Many people don’t know that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are better in the sight of than all the other days of the year, with no exception. They are even better than the days of , SubhanAllah! The Prophet said, “No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah...” (Bukhari) Maybe you feel that you could have done more during Ramadan? Perhaps you’ve since let go of that Ramadan feeling? Well, these beloved ten days offer another chance to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven and reach great levels of piety, Insha'Allah. Deeds equal to and Umrah Nothing of course can equal physically performing Hajj Hajj and worshipping Allah in such a blessed place, but One of the best deeds that one can do during out of His generosity, He made the reward for certain these ten days is to perform Hajj actions similar to the reward of a Hajj. Alhamdulillah!

Those who’ve been on Hajj know the beauty of entering Ihram (the sacred Remembering Allah from Fajr until Ishraq state), the journey to Mina and the blessed prayers on the day of 'Arafah in the Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever prays Subh (Fajr) in congregation site of Allah . They’ve experienced the joy of collecting pebbles, the stoning and then sits in the place where he prayed, remembering Allah until the sun of the Jamarat and in offering the farewell tawaf. rises and then prays two rakat has the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah.” He repeated “complete” three times. (Tirmidhi) When you decide to go on Hajj, it's important to learn each of the obligatory stages of ibadah, the actions and blessed invocations. Whilst we’re Fulfilling the needs of your brother or sister in lockdown, now is the perfect time to learn about all the conditions of Hajj. Hasan al-Basri said: “Going to fulfil the need of your brother is better for you than performing one Hajj after another.” (Sharhul Ihyaa) Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, undertaking Hajj will not be possible for many people. However, we can learn about how to fulfil this sacred pillar and prepare for the future Insha’Allah - as well as maximise on the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

In the lead up to Hajj, we’ll be sharing content online about the sacred rites via our website so you can remember what it was like or learn for a future pilgrimage Insha'Allah.

Find out more via our Virtual at: islamic-relief.org.uk/virtual-mosque Gain the rewards of the best days Anyone who was associated with Prophet Muhammad could not help but also be kind and generous. So his companions could not help but also be Benefits of Sadaqah kind and generous. Abu Bakr gave everything he had to help those in need. Sadaqah increases wealth, lengthens life, protects from

We are told: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother an evil death, gives bodily health and puts barakah into what you love for yourself” (Bukhari). It’s relatively easy to give what our wealth. There are so many benefits, SubhanAllah! we have, or to spare what we don’t want. But what about instead of getting something we want, like a new gadget or some clothes and Giving doesn’t decrease your wealth instead giving that money for those in need? “There is not a single day in which a servant wakes that two angels come down (from the Heavens). One of them says, ‘O’ Allah! Give to the one that spends a substitute (for what he has spent)’. And the other one says, ‘O Allah! Give to the one that withholds (his money) destruction!’” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Shield yourself against the fire Prophet Muhammad said: “Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half Sadaqah a date-fruit in charity.” (Bukhari) Your giving doesn’t have to be big. Allah knew that when the light of enters the heart, we look to how we can benefit others. So, He made it possible for anyone to contribute – even if it’s simply with a smile.

This is why the Prophet Muhammad told us: “Let not any of you belittle or look down upon a good deed, even if it be that you smile in the face of your brother.” (Muslim)

£50 can feed a Gain the rewards of the best days family for a month We’re advised to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, especially on the ninth day – the blessed day of ‘Arafah

