Zill hajj.How to make the most of it!

I was going to write a post on the benefits of doing ibadah and how to make the most of these precious days of Zill hajj when every single good deed weighs so much more. Alhamdullilah, a sister fowarded me this article which i have copy/pasted. May Allah guide our ummah to the right path and prevent us from going astray.


The BEST days are here once again alhumdulillaah! We already know the significance of the 10 day of Dhul Hijjah… We know that good deeds during these days are the MOST beloved to Allaah. BUUUTTT… we sit back and watch these 10 Exceptional days fly by every year without making the most out of it. WHY? Most of the time its vecause we don't know what good deeds to do in the first place! (It could also be coz we are lazy, not interested, too busy, in the 'New Years' spirit …but lets not get into that ;))

Here's a list of easy good deeds to spice up these days and earn UNBELIEVABLE rewards on our scales. Most of the list is taken from Muhammad Al-Shareef's article- '50 things to do in Hajj' (with slight modifications applicable to those of us staying back) Use this list, and enjoy the pleasure of crossing out each deed as the days fly by. 1 day is already over… 9 more to go. Enjoy!51 things to do during the 10 days of Dhul -Hijjah


[1] Smile in another Muslims face

[2] Say Salam to strangers

[2.5] Say salaam to your family and those who you meet everyday - not Good morning or good evening.

[3] Shake someone's hand and ask about their health

[4] Shun vain talk

[5] Recite Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allaah") everywhere you go and encourage others

[6] Lower your gaze

[7] Read Qur'an with the Tafseer

[8] Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening

[9] Visit/ Phone relatives on Eid day

[10] Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)

[11] Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there

[12] Forgive people that wrong you

[13] Compliment someone sincerely

[14] Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that He has given you

[15] (For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you

[16] Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah

[17] Pray to Allah using His most beautiful names (al Asmaa' al Husna)

[18] Use a Miswak

[19] Memorize two ayahs of the Qur'an daily

[20] Visit your Non-Muslim neighbors and gift them Eid baskets (With a special note about the significance of this special occasion)

[21] Don't forget to visit your Muslim neighbors as well

[22] Make small/attractive cards about the importance of the 10 days of Dhul Hijja and hand it out at jumuah prayers (or any prayer!) Sisters- Give the cards out to the Muslims you meet during these days

[23] (For men) Pray in the masjid

[24] Buy gifts for Mom, Dad and family

[25] Call up someone who haven't spoken for AGES (But no gossiping!)

[26] Give charity every day - even 1 buck at the mall or supermarket or anywhere is good.

[27] Invite you non Muslim friend for lunch/dinner and tell her/him about Islam

[28] Switch OFF the TV (Turn ON your life!)

[29] Take out your long list of duas and beg Allaah to have ALL your desires fulfilled If you don't have a Dua list, MAKE ONE! (Advice of a sweet sister)

[30] Fast (Especially on 9th Dhul Hijjah) - for those in dxb, 9th dhul hijjah is on Friday, 3oth Dec

[31] Set your alarm ring earlier then Fajr and do qiyam! Trust me, you'll love it!

[32] Pray for our Ummah, Pray for the families sufferreing in iraq, afghanistan,chechnya. the prisoners that are being held without trial.

[33] Always intend reward from Allah for everything you do

[34] Forward this list to EVERY Muslim you know!

35. For those in dxb, try listening to 88.2 in your car, thats the Quran channel 36. Say dua for our Prophet Sallallahu alaihiwasalam

37. Every thing that you do, do it for Allah's pleasure. For instance, sit and drink water, simply because it is sunnah that way.

38. Before going to bed say Ayatul kursi and the three Quls (qul hua allahu ahd, qul aauzu bi rabbi naas, qul aauzu bi rabbi'l falaq)

39. Teach a child a simple dua to say during his prayers. Whenever the child says the dua, you also will get the benefit.

40.Visit the sick or those who are lonely or don't have much company (eg. granparents or single granparent)

41.Offer two rakahs Salat ud-Duha…this is equal to offering charity for the 360 joints of the body.

42.Say loads of 'Astagfaar' (asking forgiveness)

43.Can even perform two rakahs for astagfaar.

44.Controlling the tongue ...and also avoiding fights

45.Good treatment towards parents (mostly taken for granted), relatives, neighbours, siblings (especially the younger ones who are mostly bossed)

46.Peace making – between 2 friends or relatives who may not be on good terms with each other

47.Remove harmful things from the way

48.Condolence and consoling…Making someone's day....some friend or relative maybe going through a diffcult time and many times we dont realize it.

.Meet for Allah...attend religious gatherings. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. said: "When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, avail yourselves of them." The companions asked what are the gardens of Paradise, O Messenger of Allah? He replied: "The circles of zikr. There are roaming angels of Allah who go about looking for the circles of zikr and when they find them, they surround them closely."

49.Help an orphan/widow - Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever strokes the head of an orphan, not stroking it for any other reason except to seek the pleasure of God, will be rewarded for every hair that his hand touches." He also said:"Whoever treats an orphan girl or boy well, I will be with him on the Day of Resurrection like these,' and he pointed to his two fingers, the index finger and the middle finger."

50.Kushoo in salaah -

51.Get rid of a bad habit (eg. being on time, more organized...and im sure there are many other habits we can fix )

[More suggestions are welcome]

note: salutul duha : The time for duha begins when the sun is about a spear's length above the horizon [so about 15 minutes or so after sunrise time on the timetable] and it continues until the sun reaches its meridian. It is preferred to delay it until the sun has risen high and the day has become hot.It can be prayed as two or more rakah.