THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Al-khamis, 27th day of Zul-Qa'adah (Thursday, 9th August 2018). ACTS RECOMMENDED FOR THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF ZUL HIJJAH. BismilLahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Just like the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best ten nights out of the year, these first ten days of Dhul-Hijja are the best days of the year and the most beloved to ALLAH as they combine acts of worship in a way unlike any other time. So, the questions we should be asking ourselves are, “How do we make the most of this season of blessings?”, “What deeds can I perform to attain HIS pleasure?”. The following are some examples of the acts of worship that will help us gain HIS pleasure In shaa ALLAH. 1. Perform Hajj (Pilgrimage); Obviously, Hajj is one of the best deeds that one can do during these ten days. However for those of us who were not invited to HIS House this year, there are still many more ways to earn the pleasure of ALLAH. 2. Fast all nine days and especially on the ‘Day of Arafah’ The Prophet said: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, ALLAH will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari, Muslim). 3. Perform Dhikr and Takbeer The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to ALLAH than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillaah).” (Ahmad -Saheeh). Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Bukhari). Takbeer at this time is a Sunnah that has mostly been forgotten, especially during the first few days. So say it in the masjid, in your home, on the street and every place where it is permitted to remember ALLAH. Revive the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten and earn great rewards for doing so. The Prophet said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi- Hasan). 4. Stand the Night in Prayer Seeking Allah’s forgiveness and humbling ourselves in front of HIM in supplication and prayers during the latter part of the night is an act of worship that is very beloved to ALLAH. Allah Almighty calls out to His servants in the latter part of the night: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhaari, Muslim). We should seize this opportunity and beg HIM for HIS Divine Generosity and Mercy. We should ask HIM as our Prophet taught us “Our Lord, bless us with the best of this world and the best of hereafter and save us from the fire of Hell. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and aid us to be able to act as we read. Aameen.