The blessing of on the day of ‘Arafah is that Allah removes our wrongdoings from the previous year and the year to come, SubhanAllah! Fasting If we abstain from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations from dawn Fasting the days of Dhul Hijjah to sunset, then our fast will be accepted, Insha’Allah. The Prophet of Allah said: “There are no days more beloved to Allah that We should also guard our tongues from backbiting, spreading gossip, He be worshipped in them than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah, fasting every day obscenity and lies. Likewise, we must guard our ears and avoid listening to of them is equivalent to fasting a year; and standing every night of them (in such things. When we break our fast, we shouldn’t overeat to avoid becoming ) is equivalent to standing on the Night of Qadr“. (Tirmidhi ) lethargic, ensuring that we can get up and pray late night prayers such as Tahajjud. Fasting the day of 'Arafah Prophet Muhammad said: “Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation Finally, when we’ve finished our fast, we shouldn’t simply expect that it was for two years (of wrongdoings), the year preceding it and the year following 'good enough', but rather we should feel grateful to Allah. We should approach it.” (Muslim) all our ibadah with balance: between fear and hope – having hope in Allah, but also not taking His mercy for granted, so that we continue to strive to please Him.

Gain the rewards of the best days Benefits of seeking Repentance Allah’s forgiveness

We should call ourselves to account regularly Allah’s love and ask Allah for forgiveness “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him).” (Qur’an, 2:222)

Relief from hardship Prophet Muhammad said: “Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best “… Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Qur’an, 8:33) of those who commit sin are those who repent.” (Ibn Majah) Ease and sustenance We should also take some time to ask Allah to forgive all our sins and Prophet Muhammadsws said: “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from mistakes – including both those we know of and those we aren’t aware of. Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects The Hujjaj will be standing on the day of 'Arafah begging Allah for forgiveness not.” (Abu Dawud) and we can do the same from home. Just as the Hujjaj try their best to change their lives for the better after returning from Hajj, we too should commit to changing for the better.

We should sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness (Istighfar). We should also turn back to Allah with a sincere intention not to return to the original wrongdoing (Tawbah).

It is also important that if we have wronged an individual, we ask them for forgiveness and try to right the wrong. For example, if we have taken something, we should return it. Gain the rewards of the best days Make the most of the beloved days of Dhul Hijjah and fulfil your obligation to Allah - purify your wealth and give .

Allah calls upon us to purify our wealth and give Zakat to our brothers and sisters in need: “Who establish prayer ZakatThe Prophetsawssaid: (In order to enter Paradise) you should and give zakat, and they, of the Hereafter, are certain [in faith].” (Qur’an, 31:4) worship Allah and do not ascribe any partners to Him, offer prayer perfectly, pay the Zakat and keep good relations with Right now, millions of people all over the world are in your kith and kin." (Bukhari) desperate need of care. Vulnerable men, women and children are going cold, hungry and thirsty each and every day. Without a safe, warm home, hundreds of thousands of families will struggle to survive.

£89 can provide a family in conflict with emergency shelter Gain the rewards of the best days The Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten good deeds like Benefits of reading the Qur’an it. I do not say that alif-lam-meem is one letter, Guidance but rather alif is a letter, lam is a letter, and What better guidance is there than that of Allah and the Holy Qur’an: “… a meem is a letter.” (Tirmidhi) Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light…” (Qur’an, 14:1)

Calms the soul “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Qur’an, 13:28)

Qur'an Even more reward if you struggle “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he Imagine, if one single letter of the Qur'an equals ten good deeds, then picture will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one how great the reward is for reading these blessed letters during the beloved who finds difficulty, stammering or stumbling while reciting Qur’anic verses, days of Dhul Hijjah – the best days of the year! then he will get twice that reward.” (Bukhari) Let’s make the most of these beloved days and recite as much of the Holy Qur’an as we can, Insha’Allah. Intercession on the day of rising Prophet Muhammad said: “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” (Muslim) Once this blessed month ends, we should also strive to recite the Qur’an throughout the rest of the year. It’s such as wonderful form of worship to Allah. Remember: these sacred words that we utter will either testify for or against us. Let’s read and embody the Qur’an, Insha'Allah.

