Hajj Days Celebrations
by Haroon Saadiq Now a days Muslims are really fond of celebrating days like Valentine, Birthdays, New Years and Festivals etc. The only days not celebrated are the days of Allah. What a pity! Just for guidance, following are some ahadith regarding this issue.
- Narrated Ibn Abbas, The Prophet said:
" No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (First ten days of Dhul-Hijja). Then some companions of the Prophet 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' " [Sahih Al-Bukhari, The Book of Two Eid Festivals, Chapter: Superiority of (doing good) deeds on the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijja). Ibn e Abbas recited the Holy verses; 'Remember Allah during the known days i.e. the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja and also the counted days i.e. the days of Tashriq'. Ibn Umar and Abu Huraira used to go out to the market saying Takbeer during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja and the people would say Takbeer after their Takbeer. Muhammad bin Ali used to say Takbeer after Nawafil]
- Umm Salama, the wife of Allah's Apostle reported Allah's Messenger to have said:
" He who has a sacrificial animal with him whom (he intends) to offer as sacrifice, and he enters the month of Dhul-Hijja, he should not get his hair cut or nails trimmed until he has sacrificed the animal " [Sahih Muslim, The Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: It is not permissible for one who intends to sacrifice the animal to get one's hair or nails cut after the beginning of Dhul-Hijja]
The same holds true for those who do not have a sacrifice. They can also be rewarded with Allah's Mercy if they follow the Prophet's advice. In a hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Amr (r.a), the Prophet (s.a.w) said to a person who did not possess any animal to sacrifice except for a "Maneeha" (milk producing female goat or camel):
" No (dont sacrifice that Maneeha), But cut your hair and clip off your nails and shorten your mustaches (by trimming them) and shave your pubic hair (all of this to be done on 10th of Dhul-Hijja after prayers). This will complete your sacrifice next to Allah The Glorified and Exalted." [Sunan Al-Nasai, The Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: Whoever does not posses a sacrifice]
- Abu Qatada Reported, The Prophet said (An excerpt from a long hadith):
" I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Arafah (i.e. 9th of Dhul-Hijja) will atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year " [Sahih Muslim, The Book of Fasting, Chapter: Excellence of observing fast for three days during every month, and fasting on the day of 'Arafah', and 'Ashura']
Sacrificing an animal on the 10th of Dhul-Hijja is the most important event. Although the majority performs this but still there is a group that is trying to instill doubts about it. Please read the article Misconceptions About Slaughtering (Qurbani) for details.
Please do celebrate these days by doing good deeds especially by proclaiming The Takbir as much as you can. Click Here to listen to the Takbir.
for Allah is Great; Allah is Great, and all Praise be to Him.
