3. AVOIDING DISTRACTIONS
There will be many things getting in our way & distracting us from our worship. But we must take all necessary precautions & measures in order to avoid any possible distractions.
The first thing we must do is to avoid major distractions like TV for a month or at least as much as possible. Putting away games consoles. If we meet with friends then we must try not to get into useless & idle discussions. Not going to places like the mall or high street’s unless it is absolutely necessary.
We should spend as little time as possible on things other than worship. We should fulfil our daily duties as quickly as possible & spend as much time as possible in worshiping Allah.
4. FASTING THE FIRST 9 DAYS, ESPECIALLY THE DAY OF `ARAFAH (9TH)
The scholars have concurred that it is recommended to fast during the first nine days of Dhu’l Hijja.
Note: The tenth day of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha and is prohibitively disliked and sinful to fast on this day. [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`; Nawawi,Majmu`; Fatawa Hindiyya; Haskafi, Durr al-Mukhtar; Dardir,al-Sharh al-Saghir]
Of all the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah it is particularly recommended to fast on the Day of `Arafah (9th of Dhu’l Hijjah), even for the one on Hajj (in the Hanafi school), if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`]
FORGIVENESS FOR 2 YEARS OF SINS (MINOR SINS) FOR FASTING ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH.
Abu Qatada (Ra) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah (f: 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah) expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming. And fasting the Day of `Ashura (f: 10th of Muharram) expiates for the past year.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]
So we should try our best to fast all 9 days of Dhul Hijjah particularly the 9th which is the day of Arafah. If we cannot fast all 9 days then we should try and fast as many of the 9 days as possible particularly the 9th which is the day before Eid Ul Adha.
5. RECITE THE QUR’AN ABUNDANTLY
We should try our best to read as much of the Holy Qur’an as is possible especially during the daytimes of the first 10 days of Dhu Hijjah. We should aim to try and complete the whole Qur’an within this period which is around 3 Juz (chapters) a day. Every action is judged upon its intention so even if we do not complete the entire Qur’an we should at least intend to do so for Allah looks for every excuse to reward his servants and may reward us like we completed the whole Qur’an if he wanted to for he is most generous and will reward his servants as much as he wants.
Anas (Ra) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever reads the Quran, Allah grants that person ten good deeds for every letter. And for one who hears the Qur’an being recited, Allah grants a good deed for every letter, and such a person will be resurrected among those who will recite and ascend the stages of Jannah.”
Abbas (Ra) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam) said: “He who listens to one letter of the Quran, ten good deeds are recorded for him, ten sins are forgiven, and his status is elevated by ten stages.”
So if one letter of the Qur’an is equivalent to ten good deeds then imagine how much reward there is for reading each letter in these blessed 10 days which are said to be the best days of the year! Subhanallah!
Note: We should try & recite Surah Ya-sin everyday particularly after Fajr time. We should also try to recite Surah Mulk before going to sleep & Surah Kahf every Jumma. Other very rewarding Surahs we can recite much of are Surah’s Zilzalah, Al Kaafirun & Al Ikhlas
Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (RA) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A)
Therefore let us recite as much of the Qur’an as we can in these first ten days and nights of this month and aim to finish at least one Qur’an if we can. Then let us continue reciting the Qur’an throughout the rest of the year, for there is no better worship of Allah than to recite the Qur’an!
6. WORSHIPPING THE 10 DAYS AND THE NIGHTS OF THE 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH OF DHUL HIJJAH
Scholars have concluded that the days (between Fajr and Maghrib) of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year, even more so than the days of Ramadan. Therefore we should increase ourselves in worship during these blessed 10 days by fasting the 9 days, doing excessive Dhikr, reciting the Qur’an, making Dua and sincerely repenting as much as possible.
Jannat becomes incumbent on those who worship during the nights of the 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah:
Mu’ãdh Ibn Jabal (Ra) relates that Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Jannat is wãjib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘Ibãdah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Zul Hijjah, the night of ‘Eedul Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’bãn.” (Targheeb)
Therefore we should make utmose effort to worship Allah during these blessed nights. If we cannot worship in all 3 nights then we should at least worship as much as we can even if it is for an hour, half an hour etc. On the day of judgement we will look back and be in utter regret at the opportunities we missed to do good deeds. So grab the opportunity NOW and let us NOT be of those in utter regret saying..”Why didn’t i do so and so? I am truly in utter loss.”
WOMEN ON MENSES DURING THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF DHUL HIJJAH:
Those women who are on their menses during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah can still gain the same rewards by: fasting the days they are pure, make excessive Dhikr, Dua and repentance, listen to Qur’an, read Islamic books, listen to lectures, ponder and contemplate over the greatness of Allah, give in charity and serve their parents, relatives, families etc.