What is Dhul Hijjah? Rewards of Dhul Hijjah Fasting
The Islamic calendar ends with the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah. This month has a special significance because of two main events for Muslims. One is the pilgrimage of Hajj and the second is Eid ul Adha.
In this article, we are going to explore the virtues and blessings of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Along with it, we will come to know when Dhul Hijjah 2022 is. And the rewards of Dhul Hijjah fasting.
You may also like to learn; Laylatul Qadr.
What is Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and the last month of the Islamic year. The literal meaning of Dhul Hijjah is “inheritor to the pilgrimage”. The specialty of this month is the pilgrimage of Hajj. It is the 5th pillar of Islam. During this sacred month, numerous Muslims from all over the world pilgrim to Mecca and visit the Holy Ka’aba.
Rituals of the Hajj start from the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and end on the 10th of this month with the festival of sacrifice (Eid ul Adha).
When is Dhul Hijjah 2022?
Islamic months are always started with the appearance of the new moon. Somehow Muslim scholars and scientists have their predictions about the arrival of the new moon.
That is why the precise date of the Dhul Hijjah 2022 can be set by the confirmed position of the new moon. But the assessed date of the starting of Dhul Hijjah is 11th of July 2022.
The First 10 Days of Dhula Hijjah
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are counted with a special dignity in Islam. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW said about it,
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah (SWT) than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah (SWT)?” He said, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah (SWT), except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.”
[Bukhari]
After the declaration of Prophet Muhammad SAWW about the immense blessings of the first 10 days of Dhul Hajj, Muslims must arrange supplementary prayers and make special duas to Allah SWT. It shouldn’t matter to them whether they are on the Hajj pilgrimage or not.
Allah Swt also mentioned in the Holy Quran the blessings of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
وَٱلْفَجْرِ ١
وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍۢ ٢
By the dawn,
And the ten nights.
Al-Quran 89: 1-2
We should prepare ourselves to get the maximum blessings of these ten days through prayers, fasting, charities, and supplications.
According to a hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW,
“There is no days greater and more beloved to Allah than these (first) ten days of Dhul Hajj”.
(Ahmed)
Dhul Hajjah Fasting
Prophet Muhammad SAWW emphasized the fasting in first ten days of the blessed month of Dhul Hajj. 9th Dhula Hijjah is the day of ‘Arafah’. It is a historical day when ALLAH SWT completed the religion of Islam.
Allah SWT revealed the following Ayah of Surah Al-Maidaa in Quran on this day,
ِ ۚ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا
“Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen
Islam as your way”.
Quran 5: 3
Prophet Muhammad SAWW said once,
“Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.”
(Muslim)
In Islam, the last ten nights of Ramadan are considered the best night of the whole year. Similarly, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are counted as the best days in the whole year.
If a person is physically or financially unable to make the pilgrimage of Hajj, even then he can get the blessings of this holy month. One must take part generously in charities, should recite Quran, should offer additional prayers, sacrifice an animal on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, make special supplications and do maximum ‘Astaghfar’ to cool down the anger of Allah SWT.