The month of Dhul Hijjah has always been a notable event on our calendar. As a child, my first real memory of this month was the year my parents made the pilgrimage. More recently I feared having to leave my own kids to perform our pilgrimage and since performing Hajj 2 years ago, this blessed month has a special place in my memory and in my heart.
While the pilgrimage is the ultimate act to perform during these Blessed days, we shouldn’t restrict God’s mercy and blessing to the pilgrims alone. The Blessings of this month transcend the plains of the holy lands and we should all be striving to achieve more in them.
Eid-Ul-Adha has always lacked the enthusiasm and zeal with which we anticipate and celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr each year and I believe this is closely linked to the manner in which we spend the days leading up to it.
We spend an entire month sacrificing, reforming, reflecting and reciting in Ramadan which leaves us with a true appreciation of the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr. We need to apply this to Dhul Hijjah and in particular, these blessed 10 days so we can also earn the joy and blessings of the celebration of Eid-Ul-Adha.
10 tips for the greatest 10 days of the year:
- Reciting more Quran
- Reading and Reflecting on the meaning of the Quran
- Visiting the Musjid more often
- Optional prayers throughout the day/night
- Increased charity
- Reading and seeking Islamic Knowledge
- Increased Dhikr and the remembrance of Allah – particularly Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed*
- Optional Fasting – at least fasting on the day of Arafah.
- Hajj activities with the family**
- Teaching the kids about Hajj and the importance of Udhiya/Qurban
Think about how you spent the last ten nights of Ramadan… and do it again!
* Tahleel = La Ilaha Illallah, Takbeer = Allahu Akbar, Tahmeed = Alhamdulillah
** Check out some of our previous years Hajj activities here.
May we all benefit from the Blessed days of Dhul Hijjah and may the efforts of those who are performing Hajj be accepted.