It is known that the lifespan of the members of
this Ummah is the shortest in comparison the Ummam (pl. of Ummah) that came
before us, as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,
“The lifespan of my Ummah will be between sixty and seventy years old.”
[Narrated by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah] however Allaah, the Most High, from
his Favours upon us, He has given us a chance to have the deeds we do in our
short lifespan to be multiplied. Therefore, our lives become blessed and
increased in its virtue, as though we have lived for many thousands of years.
From these is the example of Laylat al-Qadr, about Allaah, the Most High, says:
The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than
a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than
worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
[Al-Qadr 97:3]
Ar-Raazee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about
this:
Know! The one who worships on this night is like he
has worshipped Allaah, the Most High, for eighty years and the one who stands
in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr every year of his life, is like the one who has
lived thousands of years. End quote.
Also from the times when have a chance to be
blessed and increase in your good deeds are the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah,
about which many Aayat and Ahadeeth have been mentioned.
Allaah, the Most High, says:
[Al-Fajr : 1-3]
Ibn Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said
about these Aayaat, “These Aayaat refer to the first ten days of Dhu
al-Hijjah.”
And He, the Glorified and the Exalted, said:
…and mention the Name of Allah
on appointed days…
[Al-Hajj 22:28]
Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said,
“These are the ten days of Hajj.”
It is also narrated in the Hadeeth that has been
narrated by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah
be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon
him] said, “There are no deeds done on any other day which are better than
doing deeds during these ten.” They said, “Not even Jihaad?” He replied, “Not
even Jihaad, except if a man leaves his house with himself and his wealth and
he doesn’t return with anything that he left with.”
And it has been narrated on the authority of ‘Umar
bin al-Khattaab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and
Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “There are no days which are greater
with Allaah, the Glorified, and there are no days in which deeds are more
beloved to him except during these ten days. So increase in doing the Tahleel
[i.e. saying Laa ilaaha ila Allaah], Takbeer [i.e. saying Allaahu Akbar] and
Tamheed [i.e. saying Alhumdulillah].” [Narrated by at-Tabaraanee in Mu’jam
al-Kabeer]
It is also narrated that Sa’eed bin Jubayr [May
Allaah have Mercy on him], who also narrated that Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas above,
that when the ten days begin then, he would increase even more in worship to
the extent that no one could match him. [Narrated by ad-Daarimee with a Hasan
Isnaad]
It is also narrated from him that he said, “Do not
put out your lamps during these ten nights.”
Meaning, he would stay the night in worship, standing in prayer and
reciting the Qur’aan.
Ibn Hajar [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in
Fath al-Baaree:
What is apparent to me is that the reason for these
ten days being so virtuous is because these ten days gather all the best forms
of worship one can possibly do. These include as-Salaah, as-Saum, as-Sadaqah
and Hajj, and these acts of worship cannot be combined except in the first ten
days of Hajj. End quote.
Ibn Rajab [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in
Lataa’if al-Ma’arif:
Allaah, the Glorified, has placed in the acts of
worship that the believers do, sense of enjoyment as they perform the rituals
to the Ancient House. This act of worship of Hajj cannot be carried out by
everybody on an annual basis, therefore it has been made obligatory to do this
ritual of Hajj once a lifetime and thus these ten days have been made virtuous
so that those who are unable to come and are left in their homes are able to
contribute and take part in the blessings of these ten days. End quote.
It was asked to Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May
Allaah have Mercy on him] which are the most virtuous, the first ten days of
Dhu al-Hijjah or the last ten nights of Ramadhaan. He replied by saying:
The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are the best
days throughout the year, even then the last ten days of Ramadhaan. However,
the last ten nights of Ramadhaan are the best nights in the year including the
first ten nights in Dhu al-Hijjah. End quote.
So take note of this, my Muslim brother, and use
your hours and minutes wisely because there is no telling how long you have
left in your life. Repent and return to Allaah and don’t waste your time. Know
that striving to do good deeds during these days is blessed and it is a sign
that you are upon goodness and that you are of those who are pious, Allaah, the
Most High, says:
And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the
piety of the heart.
[Al-Hajj 22:32]
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