While the fortunate ones amongst us are on their way visiting the beautiful House of Allaah subhanahu wa ta`aala, those of us left behind are filled with immense sadness.. and a sincere wish that we are able to make it next year, bi idhnillaah.
Despite the sadness though, Allaah subhanahu wa ta`aala has given us the opportunity to make the most of the best days of the year. Even when our hearts are in Makkah, our bodies and minds should be immersed in the worship of Allaah. Is there anything you have done that you wish you could undo? Is there any right of Allaah that you have been neglectful of and you wish you could go back in time? Is there anything you have said to another Muslim, that you wish you could take back? Is there a sin you have committed and you have cried nights upon nights, begging Allaah for His Forgiveness and Mercy? If yes – and no doubt every single one of us will answer yes to one or more of the above – then THIS is your chance! These ten days are your salvation from Hell. These ten days are your answer to your prayers. These ten days are a forgiveness, they are a mercy from Allaah `azza wa jall.
Ibn Rajab rahimahullaah mentions in al-Lataa’if:
The month of Dhul-Hijjah is a season of worship, and seasons of worship bring along blessings, benefits and opportunities to correct one’s faith and make up for shortcoming. Every one of these special opportunities involves some kind of worship, which brings the slave closer to his Lord. And Allaah bestows His blessings and Favours on whom He wills. The fortunate person is he who makes good use of these special months, days, and hours, while worshiping Allaah. He is most likely to be touched by the blessings of Allaah.
“There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved by Allaah than these (ten) days.” [al-Bukhaari, at-Tirmidhi and others] The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam was then asked: “Not even Jihaad in Allaah’s way?” He replied: “Not even Jihaad in Allaah’s way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none (i.e. lost everything for Allaah).” [at-Tirmidhi, authenticated in al-Albaani’s Irwaa’ ul-Ghaleel, #953]
The decree of decree in all of creation will come to pass *** This home is not a place of settling
Fulfill your needs quickly because *** Your age is one of those journeys
And run and race your horses *** because they are only a loan (to you)
And leave settling under a fading facade *** For you are on a journey in this land
Whoever wants the good of life in it, surely *** Is building hope on a crumbling cliff
And life, all of life comes after separation from it *** in the land of (our) predecessors, the best of lands
[`Iddat as-Sabireen wa Dhakhirat ash-Shakireen; Ibn al-Qayyim; p. 252]
What can you do during these 10 days?
- Qiyaam, wake up in the middle of the night and pray.. beg.. ask.. to your hearts content.
- Fast, especially on Yaum al-`Arafah, i.e. on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah
- Charity – According to a saheeh hadeeth, charity stands in the way of calamity. So give, as much as you can.
- Recite the Takbeer (Allaahu akbar), Tahmeed (Tahmeed), and Tasbeeh (Subhan’Allaah) as often as you can. Some wordings: “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahil-hamd.”
- Forgive others, make amends, because truly Allaah has mercy on those who has mercy on others.
- Above all, make a fresh, clean start. Let this be the beginning of an end to a life of misery and sin. Wa billaahi-Tawfeeq.
So do yourself a favor, and make the best of the best days.
May Allaah allow His Mercy to envelope us, His Love to seep into our hearts, His Forgiveness to cleanse our souls, and may He grant us the best of this dunya and only the best in the aakhirah.
❁ طالبة الجنان ❁ 