ACTS OF VIRTUE

There are certain specific acts of virtue in these blessed days of Zil Hijjah which are enumerated and explained below

  1. Upon sighting the moon of Zil Hijjah, those people intending to perform Qurbaani should neither cut their hair nor clip their nails until the Qurbaani is performed. This is a mustahab (desirable) act derived from Hadeeth of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam wherein he has said: "A person should neither clip his nails nor cut his hair until he performs qurbaani". (lbne Maajah)

    2. Some ulamaa have explained the reason and wisdom behind this order of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam thus that in this month, hundreds of thousands of people are blessed with the opportunity of visiting the sacred house of Allah in Makkah. They enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the holy places and acquire maximum benefit from the blessed moments. Whilst they are there in the state of ihraam certain acts become impermissible for them. Amongst them is clipping of nails and cutting the hair. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam instructed those of his followers who could not reach the blessed places, to imitate the pilgrims by not cutting the hair and clipping the nails so that the mercy of Allah can enshroud them too together with the pilgrims.

  2. These days are so blessed that a day’s fast is equivalent to a year’s fast and a night’s devotion is equivalent to the ibaadah of Laylatul Qadr. The indication is towards the fact that we should endeavour to perform as many virtuous acts as possible in these days.
  3. 9th Zil Hijjah is the day of Arafah in which the main fardh of Hajj is performed i.e. wuqoof-e-Arafah. This is a great moment for the pilgrims when the Mercy of Allah descends upon them in abundance and their sins are forgiven and du’aa accepted. Allah, through His Compassion and Mercy, has not deprived the non-pilgrims of His mercy, but rather, shown the way to His Pleasure. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast of the day of Arafah. He said, "It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year." (Ibne Maajah)

    4. Note: One should take note that the sins forgiven are minor sins. The major sins are not forgiven without taubah.

Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq