Dhul-Hijjah: How to get rewards of Hajj at home

Insha Allahu today being the 30th of the blessed month of Dhul-Qadah (or 1st Dhul-Hijjah) marks the commencement of the blessed religious activities for the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah similar only to what was obtainable in the blessed month of Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The year is of 12 months, four of which are […]

Insha Allahu today being the 30th of the blessed month of Dhul-Qadah (or 1st Dhul-Hijjah) marks the commencement of the blessed religious activities for the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah similar only to what was obtainable in the blessed month of Ramadan.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The year is of 12 months, four of which are sacred; three consecutive months Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab…”
“That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.) and mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)….” (Al-Hajj 22:28).
Majority of scholars agree that the “appointed days” are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, because of the words of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who said and as related by al-Bukhari: “The appointed days are the first 10 days (of Dhul Hijjah).
The 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the days when most of the pilgrims make a journey to Makkah and perform their tasks of Hajj and the activities peak at this period before the all-important 9th day (Yaomul-Arafat).
Just as those performing the Hajj have special chances to get extra rewards, those not able to go to the Hajj are also given special chances to get extra reward during these days.
Ibn Hajar (may Allah be pleased with him) said the apparent reason they (days) are so special is because the ‘mothers’ of the acts of worship of Allah occur (simultaneously) in them which does not happen in any other days (meaning Sallah (prayer), charity, fasting, and hajj).
Most scholars adopt the opinion that these days are better than the last 10 days of Ramadan, but equally said that what holds the last 10 days of Ramadan at a higher status is the Night of Power (or Night of Majesty) (Laylatul Qadr) which is equivalent to one thousand months (83.33 years equivalent).
When Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah (AS) was asked about the most rewarding of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah and the last 10 days of Ramadan, he said: “The days of the first 10 days of Dhul- Hijjah are better than days of the last 10 days of Ramadan, while the nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan are better than the nights of the first 10 days in Dhul- Hijjah.”
 The days also contain the 8th (Yaomul Tarwiyya), 9th (Yaomul Arafah) and 10th (Yaomul Nahr [Day of sacrifice]) which is also considered the greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.
Fasting on 9th Dhul Hijjah (Yaomul Arafat): Abu Qatadah (AS) reported that the Prophet (saw) said: “Fasting on the day of Arafat is expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of ‘Ashura is expiation for the year preceding it.” (Related by “the group” except al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi).
In addition to good intention, the prerequisites for acceptance of deeds are sincerity and compliance with the orders of Allah to attain the desired rewards.
Apart from the fasting and other acts of worship, those at home (as stated by many scholars) are to cut nails, hairs, trim moustaches or shave armpits and pubic hairs before Dhul-Hijjah 1 (today or tomorrow), especially those expected to slaughter animals on Dhul-Hijjah 10th.
While those in Saudi Arabia are engaged in the rigours of Hajj, those at home are equally expected to be engaged in various acts of worship like they observed three months ago during the blessed month of Ramadan, thus the benefits of these blessed 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are jointly enjoyed by both pilgrims and non-pilgrims.