Dear beloved, tonight marks the first night of Dhul-Hijjah, and tomorrow is the first of its days. The nights and days …

Dear beloved, tonight marks the first night of Dhul-Hijjah, and tomorrow is the first of its days.

The nights and days that Allah has magnified. So by magnifying Allah, we magnify them: (That is so, and whoever honors the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of hearts) I swear by the Lord of Might by them: (By the dawn (1) and ten nights (2))...and these are the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. They should never pass like any other days.

It is authentically reported from our Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said: (There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days). They said: O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the cause of Allah? He said: (Not even jihad in the cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with any of that).

Imagine if a merchant, eager for profit, had accumulated debts...and the season of his trade came, yet he slept through it. Would he be considered sane?!

This is our season to gain and earn nearness to the Merciful Lord of Might, and to settle the debts of sins.

So, let your ambition be high, O lovers of Allah and His Messenger!

Increase in prayers, recitation of the Quran, fasting, and excelling in kindness to parents, maintaining ties with their loved ones after their passing, upholding family ties, checking on the poor, calling the heedless to guidance, supporting the religion, and aiding your oppressed brothers.

Increase in saying the Takbeer (Allah is the Greatest), Tahleel (There is no god but Allah), and Tahmeed (All praise is due to Allah) in your homes, on the streets, and in your going and coming. And whoever has a sin, let him abandon it...

May Allah bless us and you in these days and gather us in the gardens of bliss.