via Ummah.com - Muslim Forum by Umm Amatullah on 30/11/08
Asalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
InshaAllah you are all well.
I got this from an e-mail, and I thought i'd share because it is very good, Alhamdulilah. It's quite long but worth the read.
There are many chances for spiritual rejuvenation throughout the year, and the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of them. As they renew their pledges with Allah, pilgrims become as pure as newborns once they complete the rituals of Hajj. Those of us at home can build up our relationship with Allah, too, by pledging to be better Muslims and asking Allah to forgive our previous sins and shortcomings.
Those who are able to perform Hajj during the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah have a known reward that makes them as sinless as newborns, and it is one of the best deeds a Muslim can do over the course of a lifetime. But what about those of us staying home this year?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allah (makes Dthikr) until the sun rises, then prays two Rak'as, will have a reward like that for Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." [At-Tirmidthi]
Do not miss out on the blessings of Dhul-Hijjah just because you are at home. Use this unique window of opportunity to read more Quran, repent to Allah, and supplicate as much as you can.
Fasting at regular times throughout the year is a wonderful way to keep our faith in check. Following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), fasting is especially recommended during the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. He (peace be upon him) said:
"Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." [Bukhari]
Reciting Takbir on the morning of Eid with a huge congregation of Muslims at the mosque is a great and memorable experience - but did you know that Takbir is not just for Eid? That's right. It is actually recommended to recite the Takbir during the whole first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and you can even do it while you are alone! Invest in supplication wherever you happen to be – at the market, laying down in bed, or during a quiet moment during a busy day. Takbir may be recited silently or aloud.
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illal-Lah
wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd
Allah is the greatest, He is the greatest. There is no god except Allah.
Allah is the greatest, and to Him belongs all Praise
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah provides an excellent environment for increasing good deeds. Why not use this time to become more familiar with the Book of Allah? Challenge yourself to read as much as the Quran as you can. Hint: You can finish reading the Quran in ten days if you read three parts (juz') each day, but it is also important to understand what you read. On your mark, get set, GO!
"Whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allah will have one hasanah for it, and each hasanah is a tenfold reward. I do not say that alif-laam-meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter and meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidthi].
Seeking forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings is something we should strive for constantly throughout the year, but there is a special day we should all take note of.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of 'Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these want?" [Muslim]
Tawbah (repentance) means to descend back to Allah, abandon what He hates in public and in secret, regret the past, leave the disobedient act, resolve not to do it again, and keep firm on the Straight Path.
One of the unique features of Islamic prayer is the way it brings the Muslim community together several times each day. Although men should do their best to pray in the mosque, prayer can be performed in congregation wherever you happen to be: at home with your children, at school with Muslim classmates, or even with friends on a picnic. There is something undeniably special about the feeling of unity that comes with a prayer performed in congregation, so don't miss out on this opportunity for increased Ajr (reward from Allah).
"He who went towards the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah would arrange a feast for him morning or evening in Paradise." [Muslim]
Sacrificing animals on Eid Al Adha commemorates the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made when Allah ordered him to sacrifice his only son Isma'il. A ram was brought by the Angel Jibreel and was sacrificed instead. The purpose of slaughtering animals in Islam is, first, an act of obedience to Allah's decree and, second, a means of feeding the poor. All Muslims who are financially able should offer a sacrifice on the Eid and distribute the meat to the poor and needy.
