The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

Dhul-Hijjah is the month of Hajj and it is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar year. It is during this month that the Hajj occurs. This month has got various virtues and particularly its first ten days.

“And remember Allah during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.” (Al-Baqara: 203)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special time for devotion. During these ten days, most of the Hajj rites occur. The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, and the 10th day is Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Even for those who are not undertaking Hajj, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special time to remember Allah and increase the worship and persist in doing good deeds. They are the days of virtue and righteous deeds. It is the opportunity to correct one’s faults and ask Allah for forgiveness.

Hadith:

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have been preferred by Allah over all the other days of the whole year. Moreover, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Bukhari).

Quranic verses and Hadeeth indicate that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year. However,  the last ten days of Ramadan are considered better than them for they include Laylat al-Qadr (“the Night of Power”), which is better than a thousand months.
The virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja is based on many things. Allah himself swears an oath by them: “By the dawn; by the ten nights” (Al-Fajr 1,2)

Further, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds due to the virtue of these days and the season during which they are situated (Hajj season). He commanded Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allaah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allahu akbar”) during these days.

Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

These ten days include the Day of Arafah (Yawm Arafaah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years. These days also include the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahar).

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Source: go-makkah.com

Importance of Mina In Hajj

Importance of Mina In Hajj

This question also relates to how to perform Hajj. As every Muslim who has a desire and ability to perform the hajj should know how to perform hajj, consequently must know the importance of staying at Mina.

This is really an important thing to know why Mina has got importance regarding performing the Hajj and what Hajjis (Pilgrims) do at Mina while performing Hajj. Here we have tried to sum up the story behind this and the covered some actual reality Muslims face in Mina from around the world.

Mina is the best-known place for the role it plays during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than a Hundred Thousand air-conditioned and Teflon-coated tents are provided for accommodation to Hujjaj (Pilgrims). The tents are constructed to withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius. In the valley of Mina, there is a Jamarat Bridge, where Muslims perform the ritual of stoning the Devil i.e. Shaitan (Iblees).

The story behind stoning the Devil go backs to Prophet Ibrahim A.S when He A.S was going to slaughter his son Hazrat Ismail A.S to fulfill the order of Allah, the Iblees came in his way to make him convince not to scarify his son. However, Hazrat Ibrahim A.S didn’t bother the Devil and stoned him until the Iblees ran away.

Today Muslims of entire world practice the same in Mina, following the Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. He (A.S) tried to slaughter his son but Allah replace Ismail A.S neck with a sheep, Muslim also slaughter animals like sheep or goat to memorize His A.S scarifying in the way of Allah at the place of Mina, as it is one of the most important parts of the Hajj.

Usually, Muslims spends their first night in the Valley of Mina during the Hajj days. This ritual occurs from the eighth to the twelfth day of the Hajj i.e. Muslim must stay at least two days in Mina. However, at Mina, men and women are not allowed to sleep together.

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Source: hajjguides.com

Conditions for the person performing Hajj Badal

There are conditions without which Hajj Badal might not be accepted:

The person appointed to perform Hajj Badal must be a sane Muslim.

While entering into Ihram, he should make intention on behalf of the person for whom he/she will perform Hajj Badal.

Hajj Badal must be performed by the appointed person only unless he has been authorized to get it done by another person. In this case, he/she can send some else in his/her place.

The appointed person who performs Hajj Badal should perform Hajj according to the desire of the person who sent him (Hajj Al-Tamattu, Hajj Al-Qiran).

He must put on Ihram only on behalf of the person who sent him and not for himself.

The person appointed for Hajj should not miss any imperative (Fard) part of it as no type of compensation renders Hajj Badal validly performed.

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Source: go-makkah.com

The educational purposes of Hajj

The educational purposes of the Hajj are clearly embodied in the unique Quranic guidance to avoid the debates: “So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. (Surah Al-Baqara 197)

Islam came to teach people the true human values and moralities by following the prescriptions of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Hajj like all any other Islamic practice is full of symbolic acts and codes. The Muslim sacrifices his/her time, health and wealth in order to gain the satisfaction of the Almighty.  Thus, this endurance and sacrifices have got a crucial impact in educating the self to be patient during hardships. Hajj also teaches the Muslim not to be skimpy as he/she will spend his/her money for the sake of the Almighty.

It contributes to the familiarization of the self to be committed and respectful to time. No more waste of time as the pilgrim is limited and restricted to specific times during the performance of the rites. Equally, The Muslim has to take profit from the opportunity while he/she is in the holiest sites of the earth to establish friendship and for God’s sake relationships. The pilgrim has to try to examine and improve and even propose solutions for the Muslims dilemmas.

Islam wants Muslims to give up their bad habits via worship practices. Hajj as a pillar among the five pillars of Islam teaches Muslims to be highly respected. Rites are performed communally and pilgrims share their rooms with those they have never met before! This is the real solidarity between Muslims worldwide and particularly during Hajj.
Hajj represents a good opportunity to get used to constantly worship the Almighty by training oneself to pray, supplicate and remember Allah. It unites all the Muslims and strengthens them. It let them feel the greatness of their religion.

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Source: go-makkah.com