Note: On The Virtues Of The First Ten Days Of Dhul-Hijjah

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

📜 Question: Which is better, the last ten nights of Ramadan, or the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? 

📝 Answer: The last ten nights of Ramadan are better in terms of doing good deeds at night, particularly since Laylatul Qadr takes place in one of these nights. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are better in terms of doing good deeds in the daytime, because Yawm 'Arafah occurs on the ninth day and it is followed by the day of sacrifice (Yawm An-Nahr, a term also referring to Eid Al-Adha), and these two are from the best days of the year. This is what has been deduced according to the majority of trusted scholars and students of knowledge.

So the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are better concerning doing good deeds for Allah's sake during daylight, while the last ten nights of Ramadan are better with regard to doing good deeds for Allah's sake in the evening, as in it is Laylatul Qadr and those nights are the best nights of the year. 

Allah the Almighty knows best.

From the Fataawa of sheikh AbdulAziz Ibn Baz (May Allah have mercy on him. Ameen.) 

~•~

📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "No good deeds can be done at a time better than these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah." It was said, “Not even striving in the way of Allah?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Not even striving in the way of Allah."

Source: Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabīr 10307

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani 

📖 Abu Qatadah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was asked about fasting the day of Arafat (Yawm 'Arafah) and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It will expiate the sins of the previous and upcoming year." Then, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was asked about fasting the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It will expiate the sins of the past year."

Source: Sahih Muslim 1162

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/8908/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A9

Hadith: Regarding The Udhiyah And Fasting On Yawm 'Arafah

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

🗒️ Inn-sha-Allah before Sunday July 11 (first of DhulHijjah) those who have the intention to sacrifice a goat, sheep or cow must avoid trimming their nails and cutting any hair strand (regardless of their length and even on Jumuah Friday) until they've carried out the sacrifice after praying the Eid prayer on Eid Al-Adha (Tuesday July 20). 

Reminder to non-pilgrims to Inn-sha-Allah fast Sunnah fasts from tomorrow until and including Yawm 'Arafah (Monday July 19). 

Good deeds in these special ten days will 

Inn-sha-Allah be rewarded immensely because unlike in Ramadan when the gates of Paradise are opened while the shayateen are chained, only a special few recognize the value of striving to please Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala in these best days of the year. 

Allah the Almighty knows best.

📖 Umm Salamah RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If the ten days of Dhul Hijjah begin and one of you intends to sacrifice (a goat, sheep, cow, camel) let him not remove anything from his hair or skin (until they sacrificed the sacrificial animal after the Eid prayer on Eid Al-Adha)."

Source: Sahih Muslim 1977

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

📖 Abu Qatadah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was asked about fasting the day of Arafat (Yawm 'Arafah) and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It will expiate the sins of the previous and upcoming year." Then, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was asked about fasting the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It will expiate the sins of the past year."

Source: Sahih Muslim 1162

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

📖 Hunaydah Ibn Khalid RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Some of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said that he would fast the first nine days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura, and three days of every month, which would be the first Monday and Thursday of the month. 

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2437

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani 

Allah the Almighty knows best. 

Al-Nawawi said, "It is part of the Sunnah (for those Muslims not performing Hajj/pilgrimage) to fast the first nine days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah."

Source: Al-Majmū’ Sharh Al-Muhadhab 6/386 

📖 Sahl Ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, through which only those who fasted will enter on the Day of Resurrection. No one else will enter it along with them. It will be said: 'Where are those who fasted, so that they may enter?' When the last of them enter, it will be closed and no one else will go through it."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1797

Sahih Muslim 1152

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim 

Poem: What You Can Do To Avoid Feeling "Inadequate" Or "Inferior"

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

💌 When you walk by some people who are taller than you, 

Instead of feeling inadequate or insecure, 

Recall those who are shorter, those with legs but can't move 

Unless they have a wheelchair or crutches they can use, 

And those with dwarfism who often get ridiculed.

~•~ 

When you meet couples who married earlier than you, 

And they bring up many kids while you have less than two, 

Recall those without partners who contentedly choose 

To stay single and marriage proposals they refuse. 

Marrying isn't crucial for one's life to improve.

~•~ 

When you come across vlogs of socialities on YouTube, 

Videos of grand house tours and reviews of luscious food, 

Remember the homeless, refugees worldwide, the poor, 

Those who are in jail and can't request what to consume, 

And patients who receive nutrients by way of tubes. 

~•~

When you encounter professionals more skilled than you, 

Or peers who surpass you in some things you like to do, 

Recall those with special needs, those who dropped out of school, 

And those who, though without degrees, are business tycoons. 

In your grave, good deeds matter more than misused fortune.

~•~ 

As Muslims, be grateful for the gifts Allah gave you, 

And don't let constant comparison spoil current moods. 

