I would like to first say that some people believe that unless the date was explicitly said to have been celebrated (in hadith, so for example: the Eid’s) we should not celebrate it or do anything on it and that any celebrations on these days is innovation and sinful.
See, for instance, this article: http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=111
Maybe your family does something different, maybe your country likes to hold celebrations, WHATEVER. I’m just here to report the dates, and any recommended stuff that we ought to do.
Islamic New Year (Al-Hijra)
1st of Muharram
The day when the first muslims moved from Makkah to Medina and set up the first Islamic State. The first holy month in which It is forbidden to hold wars.
Ashura Day
10th of Muharram
This is the day the Allah (SWT) helped Musa (AS) save the people of Israel from pharaoh, so as a sign of his gratitude, Musa (AS) fasted. So fasting is recommended to us too:
Abu Qatada al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of 'Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year. (Book #006, Hadith #2603)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s Birthday (Mawlid an-Nabi)
12th of Rabi-al-Awwal
This date is pretty self explanatory.
Rajab
The second Holy month.
Night Journey to Heaven (Israa’ / Me’raj)
The Evening of the 26th of Rajab
This is the night in which it was said that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem, then up to the heavens where he saw some incredible things. For more details see:
Sha'aban
Usamah Bin Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), ‘Why do you fast in Sha’aban more than any other month?’ He (peace be upon him) replied, ‘People are negligent between Rajab and Ramadan. During Sha’aban the deeds are presented to the Lord of all the worlds. Therefore I desire to be fasting when my deeds are lifted.” (Ahmed, 5/200, An-Nasa’i, 2357, authenticated by Al-Albani)
Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet never fasted in any month more than in the month of sha'ban. He used to say, "Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds)." The most beloved prayer to the Prophet was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet offered a prayer he used to offer it regularly . (Book #31, Hadith #191)
The Night of Salvation (Lailatul-Bara’at)
The evening of the 14th of Sha’ban
DISCLAIMER: I can’t quote any hadiths, or find articles on the websites I know (Islamicity.org) and some people even say that there are no strong hadith’s about this night, but I ask you: since when has staying up late at night asking for forgiveness ever been a bad thing? :P
This night is supposedly a night in which a great deal of forgiveness is handed out by Allah (SWT).
Sayyidna Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: "Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of Sha'ban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".
More info here:
http://www.albalagh.net/general/shaban.shtml
Ramadan
1st of Ramadan
If you don’t know about Ramadan then you, my friend, have problems. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed and we fast every day from sunrise to sunset.
The Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr)
One of the nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan (20th of Ramadan to 30th of Ramadan)
From Surat 97: Al-Qadr
1) Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
2) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
3) The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
4) Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibril (Gabril)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees,
5) (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.
There’s way too much literature about this night, so take a look here.
Eid-al-Fitr
1st of Shawwal
The first major celebration of our year, marking the end of Ramadan. There’s an eid sermon in the morning, followed by a short eid prayer, maybe some more sermons, some gift giving, meeting with friends, eating food. It’s easily the most feel-good day of our year! :)
Dhul Qida
The third holy month
Dhul Hijja
The fourth holy month
The Days of Hajj
1st of Dhul Hijja to 10th of Dhul Hijja
I thought these days were only special for those making the pilgrimage. Apparently I was wrong:
“Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allâh. It has been confirmed in Sahîh al-Bukharî from Ibn Abbas (radhi Allâhu anhu) that the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“No deed are more virtuous than deeds on these days.”
The companions asked: 'Not even Jihad (fighting in Allâh's Cause)?' He (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allâh, unless a man goes out risking himself and his wealth for the sake of Allâh, and does not come back with anything.”
[Sahîh al-Bukharî vol: 2, no: 457]
Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn'Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allaah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]
Fasting and praying tajahhud during this time is also recommended:
Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]
Day of Arafat (Yowm-al-Arafah)
9th of Dhul Hijja
This is the day on which the pilgrims stand on the plains of Arafat, and pray and ask for forgiveness. Anyone who is not attending hajj is recommended to fast:
Abu Qatada al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of 'arafa (9th of Dhu'I-Hijja), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. (Muslim, Book #006, Hadith #2603)
Eid-al-Adha
10th of Dhul Hijja
This celebration marks the end of Hajj, and is most known for the sacrifices during it. Yes sacrifices, and not give up food and drink sacrifice, but good old fashioned slaughter sacrifice. It’s a celebration of the occasion when Allah (SWT) wished to test Ibrahim (AS)’s faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son, which he was willing to do when Allah (SWT), content that Ibrahim (AS) was being obedient, told him to sacrifice a lamb instead. So, anyone who wants to can sacriice a lamb, or goat or cow, but I also think it’s permissible to pay someone else to do it. Then, the meat is shared around with friends and family, with bonus points for those who give it to the poor. ;)
Late at Night, Especially the Last Third of the Night
(Tomorrows Fajr- Today’s Isha) X 2/3 + Todays Isha= last third of the night.
Find the number of hours between today’ isha Prayer and tomorrow’s fajr prayer, multiply it by 2/3 and add that number of hours to the time of today’s isha prayer to find the time of the last third of the night.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
So, during this time, you could wake up, make dua, then fall back asleep
OR you could whip out the heavy artillery and make Tajahhud (late night prayer). For information on the Tajahhud, I recommend checking out Fiqh us-Sunnah by As-Sayyid Sabiq.
Between the Adthan and iqamah
Between the first call to prayer, and the second call to prayer (right before prayer begins)
This is an ideal time to make dua (supplication) for stuff:
Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.'
[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
Fridays
Some unknown hour.
There is an hour on Fridays (some say it is between the time the Imam enters the masjid to after the Friday prayer, and some say it is between Asr and Maghrib) during which if you happen to be praying and ask for something, you will get it.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: 'There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Mondays and Thursdays
All day
These are the two days when our deeds go in for a performance review and fasting on these days was a practice of the Prophet (SAW) as he said:
“The deeds of the worshippers are presented before Allah on Monday and Thursday, I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.” (Nasa’I)
For good times to make dua: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/best.html
There are probably a lot more special times and dates, so if you know any I missed lets hear 'em! :D
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