8) Sacrificing and slaughter of an animal on the 10th
day of Dhu'l Hijjah:
Allah (azza wajal) the creator of the sky and earth the day and night has chosen some days over others to gather deeds. Sacrifice is one of these deeds.
Sacrifice on the 10th day has very great reward for those in Hajj and those not in Hajj as well. The timing for sacrifice is in the 10th day and 3 days following (11th, 12th, and 13th) It is to declare one Allah and to thank him and follow Ibrahim (alayhi salam)
Allah (azza wajal) said : “So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice.” [108:2]
Allah (azza wajal) said: “Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah , Lord of the Worlds.” [6:162]
Some scholars say this is Wajib, but the jimhoor (vast majority) say it is Sunnah Mu’akadah (important sunnah). Either opinion on the importance of sacrifice to those who can afford it is apparent in the prophet’s saying “Whomever plans not to sacrifice let him not come to our prayer area.”
When you sacrifice you say “bismillah Allahu akbar Allahuma 3any wa3an ahl baity”
Translation “In the name of Allah - Allahu akbar - oh Allah this is for me and my family.”
Reputable scholars all agree that doing the sacrifice is better than giving its equivalent, because sacrifice is a worship in and of itself.
Seven people may participate or share in sacrificing a Cow or Camel.
A leader of the household can sacrifice for himself and for his dependants such as children, women and men like the sahabah and salaf used to do. One planning on sacrificing should not cut his hair or nails until sacrifice is complete. This only applies to the head of the house who is paying for the sacrifice and not his dependants.
One should eat a portion of his sacrifice and give a portion to the poor and relatives.
It is not requested that you do it by hand however that is the best, you may oversee the sacrifice as well or if unable give the power to someone to do this for you.
The sacrifice should be done after ‘Eid prayer and you have until three days after, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered those who sacrificed before prayer to do it again.
9) Repentance:
This should be done daily like the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
Allah (azza wajal) said: “Truly Allah loves those who turn unto Him, and loves those who have a care for cleanness.” [2:222]
One hadith is saying about prophet Moses, when he prayed with his people for rain. Allah (azza wajal) answered Moses that there is one man among them, which has been sinful for 40 years and is against Allah (azza wajal) . Moses turned to his people and said that that man must go out, because he is the reason why their prayer was not accepted. The sinful man turned to Allah (azza wajal) and asked Him to cover his sins, after He has covered it for 40 years, and asked Him for forgiveness. Allah (azza wajal) saw that man's repentance was sincere. Allah (azza wajal) accepted it and sent rain. Moses asked, why is it raining, before anyone of his people left. Allah (azza wajal) answered him that the man's repentance was accepted and his sins forgiven.
Another hadith says: [COLOR="red"]"Every man has mistakes, but the best among them are those, who make repentance."
Allah (azza wajal) can change sins to good deeds as well, if He wants. He says: "Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (25:70).
Allah (azza wajal) can accept repentance for all kinds of sins and forgive them. He says: "Say: 'O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah : verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." (39:53).
But we should not postpone our repentance, because we do not know when we will die.
There are several things, which are helpful to do good repentance:
Conviction that Allah (azza wajal) can forgive,
Good behavior to the Muslims,
Prayer which is relation between man and Allah (azza wajal)
Good friendship
To remind Allah 's mercy always
To remind the death
Patience which has two sides. Patience to be far from the sins and patience to do good deeds.
Man's sincerity to himself,
To realize, that every man has his mission, as Allah (azza wajal) says: "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better." (16:125).
There are other things which obstruct repentance. They are opposite of things named above.
Rules for repenting:
Regret and show remorse for what you did asking Allah (azza wajal) to forgive you.
Plan on never going back to what you did.
Do good deeds to cover up for the bad sins.
If the sins concerns a person you must settle the dispute with him.
(ie. If you backbit a Muslim or stole money you must ask for forgiveness and return the wealth. If you know that doing so will cause more problems then seek a way to mention the person you mentioned in evil in good in a similar setting. Or if you indirectly return the wealth then that's good as well.)
10) Salah in general:
Every twelve raka’at per day you do, you get a palace in heaven.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) recommended extra prayers for us because everytime we prostrate Allah (azza wajal) , it takes away a sin, and everytime you get up, Allah (azza wajal) adds a deed.
I ask Allah (azza wajal) that He forgive us for our shortcomings and the we take advantage of these sacred days getting the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Ameen.
Source: AhmadJibril.com
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