Just as trees, seas and mountains have their own pleasant views, 

While butterflies, eagles and owls have their own virtues, 

Allah blessed you too. Strive with patience and gratitude.

~•~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Look to those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is the best way not to belittle the favors of Allah."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125 

Sahih Muslim 2963

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim  

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Faith and envy do not combine within a believing servant."

In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Greed and faith are never combined in the heart of a servant."

Source: Sunan Al-Nasā’ī 3109

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/03/poem-thank-allah-for-blessings-he-chose.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/02/poem-dont-compare-your-life-journey-to.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/05/note-how-to-avoid-inferiority-complex.html 

https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/2488/165-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%83%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82%D9%83%D9%85

Poem: Allah Never Treats His Servants Unjustly. Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself. Do Good Deeds Consistently.

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Allah the Most Kind knows you're not a superhuman, 

You're not infallible nor free from imperfections. 

Allah the Most Loving expects you, as His servant, 

To obey His Laws, avoid what He has forbidden, 

And do your best to serve Him till you return to Him. 

~•~

Allah is fully aware that there will be moments 

When you struggle with frequent fatigue, stress and mood swings, 

When you miss Tahajjud on some nights as you're sleeping, 

Or miss a Sunnah fast when you lack motivation. 

Allah sees your struggles and current situation. 

~•~

Allah wants us to worship Him with right intention, 

Without being extremists, purposely negligent, 

And without forgetting that He's the Most Forgiving. 

Allah may love us more when we do other actions 

Which please Him to compensate for our past shortcomings.

~•~

When accursed shaytan whispers, "Look at you, pretending 

To be pious and perfect when you've got an audience, 

Yet privately you're guilty of many wrongdoings. 

Quit your efforts. There's no way that you'll be forgiven.",

Increase good deeds, do Tawbah, shun shaytan's deceptions.

~•~ 

You missed Qiyaam Al-Layl? Pray Duha in the morning. 

Couldn't fast a Sunnah fast which you perform often? 

Do charity, feed stray cats, console a sad Muslim, 

Babysit kids, or share tips to benefit someone. 

Allah loves it when you're consistent and keep trying.

~•~ 

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Allah the Almighty says: 'I am as My servant expects Me and I am with him as he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, then I will remember him in Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, then I will mention him in a larger gathering. When he draws near to Me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. When he draws near Me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. When he comes to Me walking, I will come to him running.'"

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6970

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi 

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Do good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly (consistently) even if they are few."

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4240

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani 

📖 Aisha RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Follow the right course, seek nearness to Allah, and give glad tidings. Verily, none of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone." They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Not even me, unless Allah grants me His Mercy. Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is done regularly, even if it is small (or few)."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6099

Sahih Muslim 2818

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/06/poem-benefits-of-praying-tahajjud.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/12/poem-sincerity-and-consistency-are.html 

Note: On Inner Beauty And Trying To Look Good On The Outside

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Some females only befriend women who appear as beautiful as them, while others would distance themselves from you if your beauty level is above average due to feeling jealously threatened and fearful that your good looks may outshine theirs. If you enter a cosmetics store looking pretty, some of the saleswomen would enthusiastically welcome you and treat you in a friendly manner. On the other hand, if your overall appearance isn't appealing enough, or you seem like a customer who can't afford branded products from Zara, Sephora and Forever 21 etc. you may receive unprofessional treatment from ignorant salesladies who despise you for your simplistic look without even knowing who you are.

Some men's marriage proposals get rejected simply because the women they were interested in marrying didn't find them handsome. A teacher may be more popular than the other teachers just for looking like a typical runway model. A student could either earn popularity among his/her peers for having a cute face or he/she may be hated by a squad of jealous bullies for looking better than them physically.

Having a beautiful heart is underrated, while making sure that one looks good or stays in shape is a priority for a lot of youths, particularly those who aspire to imitate their favorite celebrities many of whom undergo cosmetic surgery, or make-up guros on YouTube who indirectly cause certain viewers to think they don't look good enough when their make-up application is flawlessly on fleek.

As Muslims Alhamdulillah we must remind ourselves that Allah the Almighty created us to worship Him Only, not to impress His creation especially with superficial beauty. When we focus on pleasing Only Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, people's criticism can't affect us negatively. Our hearts then remain at peace and radiate good energy or positive vibes which other beautiful souls can recognize easily. So if someone calls you 'pangit', 'ugly' or 'not pretty enough', just ask them "Oh is that your nickname? Interesting." or confidently say, "I never asked for your opinion. You can evaluate your own looks somewhere else. I am not a mirror, thank you." or walk away patiently, content with how Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala made you and grateful you're not like those rude individuals in being immature, uncivilized and incredibly insecure.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated that Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance nor wealth, but rather Allah looks at your hearts and actions."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2564

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/07/note-allah-judges-hearts-not-appearance.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/11/poem-ways-to-react-when-told-youre-ugly.html