of 13th Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. total of 23 salāh).

• Mas’alah: Women should not say it loudly but softly.

• Mas’alah: Takbīr should be recited immediately after concluding the fard prayer. 

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