First Ten Days of Zul Hijjah – Part 3 – Tahajjud, Taubah, Tilawat & Dua
4. Stand the Night in Salaah (Qiyaamul Layl)
Seeking Allah’s forgiveness and humbling ourselves in front of Him in supplication and prayers during the latter part of the night is an act of worship that is very beloved to Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He.
Allah Almighty calls out to His servants in the latter part of the night: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhaari, Muslim)
We should seize this opportunity and beg Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, for His Divine Generosity and Mercy. We should ask Him as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam taught us “Our Lord, bless us with the best of this world and the best of hereafter and save us from the fire of Hell.”
Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned that Jannat becomes waajib for that person who worships Allah Ta’ala on five nights. i.e. The night of Tarwiya ( 8th of Thul Hijja), the night of Arafah (9th of Thul Hijja), the night of nahr (10th of Thul Hijja), the night of Eid ul Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’baan.
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu relates that the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]
5. Make Sincere Repentance
Allah Ta’aala loves those who repent to Him in complete submission. The act of sincere repentance to Allah with intention to never return to His disobedience and sin is very dear to Him. Return to Allah by giving up all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes. Be regretful of your sins and disobedience and resolve to never return to sin and to firmly adhere to the path which Allah loves. Remember that the repentful sinner is better than the proudful worshipper.
Allah Ta’aala says, “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [Al-Qasas 28:67]
6. Return to the Book of Allah (The Quran)
It is time to dust off your copy of the Quran. Establish a beautiful new relationship with the book of Allah starting in these ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Recite its verses and you will reap its blessings. Understand its message. Implement the commandments of this book in your life. This relationship with the Quran will open for you the doors of wisdom and happiness in your life. This will ultimately lead to guidance and success in this life and the Hereafter.
7. Increase in doing ALL good deeds
If you are not able to perform Hajj this year, occupy yourself during these blessed days by any and every possible good deed. Every act that is done with sincerity for the pleasure of Allah Ta’aala will bring you closer to Him.
“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it; and whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.“ [Al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners…” (Tirmidhi)
8. Make lots of Du’a
Make as much du’a as you can during these blessed days, especially on the day of Arafah. The best du’a is that which is made on the day of Arafah:
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (Radiallahu Anhu) that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:
“The best of du’a is du’a on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Ambiyaa before me said is ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things).” (Tirmidhi)
9. One must perform Qurbaani if Qurbaani is waajib on him.
Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:
“There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta’ala during the days of Qurbaani than the spilling of blood (i.e. the sacrificing of animals). The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Qiyaamah with its horns, hair and hooves (to be weighed) .The sacrifice is accepted by Allah Ta’ala before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, carry out the Qurbaani in a condition that your heart is pleased and happy to fulfil the command of Allah Ta’ala.”
“Whoever has the capacity to sacrifice and does not do so, should not come to the place where the Eid prayer is offered.” Ibn Majah Shareef
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best and is All Seeing and All Hearing. May He inspire us and grant us the great favour of practising on all that His beloved Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has been sent with and may He accept all of our efforts and sacrifices. Aaameen.
