al-Wasaya al-Ashr ma Fadail al-Ashr
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- al-Wasaya al-Ashr ma Fadail al-Ashr
al-Wasaya al-Ashr ma Fadail al-Ashr (The Ten Counsels Along with the Virtues of the Ten Days) is an Islamic treatise authored by al-Sharbini bin Faiq al-Sharbini, dedicated to the spiritual virtues of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and practical recommendations for acts of worship during that period .
Composition and Preface
The treatise was completed by the author on 29 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1439 AH . It was reviewed and prefaced on 4 Dhu al-Hijjah 1439 AH by Dr. Sughayir ibn Muhammad al-Sughayir, a faculty member at King Saud University, who commended the work for its reliance on evidence from the Quran, the Sunnah, and scholarly transmissions .
Structure and Content
The treatise is organized into an introduction followed by six distinct sections (mabahith):
- What Precedes the Ten Days (Madha Qabla al-Ashr): Discusses the preparation required before entering the season, emphasizing sincere intention (ikhlas), sincere repentance (tawbah nasuh) along with its conditions, high resolve and diligence, supplication for divine guidance, and increasing righteous deeds and remembrance of Allah .
- The Virtues of the Ten Days in the Quran (Fadluha fi al-Quran): Examines scriptural references interpreted by classical commentators as referring to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, including the "known days" (al-ayyam al-ma'lumat) in Surat al-Hajj, the sworn ten nights in Surat al-Fajr, and the completion of the divine appointment with Moses in Surat al-A'raf .
- The Virtues of the Ten Days in the Sunnah (Fadluha min al-Sunnah): Details prophetic traditions highlighting the superiority of deeds performed during this period over other times of the year, including non-obligatory jihad, and outlines the particular virtues of the Day of Arafah and the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) .
- Scholarly Statements on the Ten Days (Aqwal Ba'd Ahl al-Ilm fi al-Ashr): Collects evaluations and juristic views from prominent scholars—such as Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Nawawi, al-Shawkani, and Ibn Hazm—as well as rulings across the Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Zahiri legal schools concerning fasting and worship during these days .
- The Ten Counsels (al-Wasaya al-Ashr): Outlines ten non-exhaustive practical recommendations for Muslims to observe during the ten days :
- Remembrance of Allah (dhikr), notably raising the voice in takbir, tahlil, and tahmid, including the rulings and transmitted wordings for both unconstrained (mutlaq) and prayer-restricted (muqayyad) takbir .
- Prayer (al-salah), through punctual performance of obligatory prayers, waiting between prayers in the mosque, and increasing voluntary prostrations (nawafil) .
- Charity (al-sadaqat), aiding the poor, weak, and widows .
- Fasting (al-siyam) during the first nine days, addressing the harmonization between hadiths that affirm and appear to deny the Prophet's ﷺ fasting during the period .
- Performing Hajj and Umrah for those who are able .
- Recitation and reflection upon the Quran .
- Strengthening faith and doing righteous deeds .
- Fasting the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims to attain the expiation of sins for two years .
- Mutual consolidation and compassion (al-muwasah) toward family, neighbors, and friends .
- Offering the sacrificial animal (al-udhiyah), its proper timing after the Eid prayer, and the etiquette of abstaining from cutting hair and nails upon the entrance of Dhu al-Hijjah for whoever intends to sacrifice .
- What Follows the Ten Days (Madha Ba'd al-Ashr): Concludes with guidance on maintaining consistency in acts of devotion after the season ends, citing prophetic traditions on the virtue of regular, sustained righteous deeds even if small .
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