بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

Friday Sermon

 

HAZRAT AMIR’UL MOMENEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN

AL KHALIFATULLAH

 

Munir Ahmad Azim

 

 

20 November 2009

 

(Summary of Friday Sermon)

 

 

 

After having greeted everybody with the Salutations of Peace, the Khalifatullah read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and then he said:

 

The ten first days of the islamic month Zil Hajj is among those special moments for the worship of Allah. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said:

 

“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.”

 

This Hadith and others indicate that these ten days holds more value than other days of the year. Thus, we can deduce from virtues of these ten nights according to a number of factors:

 

1. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to do more and better deeds during these ten days.

 

2. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered Muslims to recite excessively the Tasbeeh (Subhan Allah), Tahmeed (Alhamdolillah) and Takbeer (Allah O Akbar) during this period.

 

3. During these ten days there is the Day of Arafah, during which the verse which express the perfection of Islam was revealed: “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion.” (Chapter 5, Verse 4)

 

4. The reward for fasting during this day (Day of Arafah) is two years forgiveness for sins, like several Hadiths indicate. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) qualified this day also as the best of the year.

 

5. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “No other day of the year in the eyes of Allah holds more value than the Day of Arafah.”

 

6. Yawm al’ Nahar (Day of Sacrifice) which forms part of the most important moments of the year and of the Hajj is included in these ten days.

 

Some actions to do during these ten days: Seeking forgiveness for sins and remembering Allah often (through Remembrance of Allah and other acts of worship).

 

It is Sunnah to observe a fast on the ninth Zil Hajj for this act is most appreciated by Allah like mentioned in a Hadith Qudsi: “Allah says: “All deeds of man is for him except for fasting which is for Me. I shall reward him personally for this deed.” (Bukhari)

 

We must recall: It is strictly forbidden to fast during five days of the year: the 10-13 Zil Hajj and the first day of Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr Day)

 

Many Hadiths also shows also the virtues of worship during the first ten days of Zil Hajj. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “One who stays awake during the nights of both Eid hoping for rewards, his heart will not die on the day when hearts will die.”

 

The importance of the Day of Arafah: There is a lot of goodness in keeping a fast on this day. It is also reported that this day sinners are liberated from hell. As for the merits of this fast, Abu Qatadah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “I hope that the fast on the Day of Arafah compensate for the sins of the past year and that of the year to come.” (Muslim)

 

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to keep a fast on the ninth of Zil Hajj. Hunaydah Ibn Khatid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported from his wife that some wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) have said:

 

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to keep a fast on the ninth of Zil Hajj, the Day of Ash-Shura, three days in each month, and also the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” (Nasai, Abu Dawud)

 

In another Hadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said that the fast on the Day of Arafah is equivalent to a thousand fasts.” (Baihaqi, Tibrani)

 

It was on this day (Day of Arafah) that Allah forgave Adam (on him be peace) and on this itself that Allah talked to Prophet Moses (on him be peace). The sacrifice of Prophet Ismael and Ibrahim (on them be peace) was compensated with a ram. And most important, it was on this day that Allah perfected the mission of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 

“Allah O Akbar Allah O Akbar Laa Ilaaha Illallaahou Allah O Akbar Allah Akbar wa lillahi Hamd.”

 

The origin of Takbir and Tashreek goes back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (on him be peace), when he made his son Ismail lie down to sacrifice him. When he did so, Allah sent His angel Jibrail (on him be peace) to make him stop and thus to compensate this human sacrifice with the slaughtering of an animal. The archangel Jibrail (on him be peace) was afraid lest Prophet Ibrahim (on him be peace) really sacrifice his son. Thus he began to read: Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar.

 

When Prophet Ibrahim (on him be peace) heard the voice of the angel, he took it as a good news and thus in return began saying: “Laa Ilaaha Illallah Allah O Akbar” and on this Prophet Ismail (on him be peace) understood that Allah has already accepted their sacrifice, began to read the following invocations by singing the praises of Allah and by thanking Him as thus: “Allah O Akbar wa lillahil Hamd.”

 

1. It is Waajib: to recite the Takbir from the ninth after Fajr prayers up till the thirteenth after Asr prayer of the month of Zil Hajj.

2. To recite Takbir after Eid prayers.

3. To recite Takbir loudly after Salaat in Jamaah – The ladies must do so in a lower tone.

4. Even if Prayer is not done in Jamaah, one must recite Takbir.

5. It is also Waajib for the “One who is in Salaat in Jamaah and who is replacing missed Rakaat”.

6. If it happens that the Imam forgets to recite Takbir after Salaat, it is the duty of the Mouqtadis to proceed to recite it.

