This excerpt is taken from Professor Dr. Fazl Elahi's book Masail-e-Qurbani.
Allah, the Lord of Glory, is the sole Creator and unique Owner of everything. Among His creation, He grants superiority to whomever He wills over others. He has deemed some humans superior to others, some places better than other places, and some times and periods more excellent and superior than others.
One manifestation of this divine tradition is that Allah, the Owner of all dominion, has designated the first ten days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah as higher, better, superior, and more excellent compared to the other days of the year. Below, by the grace of Allah, a discussion is presented on these days from three aspects:
⟐ Virtues of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah
⟐ Deeds of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah
⟐ Hajj rituals during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah
There are numerous evidences and proofs in the Quran and Sunnah regarding the status and greatness of these ten days. By the grace of the Noble Master, six of these evidences are presented below:
❀ It is mentioned in Surah Al-Fajr:
﴿وَالْفَجْرِ . وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ .﴾
By the dawn, and by the ten nights.
Reference: (89-Al-Fajr:1-2)
Imam Al-Baghawi wrote that it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that ﴿وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ﴾ refers to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and this is also the opinion of Mujahid, Qatadah, Dhahak, Suddī, and Kulaybī.
Reference: See: Tafsir Al-Baghawi 481/4; also see: Zad Al-Maseer 103/9
And without any doubt, Allah Almighty swearing by these days indicates their status and greatness.
❀ These ten days mark the end of the months of Hajj. Allah Almighty said:
﴿الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ﴾
The months of Hajj are well-known.
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:197)
Hafiz Ibn Rajab wrote: Among the virtues of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah is that they are the last part of the known months, and these months are the months of Hajj, about which Allah Almighty said:
﴿الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ﴾ and these are Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Reference: Lata'if Al-Ma'arif fi ma l-mawasim al-'aam min al-waza'if p. 471.
❀ Allah Almighty has specifically mentioned the remembrance of Him during these ten days. The Divine command is:
﴿وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ﴾
And remember the name of Allah during the known days.
Reference: (22-Al-Hajj:28)
Imam Bukhari mentioned that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) stated that these known days refer to the ten days of Asharah Dhu al-Hijjah.
Reference: See: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Eidain, Bab Fadl Al-'Amal fi Ayyam Al-Tashreeq, 457/2.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and the Imams Hasan, Ata, Ikrimah, Mujahid, Qatadah, and Shafi'i have also given the same interpretation of this noble verse.
Reference: See: Zad Al-Maseer 425/5
The remembrance of Allah is obligatory every day for the servants, but the Noble Master’s special mention of some days for His remembrance certainly highlights the elevation and greatness of these days.
❀ The good deeds done in these ten days are more beloved to Allah Almighty than the good deeds done in the rest of the year. The Imams Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
”ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيها أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام العشر.“
قالوا: يا رسول الله! ولا الجهاد فى سبيل الله ؟
قال: ولا الجهاد فى سبيل الله.
قال: إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله، فلم يرجع من ذلك بشيء
No good deed done on any day is more beloved to Allah than the deeds done in these ten days.
They (the Companions) asked: O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah on other days?
He (peace be upon him) said: Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah on other days.
He (peace be upon him) said: Yes, except the person who goes out with his life and wealth in the cause of Jihad and does not return with anything (i.e., sacrifices his life and wealth in that cause).
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab Al-Siyam, Bab Fi Siyam Al-'Ashr, Hadith No. 2434, 74/7; Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Abuab Al-Siyam, Bab Ma Ja'a fi Al-'Amal fi Ayyam Al-'Ashr, 158/2 (Dar Al-Kitab Al-Arabi edition); Sunan Ibn Majah, Abuab Ma Ja'a fi Al-Siyam, Bab Siyam Al-'Ashr, Hadith No. 1731, 317/1
The wording of the hadith is from Sunan Abi Dawood. Sheikh Albani declared it authentic.
Reference: (See: Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood 462/2; Sahih Sunan At-Tirmidhi 229/1; Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah 289/1).
