We’re about to enter the greatest days of the year.

The 12th Islamic Month, Dh Al-Ḥijjah, starts on Friday August 2. This is the month in which millions of Muslims embark to perform the Ritual Pilgrimage [Ḥajj]. It is also the month in which we celebrate our 2nd Islamic Festival, ʿĪd Al-Aḍḥā. It’s a month filled with following the footsteps of the great grand father of our Beloved Messenger ﷺ, Abraham [Ibrāhīm (ع)].

TL;DR
[ GDoc | PDF] Summary of Good Deeds
[ GDoc | PDF] Ritual Sacrifice
[ GDoc | PDF] ʿĪd Deets

Dates:

• Start of Dh Al-Ḥijjah: Friday, August 2
• 9th Day — ʿArafah: Saturday, August 10
• 10th Day — [Baqrah] Eid Al-Aḍḥā: Sunday, August 11

The Messenger of God ﷺ said: “There are no days in which correct-righteous actions are more beloved to God than these 10 days [first ten of Dh Al-Ḥijjah]. The companions asked: “Not even Jihād for God?” So The Messenger of God ﷺ responded: “Not even Jihād for God; except for someone who goes out with his life and wealth, and returns with neither.” [1, 2, 3, 4]

Fasting on ʿArafah [9th of Dh Al-Ḥijjah] - Saturday, August 10

The Messenger of God ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of ʿArafah [the 9th day of Dh Al-Ḥijjah — this is under the notion that one is not a pilgrim at ʿArafah]. He ﷺ answered: “It wipes away the sins of the past year, and coming year.” [1, 2] This will be Saturday, August 10.

The Messenger of God ﷺ fasted the first 9 days of Dh Al-Ḥijjah. [7, 8, 9]

Fasting	Qurʾān	Charity
Praying Extra	Durūd | Ṣalawāt	Duʿāʾ
Remembering God	Seclusion	Helping
Volunteering	Repentance	Masjid

Ritual Slaughter [Uḍḥiyah] for The Festival of Sacrifice [ʿĪd Al-Aḍḥā]

It is mandatory [wājib] for for anyone who has ~$4,290 [niṣāb ḥirmān al-zakāh — checked 7/30 2019] in extra possessions [i.e., you don’t need to have this much in liquid cash, but only if your extra possessions — such as an extra car, laptop, phone, jewelry, etc — reach or exceed this amount]. It must be done on one’s own behalf [not the physical slaughter]. It must be done after you have prayed the Festival Prayer [Ṣalāh Al-ʿĪd], and before Maghrib on the 12th of Dh Al-Ḥijjah [10, 11, 12]. There are a handful of other rulings associated to this, but if you intend to outsource this act, those people will fulfill the rest of the criteria, God-Willing [in-shāʾ-Allāh].

For anyone intending to do this amazing act, it is religiously recommended [Sunnah] to not trim one's hair or nails during the first 10 days of Dh Al-Ḥijjah, until your sacrifice has been made.  [13, 14]

“Neither the meat or the blood [of your sacrifice] physically goes to God. Rather, it is your piety and devotion that reaches [God]. ...” [Al-Ḥajj 22:37]

Chanting The Praises of The Almighty [Takbīrāt]

From Fajr on the 9th [Saturday, August 10], until ʿAṣr on the 13th [Wednesday, August 14], EVERYONE should read this aloud after every prayer. Man, Woman, Child. Whether you prayed alone, or in a group. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E.

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا  اللهُ وَاَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

[Allāh is the Greatest [3x], There are no deities, except The One True God [Allāh], and Allāh is the Greatest [2x], and All Praise and Thanks belong to Allāh.] [Takbīrāt Short Version]

The 11th-13th of Dh al-Ḥijjah — Jerky Time [Ayyām Al-Tashrīq]

These are the days that were originally used to dry the freshly slaughtered meat, so that it could be preserved [i.e., turned into jerky] for later consumption. #mmmJerky

It is absolutely prohibited [Ḥarām | Makrūh Taḥrīmā] to fast on these days, including the joyous day of ʿĪd. So do NOT fast from Sunday, August 11 [10th] to Wednesday, August 14 [13th].

Recommended Actions [Sunan] of Our Beloved Messenger ﷺ for The Festival [ʿĪd]

🎆🎇🎉 — 🐮🐄🐑🐐🐏🐫🐪 — 🎉🎇🎆

1. Ritual Shower [Ghusl]
2. Siwāk & Brushing Teeth
3. Dress & Smell Nice
4. Recite takbīrāt out loud on the way to the Eid prayer area
5. Go and Return from the place of prayer from a different route
6. Eat after the ʿĪd Sermon [Do NOT Fast]