The Garden of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

02 Dhul Hijjah 1446/30 May 2025

All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.

Among the most beautiful days in the Islamic calendar are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

‏”‏ مَا الْعَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ فِي هَذِهِ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالُوا وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ قَالَ ‏”‏ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ، إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخَاطِرُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بِشَىْءٍ ‏”‏‏.‏

“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 ﷺ 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 969

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah have great significance and reward. In these 10 days we should look at increasing in our recitation of the Quran, increase in our tasbeeh and dhikr, perform extra nawaafil ( supererogatory) actions, fast as many days as we can and most importantly engage in dua.

FASTING

Hunaydah ibn Khalid (R.A) narrated from his wife on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ who said:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ تِسْعَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَيَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ أَوَّلَ اثْنَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَالْخَمِيسَ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashura’ and three days of every month, that is, the first Monday (of the month) and Thursday. – Sunan Abi Dawud 2437

From the above hadith we find that on authority of one of the wives of Nabi ﷺ, it was a practice of Nabi ﷺ to fast the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah. If one is unable to fast the first 9 days of Dhul Hujjah, one should try to atleast fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (The day of Arafah).

Abu Qatadah (R.A) reported that the Prophet ﷺ ,was asked about fasting the day of Arafah and he said,

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ فَقَالَ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ

“It will expiate the sins of the previous and upcoming years.” Then, the Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting the day of Ashura and he said, “It will expiate the sins of the past year. – Sahih Muslim 1162

With regards to whether one should fast on the Day of Arafah when the Hujjaj are at Arafah during the days of Hajj or whether one should fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) issued the following statement:

 ‘The MJC remains committed to observing occasions on our religious calendar in line with a regional sighting of the moon. This includes Ramadan, both Eids, as well as the fast of the Day of Arafah.

The preferred day to observe the fast of the Day of ʿArafah will be the day corresponding to the 9^th of Dhul Ḥijjah according to our regional sighting of the moon.

Fasting on any day of the month before the local 9th remains an act of great merit, as it forms part of a period in which good deeds are most beloved to Allah.’

To read the full statement of the MJC, visit: https://fatwa.mjc.org.za/fatwa/the-fast-of-%ca%bfarafah/

THE TAKBEERAAT OF TASHREEQ

It is incumbent for every male and female to recite the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq after every Fardh Salaah performed with Jamaat or individually from the Fajr of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah to the Asr of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

The words of the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq are as follows:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar laa ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd.

Translation: “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praises belong to Him Alone.”

NB. Men should recite this Takbeer audibly whilst females should do so softly.

 May Allah accept our efforts from us and grant us understanding In Sha Allah!