Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: “On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the ibaadat (worship) of each of these nights is equal to the ibaadat of laylatul qadr.” [Hadith Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]
There are certain acts which are beneficial, fasting (for the first nine days as the tenth is Eid) and worship is mentioned in the hadith above and another is dhikr (remembrance) of Allah
These are also the days of Hajj - alhamdulillah we have a number of friends and family going this year and my heart yearns to go with them. I make dua for all of the blessed brothers and sisters that Allah grants them a safe journey and accepts their hajj. To walk in the streets of Makkah and Madinah where the Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) walked with his Sahabah (RA), to see the house of Allah and to raise your hands on the day of Arafah knowing Allah is listening and accepting is the most amazing thing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Whilst many of us can not go for hajj this year, we can still perform the Udhiyyah or Qurbani (sacrifice) to commemorate the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah will), you shall find me of As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)." Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead. And We called out to him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers).Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram). And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. (Quran - Sura Saffat, verses 102-108.)
Traditionally in my family we always sent money to family abroad for the sacrifice of an animal and for the meat to be shared out. For the last few years most of our families here in Britain who now have multiple adults, organise one Qurbani in Pakistan and one here. This is so that the children can understand and be part of the tradition.
If you haven't made arrangements yet there are a number of charities that are organising Qurbani across the world:
These sites are a few of many which will allow you to make the sacrifice and also provide information about the benefits and requirements for and of the one who makes sacrifice.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said “for every hair of the Qurbani you will receive a reward from Allah, and for every strand of its wool you will receive a reward.”
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