Virtues of Dhul Hijjah

[Idrees]

The first ten days of Zul Hijjah

Hazrat Ibn Abbas relates that Rasulullah said, "On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allah than on these days meaning the first ten days of Zil Hijjah." The Sahaabah asked: "O Rasulullah not even Jihad in the way of Allah?" Rasulullah replied: "Not even Jihad in the way of Allah, except for that person who goes out to fight with his life and wealth and does not return with anything." Bukhari.

Rasulullah said, "On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the first ten days of Zil Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the Ibaadat (worship) of each of these nights is equal to the Ibaadat of Laylatul Qadr." (Tirmizi 6, Ibn Maajah)

It is related from Ibn Abbas that Rasulullah said, "No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Zil Hijjah. So in these days increasingly read:
TASBEEH (Subhanallah)
TAHLEEL (Lailaha Illallah)
TAHMEED (Alhamdulillah)
TAKBEER ( Allahu Akbar)." (Tabraani)

The fast of Yowm-e-Arafah
Hazrat Abu Qataadah al-Ansari relates that Rasulullah was asked about the Saum (fast) on the day of Arafah (i.e. the 9th Zil Hijjah). He said, "It compensates for the minor sins of the past year and the coming year." Muslim.

Rasulullah has said, "The most acceptable Du'aa is that which is made on the day of Arafah, and the best Du'aa which the Prophets before me, and I have made is:


"There is no Deity besides Allah. He is alone He has no partner. To Him belongs the sovereignty, and unto Him belongs all praise, and He is all powerful." Tirmizi
It is related that Rasulullah said, "Whoever stays awake and makes Ibaadat on the nights of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adhaa, his heart will not die on the day when all the hearts will be dead." Targheeb.

Hazrat Muaaz ibn Jabal relates that Rasulullah said, "Jannat is Waajib for those who stay awake with the intention of making Ibaadat on the following nights: 8th, 9th and l0th of ZiI Hijjah, the night of Eidul Fitr and the night of the l5th of Sha'baan." Targheeb.

[Idrees]

Sunnats of Eidul Adha

1. Awaken earlier than usual.
2. Brush the teeth with Miswaak.
3. Have a Ghusl (bath).
4. Be well dressed in an Islamic manner.
5. Dress in one's best clothes, not necessarily new.
6. Use Itr.
7. Perform Eid Salaat at the Eidgaah.
8. Avoid eating before Eid Salaat.
9. Go to the place of Namaaz early.
10. Walk to the place of Eid Namaaz (if it is within walking distance).
11. Recite the Takbeeraat aloud on the way to the place of Eid Namaaz.
12. Use different routes to and from the place of Eid Salaat.


TAKBEER-E-TASHREEK
(Exaltation and Glorification of Allah)

The origin of Takbeer-e-Tashreek dates back to the time when Hazrat Ibraheem (Alayhis-Salaam) made Hazrat Ismaeel lie down. Allah Ta'ala ordered Hazrat Jibraiel (Alayhis-Salaam) to take along a ransom (fidyah) to the scene of the sacrifice of Hadrat Ismaeel (Alayhis-Salaam). When Hazrat Jibraeel (Alayhis-Salaam) appeared there, he feared Ibraheem (Alayhis- Salaam) would slaughter his son and thus began reciting,

"Allah-u-Akbar"

Hearing his voice, Hazrat Ibraheem (Alayhis-Salaam) took to it as a glad tiding and exclaimed:

'Laa ilaha Illallahu wallaahu Akbar"

Hazrat Ismaeel (Alayhis-salaam) also thought that the fidyah had arrived and so he rose up to eulogize and thank Allah Ta'ala saying,

"Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd"

The Takbeer

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu Akbar. Allaahu Akbar walillaahil hamd
Translation: "Allah is most great. Allah is most great. There is no Deity besides Allah and Allah is most Great. Allah is most Great and Verily all praises are for Allah."

It is waajib to recite this Takbeer audibly once after every Fard salaat from the morning of the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) till the Asr salaat of the thirteenth of Dhul Hijjah. The Fatwa is that the one that performs salaat with Jamaa'ah, and the one that performs it alone are the same as far as this law is concerned i.e. it is necessary to recite the Takbeer. It is waajib on both male and female. Females should not say the Takbeeraat loudly but softly. (Shami).

It is Mustahab (desirable) for those who read their salaat individually (men or women) and Musafirs (travellers) to recite these Takbeeraat softly.

Note: It is necessary for men to recite these Takbeeraat in a moderately loud voice. Many people are not mindful of this: either they read it softly or do not read it at all. This negligence should be remedied.