7- The Udh-hiyyah:

The Udh-hiyyah (i.e. the sacrificial animal) was legislated to bring the slave closer to Allah The Almighty and to feed the poor. The Udh-hiyyah is one of the rites of Islam and it is a symbol of sacrifice, and a Sunnah act of Prophet Ibraaheem . It is the most loved deed to Allah The Almighty on the day of ‘Eed. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allah said: “The son of ‎‎‎ Aadam had never done a deed on the Day of Nahr more beloved to Allah than shedding the blood (of a sacrifice). The sacrifice will come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, nails and hair. Its blood will fall in a place by Allah before it falls on the ground, so make the soul agreeable with it.” [Ibn Maajah and At-Tirmithi: Hasan] The Udh-hiyyah is a confirmed Sunnah for the one who can afford it and it is disliked not to offer it if one is capable of slaughtering it.‎‎‎

The sacrificial animals should have reached the age stated by Sharee‘ah, (Islamic Law) which is one year for a sheep, six months for a lamb, five years for a camel and two years for a cow. A camel or a cow can suffice for seven persons, that is, if seven persons shared a camel or a cow, that would be sufficient for them.

There are certain conditions for the validity of the Udh-hiyyah such as being free of the defects that were stipulated in the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), slaughtering the sacrifice at the specified time which starts by the end of ‘Eed prayer and ends when the sun sets on the last day of Tashreeq (the thirteenth of Thul-Hijjah).

When one intends to offer a sacrifice, he should not cut his hair or nails, as Umm Salamah said that the Prophet said: “If you see the crescent of Thul-Hijjah and any one of you wants to sacrifice, let him hold off from cutting his hair and his nails until he sacrifices.” [Muslim]‎‎‎ This ruling applies to the family man, not the children, but if they abide by this, they will receive the reward and if they cut their hair or nails, this will be alright.

8- Invoking Allah:

‎‎‎It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet said: “The best supplication is that of the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said, is: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allahu wahdahu laa Shareeka lah, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer (There is none worthy of worship except Allah Alone and He Has no partners, dominion and praise belong to Him, and He is over all things Omnipotent)." [At-Tirmithi in Ad-Da‘awaat] ‎‎‎

Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr said: "This Hadeeth indicates that invoking Allah on the day of ‘Arafah is better than invoking Allah on any other day and that the invocation on the day of ‘Arafah is most probably accepted." [At-Tamheed]

9- Repenting and Avoiding Sins:

During these days and any other days, Muslims should repent sincerely to Allah and give up sins. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance….} [Quran 66:8] Thus, hasten to sincere repentance by avoiding what is prohibited, returning the rights and avoiding immorality.

Dear brother and sister, hasten during these ten days to the righteous deeds, invoke Allah The Almighty frequently, ask Him for forgiveness, draw closer to Him through all possible means so that you would attain a great reward and success.