The Excellence of Fasting during the first ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?" He (PBUH) replied, "Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it."

[Al-Bukhari]

Commentary:

 This Hadith brings out the following two points:

1. Righteous deeds done during the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are far better and more rewarding than righteous deeds done on other days of the year, because they are Hajj days in the sacred season of pilgrimage. Because of their excellence and importance, Allah (SWT) swore by them, thus: "By the Dawn; by the ten Nights..." (89:1, 2)

2. Jihad has immense importance in Islam.

Similarly in other hadith Abu Qatadah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of 'Arafah. He said, "It is expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year." [Muslim]

On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah called Yaum-'Arafah, the pilgrims are engaged in the remembrance of Allah and supplications as this is the most important worship of hajj. For this reason, fast is not desirable for them, but for other people, fast has a special merit. The importance and merit of this fasting can be judged from the fact that it expiates sins (minor) for two consecutive years: the previous year and the current year. 

Rituals of Hajj [3]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

4. Arafah

The Prophet (S) said, “Hajj is 'Arafah.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

The most important pillar of Hajj is Arafah. The pilgrim must be at 'Arafat on the ninth of dhil Hijjah after Dhuhr time. Anyone, who misses Arafaat day, his, or her, Hajj is void.

The Prophet said, "Hajj is only valid by attending `Arafah." [At-Tirmidhi]

Aishah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:  "There is no day on which Allah (swt) frees people from the Fire as He does on the Day of 'Arafah. He comes close and then He boasts to His angels: 'What are these people seeking?'" [Muslim, an-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah] 

Before Arafat the pilgrims go to Mina on the 8^th of Zilhaj. They pray Dhur to Isha and Fajr of the 9^th Zilhaj in Mina. In his report describing the Hajj of the Prophet (S), Jabir said: "Then, the Prophet (S) rode for Mina where he performed the Noon, Afternoon, Sunset, Night and Dawn prayers.” [Muslim]

The pilgrim should not waste his, or her, time during these great days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

"There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these (Ten) Days." Somebody asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihaad in Allah's way?" He replied: "Not even Jihaad in Allah's way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none." [Al-Bukhaari, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Maajah, Ahmad and ad-Daarimi]

The Messenger (SAW) also said: "There are no other days that are greater before Allah (swt), or that good deeds are more beloved to Him in them, than these Ten Days, so say in plenty Tahleel (laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu lillaah)." [Ahmad & at-Tabarani; authentic] 

On the 9th of Dhul-Hajjah, the pilgrim goes to 'Arafat and prays Dhuhr and 'Asr with the Imam.

Obligatory actions:

- The presence in Arafaat on the 9th of dhul-Hijjah between Dhuhr and Maghrib is essential.
- Sleeping in Muzdalifah after spending the day in 'Arafaat.
- Throwing pebbles at Jamrat al-'Aqabah on the 10th day of dhil-Hijjah.
- Shaving off the hair of the head or cutting some of it after the stoning at Jamrat - al-'Aqabah. After this, the pilgrim ends his state of Ihraam and can wear regular clothes and put perfume and clip the nails…etc, but intimate intercourse is not allowed until the Ifaadah Tawaaf is performed.


Observing fast in this day is very well recommended for those who are not in Hajj. The Prophet (SAW) said,
"Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the subsequent one. And fasting the Day of 'Aashooraa' expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim and others]

Rituals of Hajj [2]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

2. Tawaaf

Allah Almighty says, "Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (22:29)

Tawaaf is the act of circuiting and circumambulating seven times around the Ka'bah in an anti-clockwise direction. Intention and wudu are necessary conditions for tawaf. The seven rounds should be continued without interruption except in case of necessity.

3. Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa:

Sa'y is to walk between as-Safaa and al-Marwa hills back and forth with the intention of dedicating this act of obedience to Allah. Allah (swt) says,

"Behold! As-Safaa and al-Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows." (2:158)
Describing the Hajj performed by the Prophet (SAW), Jabir (RA) narrated, "Then, he - the Prophet (S) - got out from the door heading for As-Safaa, then, recited the above Qur'anic aayah. Then, he (S) said, "We begin with what Allah began." Then, he mounted as--Safaa until he faced the House and there he glorified Allah (i.e. raised his voice) saying "Allahu Akbar!" three times then" Laa ilaaha illa Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahul-Mulku walahul- Hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu, Sadaqa Wa'adahu, wa nasara 'abadahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba wahdah!."
"There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner, to Him is the dominion and all praise is due to Him. We are returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating, and to Allah we are very grateful. Allah is true to His promise, He gave victory to His servant and defeated the confederates all by Himself."

Habibah bint Abi Taghrah (r) heard the Prophet (S) saying to his companions,

"Perform Sa`ay for Allah Almighty has ordained it upon you." [Ahmad]

Rituals of Hajj [1]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

Among the rituals there are some obligatory actions called ‘al-Waajibaat’, the conditions called ‘as-Shuroott’, and the etiquette called ‘al-Aadaab’ as well as some important ‘Sunnah’. If one of the rituals is not performed then everything should be redone whether for Hajj or Umrah. If the obligatory actions are not done, the pilgrim has to offer an animal, or fast ten days if he, or she, cannot afford. There are also actions called ‘al-Mahdhoorat’ are forbidden, if done they can spoil the duties of Hajj or make the Hajj void.

1.      Ihraam

A.     Obligatory actions

Under the obligatory actions following are the duties that should be performed without forgetting any.

a.        Al-Miqaat

Ihraam for Hajj is worn at Miqaat. It is the place where Ihraam is worn and the intension (niyat) for hajj or umrah is made. There are several points appointed by Prophet Muhammad to serve as Miqaat:  Dhul-Hulaifah for the people of Madinah - Al-Juhfah - Raabigh - for the people of Shaam - Qarn Al-Manaazil for the people of Najd - Yalamlam for the people of Yemen - Dhaatu 'Irq for the people coming from Iraq.

b.      Ihraam garment

Male: A Muhrim wears two seamless sheets - towels - preferably white similar to the shroud. Anything seamed is not allowed to be worn for men. Nothing can be put on one's head such as hats or turbans. No shoes or socks are allowed on the feet.

Women: Women wear regular modest Hijaab, which is not perfumed or colorful. They are not allowed to wear the face cover and the gloves.

c.       Talbiyyah

"Labbayka-Allahummma labbayk, Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-Hamda wanni'mata laka wal-Mulk, laa shareeka lak!"

After making the niyat of haj or umrah one has to recite the above talbiyaah.

B.     Sunnahs of Ihraam

These are a few Sunnah that Muslim remembers while preparing for ihram.
1- Taking a ghusl - ritual bath - before Ihraam

2- Wearing a white Ihraam garment.
3- Entering into the state of Ihraam right after a compulsory or supererogatory prayer.
4- Clipping the nails, trimming the mustache, shaving the hair

5- Repeating the Talbiyah very often.
6- Making du'aa and Salaat on the Messenger of Allah (S).