We know you're probably hearing a lot about Dhul Hijjah lately, but remembrances are always beneficial and inspiring to keep our hearts inclined towards our goals.

We hope this week's newsletter will offer you that reminder but also maybe a new perspective.

When we think about the Islamic calendar, most of us immediately think of Ramadan, the superstar month that receives all the attention.

But Allah's divine wisdom created an entire system of sacred timing that flows beautifully throughout our year.

The four sacred months, Dhul-Qaʿdah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, Muḥarram, and Rajab, stand as spiritual landmarks designed to guide our journey.

Dhul-Qaʿdah means "the month to sit," signifying when even pre-Islamic Arabs would cease warfare.

It serves as our preparation period, a spiritual runway before takeoff.

Then comes Dhul-Ḥijjah, containing not just Eid al-Adha but the most virtuous ten days of the entire year.

Have you ever wondered why Allah designed our calendar this way?

The progression is brilliantly intentional.

After Ramadan elevates us, the six days of Shawwāl maintain our momentum.

Dhul-Qaʿdah provides time for reflection and preparation.

Then Dhul-Ḥijjah arrives with its ten mighty days, followed by Muḥarram to begin our new year with powerful spiritual energy through opportunities like the fast of Ashura.

This sequence ensures we never fully disconnect from our spiritual center, there's always another opportunity approaching to reconnect.

During his Farewell Pilgrimage, our Prophet ﷺ highlighted the extraordinary significance of these times:

"Verily, your blood, your property, your honor are as sacred to one another as this day of yours, as this month of yours, and as this land of yours."

He was specifically referring to the Day of ʿArafah, the month of Dhul-Ḥijjah, and Mecca's sacred precincts.

This perspective aligns perfectly with what modern psychology teaches us about "time consciousness" and its impact on our mental well-being.

When we recognize certain periods as special, our brain processes experiences differently during those times.

We become more present, more intentional, and more receptive to growth.

The beauty of these sacred periods is how they transform ordinary actions into extraordinary spiritual investments.

A simple act of kindness, a voluntary prayer, or even controlling your tongue carries multiplied weight during these days.

But as Ibn Rajab warned: "Beware of disobedience, for it forbids forgiveness in the seasons of mercy."

The gravity of sins increases proportionally during these blessed times.

This reality confronts us with an important choice.

We can either drift through these days unaware of their significance, treating them like any other time of year, or we can consciously align ourselves with Allah's divine timeline.

The distance between us and Makkah might be measured in thousands of miles, but the distance between our hearts and these blessed days is measured only by our awareness and intention.

A companion who couldn't attend Hajj one year performed extra prayers and charity during these ten days, saying: "Though my body remains here, my heart journeys with the pilgrims."

His physical absence didn't diminish his spiritual presence; in fact, his intentional participation throughout his regular days might have magnified it.

Understanding where we stand in Allah's sacred timeline helps us navigate our spiritual journey with purpose.

As these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah unfold around us, remember that while not everyone is called to stand on Arafah physically, we're all invited to stand in the light of its blessings.

The physical and spiritual distance isn't an obstacle; it's simply a different kind of invitation to the same divine feast.

We've got until 7pm today to finalize our sign-ups!

If you want to start off your Dhul Hijjah right and solidify these 10 days with blessings, feel free to sign up for our team challenge sign-ups here.

You'll ensure that even amidst your busy schedule, you're consistently gathering rewards during this sacred time.

It's a simple yet powerful way to honor these days without requiring additional time commitments.