1. PRAYER – It is highly recommended to perform the obligatory acts at their prescribed times (as early as possible) and to increase oneself in the superogatory acts, for indeed, this is what brings a person closer to their Lord. The Messenger of Allah, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, said:
“Upon you is to increase in your prostration to Allah, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah with even one prostration, except that He raises you in degrees and decreases your sins because of it.”
—Reported by Muslim
2. FASTING – This has been mentioned as one of the acts of righteousness where Hanbada ibn Khalid reports on the authority of his wife who reports that some of the wives of the Prophet, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, said:
“The Prophet, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, would fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, the day of Ashura and three days in every month.”
—Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, An-Nisa’i and others
Imam An-Nawawi said that fasting in these ten days is extremely recommended.
3. Saying allahu akbar, la illaha illallah and alhamdulillah – It is found in the aforementioned narration of Ibn ‘Umar:
“So increase yourselves in saying la illaha illallah, allahu akbar and alhamdulillah.”
Imam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to go out to the markets in the ten days saying the takbir causing the people to follow them in this action.”
He also said:
“‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab used to say the takbir in his mimbar in Mina, whereupon the people of the mosque hearing ‘Umar, would start to say the takbir as would the people in the markets until the whole of Mina was locked in glorifying Allah.”
Ibn ‘Umar used to say the takbir in Mina during these ten days and after prayers, whilst on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and whilst walking. What is recommended is to say the takbir aloud due to the fact that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, his son and Abu Hurayrah used to do likewise, may Allah be pleased with them all.
Strive with us O Muslims in reviving this sunnah that has become lost in these times and it was almost forgotten, even amongst the people of righteousness and goodness all of which is unfortunately in opposition to what the best of generations were upon (preserving and maintaining the superogatory acts).
There are a number of ways of making takbir that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following:
Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar kabirun. Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wallahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd. Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd.
4. Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah – Fasting has been affirmed on the day of ‘Arafah, where it has been confirmed from the Prophet, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, that he said regarding fasting on the day of’Arafah:
“Be content with the fact that Allah will expiate for you your sins for the year before (the day of ‘Arafah) and the year after (the day of ‘Arafah).”
—Reported by Muslim
However, whoever is at ‘Arafah as a pilgrim then fasting is not expected of him, as the Prophet, SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, stopped at’Arafah to eat.
May the peace of Allah be upon his Prophet, the family of the Prophet and all of his companions.
Aameen!