Dhul-Hijjah’s first ten days bring special reward
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.”
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are an exceptional opportunity to earn Allah’s love through repentance, obligatory worship, remembrance, fasting, supplication, and sacrifice.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Exhorts listeners to practice taqwa and prepare to return to Allah.
- Uses a historical campaign against the Romans to illustrate sacrifice and commitment.
- Explains the special virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
- Recommends repentance, obligatory prayers, Hajj, dhikr, takbir, supplication, fasting Arafah, and qurban.
- Uses the story of Imam Ahmad and a baker to illustrate constant remembrance.
- Concludes by urging listeners to seize May 18, 27 and closes with supplication and prayer.
In the khateeb's words
“there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.”
“every du'a that I make, Allah granted to me, except one. He said, I keep on making du'a that I want to meet, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.”
“Prepare yourself to do a lot of good deeds during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. Between May 18 to May 27.”
“Take advantage of five before five. You youth before your old age. You health before your sickness. You wealth before your poverty.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special opportunity to draw close to Allah. We should begin with repentance, protect the obligatory prayers, remember Allah often, make dua, fast the Day of Arafah, and offer qurban if we are able. A story about Imam Ahmad and a baker shows how steady remembrance can accompany ordinary work and lead to answered prayers. The message is to use our youth, health, wealth, free time, and life for good before those gifts change.
- What is one good deed you would like to do during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
- How can we remember Allah during ordinary chores or schoolwork?
- Which blessing, health, time, wealth, or youth, should we use more wisely?
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