The month of Dhu-Hijjah has finally arrived. It is one of the months that have special merits in Islam. What are the reasons why we should take this month seriously, and what can we do to reap more rewards from Allah during this month? Read this article to find out more!
Table of contents
The Significance of Dhul-Hijjah
There are many reasons why the month of the month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the sacred months in Islam. On the subject of sacred months, Allah revealed in the Quran that there are four months that are considered sacred.
Indeed, the number of months with Allāh is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allāh [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong yourselves during them. (Quran Chapter 9 Verse 36).
These sacred months are Rajab, Dhul-Qaidah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram. In these months, if we commit wrongdoings, the sins will be bigger than in other months. Likewise, every act of good deeds that we do will be rewarded more in these sacred months.
Another reason why Dhul-Hijjah is important is because this is the month where Muslims who are able are obliged to make their hajj or major pilgrimage to Makkah. It is one of the pillars of Islam, and it was during the hajj season that Allah perfected the religion of Islam, as written by Ilmfeed. In this month, during the Prophet’s last pilgrimage, a verse was revealed by Allah.
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion. (Quran Chapter 5 verse 3).
The third reason why this month is special is because the first ten days are the days in which our righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in a hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (of Dhul Hijjah).”
In another narration, the rewards of good deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is even bigger than fighting for Allah’s cause, as narrated by Ibn Abbas:
“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” (Tirmidhi)
Based on the above description, there is no reason for us to take the month for granted. Let us do our best to strive for more rewards and Allah’s pleasure in this blessed month.
Five Things We Can Do to Reap More Rewards
In Islam, no good deeds are unaccounted. Even a bright smile in front of our brothers is counted as charity. To help you enliven the month of Dhul-Hijjah and reap more rewards, here are five things that you can do in Dhul-Hijjah.
Fasting
It is recommended to fast in Dhul-Hijjah, excluding the day of Eid Al-Adha and the three days after that. Moreover, there is a special day on the month of Dhul-Hijjah where fasting will expiate our sins.
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is an expiation (of sins) for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. (Ibn Majah).
Dhikr
Dhikr or remembering Allah can be done in many ways, for instance by repeating Allah’s names after obligatory prayers and reciting some prayers in the morning and evening. However, Muslims are recommended to glorify Allah’s name from the 9th day to the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah by reciting the what’s called Takbir Tashriq. The recitation of the takbir is as follows:
الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله والله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمد
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs praise).
Charity
One of the easiest ways to reap rewards from Allah is to spend our wealth for Allah’s cause. It does not have to be much as long as our intention is clear that we do it for Allah alone. In the Quran, Allah promises to compensate what we have spent in his cause.
Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” (Quran Chapter 34 verse 39).
Reciting Quran
Reciting the Quran is also an act of worship that is worth multiple rewards. In a hadith, through the Prophet’s words, Allah promises rewards for people who read each letter of the Quran. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten good deeds like it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is one letter, but rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” (Tirmidhi).
Even if you can’t read the Quran smoothly, you will still get immense rewards for your effort, as mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ: Narrated Aisha: “Such a person as recites the Qur’an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur’an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”
Qurban
While other acts of worship mentioned above can be done at any time, qurban is an act of worship that can only be done on Eid Al-Adha and the three following days. The significance of qurban, according to the Prophet ﷺ is so much that he forbade anyone who are able but doesn’t perform qurban from getting near his prayer place (Ibn Majah).
Moreover, the sacrifice that we perform reflects our obedience to Allah by following the example set by Prophet Ibrahim. It is also a manifestation of our gratitude for what Allah has bestowed us.
“Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muḥammad], al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [to Him alone].” (Quran Chapter 108 verse 1-2).
Conclusion
These are five out of many good deeds that you can do to reap extra rewards in the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah. You can also do a good deed by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises through ALAMI Sharia. ALAMI Sharia is a P2P funding platform that provides access to financing for Indonesian SMEs based on the principles of the Sharia not only by supporting halal enterprises but also by emphasizing fairness and transparence in every dealing and transaction.
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