بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1. IBADAT DURING THE 1ST TEN DAYS IN ZIL-HAJJ بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Prepared by: Dr. Abdul Hakim

2. BESIDE HAJJ WHAT WE CAN DO ? • Dear Brother and Sister, beside Hajj there are some other good deeds that anyone can do during the first ten days of Zil-Hajj and get tremendous rewards from Allah (SWT) those who are financially or physically incapable or any other reasonable causes to perform Hajj. Those good deeds are [based on authentic sunnah of our beloved Prophet (S)] as follows:

3. THE BEST DAYS IN A YEAR Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that: The Messenger (PBUH) said: "There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah (SWT) than on these (Ten) Days" He was asked: "Not even Jihad in Allah's way?" He replied:"Not even Jihad in Allah's way; except for a person who went out (for Jihad) with his self andwealth and came back with none [i.e., lost all for the sake of Allah, (SWT)].“Bukhari

4. FASTING Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the first ten days of Zil-Hajj. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year and the “Ibaadat” of each of these nights is equal to the Ibaadat of Laylatul Qadr’.Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. Note:If you plan to fast, please see the Calendar next page concerning 1st to 9th of Zil-Hajj, 1433 H.To make sure about the starting day of Zil-Hajj, kindly contact your local Masjid.

5. October: 2012, Dhul-Hijjah (DH): 1433 Ref: http://www.al-habib.info/islamic-calendar/islamic-calendar-ummulqura-2012.htm Note: You can fast from 1st to 9th DH, not 10th DH (Eid Day). Fasting the Day of 'Arafah (9th DH) expiates the sins of two years: past one and coming one. Please don’t miss that reward.

6. FASTING: DAY OF ARAFAH Abu Qatadah (RA) reported that: The Messenger (PBUH) said: "Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of two years: past one and coming one. And fasting the Day of 'Aashooraa' expiates the sins of the past year.“ Muslim. Hafsah (RA) said: "There are four acts that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never stopped to do: Fasting on Aashooraa, on theDay of Arafah, every Monday and Thursday, three days of every month, and to pray two rak'aat before the morning prayer.“ Ahmad & Nasaa'ee

7. DHIKR Ibn Umar (RA) reported that: The Messenger (PBUH) said: "There are no other days that are greater before Allah (SWT), or that good deeds are more beloved to Him in them, than these Ten Days, so say in plenty Tahleel (laa ilaaha illa 'Llaah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (al-Hamdulillaah).“ Ahmad & Tabarani.

8. DUA Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said, the most acceptable “Dua” is that which is made on the day of Arafah, and the best Dua which the Prophets before me and I have said is: Laa Ilaaha illa llaahu Wahadahoo laa Shareeka lahu Lahul Mulku walahul Humdu Wa Huwa Alaa Kulli Shay en Qadeer”. Bukhari. Meaning: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.

9. SACRIFICE لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him (SWT). Surah: Al-Hajj: 22:37

10. SACRIFICE Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “On the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, there is no better act in the view of Allah than shedding the blood (of slaughtered animals). And verily sacrifice earns the approbation of Allah even before the drop of blood (of the slaughtered animal) falls on the ground. Hence you should offer it in good spirit. For every hair of the sacrificial animal, there is a blessing.” Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that: The Messenger (PBUH) said: "He who has the capacity but chooses not to sacrifice may not approach our prayer place (on Eid).“IbnMaajah & Ahmad. Sacrifice is compulsory on all Muslims (male and female) who own wealth to the value of the Zakat Nisaab on these days of sacrifice (10th, 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah). The Nisaab value is of 85 grams of gold or 612, grams of silver. Whoever possesses this amount of wealth during this period should make the sacrifice.

11. QURAN Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: "Amongst mankind are the People of Allah." Who are they O Prophet of Allah? "They are the People of the Quran-(they are) the People of Allah and His special circle" Sahih. Note: Strive to be one of the People of Allah. Try to join them by reciting the Quran, memorizing it, and contemplating its meanings. Beware of those who read its words and ignore its teachings. Know always that every word you recite carries great reward.

12. CONCLUSION • Please try to fast from 1st to 9th Zil-Hajj or at least on the Day of Arafah i.e. 9th Zil-Hajj • Please recite plenty laa ilaaha illa 'Llaah, Allahu Akbar, and al-Hamdu lillaah during those days and nights (1st to 10th DH). • Try to pray mid-night prayer and make “Dua” for your self, your family members (including dead ones), friends, relatives, neighbers, teachers, colleagues, as well as all Muslim brothers and sisters. • Try to make perfect intension for “Qurbani”, just to satisfy Allah (SWT), not any other gain. • Try to clean your hart , avoid hating people, stop back biting • (if you have that habit) and love Muslim as a brother for the sake of Allah (SWT). • Try to perform Hajj as early as possible, if you didn’t perform yet.

13. “They should worship the Lord of this House. Who has fed them against hunger, and hasgiven them security against fear”. AL-QURAN: 106:3-4 Dr. Abdul Hakim 8624 Festival Drive Elk Grove, CA 95624, USA Phone: (916) 525-1594