Dear Islamic Brothers! The topic of today’s bayan is ‘The Exalted First 10 Days of the month of Hajj’, in which we will listen to the virtues of the month of Zul-Hijjah, the virtues of Ritual animal sacrifice, and the health benefits of meat alongside the harms of over eating it. We will also hear about worship in the first 10 Days of Zul-Hijjah, and the virtues of Zikr and Nafl fasts. May we gain the blessing of listening to the complete bayan with good intentions.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ  عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

What has encouraged you to fast?

Sayyidatuna Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهَا states: There was a youngster who would listen to the prophetic Ahadees. When he saw the new moon of Zul-Hijjah, he kept a fast. When the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard of this, he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم called him and asked: ‘What has encouraged you to fast in these days?’

He replied: ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! May my parents be sacrificed upon you, these are the days of Hajj and Ritual animal sacrifice, perhaps Allah Almighty will include me within the Du’as [of the pilgrims].’

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘The reward for each day of your fasting will be equivalent to the reward of freeing 100 slaves, sacrificing 100 camels, and giving 100 horses in the way of Allah Almighty. For the 8^th day of Zul-Hijjah you will receive for the fast of that day the reward of freeing 2000 slaves, sacrificing 2000 camels, and giving 2000 horses as conveyance in the way of Allah Almighty. For the 9^th day of Zul-Hijjah you will receive for the fast of that day the reward of freeing 1000 slaves, sacrificing 1000 camels, and giving 1000 horses in the way of Allah Almighty as conveyance.’ (Al-La’Ali Al-Masnoo'ah lis-Suyooti, vol. 2, pp. 91) (However, ‘it is Makruh for Hajis (those performing Hajj) at ‘Arafah to keep a fast on [the day of] ‘Arafah (i.e. 9^thZul-Hijjah’). (Bahar-e-Shari’at, part 5, vol. 1, pp. 1010)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد