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Sunday, October 02, 2011
FIRST TEN (10) DAYS OF ZHUL HIJJAH
🌿 ═══════════ 🔶ذُو الْحِجَّةِ🔶 ═══════════ 🌿
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗛𝗨𝗟-Ḥ𝗜𝗝𝗝𝗔𝗛
Ḥajj • ʿArafah • ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā • Uḍḥiyah • The Days of Tashrīq
A Student-Friendly Guide to the Virtues, Worship and Rulings of the Entire Season
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🔶 ❶ THE MOON SIGHTING AND THE BEGINNING OF DHUL-ḤIJJAH
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Dhul-Ḥijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month of Ḥajj, ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā and the prescribed sacrifice of Uḍḥiyah.
The beginning of the month is determined through the Islamic lunar calendar and the accepted method of establishing the new moon.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When you see it, fast, and when you see it, end the fast.”
📖 : Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1909; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1081.
The ḥadīth concerns the sighting of the crescent for the lunar month of Ramaḍān.
🔹 SHOULD EVERY COUNTRY FOLLOW THE SAME MOON SIGHTING?
Muslim scholars have discussed whether a sighting in one region applies to distant regions or whether differences in horizons should be considered. There is a recognised difference of opinion on this matter.
Therefore, Muslims should follow the reliable Islamic authority or recognised moon-sighting body serving their community. The beginning of Dhul-Ḥijjah determines the dates of the first ten days, the Day of ʿArafah and ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā for that community.
Do not assume that every country must automatically follow Saudi Arabia, nor assume that all scholars agree on strictly local sightings. Follow sound scholarly guidance and avoid disputes.
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🔷 ❷ THE GREAT VIRTUE OF THE FIRST TEN DAYS
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The first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah are among the most virtuous days of the Islamic year. Allah has honoured them with opportunities for worship, remembrance, fasting, charity and other righteous deeds.
Allah says:
وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
“By the dawn, and by theten nights.”
📖 — Sūrah al-Fajr, 89:1–2
A number of early scholars of tafsīr explained that the ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Ḥijjah. Other explanations have also been transmitted regarding these verses.
🔹 RIGHTEOUS DEEDS ARE ESPECIALLY BELOVED
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنهما، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said :
That righteous deeds performed during these ten days are more beloved to Allah than those performed during other days.
The Companions asked whether this included jihād in the path of Allah. He explained that even jihād is not an exception, except for the person who goes out with his life and wealth and returns with neither.
📖 Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 757.
This ḥadīth encourages Muslims to make the most of every day of this blessed period.
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❸ DEEDS TO PERFORM THROUGHOUT THE TEN DAYS
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The first ten days are not limited to one particular act of worship. Muslims should increase their good deeds throughout the period, according to their ability.
🔹 PRAYER AND THE QUR’AN
Guard the five daily prayers, perform them on time and increase your voluntary prayers where possible. Read the Qur’an, learn its meanings and reflect upon its guidance.
🔹 DHIKR, TAKBĪR AND TAHMĪD
Remember Allah frequently by saying:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar — Allah is the Greatest.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Al-ḥamdu lillāh — All praise belongs to Allah.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
Subḥānallāh — Glory be to Allah.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Lā ilāha illā Allāh — There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
🔹 CHARITY AND GOOD CHARACTER
Give charity, help the poor, maintain family ties, visit the sick, seek forgiveness, repent from sins and treat people with kindness.
🔹 FASTING
Voluntary fastingis a righteous deed during the first nine days for those able to fast. The tenth day is ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā, when fasting is prohibited.
The specific virtue of fasting the Day of ʿArafah is established in authentic ḥadīth and is discussed below.
The important principle is to worship Allah sincerely and according to the Sunnah, without assuming that every reported virtue has the same level of authenticity.
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🟣 ❹ ḤAJJ — THE GREAT PILGRIMAGE
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Dhul-Ḥijjah is the month in which Muslims from across the world gather in Makkah to perform Ḥajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who meets its conditions and is able to undertake it.
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House, for whoever is able to find a way thereto.”
📖 — Sūrah Āl ʿImrān, 3:97.
🔹 THE MAJOR RITES OF ḤAJJ
The rites include entering iḥrām,standing at ʿArafah, spending the night at Muzdalifah according to the prescribed rulings, stoning the Jamārāt, offering the sacrifice where required, shaving or shortening the hair, and performing ṭawāf and saʿy as required by the pilgrim’s type of Ḥajj.
The precise sequence and obligations differ according to the type of Ḥajj and the circumstances of the pilgrim. Those intending to perform Ḥajj should learn its rulings from a reliable teacher before travelling.
🔹 THE DAY OF ʿARAFAH
The ninth of Dhul-Ḥijjah is the Day of ʿArafah. Standing at ʿArafah is an essential pillar of Ḥajj. It is a day of supplication, repentance and seeking Allah’s mercy.
The Day of ʿArafah is distinct from the Day of Sacrifice, which is the tenth of Dhul-Ḥijjah.
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🟠 ❺ THE DAY OF ʿARAFAH — FASTING AND FORGIVENESS
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For Muslims who are not performing Ḥajj, fasting on the Day of ʿArafah is a highly recommended act of worship.
Abū Qatādah al-Anṣārī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of ʿArafah.
He replied that it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.
📖 Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1162.
This is a tremendous opportunity to seek forgiveness from Allah. Scholars explain that the expiation of sins does not remove the need for sincere repentance from major sins or the fulfilment of people’s rights.
🔹 WHICH DAY SHOULD A PERSON FAST?
Because the date of ʿArafah is established through the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims should follow the recognised date adopted by their local religious authority in accordance with its method of determining the month.
The pilgrim standing at ʿArafah has a different situation from someone fasting at home. Fasting on that day is not generally recommended for pilgrims if it weakens them from performing the rites of Ḥajj.
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🟢 ❻ THE ARRIVAL OF ʿĪD AL-AḌḤĀ
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The tenth of Dhul-Ḥijjah is Yawm al-Naḥr,the Day of Sacrifice. Muslims celebrate ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā through prayer, takbīr, gratitude, sacrifice where prescribed, sharing food and maintaining family ties.
🔹 RECOMMENDED PRACTICES ON ʿEĪD
Muslims should prepare for the prayer, maintain cleanliness, wear clean and suitable clothing, and proceed to the ʿĪd prayer in accordance with the Sunnah and the guidance of their scholars.
For the person intending to offer Uḍḥiyah, it is recommended not to eat before the ʿĪd prayer until returning to eat from the sacrifice, following the Prophetic practice where possible.
Buraydah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not go out on the day of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr until he had eaten, and on the day of ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā he would not eat until he returned.
📖 : Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 542; Sunan Ibn Mājah, 1756.
The report concerns the Prophetic practice on the two ʿĪd days.
The ʿĪd prayer should be performed according to the established practice of the community and the school of jurisprudence followed.
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🔶 ❼ UḌḤIYAH — THE WORSHIP OF SACRIFICE
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Uḍḥiyah, commonly called Qurbānī, is the prescribed animal sacrifice offered during the days of ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā. It is an act of devotion, obedience and gratitude to Allah.
The sacrifice recalls the submission of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام and the trial in which he was prepared to obey Allah’s command. Allah relieved him and provided a sacrifice.
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”
📖 — Sūrah al-Anʿām, 6:162.
🔹 WHAT IS THE RULING OF UḌḤIYAH?
The scholars differ regarding its legal classification. The Ḥanafī school considers Uḍḥiyah obligatory for a qualifying person who meets its conditions. Other schools generally classify it as a strongly recommended Sunnah for those able to offer it.
The details of eligibility and financial conditions also require proper study. Each adult should seek guidance about their own responsibility rather than assume that another family member’s sacrifice automatically fulfils it.
🔹 WHO MAY SHARE AN ANIMAL?
A sheep or goat generally represents one person’s sacrifice, although the reward may be intended for others as permitted by the relevant rulings. A cow or camel may be shared by up to seven participants under the recognised conditions.
For a shared animal, participants should agree on their intentions and shares before the sacrifice, and the distribution of the meat should be carried out fairly.
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🟣 ❽ THE DAYS AND TIME OF SACRIFICE
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The sacrifice must take place within its prescribed time. It is not valid as Uḍḥiyah merely because an animal is slaughtered at another time of the year.
The Day of Sacrifice is the tenth of Dhul-Ḥijjah. The following days are also relevant to the time of sacrifice, but the recognised schools differ on the final day.
In the Ḥanafī school, Uḍḥiyah is performed on the tenth, eleventh or twelfth of Dhul-Ḥijjah. Other schools recognise the thirteenth as an additional day of sacrifice.
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said that the first thing to do on that day was to perform the ʿĪd prayer, then return and offer the sacrifice.
📖 : Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 976.
A sacrifice performed before the ʿĪd prayer does not fulfil Uḍḥiyah according to the general ruling established in the authentic narrations. Those in places where the ʿĪd prayer is not held should seek guidance from a qualified scholar concerning the applicable timing.
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🟢 ❾ SELECTING THE ANIMAL AND SLAUGHTERING CORRECTLY
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The animal must belong to an eligible category, meet the required age and be free from serious defects that invalidate the sacrifice.
The recognised categories include sheep, goats, cattle and camels. The required age differs according to the animal, and there are detailed rulings about defects, illness and other conditions. Check these requirements with a qualified scholar or reliable Islamic authority before purchasing the animal.
“So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses.”
📖 — Sūrah al-Anʿām, 6:118.
The person slaughtering should mention the name of Allah. The familiar wording is:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillāh, Allāhu akbar.
“In the name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.”
The slaughter must be carried out humanely and in accordance with the Islamic requirements. The animal should not be mistreated, and the slaughterer should be properly trained.
It is permissible to appoint someone else to perform the slaughter on one’s behalf, provided the necessary authorisation and conditions are met.
🔹 CAN THE MEAT OR SKIN BE SOLD?
The meat, skin or other parts of the sacrificial animal should not be sold for personal profit.
The butcher should not be paid for the slaughtering service with a portion of the animal as wages.
A separate gift may be given where permissible, but it must not be used as a substitute for the agreed payment.
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💠 ❿ DISTRIBUTING THE MEAT OF UḌḤIYAH
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The sacrifice is not merely about slaughtering an animal. It is also an opportunity to feed one’s household, share with relatives and neighbours, and assist people who are struggling.
“So eat from them and feed the contented and the needy who asks.”
📖 — Sūrah al-Ḥajj, 22:36.
🔹 A PRACTICAL WAY TO DISTRIBUTE THE MEAT
A well-known and recommended arrangement is to divide the meat into three portions:
🟢 One portion for the household to eat.
🔷 One portion to give as gifts to relatives, friends and neighbours.
🟠 One portion to give in charity to the poor and needy.
This division into thirds is a recommended arrangement, not a universal fixed requirement in every school or circumstance. The precise rulings depend on the type of sacrifice and the school of jurisprudence followed.
🔹 IMPORTANT RULES
If a cow or camel is shared by several participants, the shares should be divided fairly according to the applicable rules.
Do not neglect the poor and needy when distributing the meat. The sacrifice is an opportunity to show gratitude to Allah and kindness to His creation.
The butcher must be paid separately for the work. The meat or skin must not be used as payment for the service.
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🟠 ⓫ TAKBĪR AL-TASHRĪQ — THE PRESCRIBED TAKBĪR
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Takbīr is among the important expressions of remembrance during this season. In the Ḥanafī school, Takbīr al-Tashrīq is recited once after every obligatory prayer, beginning after Fajr on9 Dhul-Ḥijjah and ending after ʿAṣr on 13 Dhul-Ḥijjah.
The detailed ruling and practice should be learned according to the school followed.
There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest.
Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.
🔹 WHY IS IT RECITED?
It reminds Muslims that Allah is greater than everything and that all praise and gratitude belong to Him. These days should be filled with remembrance rather than heedlessness.
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🟣 ⓬ THE DAYS OF TASHRĪQ — 11, 12 AND 13 DHUL-ḤIJJAH
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The days following the Day of Sacrifice are known as the Days of Tashrīq. They are days of eating, drinking, gratitude and remembering Allah.
ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the Day of ʿArafah, the Day of Sacrifice and the Days of Tashrīq are occasions of celebration for the Muslims and are days of eating and drinking.
Fasting is prohibited on the Day of ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā and on the Days of Tashrīq, with a specific concession reported for certain pilgrims who cannot find the required sacrificial offering.
Muslims should continue their prayers, takbīr, gratitude and good conduct throughout these days.
🌿 ════════ 💠KEY POINTS 💠 ════════ 🌿
🟢 Dhul-Ḥijjahbegins according to the accepted Islamic method of establishing the lunar month. Follow reliable local scholarly guidance.
🔷 The first ten days are a special opportunity for prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, fasting and remembrance.
🟣 Ḥajj is a pillar of Islam for those who meet its conditions and have the ability to perform it.
🟠 The Day of ʿArafah is on 9 Dhul-Ḥijjah. Fasting it is highly recommended for those not performing Ḥajj.
🔶 ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā falls on 10 Dhul-Ḥijjah. The sacrifice must be offered within the prescribed time and according to its conditions.
💠 The rules of Uḍḥiyahinclude selecting an eligible animal, slaughtering correctly and distributing the meat responsibly.
🟢Takbīr and remembrance continue through the Days of Tashrīq, which are also days of eating and drinking.
“Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
📖 — Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:127.
May Allah allow us to benefit from the blessed days of Dhul-Ḥijjah, accept our Ḥajj and sacrifices, forgive our sins, feed the poor through our generosity, and grant us sincerity in every act of worship. Āmīn.
🌿 AHMADTRINI • MADRASA IBN ABBAS 🌿
REMEMBER • REFLECT •PREPARE
Share beneficial knowledge and encourage others towards righteous deeds, seeking the pleasure of Allah.
Masha allah very comprehensive and detailed work on the topic .May Allah reward you immensely and make it beneficial for people
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