Your Dhul-Hijjah Checklist: How to gain divine blessings

Your Dhul-Hijjah Checklist: How to gain divine blessings

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best 10 days of the Islamic year. They gift us with the wonderful chance of redeeming ourselves in the eyes of Allah (SWT). For those of us who can’t perform Hajj this year due to the pandemic, it is great to know that these 10 days unlock divine opportunities to gain immense rewards and blessings. The key to this is by doing good deeds with the love of Allah (SWT), as well as in repentance and seeking forgiveness for our wrongdoings.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah (SWT) than these [first] 10 days [of Dhul Hijjah].” {Bukhari}

The profound importance of these 10 days cannot be understated because every good deed that we do has maximised rewards. Not only does this help us raise our rank in Allah’s (SWT) eyes, but we can also continue to move forward as better Muslims by getting into the habit of good practices; for example, always showing kindness and humility, giving up bad habits like smoking and backbiting, and praying for yourself and the whole Ummah. It is also recommended to be more mindful of your prayers, to give to charity and to give your Qurbani in time for Eid al-Adha.

The beauty of Allah’s (SWT) mercy is in the many chances he gives us so that we can atone for bad deeds and enjoy the rewards of good deeds. This is evidence of the beauty of our religion of Islam that Allah (SWT) perfected for us within these 10 days on the day of Arafah.

Read on to learn more about what you can do to make the most of this sacred time.

Fasting

To fast Dhul Hijjah is a great deed. On these 10 blessed days, we are given the chance to free ourselves from sins by repenting so that we are blessed with Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness. Fasting on these 10 days is beloved to Allah (SWT), and especially on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, which is the day of Arafat, because fasting on this day means our sins from the previous and coming year will be expiated. This practice is Sunnah for Muslims and is highly recommended.

Abu Qatadah reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about the observance of fasting on the day of Arafah. He said “it expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year”. [Muslim]

You can increase your rewards by combining your intentions of good deeds, too. Make the intention to fast for the first nine holy days of Dhul Hijjah and also to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) when fasting on the first Monday of Dhul Hijjah and on two Thursdays of Dhul Hijjah, too.

It is reported that “The Prophet (SAW) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashura, three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” [Abu Dawood].

When is Dhul Hijjah 2023?

For reference, the first Monday will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah (19 June), and a Thursday falling within those days will be the fourth day of Dhul-Hijjah (22 June). Remember to do the second Thursday, too, to completely follow the Sunnah by fasting on the 11th day of Dhul-Hijjah (29 June).

Increase your remembrance of Allah (SWT)

The Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah (SWT) or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so recite a great deal of Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed.” [Ahmad]

• Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah – There is no God but Allah (SWT)
• Takbeer: Allahu Akbar – Allah (SWT) is the Greatest
• Tahmeed: Alhamdulillah – All Praises be to Allah (SWT)

It is also recommended to recite Tasbeeh.

• Tasbeeh: Subhanallah – Glory be to Allah (SWT)

During these 10 days, recite your remembrance as often as you can and keep Allah (SWT) in your heart with everything that you do. Remembering Allah (SWT) is a pious act of worship, and the proclamation of the greatness of Allah (SWT) represents your love for Him and His love for you.

Also, take the time to talk to Allah (SWT) and be closer to Him by making dua for yourself and the Ummah. You should talk to your creator Allah (SWT) through dua when you are happy and at ease, as well as in hardship.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever wishes that Allah (SWT) would respond to him during hardship and grief, then let him supplicate plentifully when at ease.” [Tirmidhi]

Read the Qur’an

Muslims will earn great rewards for reciting the Qur’an. Reading just a single letter from the book of Allah (SWT) will lead to a Hasanah (good deed). The Prophet (SAW) said: “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]

Create a beautiful relationship with the book of Allah (SWT) in these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. If you can, read its translated version and take the time to understand and appreciate the words of Allah (SWT). Reading the Qur’an will lead to success in this life and the hereafter, and these 10 days is an amazing time for us to read and adore the verses of the Qur’an that were revealed to our Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

We know that no deeds are more beloved to Allah (SWT) than on these 10 days and will be rewarded. Even on other days, we are told that reading from the book of Allah (SWT) will have a reward that is multiplied by 10, so imagine the rewards that we will get for reading the holy book during these 10 days.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever reads a letter from the book of Allah (SWT) will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by 10. I am not saying that Alif, Laam, Meem is a letter; rather, I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter, and “meem” is a letter.” [Tirmidhi]

Give Qurbani –  Last year you helped us deliver over 1 Million Qurbani Meals to orphans and widows in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

There are no days more beloved to Allah (SWT) than these first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, when Ibrahim (AS) was asked to sacrifice his own son to prove his devotion to Allah (SWT). Qurbani represents the beauty of letting go of your worldly attachments in the same way that Ibrahim (AS) did, and your sacrifice means that Allah (SWT) will always return His love to you by granting you mercy and rewarding your piety.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “For every hair of the Qurbani, you will receive a reward from Allah (SWT).” (Tirmidhi)

Your Qurbani is more than just a sacrifice for food; it will give you immense awards. It is also a gift for many orphans and widows, for whom meat is a rare luxury. Bring joy to orphans and widowed families this Eid and reap the rewards of these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.

These 10 blessed days are most beloved to Allah (SWT) and are an amazing time to give charity because the rewards of your Sadaqah or Zakat will be maximised and amplified. Your charity will also aid you on the day of judgement in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.” {Tirmidhi}

Give to people experiencing poverty today and give hope, joy and comfort to our orphans and widows. Give for the sake of Allah (SWT), and in knowing that your good deeds will aid you on the day of resurrection. You should also give because it is your duty to show our less fortunate our Ummah, love and care. Even if you give as little as £1 under our general donations, Allah (SWT) will reward it, and our orphans and widows will benefit from your kindness.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” [Muslim] We believe that giving to the poor and needy will never decrease the wealth that really matters, and that is the wealth of your iman. Give to the poor and needy, and your soul and iman will be rich. If you would like to give more, see the links below.

Give a widowed family the gift of a food parcel that will feed them for a whole month, saving them from starvation and malnutrition. Bring joy by giving widows and orphans in impoverished communities a nutritious and warm Eid meal.

Make the most of this blessed month of Dhul Hijjah by donating to charity.

Orphans in Need hope and pray that Allah (SWT) accepts your devotion to Him on this sacred month of Hajj. Ameen.