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Dhul Hijjah Mubarak Everyone!
As we enter the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah please accept my sincere well wishes to all those who are blessed to perform the hajj this year, Islam’s fifth pillar.
For those of us not performing hajj, we should remember that the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah (8/2-8/11) are a sacred time during which our acts of worship and good deeds are greatly rewarded. The Qur’an mentions these days in Surat al-Fajr: “By the dawn and the ten nights,” and the Prophet (p) said about them, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to God than these ten days.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
In your charitable giving during these sacred days, please consider supporting ING to reap the season’s benefits and rewards. Go to www.ing.org/donate to give any amount you’re comfortable giving.
I list other recommended acts of worship at the end of this note. But first, let me tell you about why you should consider ING as an extension of your family and community in how it is serving you.
ING Serving Your Family and Community
ING Bay Area Director, Ishaq Pathan presenting to San Francisco high school principals today on 8/1/19.
ING staff and speakers counter bigotry by teaching about Islam and Muslims in diverse formats and at different venues. We average two presentations and panels a day to audiences of 50 or more in each presentation.
This output doesn’t include the downloads of our curriculum and PPTs in 48 states throughout the country where Muslim activists, interfaith allies, and mosques use our content in your neighborhood.
This year, Bay Area audiences have included:
- Law enforcement agencies such as police departments in Santa Clara, San Jose State, and Los Gatos, and the FBI in San Francisco
- Corporations such as Salesforce and Square Inc. in San Francisco
- Educational institutions such as the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Stanford Graduate School of Education
- Civic groups such as the Cities Association of Santa Clara County and the Harvard Club of San Francisco
- Universities such as UC Santa Cruz and California State University Monterey
- Religious institutions such as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
- And of course houses of worship, and middle and high schools
My next note will tell you what’s new this fall at ING. In the meantime, please consider supporting us in any amount you feel comfortable giving at www.ing.org/donate.
Now, here are more recommended acts of worship during these sacred first 10 nights/days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah (8/2-8/11).
Recommended Acts of Worship
During the Season
- Fasting on as many days as one is able to, especially on the 9th day which is the blessed day of Arafah. According to a hadith, “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” [Sahih Muslim]
- Reciting the praise and dhikr of God, including SubhanAllah, Alhamdulilah, Allahu Akbar, and la ilaha illallah; and specifically reciting Takbirat Tashriq from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil hamd after every fard salat.
- Increasing our reading and recitation of the Qur’an, and our voluntary or nafal prayers, especially tahajjud or night prayer which can be performed shortly before fajr prayer. “There are no days more loved to God for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the Night of Power. [Lailatul Qadr].” (Tirmidhi)
- Exemplifying good character in all our actions and interactions with others and reflecting on and working on our shortcomings.
- Increasing our duas (supplications) to God; this is the best time to ask God for anything you need for yourself or your loved ones.
- Increasing charitable giving. There are numerous Qur’anic verses and ahadith about the benefits and reward for giving charity; giving charity during this blessed time is even more commendable.
Peace and blessings,
Maha Elgenaidi
Executive Director
Islamic Networks Group (ING) is a non-profit organization with affiliates and partners around the country that are pursuing peace and countering all forms of bigotry through education and interfaith engagement while working within the framework of the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom and pluralism.