Making the Most of Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah is a month where there are many rewards to be gained, and sins to be forgiven. It is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar marking the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the commemoration of the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (sa). Even if you can't go to Hajj, don't let the benefits of these days pass you by. Here are five ways you can make the most of Dhul Hijjah:
1. Plenty of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Du'a
Reciting Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise) one hundred times a day will wipe away sins even if they are equal to the extent of the ocean. This can easily be broken down to fit our busy schedules by reciting it ten times before and after our five daily prayers
2. Seeking Forgiveness
This is a month in where Allah frees his slaves from the fire and descends to the lowest sky for the people seeking his forgiveness.
3. Fasting
Fasting the day of Arafah will extinguish the sins of the previous year and the coming year.
4. Giving charity
There are many rewards in giving charity, as it is not only beneficial for the person receiving it, the person giving is building their future in the next life while aiding the needy in this life. We are told that we never losing our wealth by giving in charity. Allah loves those who help the ones in need and in giving charity you help your brother and yourself. There is more reward in giving charity secretly but there is still plenty of reward in giving it openly, ‘If you disclose your Sadaqah, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you’. (Qur’an 2:271)
5. Kind Words and Deeds
The first ten days of this month are the best and most virtuous days of the year. In these days we should increase in our good deeds as the Prophet (saw) said, ‘there are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days’(Bukhari). As well as paying particular attention to studying the Qur’an and performing extra prayers, we should make a special effort to show kindness and good character towards our families, friends and neighbours as well as to those we don't even know. After all, we never know who will intercede on our behalf on the day of judgement.
