In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Faith (iman) wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you don't work on building your iman, even if it is good before, it is worn out now. You can renew your iman each day by actively seeking to do good. There are so many ways in the teachings of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and gant him peace, that can help us do this.
We are now almost at the end of the sacred month of Dhul-Qi'dah, one of the four sacred months and the beginning of the sacred month of Zulhijjah.
We honor this month and be a thankful slave by indulging ourselves in extra worship and race to good actions, and avoid all disobedience and bad actions at all costs.
Abu Hurayra reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
Race to good actions as fast as you can. What are you waiting for except delayed poverty, oppressive wealth, debilitating illness, dottering senility, a swift death or the Dajjal? Or are you waiting for an unseen evil, or the Last Hour? The Last Hour will be most bitter and terrible.[Tirmidhi]
This is the season of hajj and many Muslims have begun their journey for hajj. May Allah make their journey safe and accept their hajj. Those who are at home also have the opportunity to prepare to do extra good deeds during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothin.[Bukhari]
Pay special attention to the rights of others and fulfill them. It is extremely important to get your obligatory prayers, fasting and zakat in place, and as soon as you are financially and physically able, don't delay performing hajj. If you don't perform the obligation, nothing else is going to work for you. But once you get them in place, don't think that you have a one way ticket to Paradise without a detour to a place where no one cares to stop -- the Hellfire. We have to be acutely aware of the rights of Allah and everybody and all Allah's creation. If you don't you will suffer tremendously.
Make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.
Recommended extra good deeds
1. Fast on the first 9 days of Zulhijjah, at least on Zulhijjah 9, the day of Arafat. Fasting on the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years (past and future).
Abu Qataadah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad was asked about observing the fast on the day of 'Arafah, (9th of Zulhijjah), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. [Muslim, Abu Dawood, aI-Nasaa'e and Ibn Maajah]
Fasting the day of 'Arafah is only for those who are not performing Hajj.
2. Avoid all sins at all costs. Remember there is no connection with Allah except our obedience to Him (...The Muslims are supported by their enemy's disobedience towards Allah. Were it not for that, we would not have any strength, as our numbers are not like theirs. If we were equally matched in sin, they would have an advantage over us in strength, and if we did not have an advantage over them by our virtue, we would not be able to defeat them by our strength...Omar's advice).
3. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.
4. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.
5. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.
6. Give more charity during these 10 days.
7. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, give/send gifts, etc.)
8. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the 5 daily prescribed prayers, etc).
9. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.
10. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past deeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
11. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and needy and a portion for yourself and friends.
12. Go to the Eid prayer on Zulhijjah 10. It is recommended to fast before Eid prayer. You break your fast after the prayer.
Hajj Mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. May Allah make them remember to make du'a for us.
May Allah accept our works and grant us the opportunity to perform hajj next year.
Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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