By
Umm Amal – Hiba Magazine Team Writer
The first nine days of Dhul Hajj, the sacred month are sometimes neglected by non-pilgrims or non-Hajis until Eid ul Adha arrives. Our ignorance and negligence may have reduced this treasured time to simply shopping for sacrificial animals and Eid outfits only.
In contrast the Sahabah exerted themselves fully during this time, mindfully glorifying Allah (swt). Saeed bin Jubair (rta) is known to strive hard to worship Allah (swt). Ibn Abbas (rta) was unavailable, busy with his Ibadah and Amal-e-Sualeh.
Ibn Abbas (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah (swt) 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, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah) and came back with nothing.” (Bukhari)
What is mindful glorification?
Have you noticed that when you remember someone, your tongue starts mentioning about that person. Your mind starts reeling of all the moments spent together in the past and present. Especially if you reminisce a loved one, your heart fills up with love, you miss his company, you long to be with him, etc. That is being mindful about someone. Allah (swt) Al Aala, the Highest deserves greater attention and attachment of ours than we give to ordinary humans.
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding – who remember Allah while standing or sitting or (lying) on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), ‘Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly, exalted are You (above such a thing) then protect us from the punishment of the fire.’” (Al Imran 3:190-191)
Remembering Allah (swt) is the simplest and easiest way to worship during the 10 days of Dhul Hajj through:
Tasbeeh – ‘Subhan Allah’ – Glorifying Allah (swt)
Tahmeed – ‘Al Hamdulillah’ – Praising Allah (swt)
Tahleel – ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ – Declaring the oneness of Allah (swt)
Takbeer – ‘Allah o Akbar’ – Proclaiming the greatness of Allah (swt)
How to mindfully glorify Allah (swt)?
1, Ask for forgiveness, form a pure intention and pray for acceptance
So the next ten days you will be mining in a gold mine digging for gems and jewels. And the day of Arafah, 9th Dhul Hajj is the most valuable one that you must focus on. Make Taubah and Neeyah for Ikhlaas that this effort is only to please Allah (swt). Make Dua before you begin worshipping Him, while you worship Him and after you are done worshipping Allah (swt). In sha Allah, you will be granted the patience, ease and sweetness of Iman to enable you to do it.
2, Remove distractions
Information overload and constant images of our screens have put our minds and hearts to sleep. We have outsourced many of our intellectual capabilities to machines. This may have brought ease and speed to our lives but it has robbed us of the most powerful and valuable asset of ours, the power to pause, observe, think, conclude and act. That is exactly what Allah (swt) wants to teach humans so they can recognize their Creator, purpose of their creation and their own true potential. Hence do yourself a favour and turn off and put away your screens and machines for at least some part of the day to worship with focus.
3, Understand deeply the meaning of Takbeerat
When you state ‘Subhan Allah’ it means that Allah (swt) is Pure. He is free of faults, flaws and forgetfulness. The life He decreed for you is customized according to your abilities. He is not unjust or cruel. The word ‘Sabbaha’ means to swim in Arabic. Whenever you feel as if you are drowning in the darkness or depression, start extolling ‘Subha Allah.’ Allah (swt) will pull you up and grant you the strength to swim ashore.
‘Al Hamdulillah’ combines thanks and praise of Allah (swt) together. It’s a mindset of gratitude when you accept that you are Allah’s (swt) slave. Though you deserve nothing, yet He has bestowed upon you countless and limitless blessings, most of which you never asked for. Your life, capabilities, body, relationships, etc. Realizing this generosity of Allah (swt) you offer thanks and give Him credit for every bit of achievement and success in your life. It would never have happened without Allah’s (swt) permission.
‘La Ilaha Illal Allah’ is to declare the unity of God. The only perfect Lord with perfect attributes. This builds our sense of Tauheed and grants us confidence we need to strive forth tackling challenges, hardships and trials in the world. Our Tawwakul (trust) doesn’t let us fall apart and grants us Iman leading to Yaqueen that one day we will meet our Rabb Who will grant us the ultimate gift of Jannah, the perfect home of desires.
‘Allah o Akbar’ helps us realize that Allah (swt) is the greatest of all. It also means that you are very small and insignificant before Him. Your intellect that Allah (swt) gave you is also not smart enough to figure out Allah’s (swt) true power, authority and control over the universe. He is the Creator of the mightiest creations such as the Sun, the galaxies, the mountains and the oceans. Yet they all submit to Him and worship Him alone. Where do you and I stand in terms of our might then?
4, Recite Takbeerat with conviction inviting others too
Ibn Umar (rta) and Abu Hurairah (rta) used to roam the markets during the days of Dhul Hajj, reciting the Takbeerat aloud, reminding others to follow suit. You can also recite them at home to remind family members and In sha Allah revive this means of worship.
5, Observe Allah’s (swt) open book of marvels around you
The difference between a believer and a disbeliever is how they observe Allah’s (swt) natural phenomenon or creation and decode it. A disbeliever says: “Wow! That’s amazing!” and paints pictures, writes about the creation or makes detailed documentaries for intellectual stimulation. A believer doesn’t stop there. He connects the creation with the Creator and gives entire credit to Allah (swt) drawing close to Him, loving Him more and worshipping Him more sincerely. Most importantly, a believer knows that one day this entire temporary worldly set up will end and he will be standing before Allah (swt).
6, Acquire the knowledge of Quran, Allah’s (swt) divine speech
Acquiring knowledge about Allah (swt) through the Quran is not optional. It is mandatory. It is also not time bound with the end of a Quranic course. In fact it is a manual for guidance that you need to understand with a trusted teacher, at every age of life as you are dealing with different circumstances at different stages.
7, Discover your Creator through His Majestic names and perfect attributes
Al Asma Wal Husna, the beautiful names of Allah (swt) offer us a doorway to strength in the world and salvation in the hereafter. Our need to know who our lord is like an ocean. In comparison our need for food, shelter, companions, etc.is like a water droplet. Simply because the knowledge about Allah’s (swt) names and attributes grants us every positive emotion and ability and protects us from every negative thought and action. It’s a beautiful journey the Sahabah took with the beloved Prophet Muhammad (sa) and transformed into a nation of heroes.
Allah (swt) commands in the Quran: “O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance.” (Al Ahzaab 33:41)
Just as the rainfall increases the beauty, revives the parched land and brings joy to people, remembrance of Allah (swt) brings mercy into our lives. But this remembrance should not be a mindless task with our tongues moving, minds distracted and our hearts heedless.
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