Hafiz Ibn Rajab wrote in its explanation: When the good deeds done in these ten days are more virtuous and beloved in the Divine Court than the good deeds done in the rest of the year, then the lesser degree of good deeds in these days will be superior to the higher degree of good deeds on other days. That is why when the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked whether Jihad done in the rest of the year is not more honored and beloved in the Divine Court than the deeds of these days, the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: No.
Reference: Lata'if Al-Ma'arif 458-459
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, while explaining the reason for the virtue of Asharah Dhu al-Hijjah, wrote:
والذي يظهر أن السبب فى امتيار عشر ذي الحجة لمكان يتماع أمهات العبادة فيه ، وهى الصلاة ، والصيام، والصدقة والحج، ولا يتأتى ذلك فى غيره
The distinctive status of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah appears to be because the fundamental acts of worship, which are prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj, all come together in these days, and they do not all occur together on any other day.
Reference: Fath Al-Bari 460/2
❀ Among the virtues of Asharah Dhu al-Hijjah is also that the ninth day is the Day of Arafah, and it is the very day on which Allah Almighty completed the religion of Islam and perfected His favor upon the Muslims.
Imam Bukhari narrated from Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that a Jewish man said to him:
”يا أمير المؤمنين آية فى كتابكم تقرؤونها، لو علينا معشر اليهود نزلت لاتخذنا ذلك اليوم عيدا.“
O Commander of the Faithful! There is a verse in your book which you recite, if it had been revealed to us Jews, we would have made its day of revelation a festival.
He asked: أى آية؟ Which verse?
He said: ﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا﴾
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as a religion.
Reference: (5-Al-Ma'idah:3)
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
”قد عرفنا ذلك اليوم والمكان الذى نزلت فيه على النبى صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم وهو قائم بعرفة، يوم جمعة.“
We know the day and place where this verse was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). It was Friday, and he was standing at Arafat.
Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Iman, Bab Ziyadat Al-Iman wa Nuqsanuhu, Hadith No. 105/1,45
And this is the great day on which Allah Almighty frees more people from the fire of Hell than on any other day of the year. Imam Muslim narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
”ما من يوم أكثر من أن يعتق الله فيه عبدا من النار من يوم عرفة.“
There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the fire of Hell than the Day of Arafah.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al-Hajj, Bab Fi Fadl Al-Hajj wal Umrah wa Yawm Arafah, part of Hadith No. 436 - (1348), 983/2
❀ Among the virtues of Asharah Dhu al-Hijjah is also that its last and tenth day is the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), about which the Noble Prophet said:
”أفضل الأيام عند الله يوم النحر ويوم القر.“
The most virtuous days in the Divine Court are the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Qarr.
Reference: The eleventh of Dhu al-Hijjah is called "Yawm al-Qarr" because the pilgrims stay in Mina on that day. (See: Al-Nihayah fi Gharib Al-Hadith wal Athar, entry Qarr, 37/4).
Reference: Al-Musnad 350/4 (Dar Al-Maktab Al-Islami); Al-Ihsan ila Taqreeb Sahih Ibn Hibban, Kitab Al-Salah, Bab Al-Eidain, mentioning that among the best days is the Day of Sacrifice and the following day, Hadith No. 2811, 51/7; Al-Mustadrak 221/4
narrated by Abdullah bin Qurt (may Allah be pleased with him). Imam Hakim declared it authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi agreed with him.
Reference: (See: Al-Mustadrak 221/4 and Al-Talkhees 221/4).
Sheikh Shoaib Arna'oot also declared its chain authentic.
Reference: (See: Margin of Al-Ihsan 51/7).
The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are a magnificent and golden opportunity for the believers to earn reward and blessings from the Lord, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, because even a small good deed in these days is superior to the highest degree of good deeds on other days. Therefore, the pious strive intensely to perform as many good deeds as possible during these days to gather provisions for the Hereafter. Imam Darimi has narrated regarding Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair:
”كان سعيد بن جبير إذا دخل أيام العشر اجتهد اجتهادا حتى ما يكاد يقدر عليه.“
When the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah would begin, Saeed bin Jubair, may Allah have mercy on him, would worship intensely to the best of his ability.
Reference: Sunan al-Darimi, Chapter on the Virtue of Deeds in the Ten Days, part of narration 1781, 357/1.
In the noble hadiths, special mention has been made of performing certain deeds during these days, and those deeds are as follows:
◈ Frequently saying Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed:
Imam Ahmad narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
”ما من أيام أعظم عند الله ولا أحب إليه من العمل فيهن، من هذه الأيام العشر، فأكثروا فيهن من التهليل والتكبير والتحميد.“
There is no day more honored in the sight of Allah than these ten days, nor is there any good deed more beloved to Allah than the deeds done in these ten days. So, during these ten days, frequently say La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillah.
Reference: Al-Musnad, Hadith number 224/7, 5446
Sheikh Ahmad Shakir has declared its chain authentic.
Reference: See: Footnote of Al-Musnad (224/7).
The pious predecessors paid great attention to this. Imam Bukhari stated:
وكان ابن عمر وأبو هريرة رضي الله عنه يخرجان إلى السوق فى أيام العشر يكبران ، ويكبر الناس بتكبيرهما ، وكبر محمد بن على رحمهما الله تعالى خلف النافلة
During these ten days, Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) would go out to the market while saying Takbir, and people would start saying Takbir along with them. Muhammad bin Ali (may Allah have mercy on him) (Muhammad bin Ali, may Allah have mercy on both of them) refers to Hazrat Abu Jafar (may Allah have mercy on him).
Reference: See: Fath al-Bari 458/2
They would say Takbir after voluntary prayers.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Two Eids, Chapter on the Virtue of Deeds in the Days of Tashreeq, 457/2
◈ Fasting on the Ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah:
Imam Muslim narrated from Hazrat Abu Qatada (may Allah be pleased with him) that:
سئل عن صوم يوم عرفة؟
فقال: يكفر السنة الماضية والباقية .
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah), and he (peace be upon him) said:
"It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the recommendation of fasting three days of every month, and fasting on the Day of Arafah, part of hadith number 197 - (1162), 819/2
The Noble Messenger himself used to fast on this day. Imam Abu Dawood and Imam Nasai have narrated from a respected wife of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said:
”كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصوم تسع ذي الحجة، ويوم عاشوراء، وثلاثة أيام من كل شهر.“
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to fast on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, on the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram), and three days of every month.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter on fasting the ten days, part of hadith number 2434, 73/7 and Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Fasting, How to fast three days of every month? 220/4 - 221.
The wording of the hadith is from Sunan Abi Dawood. Sheikh Albani has declared it authentic.
Reference: (See: Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood 462/2, and Sahih Sunan an-Nasa'i (508/2).
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) did not fast on this day during the Farewell Pilgrimage at the plain of Arafat. Imam Bukhari narrated from Hazrat Umm Fadl bint Harith (may Allah be pleased with her) that:
أن ناسا اختلفوا عندها يوم عرفة فى صوم النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال بعضهم : هو صائم، وقال بعضهم: ليس بصائم فأرسلت إليه بقدح لبن ، وهو واقف على بعيره فشربه
Indeed, some people disputed in front of him about the fasting of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the Day of Arafah. Some said that he fasted, and some said that he did not fast.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Chapter on standing on the mount at Arafat, hadith number 1661, 513/3
So I sent a bowl of milk to him while he was on his camel, and he drank it.
The Rightly Guided Caliphs and Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) also did not fast on this day during Hajj. Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Abdul Razzaq narrated from Abi Najiha that when asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
”حججت مع النبى صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فلم يصمه، ومع أبى بكر صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فلم يصمه، ومع عمر فلم يصمه، ومع عثمان رضی اللہ عنہ فلم يصمه، وأنا لا أصومه، ولا أمر به، ولا أنهى عنه.“
I performed Hajj with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he did not fast on this day; I performed Hajj with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he did not fast on this day; I performed Hajj with Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and he did not fast on this day; I performed Hajj with Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and he did not fast on this day; and I also do not fast on this day during Hajj, nor do I command fasting on it or forbid it.
