i forgot to say this earlier...HAPPY FIRST DAY OF DHUL-HIJJAH! <--even though the 1st day is practically over. :-p just read an article entitled The Virtue of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah, by Shaikh 'Abdullaah Ibn Jibreen. Some excerpts:

Al-Bukhaaree narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas (raa), that the Prophet (saws) said: "There are not any days in which righteous deeds done in them are more beloved to Allaah than these days, i.e. the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah). They said: 'O, Messenger of Allaah, not even Jihaad in the path of Allaah?' He said: 'Not even Jihaad in the path of Allaah Most High, except if a man goes out (for Jihaad) with his self and his wealth, then he doesn't return with anything from that.'"

Imaam Ahmad narrated from Ibn 'Umar (raa), from the Prophet Muhammad (saws) that he said: "There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allaah Most High, than these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah). So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allaah) and Takbeer (Allaahu-Akbar) and Tahmeed (al-hamdu-lillaah)."

The moon looked so byooootiful as i was driving home tonight, masha'Allah! Reminded me of my favorite poem back when I was 12, which i still think is simply amazing..

"Winter Moon"

How thin and sharp is the moon tonight!
How thin and sharp and ghostly white
Is the slim curved crook of the moon tonight!

::Langston Hughes::