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. 

Virtues of Umrah

Umrahis a Sunnah act of worship. It is known as minor hajj and can be performed during any time of year except the five days of hajj. Stepping out of the homes in the path of Umrah is considered as pilgrimage until the performer reaches back home. In a hadith the Holy Prophet (PBUH) says: “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah (SWT). If they call Him, He answers them and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.” This hadith clearly shows the great significance of Umrah and how much Allah (SWT) loves those who sacrifice their time and wealth for His cause. In another hadith, the Prophet (SWS) says:

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘An Umrah to another Umrah will be redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

The above hadith implies that a Muslim should perform umrah multiple times in a life so that the sins committed in between them are forgiven. In order to truly understand the virtues related to Umrah lets have a look at the hadith about the great blessings and rewards of performing Umrah.

1.       Performing Umrah removes poverty because the time and wealth spend for completing the deeds are purely for the sake of Allah.

Ibne Mas’ood (RA) said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold and silver.’ (Tirmidhi, Ibne Khuzaimah, Ibne Hibbaan)

Umar bin Khattab said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Follow up between the Hajj and Umrah, because certainly succession between the two of them increases the life span and dispels poverty and sins as fire removes impurities.’ (Baihaqi)

2.       Muslims such as old, weak and women who cannot perform jihad but wish to do so can do by performing hajj and umrah. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The Jihad of the elderly, weak and the woman is undertaking the Hajj and Umrah.’ (Nasaai)

3.       Umar bin ‘Abasa (RA) relates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Two actions are considered to be the most virtuous of actions, unless if someone performs them in the same way. They are an accepted Hajj and an accepted Umrah.’

4.       Allah (SWT) loves those who strive in his path in hopes of pleasing Him alone and Umrah is an act in which Allah (SWT) considers the pilgrim to be answering His call.

Ibne Umar (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The warrior in the cause of Allah, the pilgrim and the one who is performing Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He called them and they responded and they will ask of His bestowals and He will give it to them.’ (Ibne Majah, Ibne Hibbaan)

Fear of Allah

Allah is both merciful and forgiving. He forgives the sins on repentance and shows the right path. A person should keep Allah’s forgiveness in mind and do righteous deeds. However, an equally important thing is to keep within context is fear. Hope of mercy and fear of Allah’s wrath are like the wings of a bird, and a believer has to keep them balanced. The messenger of Allah and Quran told about stories and events that not only bought good tidings but also fear and dread of Allah’s rage on those who disobeyed Him. A person must be expectant when he reflects on the Mercy of Allah, and likewise be apprehensive of Allah’s wrath when reflecting on his own sins. Mans faith is in a constant state of rebellion to the orders of Allah and his own desires. A believer’s faith strengthens and his certainty increases with the fear of Allah. In Quran Allah has promised paradise and luxuries for those who follow him and has threatened with hell and hardships to those who disobey Him.  

The most sensitive time in a believer’s age is youth. This is the time of adolescence in which they can be lead astray from seerat-e-mustaqeem (the right path) easily and vulnerably. Thus a person should fear Allah so as to be saved from sins. On the contrary, a person should turn hopeful of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness when getting old because death is looming near. The person should turn to repentance and hence be desirous of Allah’s forgiveness. One should remember Allah all the time that is in times of happiness, celebrations and sadness etc. Emotions run high and often people act against the will of Allah. 

Fear prevents a person from committing sins. Today, hearts are rusting due to the height of evils a man does. A state comes when hearts die out completely and nothing can make them alive except Allah if he wishes to do so. Good and bad deeds cannot go hand in hand. Good deeds and sins are taking place side by side for example it’s a good deed to offer prayer but on the way back home a person starts looking at forbidden things. Thus a good deed is wasted.   People engaged in both good and bad at the same time? This is because we don’t fear Allah as they should. Allah says in the Holy Quran: 

"O you who believe! Have Taqwa (fear) of Allah and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and will forgive you your sins and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement." [Soorah al-Ahzaab (33): 70]

and 

"Verily Allah accepts only from those who are the muttaqoon (those who posses Taqwa)." [Soorah al-Maaidah (19): 71-72]

Finally a Muslim should fear Allah the right way. He should not commit sins on the basis of asking mercy from Allah later on. Indeed Allah is the merciful and he forgives minor to major sins but that doesn’t mean we should test His temper because if He the Almighty decides to punish you then nothing in the world can save you. So fear him and avoid all those acts that He has forbidden.