‘The clever person is the one who checks his soul and works for life after death, and the incapable one is he who follows his soul and makes wishes of Allah’ (Thrimidhi , Ahmad).

Introduction:

The month of Dhul Hijjah is special for so many reasons to us as Muslims. First of all, we are embarking the religiously most significant and spiritually-special time in the year. “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.”(Ibn Majah)

Dhul Hijjah means also to us,  the end of the Islamic ( lunar) calendar year so I treat it as a Muhasabha. ‘The clever person is the one who checks his soul and works for life after death, and the incapable one is he who follows his soul and makes wishes of Allah’ (Thrimidhi , Ahmad). I sit down and look back  on my yearly choices, goals, actions and important event in my life which might be in a form of success or challenge. I tend to look back at my family picture album because it  serves me with a platform to embrace deeper level of Hamd – gratitude. ‘He has taught him speech (and intelligence). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; And the herbs and the trees - both (alike) prostrate in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice). It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures: Therein is fruit and date-palms, producing spathes (enclosing dates); Also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-smelling plants. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny? (Quran,55: 3- 13).

We like to  compare those 1st days of Dul Hijah with last 10 Days of Ramadan, and I know that in Ramadan it was easier to fast, and pray taraweh and tahajdu in the mosque. We realise acutely,  that this time round we are incognito , the outside world does not know about how special those days are for us and our Akhera. The Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him (ﷺ)was asked about the observance of fasting on the day of Arafah. He said “it expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year”(Muslim). This time round we know that we are not waiting for a Night of Qadr, but simply worship accordingly to the sunnah of the prophet (ﷺ). It is then when we realise, how important that verse is "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [Quran, 89:1-2]. It is then when we are realising that our sincerity of faith – Ihlas is happening right now, as we speak. We realise that fasting is nothing else but expression of celebration of what Allah (swt) loves. “Every deed of the child of Adam is for him except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward it. The breath of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the perfume of musk.” [Bukhari]

Majority of us, also grieve the lost opportunity to go to Hajj during those first 10 days of Dul Hijjah. And all Hajji rememorise the difficulties, challenges and blessing during their pilgrimage. We all miss the house of Kabah even more those days, and it is all thanks to prophet Ibrahim’s legacy in the qur’anic dua: “Our Lord! Raise from among them a messenger who will recite to them Your revelations, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Quran, 2:128 -129). It is probably the reason why our Hearts are turned toward one direction, and constantly longing meeting with our Lord, I myself tend to think that I was carried there on a wings of Angels, as the whole experience of Hajj until today seems surreal and divine.  . I like to remember what Arafat had changed in me, and who I become afterwards. I came back home  knowing (in my knowing) I need to continue dawah, and opened an online community for polish reverts which is still thriving and producing new material on weekly basis.

With all that being said, and laid out for you as an inspiration only,  I wonder what is you next step towards Islamically understood self-improvement . How will you use Dhul Hijjah for your befits this year? What those blessed 10 days will change in you and how proud will you be in the next year, siting down and looking back at your self today?   It is all in your hands. “Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves “ (Quran, 13:11). Travel well.

Start your own healing Journey with AJ!

Here is a quick checklist to get you started with free therapy session. Remember imperfect action beats inaction, get started and keep re investing in your growth for Khair!

• Create your vision board

• Reflect on things which you know Must Go in order for your life to change

• Start planning your therapy sessions topics by Identifying what resonates with your Heart.

• Create an outline the list of your Eternal Life goals.

• Write down the conversations you normally have with your self, like if you were telling a story to a friend

• Pick the most disturbing sentences and connect them with emotions you feeling when you hear them

• Perform several Ibadah types consciously (taddabur, dua, prayers, sadaka, fasting) and Honestly reflect on what is it you experiencing and what is it that you were hoping to experience

• Write down reasons why some of your relationships broke down and be clear on your ways about it as well

• Have a courage to name things you appreciate about your self, or are proud of - or ask you family and friends to remind you

• Take 10 minutes to edit your list and BOOK A CALL WITH AJ !