Alhamdulilah we have started a new school year and it is at the blessed time of Dhul Hijjah. During this month we find Hajj (the pilgrimage), the day of Arafah and Eid-ul-Adha (The feast of sacrifice). Eid-ul-Adha commemorates accomplishment. Eid al-Adha also serves as a reminder of when Ibrahim peace be upon him was willing to sacrifice his son to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى.
The best thing you can do during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is to preform Hajj if it is possible. Many of us are student at the time so inshallah we will look into many more ways to earn Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى pleasure. These first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year and the most beloved to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى as they combine acts of worship in a way unlike any other time.
“There are no other days that are as great as these in the sight of Allah, the Most Sublime. Nor are there any deeds more beloved to Allah then those that are done in these ten days. So increase in tahlil (to say la illaha illallah), takbir (to say allahu akbar) and tahmid (to say alhumdulillah).” [Reported by at-Tabarani in al-Mu’jum al-Kabir]
Fasting
The most beneficial and convenient way for us is to fast all 9 and especially on the day of Arafah.
The Prophet said: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Prophet used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijja and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-Hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)
Fasting in general is a shield from many forms of fitnah. For most students being in a school environment is very distracting and a lot more distracting than other places. If you fast you close many doors of distraction; whether it is useless talking, watching useless shows, back biting, fighting, etc. It also helps you stay away from environments that promote haram acts. Fasting on campus helps you also save a lot of time and money you usually spend on food. With all the newly discovered time you can focus on studying (for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and collect good deeds.
Dhikr and Takbeer
An act of worship that is even easier than fasting is preforming dhikr and Takbeer. Say the Takbeer whenever you can and wherever you can (excluding washrooms). Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Bukhari).
There are a number of ways of making takbeer 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.
So say it in the masjid, in your home, on the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى. Revive the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten and earn great rewards for doing so.
More Act of Worship
Other ways to rack up on good deeds is to read Qur’an, stand in the night prayer, make sincere repentance, thank Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى, give charity and in general doing ALL good that is possible. We should seize this opportunity and beg Him Glorified and Exalted be He for His Divine Generosity and Mercy. We should ask Him as our Prophet peace be up on him, pbuh taught us “Our Lord, bless us with the best of this world and the best of hereafter and save us from the fire of Hell.” Return to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى by giving up all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes. Be regretful of your sins and disobedience and resolve to never return to sin and to firmly adhere to the path which Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى loves.
Eid Salah
And finally attend the Eid prayer. Eid only comes twice a year so it would be sad and a big waste of opportunity. We should be keen on practicing this Sunnah and performing it according to the teachings of our Prophet peace be up on him. Eid is a time of joy and happiness and we should be inclusive of all of our brothers and sisters who may not be as fortunate to have enough to enjoy this blessed occasion.
Eid-Ul- Adha at YorkU
Eid Charity Dinner at YorkU: YorkMSA will be hosting an Eid charity dinner inshaAllah. More information will be available on our facebook page closer to the event date which will be Friday October 2nd, 2015.
Eid Salah at YorkU: Location and time TBD
