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From Fasting to Fulfillment: Maximizing the Benefits of Dhu al-Hijjah

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The month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the sacred months mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. In addition, fasting dhu al-hijjah has great virtue and benefit for the Muslim, so in our article we will discuss the virtue of fasting dhu al-hijjah in detail through the following paragraphs.

The virtue of fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah 

In addition to fasting dhu al-hijjah. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered among the blessed days in Islamic law, and the Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – urged us to exploit them with good deeds and self-sufficiency, and described work during them as better than jihad for the sake of Allah Almighty. 

 

He said: (What can be done in better days than these? They said: Not even jihad? He said: Not even jihad, except for a man who went out to risk himself and his money, and did not return with anything.) The Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – did not restrict good deeds in these days to a specific action. 

 

And made the matter absolute. There are many types of good deeds, and this includes remembrance of Allah Almighty, fasting, maintaining family ties, reciting the Qur’an, and Hajj. Which means the meeting of the most important and best acts of worship in Islam in these days.

The word “days” mentioned in the aforementioned hadith indicates that good deeds take up the entire day, and the day in Islamic law begins from the rising of dawn until sunset, and the best deed a Muslim can exploit during the day of these days is fasting, just as the best thing he can exploit at night is praying in prayer. As for the ruling on fasting, The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are recommended, while the night prayer is ruled to be Sunnah

The virtue of fasting on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah 

It is noteworthy that fasting dhu al-hijjah; It is a legitimate day of Arafah for non-Hajj pilgrims. The Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him – said: (Fasting on the day of Arafah, I hope that Allah will atone for the year before it, and the year after it, and fasting on the day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will atone for the sins of the year before it.

And the year after it To expiate the year that came before it), and the Day of Arafah is one of the great days of Allah, and it is befitting for a Muslim to To take advantage of the scents of mercy, just as it is desirable for a Muslim other than the Hajj to fast on it. Seeking atonement for his sins.

Ruling on fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah 

The jurists considered it desirable to fasting dhu al-hijjah, with the exception of the blessed day of Eid al-Adha. That is, the Day of Sacrifice; It is the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. It is forbidden for a Muslim to fast on the day of Eid, according to the agreement of the jurists. 

Although there is no proven evidence of the desirability of fasting during these nine days, the jurists cited the generality of the evidence for the desirability and virtue of fasting, and the fact that fasting is one of the actions that the Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – encouraged.

Other recommended acts of worship in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

The good deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered among the greatest and most beloved deeds to Allah Almighty. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: (There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days – meaning: the ten days – they said. 

He said: O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad for the sake of Allah. He said: Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out with his person and his money and does not return with anything from that.) Therefore, a Muslim should do many good deeds in these days, including the following:

  • Performing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah for those who are able, for in them there is a great reward from Allah Almighty. 
  • fasting dhu al-hijjah, especially fasting on the Day of Arafah, which is the ninth day of these days, expiates the year before it and the year after it.

Reasons for fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

The virtue of fasting dhu al-hijjah comes because of its reasons. In the honorable hadith, good deeds in it are more beloved than jihad for the sake of Allah (they said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah.” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except a man who went out and did not return with that for anything.”).

In this hadith, the reasons for fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are explained. What is meant is to fast for nine days only, because the tenth day is the day of Eid and fasting is forbidden on that day.

Is it permissible to make up for Ramadan on the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?

Our master Omar and our master Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, differed regarding fasting the missed days of Ramadan on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah. Omar believed that the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah was one of the best days and therefore making up for it on it was better and more hopeful. As for Ali, he believed that fasting the missed days of Ramadan on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah would miss the reward for the virtue of voluntary fasting.

It is not disliked to make up for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah because they are great days and days of worship, and it was not disliked to make up for them like the ten days of Muharram, and it was narrated on the authority of Omar that he recommended making up for them on them.

In the opinion of Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, making up for it is better than offering a voluntary prayer.

There is nothing wrong with fasting the missed days of Dhul-Hijjah. Rather, what is more hopeful is that the reward is greater, Allah willing, even if disagreement occurred among the predecessors regarding fasting the missed days on these days or other days.

Conclusion 

At the conclusion of the text, fasting dhu al-hijjah is one of the best acts of obedience and sacrifice that a Muslim can perform, and this is due to the virtue of fasting in this holy month. Likewise, you can do many other deeds for a Muslim in this month, in addition to fasting dhu al-hijjah, such as praying And honesty.


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