The High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia has announced that Monday, December 10, 2007 will be Dhul-Hijjah 1, 1428 and that the Muslims performing Hajj will be in 'Arafah on Tuesday, December 18, 2007(Dhul-Hijjah 9, 1428).
As per the resolution of the Shura Council of ICCM,
Eid al-Adha will follow the Day of Hajj as announced in Makkah - Wednesday, December 19, 2007.
I'll try to find/post an article with more specifics as to why these days are sacred. If anyone has a good one, holla. In the meantime, things we should do these 10 days...
From an article extolling the benefits of the first 10 Day of Dhul Hijjah.
Ibn 'Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah]." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in the way of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allaah's sake] and returns with neither of them." [This is related by the group except Muslim and an-Nasa'i]
Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allaah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest : Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]
Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. 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. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]
But this article is probably more easily readable:
Why do they matter?
Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.
Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has said about the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah: There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, 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."
[Sahih al-Bukhari].
So sacred are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah that Allah swears an oath by them when He says in the Quran: "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Swearing an oath by something indicates its importance and great benefit.
What kinds of worship should be performed?
While any good deed done for the sake of Allah according to the way He approves will be rewarded immensely during the first ten days, InshaAllah, some of the more specific actions mentioned in the traditions of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) are fasting and verbal Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.
Fasting
In terms of fasting, it is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafah. The Prophet used to fast on this day [an Nisai and Abu Dawud]. Fasting on this day will expiate a Muslim's sins for two years.
Abu Qatadah reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one's sins of the previous year and the following year.
[Muslim]
One of the wives of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: Allah’s Messenger used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura, and three days of each month.
[Sahih Sunan Abu Dawud #2129]
The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah. It is the best day of the Whole Year.
Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the past year.
[Muslim]
There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire as He does no the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: "What are these people seeking?"
[Muslim]
Dhikr
The verbal remembrance of Allah is another meritorious act during these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
"And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days"
[12:28].
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) and Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar) during this time.
The Takbeer may include the words "Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahil-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly.
Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer individually when they heard them.
Good Deeds
Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Du'a (supplication), giving in charity and being good to our families, and other voluntary (nafl) righteous deeds of worship. These are amongst the deeds that are multiplied in these days.
Seek Allah's Forgiveness and Repentance
In addition, seeking Allah's forgiveness (istighfar) and Tawbah (repentance) at this time is also encouraged. This means more than just a verbal statement of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits, and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
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