"It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right." [Noble Quran 22:37]
What do you think about on a typical day – when you are doing dishes, making the commute to work, or waiting patiently at the doctor's office? If you counted all those minutes of free "thinking" time, you might be surprised to find you have several hours available for increased supplication to Allah. Supplication is one of the best ways to improve your relationship with Allah and to keep your mind focused on the positive. It can be something as simple as thanking Allah for his bounties, seeking His mercy and forgiveness, or making very specific requests about the state of your life, your health, and your wealth.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahlil, takbir and tahmid during them." [Ahmad]
Getting up from a warm bed to pray in the middle of the night has special rewards in Islam and is perhaps one of the most sincere forms of worship when it is done purely for His sake. You can often see the glow of faith on a night-worshipper's face. Why not give it a try and see if it makes a difference in your own life?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone prays at night reciting regularly ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent; if anyone prays at night and recites a hundred verses, he will be recorded among those who are obedient to Allah; and if anyone prays at night reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those who receive huge rewards." [Abu Dawud]
Loving each other for the sake of Allah is an integral part of Islam that brings excitement to our days. A simple good deed we can all do during the blessed first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is to remind others about the virtues of these days. Encourage people to do good deeds by pointing them to specific projects where their help is needed. Invite them to iftar after a day of fasting, and have some fun listening to DVDs or tapes with Islamic themes. Don't forget to look for Muslims who are isolated or do not interact with the community on a regular basis.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are people from the servants of Allah who are neither prophets nor martyrs; the prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection for their rank from Allah, the Most High." They (the people) asked: "Tell us, Apostle of Allah, who are they?" He replied: "They are people who love one another for the spirit of Allah (i.e. the Quran), without having any mutual kinship and giving property to one. I swear by Allah, their faces will glow and they will be (sitting) in (pulpits of) light. They will have no fear (on the Day) when the people will have fear, and they will not grieve when the people will grieve." He then recited the following Quranic verse: "Behold! Verily for the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve." [Abu Dawud]
It's a well-known fact that people with strong family ties live happier, healthier lives, yet family relationships can be hard to negotiate. Use the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah to examine your own family relationships and see if any gaps exist. It does not matter whether or not your relatives are Muslims. We should all be good to our parents and strengthen the ties of kinship whenever possible. A ten-minute phone call or brief e-mail to show you care can do wonders in this department.
Ayshah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: "The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne and says: He who unites me Allah would unite him and he who severed me Allah would sever him." [Muslim]
The Day of Arafah is a special day with many blessings, and fasting on this day carries an extra-special reward: expiation for two years worth of sins. Do the math, and you're sure to find that this is a day you can't afford to ignore. But don't keep this knowledge all to yourself…make sure to tell family and friends so they can benefit, too.
Prophet Muhammad was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah), whereupon he said: "It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year" [Muslim]
The Eid prayer is a fundamental part of celebrating the Eid - a time to worship Allah and be thankful for all of His bounties. It is also an opportunity to join with the whole community in prayer, catch up with old friends, and meet new people. It is especially important to seek out those who are new to Islam or seem lost in the midst of the crowd. Greet them warmly, and share your best Eid smile with everyone you can. Bringing joy to the Muslim community is something everyone can do on the Eid.
This is one piece of real estate you can afford: a house in Jannah. But you must be willing to work for it through your good deeds and correct practice of Islam. One narration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) states that you will have a house in Jannah if you perform twelve Sunnah units of prayer each day. Why not work on this aspect of worship during the blessed first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? It takes just minutes of your time and, unlike a house in Dunya, won't sink you into debt.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If any Muslim servant (of Allah) prays for the sake of Allah twelve Rak'as (of Sunan) every day, over and above the obligatory ones, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise" [Muslim]
While people tend to emphasize the importance of fasting during Dhul-Hijjah, the actual sunnah is to increase all good deeds during the first ten days of this blessed month. So, make it a point to look for easy good deeds that you are capable of doing, whether it is donating to charity, visiting a shut-in, removing something harmful from the road, or reading extra Quran. No good deed is off-limits during these blessed days, and almost anything can be a good deed when it is done with a pure intention for the sake of Allah.
The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." [Bukhari]
From: http://www.performhajj.com/checklist/index.php
JazakAllah Khair
Wa Alaykum Salam
InshaAllah you are all well.
I got this from an e-mail, and I thought i'd share because it is very good, Alhamdulilah. It's quite long but worth the read.
