Loved Unto Sacrifice

الْوَدُودُ

Al-Wadūd — The Most Loving

وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ

And He is the Forgiving, the Loving

Surah Al-Burūj (85:14)

Intention

Today, the first of the ten most beloved days, I will worship from love — not obligation, not guilt, not habit. Love.

Reflection

Al-Wadūd opens the final month — The Most Loving. Dhul Ḥijjah begins with the first ten days, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) described as the most beloved days to Allah. Love and sacrifice are inseparable: Ibrāhīm loved his son, and was willing to sacrifice him. You love your comfort, and Ramadan asked you to sacrifice it. You love your wealth, and Hajj asks you to spend it. You love your routine, and this book asked you to pause for reflection. Every sacrifice you have made this year was an act of love from Al-Wadūd — and an act of love toward Him.

On this verse

Forgiving and Loving — ghafūr and wadūd. He forgives because He loves. And He asks for sacrifice because He loves.

Du'a

Three layers of love — the ultimate du'a for the final month. His love, the love of His beloveds, the love of deeds that draw you near.

Hadith

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' They said: 'Not even jihad?' He said: 'Not even jihad, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth and does not come back with anything.'

— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 969