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Fasting, Chapter on the dislike of fasting on the Day of Arafah at Arafah, 56/2 (Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi Beirut edition) and Al-Musannaf, Book of Fasting, Chapter on fasting the Day of Arafah, hadith number 7829, 4/285.
The wording of the hadith is from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, and Sheikh Albani has declared it [authentic chain].
Reference: (See: Sahih Sunan at-Tirmidhi 228/1).
Warning:
In a hadith, it is also mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) forbade fasting on the Day of Arafah at the place of Arafat on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, but this hadith is weak and therefore not reliable.
For details, see:
Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'ifah, Hadith number 397/1,404.
◈ Sacrificing on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah:
The last day of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah is called (Yawm al-Nahr) the Day of Sacrifice.
And performing sacrifice on this day is an act with great reward and merit.
For a detailed discussion on the importance of sacrifice, please refer to pages
Reference: 23-29
of this book.Warning:
Those who intend to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails from the sighting of the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah until after performing the sacrifice.
Details on this matter have already been discussed on pages
Reference: 29-32
of this book.Among these ten days, some acts are specifically for the pilgrims to perform. By Allah’s grace, a brief mention of these acts is given below:
◈ Departure to Mina on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah:
The rites of Hajj are performed over five or six days. These rites begin on the eighth of Dhu al-Hijjah. This day is called (Yawm al-Tarwiyah), the day of watering the camels, because on this day camels were watered in preparation for the journey of Hajj. Imam Muslim narrated from Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that he mentioned the Farewell Pilgrimage of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said:
”فلما كان يوم التروية توجهوا إلى منى.“
When Yawm al-Tarwiyah, the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, came, he set out towards Mina.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter on the Prophet’s Hajj, part of the narration 147. (1218), 889/2.
◈ Standing at Arafat on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah:
Staying in the plain of Arafat from Dhuhr prayer until sunset on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah is the greatest pillar of Hajj. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
”الحج عرفة.“
Hajj is (standing at) Arafat.
Imams Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah have narrated this hadith on the authority of Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: (See: Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood 367/1; Sahih Sunan al-Tirmidhi 265/1, Sahih Sunan al-Nasa'i 633/2, Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah 173/2)
; however, the wording in Sunan Abi Dawood is [ الحج الحج يوم عرفة].Regarding the supplications made at this occasion, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
”خير الدعاء دعاء يوم عرفة.“
The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah.
Reference: Jami' al-Tirmidhi, various hadiths from the chapters of supplications, chapter, part of hadith number 3819 from Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with them), 33/10.
Sheikh Albani has classified it as Hasan.
Reference: (See: Sahih Sunan al-Tirmidhi 184/3).
◈ The acts of Hajj on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah:
The pilgrims spend the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah in Arafat, then spend the night in Muzdalifah, and on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, they reach Mina and perform four actions:
● They throw seven pebbles at the Jamrat al-Aqaba.
● Those performing Hajj al-Tamattu' and Hajj al-Qiran offer a sacrifice.
● They get their hair cut.
● They perform the Tawaf al-Ziyarah. Those performing Hajj al-Tamattu' also perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.
Those performing Hajj al-Qiran who have not performed Sa'i with Tawaf al-Qudum also perform Sa'i.
Note: For more information about the rituals of Hajj on the mentioned days, refer to books written on Hajj and Umrah.
I am deeply grateful to the All-Knowing and Wise Lord from the depths of my heart, who granted this weak servant the ability to compile this book on the importance and issues of sacrifice. فله الحمد عدد ما خلق فى السماء، وعدد ما خلق فى الأرض، وعدد ما خلق بين ذلك، وعدد ما هو خالق And now, I humbly beseech Him to accept this humble and insignificant effort. إنه سميع مجيب
Summary of the Book:
The summary of the points mentioned in this is:
Sacrifice (Qurbani) is the tradition of Khalil-ur-Rahman, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also established it as his and the Muslims' tradition. Every financially able Muslim household should perform sacrifice.
