The month of Dhul Hijjah is once again fast approaching and
those fortunate enough to be performing the Hajj (annual
pilgrimage to Mecca) will have long been making preparations for
this blessed time This ground-work will have included the
external often frustrating tasks of obtaining visas and making
travel arrangements, and the more important - and certainly more
difficult - internal spiritual preparations. But those of us who
are unable to perform the Hajj this year can still partake in
this blessed month. For Prophet Muhammad (may God's peace and
blessings be with him) encouraged us to work harder in the
pursuit of good during this time, saying of the first 10 days of
Dhul Hijjah, in particular: "There are no days in which
righteous deeds are more beloved to God than these ten days."
This is the period, which precedes the festival of Eid al Adha
(The Feast of the Sacrifice) commemorating the monumental
sacrifice in which Abraham (may God's peace and blessings be
with him), Patriarch of the Semitic faiths,