What to do in Zulhijjah if you’re not performing Hajj

A lot of Muslims mistake the month of Hajj (aka Zulhijjah) as being special only for those performing the Hajj! This couldn’t be farther from the truth!

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that there are NO DAYS in which righteous actions are MORE BELOVED to Allah than the first ten days of this month. (Mark 11 July on your calendars now!).

It has been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied SEVEN HUNDRED TIMES.

Some scholars even say that the first 10 days of Zulhijjah are even greater than the final 10 days of Ramadan!

So, what should you do to maximise the best 10 days of the year??

1. Fast the first 9 days of Zulhijjah (10 Zulhijjah is Hari Raya Haji / Eid Adha)

The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting one of these days is equal to the reward of fasting for A WHOLE YEAR. Also, remember that the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Zulhijjah) is the greatest day of the year. Fasting on that day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come. Just imagine the rewards!!!

2. Stand at night in prayer

The Prophet ﷺ said that standing in prayer on one of these nights is equal to standing in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr! If you didn’t do much this past Ramadan, here’s a chance at making up for it!

3. Remember Allah abundantly

The Prophet ﷺ said that in these days we should make abundant tahlil (saying la ilaha ill’Allah), takbir (saying Allahu akbar) and tahmid (saying alhamdulillah).

4. Perform the Qurban (udhiyah/sacrifice)

There is no action more beloved to Allah on the Day of Eid than making a sacrifice. The sacrifice offered is actually the expression of a slave’s love for his Creator. The word Qurban is derived from the word “Qurb”- nearness. Sacrifice is thus a form of worship through which love and nearness of Allah can be attained. It is also a Sunnah Muakkadah – greatly encouraged Sunnah.

SimplyIslam is organising 2 Qurbans this year: one in Australia and the meat will be shipped to Singapore, and one in Indonesia and the meat will be distributed to the needy students of Pesantren Darul Hikmah and their families. Orders close very soon, hurry! See www.SimplyIslam.sg/Qurban for more details.

5. Pray for those going for Hajj

Habib Umar bin Hafiz said, “We should pray for those performing Hajj and thereby receive a portion of the reward which they are receiving.” The travel they are undertaking is one of the most spiritually significant ones they will ever undertake in their lives. Pray for all pilgrims worldwide, whether we know them or not.

6. Increase in all good deeds

Whether they are any of the above, or charity, or helping your parents, or attending gatherings of knowledge, ALL GOOD DEEDS are magnified and multiplied in the first 10 days of Zulhijjah so seek out the deeds you can do and strive to do them with utmost sincerity and effort.

May Allah bless us in the days of Zulhijjah, answer all our prayers, forgive all our sins and keep the Hajj pilgrims safe and accept their Hajj, and for those performing the Qurban, accept it from them. Ameen!