All Praises belong to Allaah; the One Who has given His Slaves seasons for them to increase in worship of Him and increase in doing good deeds. May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon our Prophet Muhammad, His Family and all of His Companions.
To Begin:
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]
What is recommended for us to do during these days?
The Muslim is one who rushes to good deeds especially in the season of goodness such as this one. He welcomes this season with at-Tawbah and as-Sadaqah because there is not one of us that wants the good of the Dunya and the Aakhira except that he will gain it via at-Tawbah. This is because we are prevented from attaining goodness because of our sins, Allaah, the Most High, says:
And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'an Verse 35:45).
[Ash-Shoora 42:30]
Therefore, sins have a dangerous effect on the heart of an individual just like poison effects the blood of a person. The cure for such illnesses is to purify, to take the cause of the problem, in this example the poison, out of the blood and the body. Likewise, sins need to be removed as well as its effects from the heart in order for our hearts to have a positive development. From the things that prevent our hearts from being rectified is its love and connection to sins. Sinning and its sisters cause problems for the slave until he is destroyed by them.
So, my Muslim brother, hasten to repenting to Allaah, a sincere repentance. Begin these days with regret and a freeing yourself from sins and the effects of disobedience upon yourself, so increase in Istaghfaar. Be constant in remembering Allaah, the Exalted and Glorified, because you never know how long you have left before death surprises you and you will then be taken away from such opportunities.
From the good deeds and acts of worship that the Muslim can do during these blessed first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah include the following:
Increasing in doing all forms of good deeds and acts of worship
This is based on the statement of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] who said, “There are no days that are greater with Allaah, the Glorified, and more Beloved to Him in good deeds except these ten days…”
The good deeds that we are being encouraged to do in this narration is general; especially the deeds that people are normally negligent of. so increase in recitation of the Qur’aan, giving in as-Sadaqah, feeding and spending on the poor and enjoining good and forbidding evil and the likes.
As-Salaah
It is highly encouraged for us to hasten to the Masjid in order for us to arrive early for prayer, meeting the Takbeerat al-Ihraam and the first row. Furthermore, we are encouraged in optional prayer during these days, as as-Salaah is from the best deeds one can do during these days.
It has been narrated on the authority of Thawbaan [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that he heard the Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] say, “It is upon you to increase in Sujood to Alaah, because you do not prostrate to Allaah except that He Raises your rank by it and removes from it sins from you.” [Narrated by Muslim]
As-Siyaam
Fasting is encouraged as it is part of doing good deeds and worship to Allaah, the Most High. It has been narrated on the authority of Haneedah bin Khaalid [May Allaah be Pleased with her] that his wife heard some of the wives of the Prophet [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] say, “The Messenger of Allaah [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] would fast the first nine days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the day of ‘Aashoora, any three days of the month and he would always pray two Rak’aat before Midday.” [Narrated by Ahmad and Aboo Dawood]
Imaam an-Nawawee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about fasting these ten days, “It is extremely highly recommended to fast them.”
The Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] also made the day of ‘Arafah a day when we all should give special attention to as he said, “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah, I hope by it Allaah Forgives the sins of the previous and forthcoming years.”
Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah
This is due to the statement of the Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], “An accepted Hajj brings no reward except Jannah.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree]
And he [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] also said, “Whoever performs Hajj to the House and he doesn’t practice lewdness or sin, he returns like the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree]
Takbeer, Tahleel and Tamheed
This is based on the narration which was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that states, “Increase in these days in doing at-Tahleel, at-Takbeer and at-Tamheed.”
Imaam al-Bukhaaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “Ibn ‘Umar and Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with them] would leave their houses and go to the markets, during these ten days, and they would raise their voices in Takbeer and the people would be also do the same.”
He also said, “’Umar used to raise his voice in at-Takbeer in his tent in Minaa so loud that the people in the Masjid would be able to hear his voice and they would do Takbeer with him.[1]”
He also said, “Ibn ‘Umar would increase in doing at-Takbeer during these days, after his Salaah, whilst on his bed, whilst he would sit, wherever he was during these days.”
It is recommended for the men to raise their voices in doing at-Takbeer as the above mentioned Companions would do and as for women, then they should lower their voices in Takbeer. This is based on the Hadeeth of Umm ‘Atiyyah which was narrated by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
At-Takbeer can be of two types during these days, the Takbeer which is general and the Takbeer which is specific. It has been published in Fatwaa Lajnah ad-Daaimah li al-Iftaa;
“During the days of ‘Eed (i.e. from 10th to 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah) we are recommended do to increase in Takbeer, this is the specific time. The time for Takbeer begins from the beginning of the month, this the general time (i.e. from 1st to 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah) without any limit. As for the even more specific times then this is to do Takbeer after every Salaat from the Fajr prayer on the Day of ‘Arafah until ‘Asr prayer on the final day of at-Tashreeq (i.e. the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah). This is a summary of what is proven from the Ijmaa’ of the scholars, as the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] used to do.”
It was also asked to Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him], do we begin with Istighfaar after the Salaah or with the Takbeer and he answered:
“You should begin with Istighfaar and then with ‘Allaahuma anta as-Salaam…’ etc. this is because, despite him completing the prayer, he always falls short, therefore seeking forgiveness comes before Takbeer to seek forgiveness from our shortcomings.”
The manner of doing the Takbeer
There are three forms that have been narrated[2];
الله اكبر الله اكبر الله اكبر
Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest the Greatest.
اكبر الله اكبر لا اله الا الله الله اكبر الله اكبر ولله الحمد الله
Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, there is no God but Allaah, Allaah is the Greatest, to Allaah is all Praise.
الله اكبر الله اكبر الله اكبر لا اله الا الله الله اكبر الله اكبر ولله الحمد الله
Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, there is no God but Allaah,And Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest to Allaah is all Praise.
And Allaah Knows best
May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon His Messenger, His Family and all those who follow him until the Last Day.
[1] Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz [May Allaah have Mercy on him] and others from the scholars have stated doing Takbeer in unison is an innovation and this narration of ‘Umar cannot be used as proof as there is no clear indication that they were doing Takbeer in unison, rather it suggests that they were doing it aloud. [See: Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (13/20-23)] [TN]
[2] Many of the scholars have stated that the Takbeer during these days can vary, so any form of Dhikr which includes Takbeer is prescribed and deviating from the wording that has been narrated is not an innovation. See: Fath al-Baaree (2/462); al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam al-Qur’aan (2/307); Subul al-Salaam (2/72); Al-Umm (1/241) and others [TN]
No comments:
Post a Comment