IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.
BEING THE FIRST SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF DHU AL-HIJJAH
DATED 1/12/1445 AH (7 JUNE 2024 CE)
THE LEGITIMATE ACTS DURING THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF DHUL-HIJJAH
THE FIRST SERMON
Praise be to Allah, the Creator who selects from days and months what He wills, and distinguishes some with virtues as He desires, out of His mercy to His servants who believe and fear Him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, a testimony that saves its speaker and practitioner. I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, bless and grant peace to him, his family, and his companions, and to those who follow their path until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
Fear Allah, O Muslims, as He should be feared. Seek the means of His mercy and forgiveness, and persist in every cause that brings you closer to His pleasure, leads you to His paradise, and distances you from His fire. (وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ) {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous} (Surah Al-Imran: 133).
Dear listeners, among the blessings of Allah upon us is that He has favored some months and days over others, multiplying rewards in them so that Muslims may increase in their ranks. Among the virtuous days that Allah has magnified and elevated in status are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. These are great and blessed days, during which no deeds are equivalent in reward. To make the most of these blessed times with righteous deeds, the focus of our sermon today is on the legitimate acts during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
O Muslims, these are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the known virtuous days that Allah, the Exalted, has honored and elevated in status, swearing by them in His glorious book. He says: (وَالْفَجْرِ * وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ){By the dawn, and by the ten nights} (Surah Al-Fajr: 1-2). Ibn Kathir said: “The ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, as stated by Ibn Abbas, Ibn Zubair, Mujahid, and others from the Salaf and Khalaf” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir 8/390). Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, also says: (وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ) {And mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals} (Surah Al-Hajj: 28). Ibn Abbas said: “The known days are the first ten days” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari said: “Qatadah said: ‘The known days are the first ten days, and the numbered days are the days of Tashreeq.’
The Prophet (peace be upon him) highlighted the virtue of these days and the greatness of deeds performed during them in his noble hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), who said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except a man who goes out with himself and his wealth and does not return with anything” (narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih and Abu Dawood in his Sunan, among others). Sa’id ibn Jubayr used to narrate from Ibn Abbas, from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: “There are no days in which good deeds are purer or greater in status with Allah than the ten days of the sacrificial feast.” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, not even the one who fights in the cause of Allah with his self and wealth?” He said: “Not even the one who fights in the cause of Allah with his self and wealth, except the one who does not return with his self and wealth” (narrated by Al-Darimi in his Sunan).
Brothers in faith, we have narrated from our righteous predecessors that they used to greatly revere these days and recognize their significance. Abu Uthman said: “They used to revere three sets of ten days: the first ten days of Muharram, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and the last ten days of Ramadan” (see: Mukhtasar Qiyam al-Layl wa-Qiyam Ramadan wa-Kitab al-Witr by Ibn al-Hajjaj al-Marwazi, p. 247). Sa’id ibn Jubayr, would exert himself greatly in worship when the ten days began, so much so that he could hardly bear it” (Shu’ab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi 5/309).
O Muslims, among the legitimate acts and acts of worship that we should focus on during these blessed days, engage in abundantly, and hasten to perform are:
Firstly: Performing the obligatory prayers at their appointed times and with the congregation in the mosques.
Secondly: Attending to the voluntary prayers, such as the regular Sunnah prayers, the Duha prayer, the Qiyamu al-layl (night prayer), the Witr prayer, and other prescribed prayers. Imam al-Shafi’i and others recommended standing in prayer during the ten nights. Sa’id ibn Jubayr said: “Do not extinguish your lamps during the ten nights” (see Al-Lata’if, p. 289).
Thirdly: Fasting the first nine days of these ten days is recommended by scholars because fasting during these days is among the righteous deeds. Whoever is unable to fast all of them may fast as many as they can. Hunaydah ibn Khalid narrated from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on the day of Ashura, the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, and three days each month” (Ahmad and al-Nasa’i, and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasa’i, no. 2372). If one is unable to fast all these days, then at least fasting on the day of Arafah is recommended for those not performing Hajj. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting on the day of Arafah, I hope, will expiate the sins of the year before and the year after” (Muslim).
Fourthly: Increasing the remembrance of Allah, His supplications, praising Him, glorifying Him, declaring His oneness, repenting to Him, seeking His forgiveness, and reciting the Qur’an at all times. This is very easy on the tongue and carries great reward. One of the best supplications is the supplication on the day of Arafah. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said is: There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs the praise, and He has power over all things” (al-Tirmidhi).
Fifthly: Takbeer- Proclaiming the greatness of Allah and doing so frequently, loudly saying: “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no deity but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.” This practice of proclaiming takbeer during the ten days was observed by the righteous predecessors of the early generations. Al-Bukhari mentioned in his Sahih: “Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah would go out to the market during the ten days, proclaiming takbeer, and the people would proclaim takbeer along with them.” This takbeer, O Muslims, is prescribed for men, women, the young, and the old, to be proclaimed in homes, markets, on transportation, in the streets, at work, during travel, and while staying at home, whether sitting or walking, at all times of the day and night. There are two types of takbeer: the first is the restricted takbeer, which is recited after the obligatory prayers and is specific to Eid al-Adha, starting from the dawn of the day of Arafah until the afternoon of the last day of Tashreeq. The second type is the unrestricted takbeer, which begins from the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah until the last day of Tashreeq. Ibn Qudamah stated: “Takbeer in Eid al-Adha is both unrestricted and restricted, the restricted being after the obligatory prayers. The unrestricted takbeer is at all times in the markets and everywhere.” As for Eid al-Fitr, it is unrestricted, not tied to specific times, according to the apparent view of Ahmad, and it is also the view of Al-Khiraqi. Abu al-Khattab said: “One proclaims takbeer from sunset on the night of Eid al-Fitr until the imam goes out for the prayer” (end quote).
