Tale#27: Bedtime Tales: Episode15:The Best Ten Days| Tuesday
A Special Countdown to Dhul Hijjah
It was a quiet evening in the house, the kind that always felt extra cozy after a long day. The last rays of the sun were fading, leaving the sky painted with shades of pink and purple. Aymen walked in from the kitchen, holding a warm cup of tea in her hands. She made her way to the couch and settled in comfortably, the cushions sinking gently beneath her. In front of her, Zayn and Sara were curled up on the rug, each with their favourite toy in hand, the soft sound of their chatter filling the room.
The scent of dinner wafted from the kitchen, and the hum of the evening around them created the perfect backdrop for a heart-to-heart conversation.
“I have something special to share with you two tonight,” Aymen said, setting her cup of tea down on the side table and catching their attention.
Sara, who had been playing with her stuffed bear, looked up instantly. “Special? What is it, Mom?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Zayn, who had been making funny faces at his toy car, stopped mid-laugh and sat up straight. “What’s special, Mom? Is it something fun?” he asked, his eyes shining with excitement.
Aymen smiled warmly at her children, loving their eagerness. “Well, these next few days are the best days of the whole year. They’re so special that they’re called the 'Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah.' And I want to tell you both why they’re so important and how we can make the most of them.”
Sara’s eyes grew even wider. “The best days? What makes them so special?” she asked, leaning in closer, clearly intrigued.
Zayn, always ready for a new adventure, asked, “Are they like Eid days, Mom? Are we going to get presents?”
Aymen chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for her little ones. “In a way, yes. These days are special like Eid, but they are even more meaningful because they are a time to grow closer to Allah.”
Sara and Zayn exchanged a quick glance. They had heard about Eid before and loved it, but the idea that these ten days could be even more special left them both silent with anticipation.
“So, what do we do during these days, Mom?” Zayn asked, looking up at his mother with genuine curiosity.
Aymen nodded. “During these ten days, we have an amazing opportunity to do acts of worship, like praying more, making du’a (asking Allah for help), fasting, and giving charity. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ‘There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.’ That means that every good thing we do during these days is multiplied in reward by Allah.”
Sara’s face lit up with excitement. “Wow, so everything we do can bring us closer to Allah?”
“Yes,” Aymen said, her eyes twinkling. “Every prayer, every kind act, every time you say something kind to someone, it all counts. Allah loves when we do good things, and He loves it even more during these ten days.”
Zayn, always keen to help, asked, “So, we should pray more, right? But what else can we do?”
Aymen smiled at him and nodded. “Yes, Zayn, praying more is one of the best things we can do. But you can also fast, especially on the Day of Arafah, which is the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told us that fasting on this day will forgive the sins of the past year and the coming year. It’s such a special day for asking Allah for forgiveness.”
Sara’s eyes widened. “So, if we fast on the Day of Arafah, we can have our sins forgiven?” she whispered, in awe of how much mercy Allah shows His servants.
“Yes,” Aymen said softly. “It’s a day when Allah is especially merciful, and our du’a is answered.”
Zayn, eager to do something good, asked, “Can we give charity during these days too?”
Aymen beamed with pride. “Yes, absolutely! Giving charity is one of the best things you can do in these ten days. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Even small acts, like sharing with a friend or helping someone in need, count as charity. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ‘The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.’ So, whether it’s helping around the house, giving a toy to someone, or just being kind, all of it is rewarded.”
Sara thought for a moment, then asked, “What else can we do to make the most of these days, Mom?”
Aymen’s voice softened as she spoke. “Reflecting on our actions and trying to be better people is also so important. These ten days are a time to think about how we can improve, how we can become more patient, kinder, and more sincere in our worship. You can also read more of the Quran, think about its meanings, and try to follow what it teaches us.”
Zayn’s face lit up as he thought of something. “Can we say ‘Bismillah’ before everything we do during these days?” he asked, excited at the idea of doing something simple but meaningful.
Aymen’s heart swelled with pride. “Yes, Zayn! Saying ‘Bismillah’ before everything we do is a beautiful way to start our actions with the blessing of Allah. Whether we’re eating, playing, studying, or even just talking to each other, saying ‘Bismillah’ helps us stay connected to Allah throughout our day.”
Sara leaned in, her face filled with excitement. “I’m going to try to do all of this, Mom! I want to pray more, help others, and always say ‘Bismillah’ before everything I do.”
Zayn, full of energy, added, “Me too! I’m going to be the best helper, and I’ll say ‘Bismillah’ all the time!”
Aymen smiled warmly, her heart full of gratitude. “I’m so proud of both of you. These ten days are a chance to grow closer to Allah, to do good, and to reflect on our lives. Remember, it’s not about how big or small our deeds are. It’s about being sincere and trying our best to be better every day.”
As the evening went on, Aymen talked to Zayn and Sara about the importance of making du’a, praying extra, and reflecting on their actions. They talked about how these ten days are a precious time to grow spiritually, to show gratitude for the blessings Allah has given them, and to seek forgiveness for their mistakes.
“I’ll make the most of these days, Mom,” Sara whispered as she snuggled into her bed, her heart full of the excitement of what lay ahead.
Zayn, already half asleep, mumbled, “Me too, Mom. I want to be good.”
Aymen smiled softly as she kissed them goodnight, knowing that her children had taken the first steps toward making these ten days truly special.