The person performing the sacrifice should not cut their nails or hair after the sighting of the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah. Those performing Hajj and travelers should also perform sacrifice. The living can include the deceased in their sacrifice and can eat the meat themselves and feed others. There are two opinions among the scholars of the Ummah regarding continuously sacrificing on behalf of the deceased. Sacrificing an animal with two teeth is preferable; however, it is also permissible to sacrifice a lamb younger than two teeth. Permission to sacrifice animals younger than two teeth is specifically for lambs, rams, and sheep. According to the majority of scholars, the age of the lamb allowed for sacrifice should be one year. Both castrated and non-castrated animals are proven to be permissible for sacrifice. The time for sacrifice is four days, starting after the Eid prayer and continuing until sunset on the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Sacrificing at night during these days is also valid, but it is disliked to sacrifice at night with the intention of depriving the poor. Animals slaughtered before the Eid prayer will not be counted as sacrifice. It is Sunnah for the person performing the sacrifice to slaughter their own animal, to get help from another person in slaughtering, or to have someone else slaughter their animal. Women can also slaughter their own sacrifice. Slaughtering one goat on behalf of the entire household is sufficient, but it is also established to sacrifice more than one animal for the sake of gaining more reward. Seven people can share in the sacrifice of a cow. Regarding participation in the sacrifice of a camel, according to one opinion, under normal circumstances, seven people share during Hajj and Eid al-Adha, but if the price of the camel equals the price of ten goats, then ten people can share. According to another opinion, seven people can share in a camel slaughtered during Hajj, and ten people can share in a camel slaughtered for sacrifice. The sacrifice should be slaughtered in the best manner, بسم الله والله أكبر should be recited during slaughter, and the name of the person on whose behalf the sacrifice is made should be mentioned. The camel should be slaughtered standing with its left leg tied. Eating the dead fetus that comes out of the stomach of the slaughtered animal is permissible because slaughtering its mother suffices for its slaughter, but slaughtering a live fetus is obligatory. Eating, feeding, and storing the meat of the sacrifice are all permissible. According to some scholars, it is obligatory to eat from the meat of one's sacrifice, but according to the majority, it is recommended. Regarding the distribution of the meat of the sacrifice, some scholars mention dividing it into three equal parts, some into two equal parts, and some say there is no such restriction, which is the preferred view. It is not permissible to give the butcher any part of the sacrifice animal as payment. It is not correct to sacrifice animals that are clearly one-eyed, sick, lame, or so old that their bones have no marrow left, or whose ears are cut and hanging from the front or back, or whose ears are cut in length or width.
The first ten days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah are of great honor and dignity. Among the deeds of these ten days are frequently saying Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed, fasting for nine days by people other than the pilgrims, and sacrificing on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The pilgrims depart for Mina on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, stay in Arafat from the noon prayer until sunset on the 9th, and on the 10th they stone the Jamrah Aqaba, get their hair cut, and perform the Tawaf of Ziyarah. However, those performing Hajj Tamattu and Hajj Qiran also perform the sacrifice of Hajj after stoning.
Appeal:
An appeal to the Muslims of the world to arrange for sacrifice on the blessed occasion of Eid al-Adha and to perform as many good deeds as possible in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Learn the issues related to sacrifice and the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah as explained in the Book and Sunnah, teach others, understand them yourself, and try to explain them to others, act upon them yourself, and invite others to act upon them. Our success and prosperity in this world and the hereafter lie in learning, teaching, understanding, explaining, acting upon, and inviting others to act upon the issues explained in the Book and Sunnah. May Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, grant us all the ability to live according to the Book and Sunnah. إنه سميع مجيب
وصلى الله تعالى على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه وأتباعه وبارك وسلم وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين
