Transcription
[clears throat] Or indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise him and seek his help and his forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and from the evil consequences of our actions. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray. And whom whomever he allows to go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there's none worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner. I further bear witness that Muhammad is his worshipping servant and messenger. May Allah's salah and abundant salam be upon him, his family, and companions.
To proceed. Oh Muslims, indeed, it is from the wisdom of Allah the Most High, and from the science of his Lordship, his Oneness, and the perfection of his attributes, that he distinguishes some of his creation with unique virtues and distinct merits, as he the Majestic and Sublime stated: "Your Lord creates whatever he wills and he chooses."
Among the manifestations of Allah's divine selection is his choosing of specific times and places. Regarding times, we find that Allah selected the months of Hajj and the sacred months above the rest of the months. He selected Ramadan above all other months of the year. He selected Friday above all other days of the week. He selected the day of sacrifice above all other days. And he selected [unspecified night] above all other nights.
Likewise, regarding places, an example of this is that Allah selected from all lands the best and most noble of them, which is the sacred land of Mecca. Now, here we are, oh servants of Allah, witnessing in these days the convergence of the nobility of time and place, and the pairing of the sacred month with the sacred land of Mecca. How splendid are these virtues that delight the soul and revive the emotions of iman.
Allah the Most High stated: "Allah has made the Kaaba, the sanctified house, as well as the sacred months and the sacrificial animals, sources of safety and well-being for mankind. He prescribed those things which serve your interest, so that you would realize that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and the earth and he has complete knowledge of everything."
The meaning of the Kaaba being a source of well-being for mankind is that it serves as the foundation for the establishment of their religious and worldly affairs. It is a cause for their prosperity in matters relating to both their livelihood and hereafter. Within it, the faithful seek refuge, the weak find safety, and traders profit while pilgrims proceed towards it.
[Unspecified scholar] may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "Indeed, their well-being and stability is only maintained through establishing among themselves the teachings and legislation of their prophet. The soundness of their affairs, the attainment of their interests, and the removal of trials and evil from them are all according to the decree to which these teachings are upheld and manifest among them. Their destruction, hardship, and the descent of calamities and evil occur whenever these teachings are neglected and turned away from, when judgment is sought from other than them, and when they are replaced with alternative teachings."
Oh brothers and sisters, among the matters mentioned regarding the status of the sacred months is that the Arabs during the pre-Islamic era used to venerate them greatly. During those months, they would not seek vengeance, nor would they fight an enemy, violate any sanctities, or transgress against another. In fact, even if a man encountered the killer of his father, he would not kill him.
Servants of Allah, indeed, Allah the Almighty and Most Majestic has prepared for his servants tremendous seasons and virtuous days as a source of treasure for the obedient and a field of competition for those who strive to excel.
[Unspecified scholar] Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "There is no virtuous season except that Allah the Most High has assigned within it a special act of obedience by which one draws nearer to him. Allah has within it subtle gusts of blessings that he bestows upon whomever he wills through his mercy and bounty. Thus, the truly fortunate person is the one who takes advantage of the months, days, and hours of these seasons and draws near to their Supreme Master through the acts of obedience prescribed during them. Perhaps one may then receive a breath from those gusts of blessings through which they attain happiness that grants them safety from the hellfire and its scorching flames."
Thus, let us, oh servants of Allah, be fully aware that we are on the cusp of the first 10 days of [unspecified month], the days by which Allah swore an oath in his book when he stated: "I swear by the time of dawn and I swear by the 10 nights." These 10 days of yours are what seal the well-known months, the months regarding which Allah stated: "Hajj is in the well-known months." These are the months of Shawwal and the first 10 days of [unspecified month]. These 10 days of yours, according to the majority of scholars, are the well-known days during which Allah has legislated mentioning his name when they sacrifice the animals that he has provided.
Regarding this, Allah stated: "Proclaim Hajj to mankind. When you do so, they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant route. They will come so that they may witness things of benefit to them and mention the name of Allah on appointing days when they sacrifice the animals that he has provided for them."
These 10 days of yours, as mentioned by many of the scholars of Tafsir, are the 10 days that Allah the Almighty and Most Majestic added to his appointment with Musa, peace be upon him, when he stated: "We appointed for Musa 30 nights, then added another 10, completing his Lord's term of 40 nights." Within these 10 days are the Day of Arafah and the Day of Sacrifice.
These 10 days are among the greatest and most honored of days in rank, as well as remembrance. What could we possibly say regarding their virtue? What description could truly convey their reality? Sufficient for us is what the best of creation, may Allah and his peace be upon him, said about them: "The most virtuous days of this world are the first 10 days of [unspecified month]." He also said regarding them: "There are no days during which deeds are more virtuous than during these 10 days." The companions present asked, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?" He replied, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who endangers his own life and property in order to overcome the enemy and does not return with any of that."
Thus, righteous deeds during these 10 days are purer in the sight of Allah and greater in reward. No one neglects them except when deceived and deprived of great good. They are a precious lifetime opportunity, but some fail to appreciate them due to the ignorance of their true worth. As for a Muslim whom Allah favored, they recognize the value of these days and magnify their importance. It is a divine season that they await every year with longing and eagerness. Thus, when Allah grants them the blessing of reaching them, they turn toward them wholeheartedly. This was the state of Abdullah ibn Omar and Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with them. During these 10 days, they would go out to the marketplace proclaiming the saying "Allahu Akbar," encouraging the people to proclaim it after them.
When the 10 days entered, [unspecified scholar], may Allah have mercy upon him, would strive in worship with such tremendous effort that he could hardly be surpassed. Likewise, Ali would stop narrating hadith during these 10 days and say: "These are days in which the needs of people can be fulfilled through engaging in increased worship. They are indeed only a few days, yet they are the best days of this life. Allah the Supreme Master honors his beloved servants throughout them." Therefore, present to Allah your best deeds.
Oh brothers and sisters, these blessed 10 days are among the finest times in which every minute and hour should be well utilized. They are among the most fruitful seasons in which one should seek the gusts of mercy and among the most delightful avenues of goodness whose blessings should be eagerly embraced.
[Unspecified scholar], may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "The special status of the first 10 days of [unspecified month] appears to lie in the fact that the core acts of worship ā prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj ā are all combined within them. This is not found in any other days." Likewise, Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "Allah has made the virtues and rewards of the first 10 days of [unspecified month] available to both those who are traveling to perform Hajj and those who are not. Thus, whoever is unable to perform Hajj in a given year is able during these days to perform righteous deeds at home. Such deeds may even surpass jihad for the sake of Allah, which itself is better than Hajj."
Therefore, strive, may Allah preserve you, to invest in these days through voluntary acts of worship and obedience. Let us draw closer to Allah during them through whatever righteous deeds we are able to perform. Let our motto and that which drives us towards righteousness and piety throughout these days be the statement of Allah, the Most Generous, the Bestower: "Perform all forms of good deeds." This includes maintaining ties of kinship, caring for orphans, and encouraging the feeding of the poor. Likewise, let us increase during these days in saying: "La ilaha illallah" (None has the right to be worshiped except Allah), "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah), "Subhan Allah" (Allah is absolutely perfect), and "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the greatest), along with all other forms of dhikr and supplication. Similarly, let us increase in the recitation of the Quran, fasting, and standing in prayer. Furthermore, let us increase in every deed that brings goodness to ourselves and benefit to others, such as maintaining family ties, giving charity, offering sincere counsel, guidance, instruction, teaching, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.
I seek refuge with Allah from Shaitan, the outcast. Allah stated: "Therefore, strive your utmost to perform the righteous deeds which Allah has prescribed. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will gather all of you from wherever you might be. Indeed, Allah is able to do all things." I say this much and I ask Allah to forgive you and me.
All praise is due to Allah who made the Sacred House a place of safety to which people repeatedly return and who abundantly bestows his blessings upon his servants from his generosity, bounty, and grace. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone, without any partner. I further bear witness that Muhammad is his worshipping servant and messenger. He is the best of those who performed tawaf and the one who observed the most taqwa among those who proclaimed the talbiyah and supplicated to him. May Allah's salah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who tread their path and emulate their guidance.
To proceed. Oh servants of Allah, among the things to be observed is that these blessed 10 days come at the end of the year, as though they are a reminder for those who are negligent and deficient in the worship of their Lord. This is so that the servant can make up for what has passed them by and prepare for that which lies ahead, whilst being conscious of the magnificence of their Supreme Master and hopeful for his pardon and pleasure. Indeed, life spans pass swiftly and time moves on in succession. For every day that passes by, life is cut short. Once the appointed term of death draws near, the body grows weak, health declines, obstacles increase, and the opportunities to seize moments of goodness become fewer.
In light of this, [unspecified scholar], may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "If a door of good is open for you, then you should hasten towards it, for indeed a person does not know when it will be closed for them." Thus, let us be diligent in pursuing that which benefits us and let us turn to Allah in sincere repentance, for Allah has obligated upon us all. Allah the Most Majestic and Most High stated: "People of iman, all of you must repent to Allah in order for you to attain success." Also, the Prophet, may Allah be upon him, said: "All people, repent to Allah, for indeed I repent to Allah more than 100 times a day." We are in greater need of repentance. The greatest day for a servant is the day that they repent, just as the Prophet, may Allah be upon him, said to Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: "When Allah accepted his repentance, rejoice in the best day that has come to you since your mother gave birth to you." How wonderful is it for a person to repent during the most beloved days to Allah. Whoever is truthful in their repentance, their ranks are elevated, and Allah changes their sins into righteous deeds.
The soul does not gain nobility except through avoiding its vain desires and observing taqwa. Ibrahim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "The most difficult form of jihad is to strive against one's desires. Whoever prevents their soul from inclining to its sinful desires shall find relief from the world and its trials and shall be protected and safeguarded from its harms." The most difficult form of jihad is striving against one's desires, and nothing ennobles a person except through observant taqwa. The manners of the people of virtue are known by extending goodness and withholding harm. The one who is truly in loss is the one who is negligent in these virtuous days and fails to take advantage of them, wasting these opportunities instead of racing towards them. The truly deprived one is the one who squanders their most precious moments in amusement, falsehood, and heedlessness, only to harvest regret and sorrow tomorrow. Allah stated and warned them of the Day of Regret when all matters will be settled, while they are in a state of heedlessness and kufr.
In conclusion, servants of Allah, beseech Allah to grant abundant salah and salam to your Prophet in response to your Lord's command, when he stated: "Indeed, Allah grants salah to the Prophet, and the angels invoke Allah to grant further salah to him. Oh people of iman, invoke Allah to grant him salah and to grant him salam as well."
Oh Allah, grant salah, salam, and blessings to your worshipping servant and messenger Muhammad, and to all his family and companions. Oh Allah, grant strength to Islam and the Muslims, and weaken kufr and its people. Oh Allah, protect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as all Muslim lands, and make it a place of honor, safety, prosperity, and tranquility. Furthermore, allow it to continue possessing all goodness and be safe from all evil. Oh Allah, whoever wishes to harm the security and stability of this land, turn their plots back against them, and make their schemes a cause for their own destruction. You certainly hear our supplications.
Oh Allah, protect the Ummah of Islam from all evil, affliction, hardship, and distress, and repel from them the evil of the evildoers, the plots of those who disobey you, and all circumstances that bring adversity, whether by day or by night. Avert from the Ummah wars, hardships, trials, and tribulations, those that are apparent and those that are hidden. Oh Allah, grant victory to the downtrodden and those who strive and fight in your path, as well as those who are stationed at the borders defending them. Oh Allah, grant us safety in our countries and homes, and make our leaders and those in authority over us righteous individuals. Oh Lord of all creation, make our leaders people who fear you, observe taqwa of you, and seek to please you. Oh Allah, oh Ever-Living, Self-Sufficient Sustainer of all, grant your special assistance to our leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to say and to do what you love and are pleased with. Oh Allah, grant your special assistance to him and his deputy, the Crown Prince, to attain your guidance and taqwa. Oh Allah, we implore you for victory, strength, and authority.
Oh Allah, oh Lord of all creation, be at the aid of our brothers and sisters in Palestine and all over the world. Oh Allah, relieve their agony and distress. Reconcile between them. Take charge of their affairs. Suppress their hunger. Replace their fears with a sense of security. Unite them. Bring together their scattered affairs and plot in their favor, not against them. Oh Allah, awaken us from heedlessness. Grant us your special assistance to perform good deeds. Make up for what we have missed and abandon evil deeds. Allow us to reach the blessed 10 days of [unspecified month] in order to take advantage of what it contains of acts of obedience.
Oh Allah, grant salah and salam to our chosen Prophet Muhammad, his pure family, and his righteous companions.