Not going to Hajj this year? Following are tasks you can still do in Dhul-Hijjah.
Renew Your Pledge with Allah
There are many chances for spiritual rejuvenation throughout the year, and the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of them. As they renew their pledges with Allah, pilgrims become as pure as newborns once they complete the rituals of Hajj. Those of us at home can build up our relationship with Allah, too, by pledging to be better Muslims and asking Allah to forgive our previous sins and shortcomings.
Perform Hajj and Umrah
Those who are able to perform Hajj during the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah have a known reward that makes them as sinless as newborns, and it is one of the best deeds a Muslim can do over the course of a lifetime. But what about those of us staying home this year?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allah (makes Dthikr) until the sun rises, then prays two Rak'as, will have a reward like that for Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete." [At-Tirmidthi]
Do not miss out on the blessings of Dhul-Hijjah just because you are at home. Use this unique window of opportunity to read more Quran, repent to Allah, and supplicate as much as you can.
Fasting
Fasting at regular times throughout the year is a wonderful way to keep our faith in check. Following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), fasting is especially recommended during the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. He (peace be upon him) said:
"Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." [Bukhari]
Takbir
Reciting Takbir on the morning of Eid with a huge congregation of Muslims at the mosque is a great and memorable experience - but did you know that Takbir is not just for Eid? That's right. It is actually recommended to recite the Takbir during the whole first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and you can even do it while you are alone! Invest in supplication wherever you happen to be – at the market, laying down in bed, or during a quiet moment during a busy day. Takbir may be recited silently or aloud.
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illal-Lah
wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd
Allah is the greatest, He is the greatest. There is no god except Allah.
Allah is the greatest, and to Him belongs all Praise
Recite the Quran
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah provides an excellent environment for increasing good deeds. Why not use this time to become more familiar with the Book of Allah? Challenge yourself to read as much as the Quran as you can. Hint: You can finish reading the Quran in ten days if you read three parts (juz') each day, but it is also important to understand what you read. On your mark, get set, GO!
"Whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allah will have one hasanah for it, and each hasanah is a tenfold reward. I do not say that alif-laam-meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter and meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidthi].
Seek Forgiveness
Seeking forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings is something we should strive for constantly throughout the year, but there is a special day we should all take note of.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of 'Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these want?" [Muslim]
Tawbah (repentance) means to descend back to Allah, abandon what He hates in public and in secret, regret the past, leave the disobedient act, resolve not to do it again, and keep firm on the Straight Path.
Pray in Congregation
One of the unique features of Islamic prayer is the way it brings the Muslim community together several times each day. Although men should do their best to pray in the mosque, prayer can be performed in congregation wherever you happen to be: at home with your children, at school with Muslim classmates, or even with friends on a picnic. There is something undeniably special about the feeling of unity that comes with a prayer performed in congregation, so don't miss out on this opportunity for increased Ajr (reward from Allah).
"He who went towards the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah would arrange a feast for him morning or evening in Paradise." [Muslim]
Offer Sacrifice
Sacrificing animals on Eid Al Adha commemorates the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made when Allah ordered him to sacrifice his only son Isma'il. A ram was brought by the Angel Jibreel and was sacrificed instead. The purpose of slaughtering animals in Islam is, first, an act of obedience to Allah's decree and, second, a means of feeding the poor. All Muslims who are financially able should offer a sacrifice on the Eid and distribute the meat to the poor and needy.
