First 10 days of Hajj

Allah Ta'ala has blessed his ummah with such great days and nights!

Amongst them are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah which starts this year on Wednesday, 18 November 2009.

Our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “By Allah, there is no better time than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah, wherein one fast (kept in these days) is equal to a whole year of fasting and one night of worship is equal to the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr). (Tirmizi)

Ibn Abbas (radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "There is no day wherein any good action is more beloved to Allah Ta'ala than these ten days (the first ten days of Zul Hijjah)". The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) enquired: " Not even Striving in the path of Allah ?"

"Not even Striving in the path of Allah," replied Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) , "with the exception of that person who left with his life and wealth (in the path of Allah) and did not return with any of it (i.e. he is martyred)". (Bukhari, Tabraani)

It is also narrated from Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallanhu) that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah ". Therefore in these days increasingly recite: "La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Al-Hamdu-lillah, Sub-hanallah." (Tabraani

One day from among the ten days is the Majestic Day of Arafah. Fasting on this day (9th of Zil Hijjah or the 26th of November 2009), for example, compensates for the past year and the next year's sins.

What to do during these 10 days:

Fasts in the First 10 Days:

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in the "Lailatul-Qadr".(Tirmidhi)

Fast of Day of 'Arafah (9th day of Zulhijjah is called 'Youmul - "Arafah')

Abu Qataadah (radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " I have hope in Allah Ta'ala that the fast of Arafaat will be an atonement for the sins of the past and the forthcoming year." (Tirmidhi)

For Hajjis and Non Hajjis:
The Takbeer at-Tashreeq is wajib for men to recite, and mustahab for women, at least once after every fardh prayer from Fajr of the 9th of Zulhijjah until Asr time of the 13th of Zulhijjah. It is:

"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar, wa Lillahi'l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise),"
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly.

Also:

Give more charity
Increase Thikr, quraan recitation (with understanding), durood, taubah and voluntary salaah

Sources:

http://questforthedivine.blogspot.com/2006/12/zul-hijjah-days-of-hajj.html
http://muhammadalshareef.blogspot.com/2009/11/look-at-first-10-days.html

Crystal Shayla's/Scarves/Hijabs

I visited a very talented lady today, Zaheerah. She sells and makes beautiful shaylas's/scarves/hijabs (take your pick) :)

She is can also custom make anything you want on your shayla or Abaya.

I am getting the rainbow swirl, frill with crystals I chose on them and also one with my name in Arabic.

Here are some of her designs. Her collection is called "Indulge" and she is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Very Inspirational

Inspirational sources in islam....

As I mentioned before I was listening to a lecture series by Mufti Menk who is a beautiful, wise and inspirational speaker!

His words and the way he explains things really touched me! He is simplistic and modern and that is what we all need in this day and age to get the message through to us. His lectures can be downloaded at: http://www.muftimenk.co.za

Another inspirational & motivational speaker I have listened to over the last few months has been Muhammad Alshareef, his lectures are amazing! He is also the founder of Al Maghrib Institute in the UK and a life coach. His website is: http://www.muhammadalshareef.co.uk/ and the really amazing Heart Wheel Journal: http://heartwheeljournal.com/

I think we all need inspiration, I know I do to boost my Emaan.

In 2008 I listened to Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki's Lives of the Prophets. Mashallah! What inspiration. Imam Al-Awlaki is an amazing speaker! http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/

What else inspires me:

Reading islamic literature... I am currently reading Aid Al Qarni's "You can be the happiest woman in the world"

- Attending women's islamic gatherings

- Attending fiqh and islamic history classes

- Seeking knowledge and discussing it

I hope that my inspiration grows and grows, Inshallah, Ameen

Hijabified

So a few weeks back I bought my daughter her first "fashion" doll.

It was called a My Scene Barbie called Madison. I went with my sister and a really good friend and they persuaded me to buy a tan doll with dark hair instead of the traditional blond haired barbie :)

This is what she looked like before...







And this is what she looked like after I was done with her :)

Progress

I have been wearing the hijab full time since Ramadaan, Alhamdulilaah. Allah (SWA) has given me the guidance to stick with it.

So far all my friends & family have had really good comments about me wearing the hijab. My non muslim colleague asked me why I was wearing it and because she didn't really understand the whole concept I just said: "Its a step in the right direction" Then I explained to her that it is required by Islam that women cover their beauty and be modest.

Shukr, I am finding it easier and easier everyday, Alhamdulilaah.

This is an old picture of me with a hijab :)

No, I don't wear niqab (it is really a beautiful thing) Who knows, one day inshallah I will get there :)