worship

Excerpts from The Fundamentals of Islam by Syed Abul Ala Maududi about the spiritual experience of Hajj.

The month of Dhul Hijjah is a blessed month, but its first 10 days are particularly special, a time filled with rewards, blessings and significance. Here are three things Muslims are strongly encouraged to do during the first 10 days of Dhul al-Hijjah.

It is unfortunate that we do not always take full advantage of the gift of Salah. We may pray five times each day but few of us remain conscious for long that in Prayer we have the best means to develop a strong connection with Allah.

Fasting in Islam is an act of obedience to Allah's commands through the highest degree of commitment, sincerity and faithfulness to seek Allah's mercy, to atone for sins, errors, and mistakes and to avoid condemnation to Hell.

For those of us not going to Hajj this year, it's easy to dismiss the journey of a lifetime. But we non-Hajjis can swing into the Hajj spirit too, and we should. Here are a couple of ideas.

Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.

How to improve yourself in Ramadan?  You have done it again! How will you make those great Ramadan habits stick once it leaves you? Here are a few things you can do to maintain the good habits you picked during Ramadan and keep Ramadan spirits alive.