AlAzhar Islamic Research Academy

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a season of worship that brings many benefits. They are an opportunity for a person to correct their faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Clarifying the merit of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the Prophet (pbuh) stated that they are among the greatest days of this worldly life. He also showed that righteous deeds during them are better than on other days. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days” (Referring to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah). The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihād in the cause of Allah?” He (pbuh) replied, “Not even Jihād in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with his soul and wealth and returns with neither” [Narrated by al-Buḥary]. This ḥadīth indicates the virtue of every righteous deed, whether fasting, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), prayer, charity, or any other act of devotion as all such acts are included in righteous deeds.

Renew Your Life!
The near present before you, your own soul and good or bad circumstances surrounding you are the only pillars that produce your future where no place for slowing down or procrastinating.
(Sheikh Muḥammad Al-Ghazāli, May Allah have mercy on him!)

ˁAishah (May Allah be pleased with her) Said: Whenever Allah's Messenger (PBUH) went to bed, he would blow into his hands while reciting the Muˁauwidhāt (the Protective Surahs, i.e. Al-Falaq 113 and An-Nās 114) and then wipe his body with his hands. (Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhari)

Allah swears by the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and swearing by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allah says: “By the dawn; by the ten nights” {(وَٱلۡفَجۡرِ ۝ وَلَیَالٍ عَشۡرࣲ)} (Quran, 89:1-2). Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy on him, said “The ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, as stated by Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later scholars.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer). Ibn Katheer also deemed this opinion correct.

Perfection is to make every effort to attain perfection as long as you have life and breath.
(Sheikh Muḥammad Al-Ghazāli, May Allah have mercy on him!)

For Those Who Want to Offer a Sacrifice: Do not Cut Your Hair or Nails!
It is recommended for those who want to offer a sacrifice not to cut anything from their hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah until the sacrifice has been made. The prophet (pbuh) said, “When the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah begin, and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him/her not touch anything of his/her hair or nails.” [Narrated by Muslim (3/1565)]. This is a recommendation, not an obligation. However, if someone intending to offer a sacrifice does cut their hair or nails, there is no sin or blame upon them. The mother of the believers, ˁĀˀisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Prophet (pbuh) used to send his sacrificial animal (the Hadyy) from Medina and would not avoid anything that a person in Ihram would avoid. [Narrated by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Allāhumma ṣalli `alā Muḥammadinwa `alā ’āli Muḥammadin, kamā ṣallayta `alā 'Ibrāhīma wa `alā ’āli 'Ibrāhīma, 'innaka ḥamīdum-majīd. Allāhumma bārik `alā Muḥammadin wa `alā ’āli Muḥammadin, kamā bārakta `alā 'Ibrāhīma wa `alā 'āli 'Ibrāhīma, 'innaka ḥamīdum-majīd.

O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your Blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.

اللّهُـمَّ صَلِّ عَلـى مُحمَّـد، وَعَلـى آلِ مُحمَّد، كَمـا صَلَّيـتَ عَلـى إبْراهـيمَ وَعَلـى آلِ إبْراهـيم، إِنَّكَ حَمـيدٌ مَجـيد ، اللّهُـمَّ بارِكْ عَلـى مُحمَّـد، وَعَلـى آلِ مُحمَّـد، كَمـا بارِكْتَ عَلـى إبْراهـيمَ وَعَلـى آلِ إبْراهيم، إِنَّكَ حَمـيدٌ مَجـيد.

🙂 Friday’s Supererogatory Acts of Worship (Sunnah):
✅ Taking a Ritual Bath
✅ Wearing Perfume
✅ Putting on the Best Clothes
✅ Using Siwāk (plant twigs used to clean teeth)
✅ Proceeding Early to the Mosque
✅ Reciting Surat Al-Kahf (the Cave)
✅ Invoking Allah’s Blessings on Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) Repeatedly
✅ Checking Preferable Times for Accepting Supplication (especially the last hour before sunset)
🤲 May Allah accept our good deeds and yours!

The awareness convoy for the season, launched by Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy ( ), continues its efforts at airports and seaports to provide educational and dawah guidance and support for pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah before their departure to the Holy Lands.
Al-Azhar male and female preachers are keen to answer pilgrims’ questions, explain the rulings and rituals of Hajj, and provide the necessary guidance and instructions, helping to prepare the to perform Hajj in the proper manner.

Etiquettes of Reciting the Holy Quran

AIRA Secretary-General meets M***i of Poland to advance religious awareness and strengthen cultural dialogue

His Eminence Prof. Muhammad El-Gendy, Secretary-General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA), received at his office His Eminence Sheikh Tomasz Miśkiewicz, M***i of Poland, to discuss a number of issues related to the lived realities of Muslims in Europe, mechanisms for promoting sound religious awareness, and ways to build bridges of cultural and humanitarian communication among peoples.

During the meeting, Prof. Muhammad El-Gendy affirmed that Al-Azhar is keen to support the scholarly and cultural presence of religious institutions across different countries around the world. This keenness stems from Al-Azhar’s mission of spreading the values of mercy and human understanding and consolidating the correct understanding of religion in a manner that takes into account the particularities of societies and their cultural diversity.

His Eminence also pointed out the importance of developing the tools of religious discourse in a way that enables it to communicate more effectively with younger generations, especially in societies characterized by diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. He stressed that preserving religious identity requires a deep awareness of contemporary realities alongside adherence to authentic principles and values.

For his part, M***i of Poland expressed his great appreciation for the scholarly and intellectual role played by Al-Azhar, emphasizing his keenness to expand areas of cooperation with AIRA and benefit from Al-Azhar expertise in supporting religious and cultural work within Polish society.