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The Greatest Days of the Year.
All Praise is due to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Prophet
Muhammad (saws), his family, and all those who follow him until the Day of
Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Ramadan was a fleeting visitor that vanished as suddenly as it appeared, leaving
us with sweet memories and mountains of reward or regrets. The month left us
heart-broken, each for our own reasons. Some of us missed out on the great
month, failing to invest in its nights and days, and losing the chance for
forgiveness and salvation. Others savored every moment, growing closer to Allah
and increasing their worship. In those few special days, we lived with Allah,
the Generous, the Giving; only He knew our sorrow when the month disappeared.
But now, Allah is giving us a salve to ease our sorrow and bring back that
happiness. It is a blessed gift, a fresh opportunity to erase our sins and
cleanse ourselves. It is also a second chance, for those who felt Ramadan slip
through their fingers.
The Prophet (saw) said, "Perform good year-round. And seek out the breaths of
Allah's mercy. For Allah has breaths of His mercy-they touch whom He wills of
His servants."
Such a breath of mercy has arrived, like a gentle breeze that suddenly rushes
through us. This Friday marks the start of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, days
that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) preferred over all other days of the
year:
"There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these
ten days." The companions asked him, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He
replied, "Not even Jihad for the sake Allah-except for a man who goes out with
his self and wealth, and returns with neither" (sahih).
May the peace and blessings be upon you, O Prophet of Allah! You are always
giving us extra chances. No one should let this chance for forgiveness slip
through his fingers and then regret losing it when regret can do no good. Allah
Himself ordered us to increase our remembrance of Him in these days. {And to
Remember the name of Allah through the Days appointed.} (al-Haj, 28)
What are the "appointed" days? They are none other than the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah,
as Ibn 'Abbas explained. They are the greatest days of the year, filled with
boundless potential for the soul seeking the pleasure of Allah. While the
opportunities for reward are countless, there are some special actions you can
do to draw closer to Allah during the ten days of Dhu Al-Hijjah.
1. Dhikr
This act of worship requires no effort, and can be done any time and any place.
All that is required is presence of mind and heart. The Prophet (saw) said,
"There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor days in which deeds are
more beloved to Allah than in these ten days. So fill them with the praises of
'la ilah illa Allah', 'Allah Akbar', and 'alhamdu lilah" (sahih). Dear brother
and sister, engage in these blessed remembrances frequently, just as your
beloved Prophet asked.
2. Fasting
Can there be a greater deed than fasting purely for Allah's sake? The Prophet
(saw) taught us about fasting and its great virtue: "Whoever fasts one day for
the sake of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Hellfire a trench equal
to the distance between the sky and the earth" (sahih).
Do not forget the reward of fasting the day of Arafah alone. The Prophet (saw)
said, "Fasting the day of Arafah erases the sins of two years: the previous year
and the coming one."
3. Charity
Our brothers and sisters who made it to Hajj this year have spent selflessly
from their wealth and energy to fulfill their obligation to Allah. Do not hold
back your own wealth and time. Give generously and try to earn a position with
those who will be shaded by the throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Remember, {You shall not attain righteousness until you give from that which you
love!} (Aal 'Imran, 92).
4. Quran
Make sure, dearest brother and sister, to fill these blessed moments with the
Quran. Read it with devotion, ponder its meanings, and involve your heart.
Listen to this stirring description by Allah: {Allah has revealed the greatest
of messages-a Book, consistent within itself, oft-repeated: sending a shiver
through the skins of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their
hearts do soften to the remembrance of Allah.} (al-Zumar, 23)
When you truly live with the Quran, Allah will make you of His own people, a
special group chosen to be close to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "Amongst
mankind are the People of Allah." Who are they O Prophet of Allah? "They are the
People of the Quran-(they are) the People of Allah and His special circle" (sahih).
Strive to be one of the People of Allah. Try to join them by reciting the Quran,
memorizing it, and contemplating its meanings. Beware of those who read its
words and ignore its teachings. Know always that every word you recite carries
great reward.
"Whoever recites one letter of the Quran, for him shall be one reward (hasanah)
and each reward is multiplied by ten. I do not mean that 'Alif Lam Meem' is a
letter; rather, 'Alif' is one letter, 'Lam' is one letter, and 'Meem' is one
letter."
5. Qiyam al-Layl
Due to its worth in the sight of Allah, the reward for the extra night prayers
has been kept secret. {No soul knows what delights of the eye lie hidden for
them-a reward for what they used to do!} (al-Sajdah, 17)
The Prophet (saw) taught us that these night prayers "are the path of the
righteous before you, a source of closeness to your Lord, a guard against wrong,
an eraser of sins, and a cure for your bodies" (sahih). That is why the Prophet
(saw) would never allow a night to pass without a soothing dose of qiyam.
6. Dua
Wherever you are and whatever state you are in, remember to turn constantly to
Allah, and never tire of asking Him for your needs in this life and the
Hereafter. The Prophet (saw) told us that "Dua' is the essence of worship." So,
worship Allah in these days by turning to Him and asking Him.
Dear brothers and sisters, as great as these ten days are, Allah has especially
singled out the ninth day, the Day of Arafah. So you too, mark it and make it
special. Increase your acts of worship, your remembrance, and your supplication
throughout this great day. This is a day in which salvation from the hellfire is
within your reach. The Prophet (saw) said, "There is no day in which Allah
liberates more servants from the hellfire than the Day of Arafah" (sahih).
The days of Dhu al-Hijjah are also an opportunity to bring our communities
closer and encourage one another. Every community should inspire its members to
pursue the blessings of Dhu al-Hijja. MAS recommends that every center or MSA:
a) Educates its
members on the virtue of these days.
b) Organizes a
qiyam program for one of the nights.
c) Holds a group
iftar on the day of Arafah.
Finally, what about the day of Eid? Eid is nothing less than one of these
blessed days, the tenth and final day. Do not let it pass without the
remembrance of Allah: 'alhamdu lilah,' 'la ilaha illa Allah,' and 'Allah Akbar.'
Do not let all the good you did in the past nine days be wasted by sinning and
forgetting Allah on the last day, a day marked by Allah to celebrate our
worship. Wear your best, put on your favorite fragrance, attend the Eid prayer
and participate in the festivities. Reach out to your relatives, give charity,
and incorporate dhikr, dua', and Quran into this happy day. You began these days
seeking the pleasure of Allah, so end them with the pleasure of Allah.
May Allah bless these days and accept from all of us. May He make them days of
happiness and mercy for the ummah.
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