Virtuous days in Dhul-Hijjah

Dhul-hijjah is the twelfth and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month during which pilgrimage (Hajj) which is the fifth pillar of Islam is performed. One of the virtues of Dhul-Hijjah is its mention as one of the months during which war is prohibited. Other months (al-Ash-hurul Hurum)in which war is prohibited include Dhul-Qa’dah (which is the month preceding Dhul-Hijjah); Muharram (which is the month succeeding Dhul-Hijjah); and the month of Rajab. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:217 ‘They ask thee concerning fighting in the prohibited month; Say: Fighting therein is a grave (offence)…’ If the pagan enemies of Islam broke this tradition and stirred war in the prohibited months, Muslims were free to also break that tradition but only to the same extent as the others broke it.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have been described by the Prophet (SAW) to be a virtuous period. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said‘No days are as virtuous and beloved to Allah in the observance of righteous deeds as these days (i.e. the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)’. When this was heard, some people asked the Prophet (SAW) whether the virtuousness of these ten days supersedes that which obtains in fighting (Jihad) for the cause of Allah. The Prophet (SAW) replied in the affirmative; explaining that the virtues in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah exceed those of fighting in Allah’s cause except for a man who left home to fight in the cause of Allah with his life and wealth but returned with nothing (of his wealth).
It is also reported on the authority of Ibn Umar (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) ‘No day is greater in virtue and more beloved to Allah for a believer to worship Him than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims are, therefore, exhorted to domuch of Tahlil (saying of: La ilaha illa llah); Takbir (saying of: Allahu Akbar); and Tahmid (saying of: Alhamdulillah). Ibn Abbas (RA) explains that the verse “…And celebrate the name of Allah through the days appointed” as in Qur’an 22:28 refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Imam Bukhari relates that Ibn Umar (RA) and Abu Hurayrah both used to glorify Allah (SWT) saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ even as they went to the market during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Imam Attirmidhi, Ibn Majah and al-Bayhaqi all relate on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the virtues of worshipping Allah in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are beloved to Allah (SWT) so much that fasting for a day in the period is equivalent to fasting for a year just as standing in worship for a nightduring this period is equated to standing in worship on the Night of Power (Laylat ul-Qadr).
The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah which is Arafat Day in which Muslims on pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah stand on mount Arafat is another special and virtuous day. The Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) encourages believers to observe voluntary fast on this particular day, which precedes the day Muslims slaughter animals in sacrifice and in submission to Allah (SWT). Fasting on this day is exclusively for non-pilgrims (i.e. Muslims who are not performing Hajj). All the six authentic compliers of hadith (except Buhari and Tirmidhi) relate on the authority of Abi Qatadah (RA) that fasting on Arafat Day expiates for two years of sins.Indeed, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) encourages Muslims, who can, to observe voluntary fast during the entire period of first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Let us take advantage of the virtues in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. It is an opportunity for us to seek Allah’s intervention in the critical challenges that are bedevilling us as a nation including insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, inflation, unemployment, fall in oil prices, and the collapse of the naira. Let us observe fast in this virtuous period of Dhul-Hijjah and engage much in the glorificationof Allah’s beautiful names. Let us turn to Allah (SWT) in true repentance from our sins; promising to, henceforth, be righteous and obedient servants. Let us pray to Allah (SWT) to guide our present crop of leaders; giving them the wisdom to find workable solutions to our socio-economic predicaments. May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to take advantage of the virtuous days in Dhul-Hijjah, amin.
Re-Halting wasteful expenditures with public funds
“Assalamu Alaykum. Please can you kindly suggest to the president how to alleviate the sufferings of the masses? You wasted so much time on how to save money without suggesting to government how to utilise the money. You are one of the people (that are) always praise singing Buhari. We are tired. It is time to highlight his shortcomings”. (+2348050421209)
“Salam. I read your column on Saturday Daily with a contrary view. I personally see this policy as an apt (sic) and means of extending hardships to commoners that lime (sic) and dine in the print industry; and a palpable way to send millions out of labour market. Sir, am (sic) not so sure but significant percent (sic) of Nigerians are employed in that industry and being mono economy more (than) 80% is finance (sic) through government spending (all trade volumes and values. I assume it (is) unwise taking (sic) a measure without establishing pros and cons of such a policy to the general populace. Why not ban senior citizens from taking hefty contracts and engage the real producers to produce? The implications (sic) here is (that) many people are encouraged to be entrepreneurs by learning hand-craft to be self-employed but government on the other hand are (sic) banning their means of livelihood without alternative proviso (sic). The government (sic) today is acting like rege (sic) dancers, a step forward and backward at once”. Yus-fah Dawaki, ([email protected]).