continued . . .

Allah (azza wajal) said “When the hypocrite stand up to worship they perform it languidly and to be seen of men, and they do not praise Allah but a little.” [4:142] Allah (azza wajal) said they praise Him but they do not do so but a little.

Ibn Abbas said “There is no fard except that Allah put limits to it and excused you with excuses one may have except the Dhikr/praise of Allah its has no limited time span, no limited amount, and no excuse.”
Allah (azza wajal) said “Remember Allah , standing, sitting and reclining.” [4:103]

*Important note on Takbeer should be loud for men during the first ten days of Dhu'l Hijjah: Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu Akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhan Allah") during the first ten days of Dhu'l Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah (azza wajal) and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah (azza wajal).

Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

Proof for saying it loud - the verse previously mentioned Allah (azza wajal) says:
"And mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28] The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhu'l Hijjah.

The Takbeer may include the words:

"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah ; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahil-hamd"
(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent.

Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (radhi Allahu anhum) used to go out in the marketplace
during the first ten days of Dhu'l Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee'ah for doing this.

2) Fast from what these that what you can:

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Whomever fasts for the sake Allah will get for each day will be farther from hell by a trench the distance the sky is from hell.” Imagine if you fast these ten days, how far your distance will be from hell.

Rewards for fasting Sunnah is what Allah (azza wajal) says to the people in heaven “(And it will be said unto those therein): Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in past days.” [69:24] A fasting person gets the reward of an accepted dua’a before he breaks his fast.

Allah (azza wajal) gives those who do rewards seven times as much reward, up to seven hundred, except fasting. Allah (azza wajal) said that is for Him and only for Him. We know that fasting is for Allah (azza wajal), prayer is for Allah (azza wajal) , and Dhikr is for Allah (azza wajal). But why do you think Allah (azza wajal) specify fasting as being for Him? It is because it is a secret worship where no one knows about it, no one knows if you really fasted or pretended but you so the reward of that is so large Allah (azza wajal) will compensate dearly for it.

Ibrahim bin Hani' was fasting and thirsty on his death bed. So, his son brought him some water and told him to drink. He asked “Is it maghrib?” The son said “No.” The father said “For a day like this, people shall work.” He died fasting.

Nafeesah bint Hasan bin Zaid was on her death bed fasting. Her son tried to force her to eat, she said “Subhan Allah I been asking Allah to die fasting for 30 years. Do you want me break my fast now?” She died reciting the verse “Say: Unto whom belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth? Say: Unto Allah . He hath prescribed for Himself mercy, that He may bring you all together to the Day of Resurrection whereof there is no doubt.” [6:12]

3) Give charity:

These are things we should all do throughout the year more so during these first ten days of Dhu'l Hijjah. Allah (azza wajal) said “And whatsoever you spend (for good) He replaces it. And He is the Best of Providers.” [34:39]

Ibn Katheer said Allah will replace the charity given in this life by giving the charitable believer the same back or more and in the life after with reward.

Ibn Umar heard the verse “You will not attain piety until you spend of that which you love. And whatsoever you spend, Allah is Aware thereof.” He looked around and could not find anything he loved more than a female slave he owned so he freed her for the sake of Allah (azza wajal).

Saeed bin Ubadah used to take 80 of the poor Muslims in the masjid per day to his family to feed them. His son inherited the generosity and spending for the sake of Allah (azza wajal). His name was Qais bin Saeed bin Ubadah. When he was wealthy he loaned money to people. When he got sick many people refrained from visiting him because most had borrowed from him and were thinking he may ask about the debt they did not have to pay with. When he found out why many did not visit him he said “Let any wealth that will get in the way of the brothers be demolished - I forgive them all.”