Special Ten Days

Assalamu alaikom

Today is the first day of the Islamic month called Dhul Hijjah. It's the last month of the year, and it's the month when Hajj is performed. The Hajj is a series of religious rites performed in Mecca that carry historical and spiritual value. It's a trip that a Muslim should try to do at least once in her life.

The first ten days of this month are the most blessed of *days* in the sight of Allah as far as doing extra acts of worship and good deeds. It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." It is a time to step back from your daily grind and try to get closer to God spiritually. How can you do this? It's actually quite simple and doesn't require you to hole up in your room! You can just be more aware, and use your spare 'thinking' time to remember God:

1. Fasting these 10 days
2. Giving more charity during these 10 days
3. Say the "Eid" Takbeers loudly wherever you go. (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illa Allah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Walillaahil hamd.)

4. Try to pray more prayers in the Masjid
5. Increase ties of kinship (visit family, say kind words to them, etc.)
6. Perform more voluntary prayers at home
7. Read more Quran, contemplating the meanings
8. Do more Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
9. Ask for forgiveness more frequently

Also, I’ll be thinking about Eid preparations. Eid will be Friday the 27th, and the kids are already looking forward. I won’t be having a big party like I did for the last Eid two months ago, but we’ll have a special day nonetheless, insha’Allah. We’ll wake up and pray at the mosque in the morning, and then we’ll have a brunch or something. I’ll think of something for the kids during the day, and then we’ll have a nice family dinner in the evening. I hope we can visit some relatives and friends as well over the following days. Alrighty.. that’s it for today!