Make the most of Dhul Hijjah's first ten days
“Don't look at the smallness of the sin but rather look at the greatness of the one that you are disobeying.”
The sacred months, especially the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, are an opportunity to avoid sin, seek forgiveness, and multiply worship through fasting, charity, remembrance, and Udhiyah.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Explains the twelve-month calendar and the four sacred months, including how pre-Islamic Arabs manipulated the calendar.
- Applies the sacred-month principle to avoiding sin, emphasizing that wrongdoing harms one's own soul.
- Warns that repeated sins can remove barakah, lower one's standing with Allah, and cover the heart.
- Urges people to repair wrongs against others by seeking forgiveness before the Day of Judgment.
- Introduces the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah as among the year's greatest days for worship.
- Recommends Quran, dhikr, kindness to parents, charity, fasting, especially on Arafah, and Udhiyah.
In the khateeb's words
“we are patient for a moment for eternal reward from Allah”
“don't look at the smallness of the sin but rather look at the greatness of the one that you are disobeying”
“there are no days in which the worship will be better in it than these ten days the ten days of dhu al-hijjah”
“fasting one day the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah will be equal to something which forgives a previous year and the coming year of sins”
For the dinner table
Sheikh Yousef reminded us that Allah has made certain months sacred, and we should be especially careful about our choices during them. He explained that sins harm our own souls, and when we hurt someone else, we should try to repair that harm and seek their forgiveness. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a precious opportunity to read Quran, remember Allah, be good to our parents, and give to people in need. He encouraged fasting during the first nine days, especially the day of Arafah, while reminding us that we do not fast on Eid. He also encouraged Udhiyah, the sacrifice offered for Allah, and helping poor people share in the happiness of Eid.
- Which good deed mentioned in the khutbah would you like us to make time for together during Dhul-Hijjah?
- What could help you pause and make a better choice when you feel tempted to do something wrong?
- How could our family help someone else enjoy Eid?
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