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We
are now approaching the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the month of Hajj.
This is the month upon which Allah has bestowed the days of `Arafah,
`Eid Al-Adha, and the Days of Tashreeq, which are the three days
following `Eid. This is a special month, a month in which we are
encouraged to double our efforts in performing our acts of worship
and our good deeds.
If
we have missed the opportunity to increase our worship during the
last Ramadan, or if we have missed the opportunity to fast the six
days of Shawwal, then let it be known, that right now, spread in
front of us, is a golden opportunity. An opportunity to be closer
to Allah. An opportunity to increase our worship.
This
golden opportunity is the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Let us
grab this opportunity before it leaves us. Let us do more dhikr,
more Prayer, and more fasting. Let us recite Al-Qur’an more.
Allah says in Surat Al-Fajr: [And
by the ten nights] (Al-Fajr 89:2).
According
to most scholars, the 10 days mentioned in that verse refer to the
first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Allah mentions it and swears by it
in that verse because of its virtues. This is strengthened by the
hadith:
“There
are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah
than these (ten) days.”
He was then asked, “Not even jihad in the path of Allah?” He
replied, “Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for a
person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back
with nothing.” (Al-Bukhari and others)
So
let us increase our `ibadah in these virtuous days, which
come but once a year— an opportunity that is better than any
offer on earth. If we look around, sometimes we would see a petrol
station offering a 15 percent discount. We would then see cars
snaking out of that petrol station. Everyone is trying to grab
that offer of just 15 percent discount.
These
10 days of Dhul-Hijjah offer a much better offer—an offer that
has its rewards waiting for us in the Hereafter, the day when
nothing will be of value except those who had prepared for it. A
day which Allah describes in the Qur’an as [the
day when wealth and children will be of no use, except those who
come with clean hearts] (Ash-Shu`ara’ 26:88–89).
In
a previous sermon we touched upon the need to have proper
resolutions and how to achieve them. Let us put into practice what
we have heard. Let us all make this resolution to double our
efforts in worshiping Allah in these virtuous days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Let
us not wait till we get home to make that resolution. Let us do it
now! And when we get home, or to office, let us jot down those
resolutions on paper so that we may not forget them. If we want to
do more sunnah prayers, write it down, and be specific on the type
of prayers. If we want to fast on these days, jot down on our
calendar or organizer which days will we fast. If we want to pray
the Tahajjud Prayers, write it down. And set our alarm clock to
ring at least half an hour before Fajr Prayer so that we may have
time to do at least do three rak`ahs of Witr Prayer. If we
want to lessen the sins of our tongue, put in on paper that we
will be quieter and only say those things that are necessary. And
as a return, we will say more dhikr and istighfar
silently. If we want to read the Qur’an more, jot it down on our
organizer and calendar, the amount we will read each day. Is it
half a page? A full page? Or more than that? Write it down.
And
remember this: Failure to plan is planning to fail.
days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are the best days in the
sight of Allah.” A man asked, “Are these days better than
an equivalent number of days that are spent fighting for the cause
of Allah?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
answered, “They are better than an equivalent number of days
spent fighting in the cause of Allah. And there is no day better
in the sight of Allah than the Day of `Arafah. On this day Allah,
the Almighty and the Exalted One, descends to the nearest heaven,
and He is proud of His slaves on the earth and says to those in
heaven, ‘Look at My servants. They have come from far and near,
with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek My
mercy, even though they have not seen My chastisement. Far more
people are freed from the Hellfire on the Day of `Arafah than on
any other day. ’”
Ibn Al-Mubarak reported from Sufyan Ath-Thawri, from Az-Zubayr ibn
`Ali, from Anas ibn Malik that he said: The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) spent the day at `Arafah until almost
sunset. Then he said, “O Bilal, ask the people to be quiet
and listen to me.” Bilal stood up and asked the people to be
quiet and listen to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
When the people were quiet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) said, “O people, a little while ago Gabriel (peace
and blessings be upon him) came to me. Gave me salutations from
Allah and informed me that Allah has forgiven those who spend the
Day at `Arafah and those who stop at Al-Mash`ar Al-Haram, and that
He has guaranteed their debts.”
At
this `Umar ibn Al-Khattab stood up and asked, “O Allah’s
Messenger, is this for us only?” The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, “This is for you and for all
those who will come after you until the Day of Judgment.” `Umar exclaimed, “How plentiful and blissful Allah’s bounties
are!”
Muslim
and others have reported from `A’ishah that the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah frees far more people
from Hellfire on the Day of `Arafah than on any other day, and
Allah comes closer this day and proudly says to the angels,
‘What do these people want and seek?’”
Abu Ad-Darda reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) said, “On no other day does the Satan feel so belittled,
humiliated, and angry as he does on the Day of `Arafah.” The
reason for this is the mercy of Allah that descends (this day) and
the forgiveness that He grants to people for major sins, except
the day of the Battle of Badr, which witnessed a far greater mercy
of Allah descending upon people, which caused great sadness to
Satan.
The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, “O Prophet
of Allah, what did Satan see on the day of the Battle of Badr?” “He
saw Gabriel leading the troops of angels,” he replied
(Reported by Malik and Al-Hakim).
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