 

Importance of the nights of 8-10 Zil Hajj:

 

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The one who stays awake and prays during the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha will not have his heart die, on the day when hearts will die.”

 

Muaz Ibn Jabal narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said that Jannat is Waajib for the one who performs lots of worship during the nights of fifteen Shabaan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and 8-10 Zil Hajj. It is reported that invocations are best accepted during the following nights: The night of Jummah (Thursday night to early morning of Friday), first of Rajab, the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and the night of Eid-ul-Adha.

 

Animals which can be offered in sacrifice are: goats and she-goats (aged one year), cows and oxen (aged two years), camels (aged five years), sheep. If the years are inferior to that mentioned, the sacrifice is invalid. To have a sacrifice accepted, a sheep or a goat counts as a part and cattle must be divided into seven parts each (per animal).

 

The animal chosen for sacrifice must be in good health, beautiful and without defects. Animals which are deformed or handicapped or have any other problems are not valid for sacrifice.

 

Sacrifice of an animal is obligatory on all Muslims who are healthy mentally and who are adults. There is a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) in which the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “One who has the means to participate in the slaughtering (on the days of Eid-ul-Adha) and who does not do so, must not approach the Eid Gah.”

 

The poor and the travellers are not made obligatory to participate in the slaughtering. It has been narrated the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “When you see the moon of Zil Hajj, the one who has the intention to participate in the slaughtering (for Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha) must not cut one’s hair or nails.”

 

The one on whom slaughtering of an animal is obligatory, and he loses the animal, it becomes obligatory on him to buy another one alike and to do the slaughtering.

 

And one on whom the slaughtering of an animal is obligatory and who has bought an animal, but for some reasons has not been able to offer the sacrifice in the fixed day; it becomes obligatory for him to do the sacrifice of the animal and to distribute the meat to the poor. In this case, it is not permitted for him to eat that meat.

 

For the one on whom slaughtering of an animal is obligatory, but through negligence has not done so, it becomes obligatory for him to give the value of it in charity.

 

After the Eid prayer, the slaughtering of the animal for sacrifice begins (that is, on the tenth Zil Hajj) and it ends with the sunset on the twelfth Zil Hajj. But it is advised to do the slaughtering on the first day itself, just after Eid prayers.

 

If a Muslim knows how to do the slaughter well, it is wished that he does so with his own hands. If one cannot do so, it is best if he makes another Muslim who well versed in the principles of Islam, to do the slaughtering. If it is possible, a Muslim woman must do her own slaughtering of animal. In every case, it is wished that the participants in sacrifice of animal do their slaughtering themselves or they must be present during the slaughtering.

 

Slaughtering of an animal in Islam means that the animal must be sacrificed in such a way that its two jugular veins and air tube is cut quickly and properly with a sharp knife, and this act must be accompanied by the words: “Bismillah Allah O Akbar”.

 

At the time of slaughtering, the animal’s throat must be placed towards the Qibla and before slaughtering one must read:

 

“I have turned myself sincerely towards the One who has created the heavens and earth. And I am not among the idol-worshippers. Verily, my prayer, sacrifice, life and death belong to Allah. He has no partner. And thus like prescribed I submit it to Allah. O Allah thi is for You and from You.”

 

After the slaughter, one must read:

 

“O Allah! Accept this from me like you accepted the one of Your dear friend Prophet Ibrahim (on him be peace) and the one of Your beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 

If someone does not know these invocations by heart, it is accepted that he does the slaughter with only the intention of sacrifice and the recitation of: “Bismillah Allah O Akbar”.

 

The one who has participated in the slaughtering of an animal (on Eid-ul-Adha) cannot pay for it from its meat or its skin. One must do another provision for its payment.

 

The skin of the animal for sacrifice can be stored for future use. One can later on work on its skin to transform it into prayer mat, water bottle or other use. If he happens to sell the skin, he cannot use the money and thus it is obligatory for him to give it in charity (as Sadqua). If there are seven parts, the meat must be equally distributed – quantity and quality - and (not based on estimation but on weight).

 

After each participant has got his share of meat, it is preferable that he distribute it in his turn in three parts:

 

1. One part for the family in his house.

2. One part for friends and relatives.

3. One part for the poor and those in difficulties.

 

It must be borne in mind that it is absolutely forbidden to sell the meat of sacrifice.

 

If Allah wills, next week I will continue on the same subject, still in the light of Eid-ul-Adha. May Allah help us to understand all these and guide us on the right path and accept our sacrifice. Ameen.