The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: The Best Days of the Year
They are among the most blessed days in Islam. It is a season for making the Scale heavier with good deeds and drawing closer to Allah.
Allah says:
" By the dawn, and the ten nights, "
— Quran 89:1-2 (approximate translation)
Many scholars explained that “the ten nights” refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Why Are These Days So Special?
The Prophet ﷺ said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these."
Then some companions of the Prophet ﷺ said, "Not even Jihad?"
He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things."
The Day of Arafah
The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, one of the greatest days in Islam. It is the main day of Hajj, when pilgrims stand at Arafah in worship and dua.
For those not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is highly recommended.
"[ Fast the Day of Arafah, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it. ]"
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Best Acts of Worship During the First 10 Days
1. Increase in Dhikr
"[ ...pronounce the Name of Allah on appointed days... ]"
— Quran 22:28 (approximate translation)
Many scholars said the “known days” are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
" There are no days in which deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days — the ten days. So increase in them the saying of Takbir, Tahlil, and Tahmid. "
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
During these days, increase in:
- SubhanAllah - Glory be to Allah
- Alhamdulillah - All praise belongs to Allah
- La ilaha illa Allah - There is no god worthy of worship except Allah
- Allahu Akbar — Allah is the Greatest
" The words dearest to God are four: SubhanAllah; Alhamdulillah; La ilaha illa Allah; and Allahu Akbar. It does not matter which you say first. "
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
During these days, Muslims may increase in general Takbeer at any time. From the Day of Arafah until the last day of Tashreeq (the three days following Eid), Takbeer is also commonly recited after the obligatory prayers.
Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them, would go to the markets during these first ten days of Thul-Hijjah to perform Takbeer there, and the people there would also perform Takbeer.
— Al-Bukhari may Allah have mercy upon him
2. Fasting
It is recommended to fast during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah. The 10th day is Eid al-Adha, and fasting on Eid is not permitted.
" (Allah said), 'Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk. "
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
3. Prayer, Qur’an, and Dua
These blessed days are a chance to increase in:
- Obligatory prayers on time
- Voluntary prayers
- Tahajjud
- Quran recitation
- Dua
- Istighfar and repentence
4. Charity and Good Deeds
Charity, helping others, feeding people, supporting Islamic work, honoring parents, and showing kindness are all from the righteous deeds.
5. Qurbani and Eid al-Adha
The 10th day of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. It reminds Muslims of the obedience and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his family. Muslims who are able offer the Eid sacrifice as an act of worship and gratitude to Allah.
"[ The first thing we will do on this day of ours, is to offer the (`Id) prayer and then return to slaughter the sacrifice. Whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (tradition), and whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) before the prayer, what he offered was just meat he presented to his family, and that will not be considered as Nusak (sacrifice)... ]"
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
A Special Opportunity from Allah
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a short but powerful season of worship. They are days to fast, give charity, make dhikr, recite Qur’an, seek forgiveness, and prepare for Eid with a grateful heart.
"[ The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small... ]"
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
May Allah allow us to benefit from the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, accept our deeds, forgive our sins, and make us among those who remember Him often.