Fasting & Deeds In The Month Of Zulhijjah

The Holy Prophet SAW has said:

"One fast during the ten days of Zulhijjah is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in Lailatul-Qadr." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

According to the rules set out by the Muhadditheen, this Hadith could be used for encouragement and virtues.

The month of Zulhijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. Literally it mean "the month of Hajj." Obviously this name of the month indicates that the great annual worship of "Hajj" is performed in this month. for this reason it has a peculiar significance as compared to other months of the year.

The first ten days of Zulhijjah are among the most magnificent days in the Islamic calendar.

The 9th day of Zulhijjah is called Yaum-ul-Arafah (The Day of Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj (Haji pilgrims, plural of Haajj) assemble on the plain of Arafat, six miles away from Makkah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj, namely, the Wuquf of Arafah.

For those not performing hajj, it is desirable to fast on this day. This fast has been greatly emphasised by the Holy Prophet SAW. According to one hadith, the fast of this day becomes a cause of forgiveness for sins committed in one year, InshaAllah.

Allah mentions in the Qur'an:

"...And by the ten days..." (Surah Al-Fajr)

The Ulama have explained that the above ten days mentioned in the ayat refer to the first ten days of Zulhijjah. Allah mentioned it and swore by it because of its great virtues.

This is further strengthen by the hadith whereby Rasulullah SAW announced:

"There is no other days in which ibadah is more loved by Allah then these ten days (that is, of the month of Zulhijjah)."

The Companions (RA) asked him (SAW):

"O Rasulullah! Even better than jihad in the cause of Allah?"

The Prophet SAW replied:

"Yes, it is even better than jihad in the cause of Allah, except if one goes out for jihad with his life and his wealth, and he do not return with both (i.e. is made shahid)."

The Significance Of Performing Qurban

Aishah RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Qiyamah with its horns, hair and hoofs. The blood of the sacrificed animal is accepted by Allah before it reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open heart."

Zaid bin Arqam RArelates that the companions of Rasulullah SAW asked:

"O Messenger of Allah! (SAW) What is Qurban?"

He (SAW) replied:

"It is the Sunnat of your father Ibrahim (AS)."

They asked again:

"What benefit do we derive from it?"

He (SAW) answered:

" A reward for every hair of the sacrificed animals."

(and then they asked:)

"And what about the wool?"

(the Prophet SAW answered:)

"A reward," he said, "for every fibre of the wool."

For Those Attending Hajj - Advice From Ulama

1. The Hajj journey is a journey of love; whereby your attachment and love for Allah will become a cause for you not to disobey Allah.

2. Begin your journey by leaving your comfort, food preference and anger at home.

3. The eyes, ears and tongue must be used correctly and must be constantly supervised. Your speech must be soft. Keep your tongue moist with zikr. Remain constantly in the state of Wudhu.

4. Everything must be done with concentration to achieve the pleasure of Allah.

5. Throughout the journey be concerned about following the Sunnah.

6. Upon arrival, and on fulfilling the needs of your journey's companions, engage yourself, in seclusion, with du'a, zikr, recitation of the Qur'an, optional nawafil solat, salawat to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, istighfaar and tawaf of the Kaabah.

7. Do not fall into the affairs of others without need. Anger will destroy you, while fighting and quarelling will destroy others.

8. Providing khidmat (service) to the other pilgrims must be taken as a reward and means of salvation, do not think it useless. Protect yourself from pride.

9. During times of difficulty make du'a with humbleness and tears. Recite the Surahs: An-Nasr and Quraish from the last chapter of the Qur'an. Muraqabah is necessary at all times - My Allah is watching me. This must be practised.

10. During your stay there, do not waste your precious time, for example - to go to the shopping centres, markets & bazaars without need, spend time on the telephone, writing letters, eating in restaurants etc.

11. Refrain from criticism of the inhabitants of the Sacred Places, and have respect for everything there.

12. Do not complain nor be displeased and express the displeasure of the heat or difficulty on experiences. Do not Complain.

13. Constantly look at the Ka'abah with love and respect.

14. Make the Niyyat of journey to Madinah for ziarah of our Nabi SAW.

15. Do everything carefully and take time, do not hurry, whilst keeping in mind the comfort of others.

16. On the plains of Arafat do not doubt the forgiveness of Allah upon yourself. Be Certain ! - that my Allah has forgiven me.

Some Virtues of Hajj, Makkah & Madinah

Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur'an:

"And pilgrimage to the house (of Allah) is a duty man owes to Allah - upon those who can afford the journey, and for him who disbelieves, then indeed Allah is independent of His creation." (Al-Imran: Ayat 97)


VIRTUES OF HAJJ

Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Whoever performs Hajj for the pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it free from sin as the day on which his mother gave birth to him." (Mishkaat)


Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasullulah SAW said:

"Verily there shall be no reward for a righteous Hajj except Jannah." (Mishkaat)


Abdullah bin Mas'ud RA reports that Rasullulah SAW said:

"Perform Hajj and Umrah one after the other for surely they (Hajj and Umrah) remove hunger and sins just as the furnace removes impurities from iron, gold and silver." (Tirmidhi & Nasa'i)


Abdullah bin Abbas RA eports that Rasullulah SAW said:

"Whoever intends to perform Hajj should hasten, towards performing it." (Abu Dawud)


Abdullah ibn Umar RA relates that Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"When you meet a Haaji, greet him, shake hands with him and request him to seek forgiveness on your behalf before he enters his home because he is (already) forgiven." (Musnad Ahmad)


WARNING REGARDING HAJJ

Allah Ta'ala says: "and spend of your substance in the way of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction" (Al-Baqarah: Ayat 24)


Abu Umamah RA reports that Rasullulah SAW said:

"Whoever fails to perform Hajj while not being prevented from it by a valid necessity or by oppression from an unjust ruler or by severe illness and then passes away in such a state, has the choice to die as a Jew if he wishes or a Christian if he so wishes." (Daarimi & Mishkaat)


VIRTUES OF MAKKAH AND MADINAH

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA relates that Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"Allah sends down one hundred and twenty mercies on the Ka'abah every day and night. Sixty mercies for those performing Tawaf, forty for those performing Solat around the Ka'abah and twenty for those looking at the Ka'abah." (Baihaqi)


Jaabir RA relates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Solah performed in my Masjid is one thousand times superior to Solah performed elsewhere except the Masjidul Haram, which is 100 000 times superior to any other Masjid." (Bukhari & Muslim)


Anas bin Malik RA reports that Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"...Salaah in the Masjidul Aqsa is rewarded to the extent of fifty thousand Solah, and Solah in my Masjid (Masjidun Nabawi) is rewarded to the extent of fifty thousand Solah and Solah in the Masjidul Haraam is rewarded to the extent of one hundred thousand Solah." (Ibn Majah & Mishkaat)


Abdullah ibn Umar RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Whoever visits my grave, my intercession becomes obligatory for him." (Darqutni)


Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Between my house and my Mimbar is a garden from amongst the gardens of Jannah (Rawdul Jannah)." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Death During Hajj

A person who passes away while performing Hajj has indeed been selected by Allah and is extremely fortunate. Such a person will be rewarded with Hajj till the Day of Qiyamah.