Greetings to you and your family. Hope that everyone is well and safe.
 

We are coming into the month of Dzul Hijjah. What is Dzul Hijjah?

Dzul Hijjah is the 12th or last month in the Islamic Calendar and it also among the special months where Muslims all around the world embarked on Hajj - one of the Pillar of Islam. Hajj is for those who are invited by Allah swt to fulfill this last pillar and it is said that a Muslim should do their best to fulfill it once in their life time. 

For those embarking on Hajj, we congratulate you on this journey and at the same time we ask for you to make doa for us and the community here as the prayers and dua in Mecca tends to be answered, insyallah. 

What's happpening in Dzul Hijjah?

According to this year's calendar, 1st Dzul Hijjah will begin on Monday, 19th June 2023 after Maghrib. ( A new Islamic day starts after Maghrib not after 12am )

By this time our Muslim Brothers heading for Hajj would already make their journey or still on the way. 

As for us here, we can follow this Sunnah practises. Please note this is not obligatory. 

1st Sunnah: Fast the first 9 days - 1st to 9th Dzul Hijjah ( 20th June to 28th June 2023 ).

Fasting nine days of Dhul Hijjah is mustahabb (recommended). This is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as narrated in the hadeeth of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): 

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days – i.e., ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” 

They said: “O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself with his wealth and does not come back with anything (i.e., he expends all his wealth and is martyred).” 

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 969)

And it was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khalid from his wife that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashura’ and three days of each month – the first Monday and two Thursdays.” 

(Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 21829; Abu Dawood, 2437; classed as da’eef in Nasb al-Raayah, 2/180, but classed as saheeh by al-Albani.) 

2nd Sunnah: For those who have set the intention for Qurban or Nazar, avoid cutting finger nails, cut or shave any hair until the Qurban is executed. 

Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah , and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him refrain from (removing anything) from his hair or nails.” 

(Narrated by Muslim, 1977) 

3rd Sunnah: Make lots of dua and dzikir on the day of Arafah ( At this point we will have to wait for the announcement in Mecca ) as Eid can be one day earlier or one day later in Mecca. 

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allah ransoms more of His slaves from the Fire than the day of ‘Arafah . He draws close then He boasts about them before the angels and says, ‘What do these people want?’” (Narrated by Muslim, 1348)

And finally celebrate Eid and the next 3 Tashrik days. 

Eidul Adha or more known as Hari Raya Haji falls on the 10th of Dzul Hijjah. This year in Singapore it is on Thursday, 29th of June 2023. 

Like any Eid, let's congregate and perform the Eiduladha prayers. After which Qurban can begin and you may go about your day.

It also encourage to make your duas, dzikirs and takbirs throughout these period.  

What are Tashrik days? 

Tashrik days are the 3 days that is after Eidul Adha. 

The day of Eid is 10th of Dzul Hijjah and the next 3 days are 11th, 12th and 13th Dzul hijjah.

In summary, tashrik days are days of celebration. Traditionally pilgrams will dry their Qurban meat and use these days to preserve the meat before making the journey back to their lands. During this time also, the pilgrams in Mecca will be performing the throwing of stones ( the Jamarat ) and finishing off the last part of the Hajj rituals.

We are also not allowed to fast during these 3 days. 

Do attend Hajj classes to learn this in more detail. 

In this modern times, the sheer volume of Qurban operations tend to require more than 1 day to be performed hence the extended Tashrik days is indeed a blessing to complete this practise. 

Qurban in Singapore

196 Sheep left for Live Qurban at Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang.