The significance of the season (month of Hajj) in ISLAM is something that can never be over emphasized. Allah says in Qur’an; ” Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth, of them four are sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th, and the 12th months of Islamic calendar). That’s right….. Qur’an chapter 9 verse 36.
Among the sacred months mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, this month of Dhul -HIJJAH is one of them. It’s encouraged to observe the first ten days of Dhul -HIJJAH in sincere worship of Allah and kindness to His creatures, including animals.
The significance of the first ten days of Dhul -HIJJAH as stated in the Sunnah of the Prophet ( SAW). He said; ” Allah loves those who dedicate these first ten days to Allah sincerely. Allah says in Qur’an chapter 89 verse 2. ” And (by) ten nights. That the first ten days of Dhul-HIJJAH are expected to be used by every serious Muslim as days for voluntary acts of IBADAH. These days come with enormous rewards for a Muslim.
Voluntary fasting is also encouraged on the first nine days of Dhul-HIJJAH, particularly on the Day of ‘Arafah which is the 9th day of the month. The prophet (SAW) said: ” Whosoever fast on the day of ‘Arafah, that Allah will forgive his sins a year before and a year after.
Those who are on Hajj will not observe any voluntary fast on the Day of ‘Arafah, it’s only those who are not performing Hajj that will observe a voluntary fast that day.
We are also expected to buy our Ud’hiyah (sacrifice) for Eid in conformity with the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). It’s strongly recommended by the prophet (SAW) for those who have the means, rams goats cows, and camels are the animals allowed for Eid sacrifice. We are to buy what we can afford among these animals. The animals to be used for Eid should be healthy and mature and should be free from injuries, blindness, crookedness, or diseases. It is part of the Sunnah that the person who has an animal to sacrifice on Eid Day should not cut his or her nails and hair from the first day of Dhul-HIJJAH till after sacrificing his or her animal. This is recommended in the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).
We should caution not subject our rams to goring competitions either for profit-making or for fun. This is completely HARAM.
Allah knows best.
Yours sincerely,
Imam Hussaini Muhammad Tajudeen
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