Zul-Hijjah: Take advantage of first 10 days, Muslims urge

By Mumini Abdulkareem

Muslims in Kwara state have been called upon to take advantage of the first ten days of the month of Zul-Hijjah to compete among themselves in meritorious deeds.
The visiting Imam of Ayeloja Central mosque, Osere, Ustaz Mustapha Taiye Agaka gave the advice during his sermon (Khutba) on Friday shortly before the commencement of the traditional two unit prayer.
He also said Muslims should endeavour they slaughter any permissible animal for Allah if they have the means adding that it is the greatest sacrifice on the day of Eid.
Agaka who is also the Kwara state Cultural Affairs Officer of the Muslim Congress (TMC) noted that Muslims should strive to outdo one another in various meritorious act of worship during the period so as to greatly benefit from Allah (SWT) favour.
Describing the period as the best known days in the sight of Allah, Imam Agaka enjoined faithful to shun sins in other to avoid the wrath of Allah.
He said renowned scholars in Islam agreed that the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar is greater than the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and vice versa.                        
Quoting from various chapters of the Glorious Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet (SAW), the Islamic cleric emphasised that “we should engage the month with the same zeal and enthusiasm with which we approach the month of Ramadan in order to get huge reward.
“This month is one of the sacred months in Islam where Allah (SWT) rewards His servants in manifolds. We should ensure we are steadfast and increase our act of worship by having our compulsory prayers in congregation and at the right time, increase our Nawafil, ensure we finish the whole Qur’an, join family ties and visit and pray for our parents, our brothers and Muslims all over the globe. This is not the period to busy ourselves with frivolities and wasting time on social media and television. We should compete with ourselves in good deeds”. He added.
“For those that have the intention to slaughter animals, they must not remove any part of their hair including pubic and nails once the month has commence”, he added.