Important Advice for the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah & 10 Points on Qurbani

By
Shaykh al-Hadith Hadhrat
Maulana Abdul Raheem
Hafizahullah

• In the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, we should try to spend as much time in Ibādah as possible.

• It is of great benefit to keep as many fasts as you can during this time. If you are not able to, then you should at least fast on the Day of Arafah. The sins of both the previous year and the following year will be forgiven, inshā Allah, for those who fast on Arafah. A single fast in these 10 days is equal to fasting for one year.

• Pray Tahajjud. In one Hadith, it is stated that praying Tahajjud in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah is equivalent to praying Tahajjud on Laylatul Qadr. May Allah grant us Tawfeeq.

• Allah Subhanu Wa Ta’āla loves good actions in these days such as Salah, Fasting, Tasbīh, Tilāwat, Takbīr & Tahlīl. Thus we should keep ourselves busy in Dhikr & good deeds.

• Abu Uthman al-Nahdi (R.A) mentions that our pious predecessors would regard 3 Asharas (10 day periods) to be extremely important:

1) The Last 10 Days of Ramadhan
2) The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah
3) The First 10 Days of Muharram

• The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (the Day of Arafah) will take place on Tuesday 27th June 2023 & Eid’ul Adha will be on Wednesday 28th June 2023.

• Men should pray Salah in congregation in the Masjid.

• Try to give as much Sadaqah (charity) as one is able to. You can automate your donations using the link below:

https://dhulhijjahgiving.com/tafseer-raheemi

Preparations should be made for Qurbani.

Apart from Hajj, the greatest action a Muslim can carry out in the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah is to offer the Udhiyah (qurbani/sacrifice).

Umm Al-Mu’minīn Aisha (Radhiallahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said:

“A human can do no action from the actions of the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah than sacrificing an animal. On the Day of Judgement, it will come with its horns, hair, and hooves, and its blood will be accepted by Allah before it even falls upon the ground, so let your heart delight in it.” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi)

10 points on Qurbani:

1) Qurbani is a Sunnah of the Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salām).

2) Qurbani is Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who would perform Qurbani using the best and most expensive of animals on behalf of the Ummah since his migration to Madinah Munawwarah.

3) Qurbani is Wājib on the person who is Bāligh (mature) and sane, and who meets the nisāb criteria.

4) Qurbani can only be performed on the 10th, 11th & 12th of Dhul Hijjah. If someone performs Qurbani after this, it will only count as Nafl Sadaqah. The time of Qurbani starts after the Eid Salāh.

5) It is more virtuous to perform the Qurbani oneself. The next most virtuous act is to be present at the time of Qurbani, but it is also permissible to make someone carry it out on your behalf.

6) The intention of Qurbani should be to please Allah Ta’āla. Thus we should not look for the cheapest animal, and if Allah has blessed us with wealth then a larger Qurbani should be made.

7) Those carrying out their Qurbani abroad should also try to do one locally so that the younger generation learn its importance.

8) Due to lambing season, we should avoid lamb Qurbanis, and instead purchase sheep.

9) We should also ensure that the animal is not hurt or injured.

10) Try to distribute your Qurbani in 3 parts: one for yourself, one for your family/friends/neighbours, and one for the poor.

May Allah grant us the Tawfīq to make the most out these blessed days.