Hajj, being one of the pillars of Islam, most Muslims hope to undertake this memorable and transformative journey at least once in their lives. So what do we do if we are not performing Hajj during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah that Allah (swt) swears by in the Quran?
‘By the dawn and the ten nights’
Fortunately, Allah (swt) has made it easy for us to earn rewards through simple, consistent deeds performed with sincere intentions. Here are some actions you can incorporate into your daily routine during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah as you witness pilgrims flocking to Makkah and beyond for the annual Hajj:
Improve your Salah
- If your daily routine does not revolve around prayer times yet, try to be punctual about offering your prayers. If you miss a prayer, offer it as soon as possible and sincerely repent for it.
- If you habitually offer prayers, try to add more Nawafil. The easiest way to do this is to simply pray an extra 2 rakaah after every prayer- a case of habit building. You can also make an effort to pray the Ishraq and Duhaa Salah. Make an effort to offer Tahajjud prayers not only for its immense reward, but also with the mindfulness that Allah (swt) descends during the last part of the night to answer your prayers.
- Try to be more focused in your prayers. This is possible if you’re aware of the meanings of the recitations in worship. Another way is to plan your Salah mindfully, in terms of Surahs and Duas that you recite in each prayer. Also, take a deep breath when you stand for Salah and then make Takbeer, realize that you are meeting the Lord of the worlds.
- If you have planned your Salah, focus on prolonging your Qiyaam and Sujood through recitation of longer Surahs and Duas. According to the current challenges in your life, certain Duas hold more meaning for you. Make an effort to memorise and recite them in your Salah.
- For men, try to pray all your obligatory prayers in congregation, in the Masjid.
Increase your Fasts
- Maximize your rewards by fasting the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah.
- If you cannot fast 9 days, follow the Prophet’s (sa) Sunnah and fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
- If it’s challenging to fast more than one day, at least fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafah, in the hope that it will expiate your sins of the past year and the year to come.
- If you still haven’t made up for the fasts you missed, use these days to make them up.
Connect with the Quran
- Revive your connection with the Quran as you strove in Ramadan. Invest more time and energy in reciting and contemplating the Quran.
- Revise the Surahs you have memorised and their meanings as well, for better focus when you recite them in your prayers.
- Try to memorise new Surahs.
- To help contemplate the Quran, pair up with a like-minded friend or family member. Share your ‘Aha!’ moments each day from Quranic reflections. This will help you to recall what you’ve read or heard and open up new perspectives.
- Listen to the Quran mindfully, especially when you are doing repetitive tasks, household chores, or while commuting. Choose different Qiraat styles and reciters to appreciate the beauty of the Quran and improve your Tajweed.
Increase Dhikr and Dua
- Set aside the time for morning and evening Duas (Masnoon Azkaar of the Prophet Muhammad (sa)) if you haven’t been able to make it a habit.
- Incorporate Tahleel, Tahmeed, and Takbeer in your daily recitations- keep your lips moving everywhere, doing anything!
- In addition, increase reciting the Durood and Astaghfaar, and remembering past sins.
- Plan your Dhikr around the times of greater acceptance of Duas on the Day of Arafah, after every Adhaan, on Friday, while fasting, at Tahajjud, if you are blessed with rain, and while commuting or travelling.
Increase Charity
- If you have remaining Zakaat to be paid, make sure to spend it during this time.
- Plan Sadqah for each of these 10 days. It doesn’t have to be a significant amount, and it doesn’t have to be only in monetary form. Diversify your investment for the Hereafter: donate to a reliable institution such as an orphanage, charitable hospital, or dig a well, fund a student of the Quran, or help improve facilities at a Madrassah. Give Sadqa for printing and spreading Ilm-e-Nafay literature, etc. Help a needy family through clothes, medicine, or groceries. Pay a portion or the entire amount of their rent, gas, and electricity bills, etc. Plant shady or fruit-bearing trees. If it is hot, distribute cold water bottles to labourers, traffic policemen, riders, and pedestrians. Keep a bowl of water for birds and animals.
- Sift through your cupboards and donate not only some of the extra things you have, but also try to donate something that holds value for you, whether monetary or emotional.
- Spend on your immediate and extended family, neighbours, servants, employees, and friends.
- Remember to share meat with them when you sacrifice at Eid al-Adha.
Connect with your Community
- Reach out to relatives, especially the elderly, sick, or those with whom you have been out of touch.
- Visit the sick, make Dua for them, and give them good tidings and hope.
- Send gifts to your neighbours or exchange food with them.
- You can also give a basket of small favours, such as traditional desserts, to non-Muslims to increase goodwill and awareness of Muslim customs.
- Volunteer to teach, cook, or knit for the needy or offer any other skill for Allah (swt).
Cleanse your Heart and Clear your Mind
Like Ramadan, good deeds are rewarded manifold in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. While you’re planning to do good, also remember to try to avoid sins.
Cleanse your heart of the four pillars of disbelief identified by Imam Ibnul Qayyim: arrogance, desires, greed, and envy. Surely, if you notice the root of any of your sinful thinking and actions, it is seeded in one of these emotions.
If you hope and pray that Allah (swt) rewards you in this world and the next for your efforts, don’t expect others to treat you with the same affection and kindness. Instead, invest in Ehsaan this time and hold off worldly disappointments. The Hereafter is where we seek our rewards. Dunya is where we do good only for the Majestic Face of Allah (swt) that will never perish!