Good Deeds During the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Importance of the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Sunday 12 August 2018 is the First day of Dhul-Hijjah 1439H. So the Day of Arafah will be on Monday the 20^th of August 2018 the 9^th day of Dhul Hijjah the Arafah day and Eid al-Adhaa will be Insha’Allah on Tuesday 21 August 2018 corresponding to 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1439H after the day of Arafah. I wish everyone a blessed life full of happiness, peace and prosperity.

Eid Mubarak to all of you and your families and everyone. Kullu Aam wa Antum bil Khair.

Now this first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah is very important and significant. Those who have gone for Hajj they will be in Makkah, Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah. But those who are not in Makkah and other holy sites for them these days are very important days too. The earlier Muslims used to take this opportunity to make themselves better.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan on Dhul

Hijjah and Day of Arafah

Speaking about these days Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, said on Sunday, the 12^th of August 2018 at the Library Hall of the Centre, “When we say Aml as saleh as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said it covers everything not only as some people think only fasting, for example or not only giving alms to the poor and needy; no; it covers everything.”

First Aml As Saleh– Takbeer

There are many good deeds which can be done during these first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Last Sunday was the first day of the month of Dhul Hijjah and there are still ten days till the tenth day when there will be Eid day. One of the Aml as Saleh, according to Dr. al-Dubayan, is saying Takbeer. He said, you can do the Aml as Saleh by saying these days Takbeer: Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar la ilaha illalla Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd.

These ten days any time not only related to after prayer. After prayer Takbeer. will come after the Eid day for three days. But now till the day of Eid you can Takbeer. any time. You can do it when you are sitting, you can do it when you are at home, you can do it in your car or when you are walking whatever. Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar la ilaha illalla Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd. This is one of the good actions or good deeds Allah Subhanahu wa Taala likes it to be done in these days, explained Dr. al-Dubayan.

Dr. Al-Dubayan also mentioned an incident. He said, Hazrat Umar (Allah be pleased with him) during these days used to go to the market where people buy and he used to remind them of the Takbeer during these days by saying loudly Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar la ilaha illalla Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd.

Another good deed – Fasting

Dr. al-Dubayan also said, One of the good things we can do is fasting;  we can fast one day, two days, three days or four days as many as you want. But do not fast on the Eid day; because fasting on the Eid day is harm. Because Eid day is a day of joy, day of eating, day of drinking; it is a day of celebration. So you can fast one day or two or three.

Another good deed – Visiting family relations

Dr. al-Dubayan also said, “One of the good deeds you can do is visiting your families, your uncles, your cousins, your brothers your sisters, doing best for your parents, or anybody who is around from your families visit him or visit her try to show them your kindness with the intention that you are doing your duty for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.

Giving charity to needy and poor people

The ICC Chief also said one of the good things which you can do is to give charity to the needy, to give charity to the poor people, whatever it is, small or big. Don’t think big money will be accepted by Allah Subhanahu wa Taala only. Sometimes you give little will be better in the sight of Allah than someone who gives a lot. That’s why the Prophet peace be upon him said one dirham is better than one thousand dirham in sadaqa. Why? That person who gives one dirham he gives with the pure intention for the sake of Allah. Another one who gave one thousand dirham may be gave it for other reason - to be seen by people; to be praised by people whatever. So this one dirham is better, explained Dr. Al-Dubayan.

Taking care of children, orphans

ICC Director General mentioned, one of the good things is in these days really “to take care of your children; taking care of orphans if they are around you; especially if they are within your family. For example if you have nephew or niece, cousins you give them more care; show them love and affection especially in these days. You have to show always but to show them in these ten days are more beneficial. Because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala likes to see all goods deeds in these ten days. Prophet peace be upon him was asked by somebody; he said: what is jihad fi Sabilillah? He said is it better? Prophet peace be upon him said, anything you do in these days better than the jihad except if someone goes for jihad with all his money, his life; never return back everything lost; that person gives his all properties and give his life for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. May be this one is better. But nothing else is better than that doing hasanah good deeds during these days, explained Dr. al-Dubayan.

Season of Good Deeds

Dr. al-Dubayan said we have ten days like a season of good deeds, two times a year. One is the last ten days of Ramadan; this is a season why because the Lailatul Qadr is there, may be the first, the second or third till the end of Ramadan. Then we have the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Now these ten days are for doing hasanah or good deeds. Anything even talk to people is good. If somebody angry with you for any reason or other try to fix it; if you did wrong to some body, try to fix it; even if he or she does not know about it. Try to clean yourself before the day of Eid.

Arafah Day 9^th of Dhul Hijjah

Dr. Al-Dubayan explained the Day of Arafah. He said, the last day before the Eid, the day number 9^th, we call it the day of Arafah the 9th day. People on Hajj they will stand on Arafah, that day standing on Arafah day; it is a very very holy day in the ten days. On that day it is Sunnah to fast for those who do not perform Hajj. We are here in London or anywhere who is not in Makkah we fast on the 9th Dhul Hijjah^;   the day of Arafah. That’s why, Prophet peace be upon him said, “I am asking Allah for those fast on the day of Arafah to forgive their sins for one year before Arafah and one year after Arafah. It is an important day, explained ICC Chief.

Prophet (peace be upon him) always talked about forgiveness. Dr al-Dubayan said we have to remember forgiveness for all the things between us and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. But not peoples rights. This is a misunderstanding of the Hadith. Because peoples rights must be taken care of.

Day of Arafah is the Day of Mercy

Asking Forgiveness

Dr. al-Dubayan also explained, Day of Arafah is the Day of Mercy; the Day of Praising Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.forgives so many peoples. That’s why, it is really important on the Day of Arafah to make Takbeer and to make dua supplication always to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala asking forgiveness for us for all Muslims; for the loved ones; for all families; asking guidance for yourself; for our husband; for our wives; for our children; for everybody. It is a day of mercy and also forgiveness and comfortable for all people around the world. Anybody you can ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala you have relatives or friends or somebody you like or she or he is not Muslims; ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to guide him or to guide her to the right path. You can make dua for those who are not Muslims to give them guidance from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.

Guidance is in the hand of Allah

Another important thing one must try to understand is that showing light or Guidance is from Allah and not from people. Dr. al-Dubayan explained this aspect of Guidance. He said it is very close to Islam. People could not see the light of it. Many people read the Qur’an; speak the Arabic; read Islamic books but they don’t see the light. But some other people see the light just away far away and see this light and they come to Islam. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala directs them. Guidance is in the hand of Allah. He can guide someone in the light even by explaining convincing a person.

That’s why; Dr. Al-Dubayan said you have to ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala for the guidance for the people you like. He gave an example of Prophet’s uncle Abu Talib. He said Prophet (peace be upon him) he himself wanted his uncle Abu Talib to come into the fold of Islam. But he could not. They loved each other. Abu Talib used to protect Prophet (peace be upon him) all the days in Makkah; because Abu Talib was one of the leaders of the people; he led the Quraish people in Makkah and all of them respected him. They respected him so much that when he said something they followed him. He protected Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) his nephew. Prophet (peace be upon him) received all the protection from Abu Talib; he loved so much. Prophet (peace be upon him) was so keen for his uncle to become Muslim but he could not make it. He could not make it. Allahu Akbar. Then he was so sad for that, he was so sad; then Allah Subhanahu wa Taala revealed to him in the verse of the Qur’an which says you cannot guide those people who love but it is only Allah who guide people.

That’s why, Dr. al-Dubayan said and advised it is good that when we pray we asked Allah to guide those people we like to guide. Dr. Al-Dubayan also mentioned some people come to Islam just in one bleak. Something happened to them my God this is it. Whereas, some people stay with Muslims many years, they do not see those light. Even the Qur’an is in front of them and they do not see the light. And sometimes the Qur’an is very close; Islam is very close and when the moment comes when Allah wants them to be guided then he guided to go there. In this connection Dr. Al-Dubayan narrated the story of conversion of Cat Stevens to Islam as Yusuf Islam.

Dr. Al-Dubayan advised Muslims to remember every people on the Day of Arafah. He said, “When you pray on the day of Arafah please remember all those people; all those people who have difficulty in their life;  remember the refugees; remember the poor people; remember the orphans; remember people who have difficulties;  ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to make it easy;  ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to give guidance to the people you like; ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to keep on the right path because some people some Muslims after sometimes have sometimes misconception in your mind  or misunderstanding or doubts; then the devil started to play with you. That’s why you see some people go out of Islam again. Ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to keep you till the last moment of your life on the right path. This is what Prophet (peace be upon him) used to ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to let him stay on the right path till the last minute of your life.