11/07/2021
Today, 11th of July, 2021, is the 1st day of Dhul-Hijjah, 1442H. This means, nine days from now is Eidul-Adhaa, popularly referred to as Big Sallah, Ileya, and so on, in many Nigerian cultures.
These first ten days are the greatest days in the year, and you don't want to miss out on them. There are some Prophetic practises that we should note, some are;
1. Increase in doing good deeds.
Ibn Abbaas (may ALLAAH be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلّم) said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to ALLAAH than these ten days”.
The companions who were around asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of ALLAAH?" He (The Prophet) said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of ALLAAH, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by Al-Bukhaari, 2/457).
2. Increase in saying ALLAAHU AKBAR, Laa ilaaha illa LLAAH, Subhaana LLAAH, and other forms of Prophetic adhkaar, such as seeking forgiveness and so on.
Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAAH be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace, during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee’ah for doing so in unison.
Caveat:
Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.
3. Fast in the first nine if you're able to. It is recorded that the Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and used to encourage it. An-Nasaa’i, 4/205, Abu Dawud; classed as saheeh by Al-Albaaniy in Saheeh Abee Dawud, 2/462.
If you can't do that, at least fast on the 9th day of the month, it reward is mega.
4. Make the sacrifice
ALLAAH says:
“Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)”.
Al-Kawthar 108:2.
Another thing is to not clip your nails, or cut your hair or any part of your body if you're sacrificing the animal, in the most correct opinion. May ALlah extend our lives upon goodness.