Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Prepare for the Hereafter through Dhul-Hijjah

“The best thing you pack is taqwa, which is what we're talking about here.”

The khateeb, at 15:59

In one sentence

The khutbah urges Muslims to maximize the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah, through worship and good deeds as provision for the Hereafter.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Urges listeners to seize the exceptional rewards of the first ten days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah.
  2. Uses Surah al-Fajr and Ibn Abbas to emphasize the importance of the ten nights.
  3. Recommends dhikr, Quran recitation, fasting, and congregational prayer throughout the ten days.
  4. Details Arafah-day practices including fasting, post-Fajr remembrance, Ishraq prayer, and extended dua.
  5. Explains udhiyah, meat distribution, and the prohibition on fasting Eid day.
  6. Closes by presenting taqwa as the best provision for the journey to the Hereafter.
Try this week
Repeat dhikr such as Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah while driving or during idle time.
Recite Quran regularly, aiming for three juz per day if able.
Fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah, but not Eid day.
Attend Isha and Fajr in congregation, especially during these ten days.
On Arafah, remain after Fajr for dhikr, pray two rakahs of Ishraq after sunrise, and make dua from Fajr until sunset.
Offer udhiyah if financially able, ensuring the animal meets the stated criteria, and distribute the meat among oneself, relatives, and the poor.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 89Used the oath by the ten nights to establish their exceptional importance.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“there is nothing that you can do no good deeds that you can do at any time of the year including in the month of Ramadan that you can get more better rewarded than this time”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 6:56
“when you're driving wherever you go make it a habit and you know take advantage of the time”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 11:27
“the best thing you pack is taqwa which is what we're talking about here”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 15:59
“the best du'a that you could ever make that even better than the du'a of Leilat Al-Qadr”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 17:04
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Our khateeb reminded us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special opportunity for worship and good deeds. We can use these days for Quran, dhikr, prayer, fasting, and sincere dua, with the Day of Arafah receiving special attention. If we are able, we should also offer udhiyah and share its meat with relatives and people in need. The sermon ended by reminding us that taqwa is the best provision for our journey to the Hereafter.

  1. Why do you think the speaker compared taqwa to something we pack for a journey?
  2. How could our family make the Day of Arafah meaningful?