"It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right." [Noble Quran 22:37]
Supplication Project
What do you think about on a typical day – when you are doing dishes, making the commute to work, or waiting patiently at the doctor's office? If you counted all those minutes of free "thinking" time, you might be surprised to find you have several hours available for increased supplication to Allah. Supplication is one of the best ways to improve your relationship with Allah and to keep your mind focused on the positive. It can be something as simple as thanking Allah for his bounties, seeking His mercy and forgiveness, or making very specific requests about the state of your life, your health, and your wealth.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahlil, takbir and tahmid during them." [Ahmad]
The Night Prayer
Getting up from a warm bed to pray in the middle of the night has special rewards in Islam and is perhaps one of the most sincere forms of worship when it is done purely for His sake. You can often see the glow of faith on a night-worshipper's face. Why not give it a try and see if it makes a difference in your own life?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone prays at night reciting regularly ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent; if anyone prays at night and recites a hundred verses, he will be recorded among those who are obedient to Allah; and if anyone prays at night reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those who receive huge rewards." [Abu Dawud]
Brotherhood Project
Loving each other for the sake of Allah is an integral part of Islam that brings excitement to our days. A simple good deed we can all do during the blessed first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is to remind others about the virtues of these days. Encourage people to do good deeds by pointing them to specific projects where their help is needed. Invite them to iftar after a day of fasting, and have some fun listening to DVDs or tapes with Islamic themes. Don't forget to look for Muslims who are isolated or do not interact with the community on a regular basis.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are people from the servants of Allah who are neither prophets nor martyrs; the prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection for their rank from Allah, the Most High." They (the people) asked: "Tell us, Apostle of Allah, who are they?" He replied: "They are people who love one another for the spirit of Allah (i.e. the Quran), without having any mutual kinship and giving property to one. I swear by Allah, their faces will glow and they will be (sitting) in (pulpits of) light. They will have no fear (on the Day) when the people will have fear, and they will not grieve when the people will grieve." He then recited the following Quranic verse: "Behold! Verily for the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve." [Abu Dawud]
Preserve the ties of kinship
It's a well-known fact that people with strong family ties live happier, healthier lives, yet family relationships can be hard to negotiate. Use the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah to examine your own family relationships and see if any gaps exist. It does not matter whether or not your relatives are Muslims. We should all be good to our parents and strengthen the ties of kinship whenever possible. A ten-minute phone call or brief e-mail to show you care can do wonders in this department.
Ayshah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: "The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne and says: He who unites me Allah would unite him and he who severed me Allah would sever him." [Muslim]
The day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is a special day with many blessings, and fasting on this day carries an extra-special reward: expiation for two years worth of sins. Do the math, and you're sure to find that this is a day you can't afford to ignore. But don't keep this knowledge all to yourself…make sure to tell family and friends so they can benefit, too.
Prophet Muhammad was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah), whereupon he said: "It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year" [Muslim]
Attend the Eid prayer
The Eid prayer is a fundamental part of celebrating the Eid - a time to worship Allah and be thankful for all of His bounties. It is also an opportunity to join with the whole community in prayer, catch up with old friends, and meet new people. It is especially important to seek out those who are new to Islam or seem lost in the midst of the crowd. Greet them warmly, and share your best Eid smile with everyone you can. Bringing joy to the Muslim community is something everyone can do on the Eid.
Pray the Sunnah Prayers
This is one piece of real estate you can afford: a house in Jannah. But you must be willing to work for it through your good deeds and correct practice of Islam. One narration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) states that you will have a house in Jannah if you perform twelve Sunnah units of prayer each day. Why not work on this aspect of worship during the blessed first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? It takes just minutes of your time and, unlike a house in Dunya, won't sink you into debt.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If any Muslim servant (of Allah) prays for the sake of Allah twelve Rak'as (of Sunan) every day, over and above the obligatory ones, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise" [Muslim]
Increase your overall good deeds
While people tend to emphasize the importance of fasting during Dhul-Hijjah, the actual sunnah is to increase all good deeds during the first ten days of this blessed month. So, make it a point to look for easy good deeds that you are capable of doing, whether it is donating to charity, visiting a shut-in, removing something harmful from the road, or reading extra Quran. No good deed is off-limits during these blessed days, and almost anything can be a good deed when it is done with a pure intention for the sake of Allah.
The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." [Bukhari]
From: http://www.performhajj.com/checklist/index.php
JazakAllah Khair
Wa Alaykum Salam
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