Significance and Masnoon Acts for the Month of Zil Hajj
Zil Hajj is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place. The month of Zil hajj is a blessed month specially the first ten days are most important blessed and has great significance in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.” The people asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” He 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 nothing” (Bukhari).
The whole month of the Dhul Hajj has blessings but the fist 10 days are especially important.
Here are few things that Muslims should do in first 10 days of Dhul Hajj:
Fasting
It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Zil Hajj, because fasting is one of the best of deeds. Almighty Allah says, “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.”’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-Hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)
“Fasting the Day of Arafah (9th Dul-Hijja) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)
Dhikr:
The month of Dhul Hajj is considered as one of the blessed months in Islamic calendar. So do a lot of dhikr and seek forgiveness for all our wrongdoings. Reciting the Takbeer from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah:
Allahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar,Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,Wa lillahil Hamd.
Translation: “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.”
“There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillah).” (Ahmed- Sahee)
Sadqa:
During the month of Dhul hajj give a lot of sadqa /charity as the reward will be increased by 70 times.
Reciting the Quran
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. 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.” [At-Tirmidhi] So if one letter of the Quran is equivalent to ten good deeds then imagine how much reward there is for reading each letter during these blessed 10 days which are said to be the best days of the year! Therefore, in these ten days, those who don’t know how to read Quran should learn the holy Quran and those who can read it should recite it excessively to gain reward.
Conclusion:
So, the ten days of Zil Hajj are the most blessed days for Muslim. Thus, whatever little or greater good deed possible, a Muslim should strive towards performing it and at the same time seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty as well. May Allah forgive all of us. Ameen