Gain the rewards of the best days Remember Allah Recite tasbeeh, tahmeed, tahleel Reciting the Takbeer of Shariq and takbeer abundantly (9th -13th Dhul Hijjah)

Did you know that it’s sunnah to recite takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahmeed Takbeer should be recited after your daily prayers, from the time following (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), and tasbeeh (SubhanAllah) in the Fajr salah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, up until Asr salah on the 13th of Dhul first ten days of Dhul Hijjah? Hijjah.

We should recite these blessed words in our homes, on the street – in fact, in Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illallahu wa Allahu every place where it’s halal to worship Allah! Akbar. Allahu Akbar, Laa lillahil Hamd.

“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah “Allah is The Greatest, Allah is The Greatest. There is no god on known days over what He has provided for them of (sacrificial) animals.” besides Allah and Allah is The Greatest. Allah is The Greatest (Qur’an, 22:28) and to Allah belongs all praise.”

No matter what you’re doing, try and remember to glorify Allah . Whether you’re working, relaxing or looking after your children – it’s a simple and immensely beneficial form of ibadah.

Gain the rewards of the best days When we lose a loved one, we want to remember them and increase their good deeds for when they meet Allah on the Day of Judgement. By offering Sadaqah Jariyah, you can carry on the blessed memory of a loved one and increase their record of good deeds, SubhanAllah! What better gift is there than the source of all life – water? Without water, we can’t survive. Yet each and Prophet Muhammadsawssaid: “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), knowledge from every day, a staggering 785 million people go thirsty. which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim) Help provide them with the gift of life by providing a source of safe, clean water for life. Sadaqah Jariyah

£120 can provide a family with water for life Gain the rewards of the best days Make sure you’re doing your fardh (obligatory acts) Before embarking on voluntary good deeds, we should make sure that we are fulfilling all of our obligations to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad said: “Allah said: ‘… the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Good Me, is what I have enjoined upon him’” (Bukhari) Praying in congregation Prophet Muhammadsawssaid: “The reward of the congregational prayer is twenty seven times greater than the prayer of a person praying alone." (Bukhari) deeds Increase your Du’a Prophet Muhammadsawssaid: “The most virtuous act of worship is If good deeds are more beloved to Allahsawsin the first supplication” (Tirmidhi). So increase the amount of Du’a you make to Allah ten days of Dhul Hijjah than ANY other days in the year, for yourself, your family, the Ummah and all those in need around the world. then we should strive to increase our good deeds every day. Just as we strive for the best of deeds in Ramadan Practice good manners Prophet Muhammadsawssaid: The best amongst you are those who have or on Hajj, we should try to implement these values every the best manners and character” (Bukhari). He also said: “If one has good day, in preparation for these sacred days. manners, one may attain the same level of merit as those who spend their nights in prayer.” (Bukhari, Abu Dawud)

Give a Prophetic Qurbani Prophet Muhammadsawsis a role model for mankind and what better way to follow his teachings than to give a Qurbani Fisabilillah, just like he did.

“The Prophetsawssacrificed for the one who could not sacrifice from his Ummah, one who bore witness to the Oneness of Allah and (his) Prophethood.” (Tabarani, Ahmad)

Gain the rewards of the best days Simply pick a group!

Group A - £49 Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia

Give Group B - £79 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Rohingya Refugees (in Qurbani Bangladesh) Group C - £139 On the day of Eid al-Adha, there’s no deed more beloved Bosnia, Chechnya, India, Kosovo, to Allahswttthan making a sacrifice to support people in Macedonia, Myanmar, Philippines, need. Remember, your Qurbani might be the only meat South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Yemen that someone living in poverty eats all year. Group D - £205 Albania, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Prophet Muhammadsawssaid: “For every hair of the Qurbani you will receive Palestine (Gaza), Syrian Refugees (in Turkey) a reward from Allah, and for every strand of its wool you will receive a reward.” (Tirmidhi) UK Qurbani - £159 Provide Qurbani for people living in poverty, right here in the UK

islamic-relief.org.uk call 020 7593 3232

Gain the rewards of the best days islamic-relief.org.uk call 020 7593 3232

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