Jum'ah Journal- 10 days/Nights of Zdul-Hijjah

God says, (Sura Al-Fajr) "Wal-Fajr wa Layaalin 'Ashr...." (Swear by the day break and ten nights) referral is to first 10 days/nights of Zdul-Hijjah (12th Islamic month) and another explanation is that the referral is to the last 10 days of Ramadhan. (May be Allah SWT has placed these words puposely in such a way that more than one meanings can be derived, for the benefit of us)
The fact is both are extremely important from Islamic point of view. Islamic books and tafsirs tell a lot about the significance of these ten days/nights; ahadeeth (sayings of the Prophet SAWS) may be weak but we talk about the 10 nights of this month at present. Like the prophet says about these nights each one is like that of Lailat-ul-Qadr. That means each of these days should be spent in prayer and takbeer and saying other words of Allah's praise etc. and the ninth day (the day of Arafah) fasting is more recommended. Fajr the daybreak is considered to be referring to the day break of the tenth day of Zdul-Hijjah which is the day of sacrifice (Yaum-un-Nahr in Arabic) the day of Eid-ul-Ad-Haa.
To me quite apart from all the recommendations these ten days make me go to Hajj "in spirit". I feel I am there with all the other Hajjis
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (I am here O Allah I am here)
The answer to the call of Ibraheem AS, who is ordered by Allah SWT... The Qur'an tells us (Sura Hajj 22nd, Aya 27)---"And proclaim the pligrimage among men...."
I thought of that at my Hajj standing on the 2nd story looking down at the huge crowds circling around the Ka'aba with hum of Muslims praying. I thought when Ibraheem AS was asked he must have felt (5000 year ago), nobody around there, no human beings---hmmm who should I call--- But you see these are prophets they just do what God tells them to and so he made the call and Muslims are coming in huge crowds saying
"labbaik....." (I am here) So now if Inraheem AS comes to see what his call has done!!!!
"Wa Azddin fin-naasi bil hajj......" (And proclaim the pilgrimage among the men...)
Muslim has reported a hadetth from Umm Salama RA that Rasoolullah SAWS said "whoever wants to make a sacrifice he should not cut his hair or nails after seeing hilal of Zdul-Hijjah until he has made the sacrifice"
Many Muslims therefore do that (It is a recommendation) but when I do I feel as if I am with the Hajjis, even though I personally do not perform the sacrifice but have someone else do it in my name (This is allowed also)