Sixthly: Giving charity abundantly to the poor and in all forms of goodness, helping Muslims, and relieving their distress.
Seventhly: Offering the sacrificial animal (Udhiyah), which is one of the best acts of worship on the day of Eid. Scholars differ on its ruling, but the correct view is that it is a confirmed Sunnah for those who can afford it, as we explained in the previous sermon.
Eighthly: Performing the Eid prayer, which is obligatory according to the most correct view among scholars. Allah knows best.
Ninthly: One of the most important matters during these ten days is to strictly avoid the path of sin and wrongdoing. Some scholars have mentioned that sins are multiplied in the sacred months.
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saleh al-Uthaymeen said: “The phrase ‘righteous deeds’ includes prayer, charity, fasting, remembrance, takbeer, recitation of the Qur’an, honoring parents, maintaining family ties, kindness to others, good neighborliness, and more” (see: Sharh Riyadh al-Salihin 5/303).
I say this and ask Allah, the Great and Glorious, to forgive me and you and all Muslims for every sin. Seek His forgiveness; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, capable of all things, encompassing everything in knowledge. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, his family, and all his companions.
Dear listeners, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called for an indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024. The strike was suspended on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for a week. The strike aimed to pressure the federal government to meet their demand for raising the minimum wage to 494,000 Naira, while the government proposed 60,000 Naira, along with other demands, citing the rising cost of living due to government policies. The two-day strike had widespread effects, including disruptions in electricity supply and airport activities, affecting pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.
Servants of Allah, while we urge the federal government to manage the negotiation process wisely and address the workers’ demands to the best of its ability, and acknowledging that workers have the right to make demands, we appeal to the labor unions to approach their demands and methods of achieving them with wisdom, without adding further hardships to the citizens. We also believe that the timing of the strike is inappropriate, as Muslims are preparing for their greatest festival, Eid al-Adha, and the significant religious rites of Hajj and Umrah. Allah has forbidden creating any hindrance to His path and preventing people from reaching the Sacred Mosque, as He says: (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَيَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرامِ الَّذِي جَعَلْناهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَواءً الْعاكِفُ فِيهِ وَالْبادِ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذابٍ أَلِيمٍ) “Indeed, those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah and [from] al-Masjid al-Haram, which We made for the people – equal are the resident therein and one from outside; and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing – We will make him taste of a painful punishment” (Al-Hajj: 25) and (الَّذِينَ يَسْتَحِبُّونَ الْحَياةَ الدُّنْيا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَها عِوَجاً أُولئِكَ فِي ضَلالٍ بَعِيدٍ) “Those who prefer the worldly life over the Hereafter and avert [people] from the way of Allah, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. Those are in extreme error” (Ibrahim: 3). We ask Allah to guide us to the best of ways and to protect our nation from chaos.
Servants of Allah, Ahmad narrated from Abu Umamah who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “A group of my community will remain triumphant, adhering to the truth, conquering their enemies. Those who oppose them will not harm them, except for the hardships they endure, until the command of Allah comes to them while they are in this state.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah, where are they?” He replied: “In Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) and the surrounding areas of Bayt al-Maqdis.” (Narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, and Shu’aib al-Arna’ut graded it as authentic with exceptions, stating that the chain is weak due to the anonymity of Amr ibn Abdullah al-Saybani al-Hadrami, who was the sole narrator of this hadith through Yahya ibn Abi Amr al-Saybani, and only Ibn Hibban and al-Ajli considered him trustworthy).
Brothers in Islam, in this noble hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) informs us about the continuity of this religion and those who uphold the proof for Allah. He speaks of a group that will bear the burden of this religion and defend it. This group will be victorious and evident, not harmed by the abandonment of their enemies or those who fail to support and assist them. They will remain in this state until the command of Allah comes, which refers to the gentle wind that will seize the souls of the believers before the Hour is established. This hadith signifies the truthfulness of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and to this day, we find that this group still exists within the Ummah, never ceasing in any era. They are responsible for renewing the religion, establishing proof against people, reviving the Sunnah, eradicating innovations, and representing the Ummah in defending Islamic sanctities. This is exemplified by the courageous Islamic resistance today in the land of Palestine, the home of the prophets, the refuge of the righteous, the land of gathering and resurrection, the site of the first Qibla, the end of the Prophet’s Night Journey, and the starting point of his Ascension. It is the land of significant frontiers and valiant women, the migration place of our father Ibrahim, the land of Ayyub, the prayer niche of Dawud, the wonders of Sulaiman, and the cradle of Isa, peace be upon them all. This land belongs to all Muslims, not just one generation but to all generations of the Ummah until the Day of Judgment. Hence, we commend the heroic operations carried out by the valiant mujahideen of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Saraya al-Quds, and other Palestinian resistance factions, dealing severe blows to the occupying soldiers, teaching them a profound lesson that there will be no permanence for the occupation on the land of Palestine until Allah grants its liberation.
Supplication: O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, and humiliate disbelief and the disbelievers. O Allah, nullify the plots of the enemies of Islam and thwart their schemes. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from their evils. O Allah, we ask You to unite the hearts of Muslims upon the truth. O Allah, grant victory to the Palestinian people and relieve their siege. O Allah, lift their distress and remove their hardship. O Allah, heal their sick and the sick among the Muslims. O Allah, free their prisoners and the prisoners of all Muslims. O Allah, grant us security in our homelands and rectify our leaders, guiding them to what You love and are pleased with. O Allah, forgive our deceased and the deceased among the Muslims, O Most Merciful of the Merciful, O Lord of the Worlds.