The Sultan of Sokoto and President General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has declared Friday 7th June, 2024 as the 1st Day of Dhul Hijjah 1445 A.H.
This is contained in a statement by Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs Sultanate Council Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which Muslims across the world perform pilgrimage (Hajj) and celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir festival.
During the month, Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregate in Mecca to perform Hajj, which begins on the eighth, and celebrate Eid-El-Kabir from the 10th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
“The Sultan declared Friday June 7th 2024, as the First Day of Zulhijjah 1445AH and Sunday, June 16th which will be equivalent to the 10th of Zulhijjah will be marked as this Year’s Eid-El-Kabir,” the statement reads.
Recall that the Sultan had in an earlier statement by Janaidu on Wednesday directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH from Thursday.
He stated that June 6, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Qidah 1445 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH.
Sultan Sa’ad felicitated with the Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, blessings and urged the faithful to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country while wishing Nigerians happy Eid-el-Kabir.
Cleric to pilgrims: Perform good deeds in first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah
Meanwhile, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar-Walid, an Islamic cleric, has said performing good deeds in the first 10 days in the month of Dhul-Hajj is more rewarding than participating in Jihad.
Abubakar-Walid, a member of Da’awah Committee, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, made the disclosure during a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn prayer (Subh) in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The essence of the enlightenment sission is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
The cleric quoted the Holy Prophet (SAW) as saying, ”no days are better than these nine days of Dhul-Hajj,” the Companions asked him even Jihad for the sake of God Almighty?
”The Prophet replied, even Jihad for the sake of Allah..
“Except he who goes to Jihad himself with his wealth and everything, but returns with nothing.” Meaning, he was killed and all the wealth and everything he went with vanished.”
Speaking on the topic,’ What is required of a Muslim in Dhul Hajj’, the cleric said a Muslim was expected to always come to the Mosque very early and wait for the congregational prayers.
“For those who come to the Mosque very early waiting for prayer will be earning reward up to the time when the prayer will commence (Iqama),” he said.
Abubakar-Walid added that a Muslim was also expected to increase the number of supergatory prayers (nawafil) to earn more reward from Allah.
Quoting the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), the cleric reported Sauban, a Companion of the Prophet (SAW) as saying: “The Prophet (PBUH) said: “I have urged you to prostrate to Allah, Allah will increase your reward and forgive your sin.”
The cleric also encouraged Muslims to fast in the first ten days, adding that Ubaida, a companion of the Prophet (SAW) said Prophet (SAW) used to fast all the nine days of Dhul-Hajj as well as the tenth day in the month of Muharram (Ashura).
He added that a Muslim should use the period in saying “Allahu Akbar, La’ilaha illallah, Alhamdu lillah (Attakbir Wattahlil, Wattahmid)” as instructed by the holy Prophet (SAW).
Abubakar-Walid said: “Amirul Muminin, Umar bin Kathab used to say takbeer in his tent in Muna and people used to emulate him and pronounce it together with him.”