Alhamdulillah, we are about to enter the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah cannot be overlooked due to the fact that the first ten days are more beloved to Allah than any other days in the entire year.
The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are so massive that even the most ordinary acts of worship during these days can weigh heavier on the scales than the most intense acts performed outside them. This is because of this saying from our Prophet ﷺ that…
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja).”
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.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 969)
This means that any good deeds or acts of worship that we perform in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are more rewarding than doing them on any other days. This is why the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah cannot be overlooked.
What’s the reason behind the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?
The importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is firmly rooted in the Quran and Sunnah, which makes us know the reason why the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are very special. Let’s mention some of the reasons behind the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah now.
1. Allah swore by these days in the Quran
“By the dawn. And by ten nights.” [Surah Al-Fajr 89:1–2]
Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, explained in his Tafsir that the “ten nights” refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. And here’s the thing: Allah does not swear by anything except what is great and magnificent. When the Lord of the worlds, Allah, swears by something, it’s not a casual statement but a sacred declaration of how great the thing is and its benefit.
He only swears by the most honored and significant of His creation, like time (the night, the day), or places (Makkah, Mount Sinai), and others.
2. Our Prophet ﷺ declared them the best days on earth that are beloved to Allah
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, 969]
Imagine that. No other days, not even the last ten days of Ramadan, carry such a tremendous opportunity for reward. Some of our scholars clarified that while the last ten days of Ramadan may be the best night because it has Laylatul Qadr in it, these ten days are the best days as a whole too.
This single hadith establishes how great the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are beyond question. Even jihad, one of the most noble acts in Islam, does not surpass deeds done during these days unless the jihad is with complete self-sacrifice and total wealth. Subhanallah!
3. Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, takes place in these days
The fact that Hajj occurs during these days shows its massive spiritual status. Millions of Muslims, year after year, converge at Makkah to fulfill this sacred rite.
“These days include the gathering of major acts of worship: prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj and no other time combines all of them.”
4. Arafah falls within these days
Among the things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, fasting the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) is a golden opportunity for those not performing Hajj due to its great reward.
“Fasting the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [Sahih Muslim, 1162]
The Prophet also ﷺ said:
“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” (Sahih Muslim 1348)
Imagine, two years’ worth of sins forgiven. Just for one day of fasting. Think about the mercy embedded in that. It is also the day that Allah frees more people from the fire. The most wonderful part is that this day is the day that Allah revealed the verse of having completed our Deen, Islam. What a great day. Allah revealed the following verse on the Day of Arafah, during the farewell Hajj of the Prophet ﷺ:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3)
Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه noted that even the Jews recognized the weight of this verse. One of them told Umar,
Once a Jew said to me, “O the chief of believers! There is a verse in your Holy Book Which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed as a day of celebration.” ‘
Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, “Which is that verse?” The Jew replied, “This day I have perfected your religion For you, completed My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (5:3) ‘Umar replied,”No doubt, we know when and where this verse was revealed to the Prophet. It was Friday and the Prophet (ﷺ) was standing at ‘Arafat (i.e. the Day of Hajj)”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 45)
5. These days include multiple pillars of Islam at once
Another sign of the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is that within them, we find the remaining four out of the five pillars of Islam after Shahadah.
- Solah: Offered daily, especially in congregation, and those who observe Solah in Masjidul Haram or Masjid Nabawi will earn more rewards
- Sawm: Especially on the Day of Arafah, where fasting expiates two years of sins
- Hajj: A once-in-a-lifetime obligation performed during these very days
- Zakah/Sadaqah: People who pay their Zakat during this time will have multiplied blessings, and those who give charity from their wealth and sacrificial meats
There is no other time of the year when all the pillars of Islam converge like this except these days. It’s no exaggeration to say that the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah comes directly from the massive spiritual weight and reward that this month carries. There are some things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah that are very rewarding, which we are going to mention in the next section.
Things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah
The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are so great that missing out on them is like turning away from an open treasure of reward placed for you for free. Let’s explore some things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
1. Performing Hajj. The ultimate act of worship in this month
No deed better symbolizes the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah than Hajj itself in this month of Hajj. This once-in-a-lifetime journey is the fifth pillar of Islam, commanded by Allah and practiced by millions every year. Our Prophet ﷺ said,
And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1773)
“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return as sinless as the day his mother bore him.” (Bukhari 1521)
Those who have the means to perform Hajj should do so. Those who are not able to perform Hajj should engage in other good deeds, which we are going to mention below so as to benefit from the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
2. Fasting the first nine days, especially on the Day of Arafah
Fasting during these days, particularly on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafah, is one of the most powerful things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. But it is more rewarding if one can fast in the first nine days because this act is also rooted in the sunnah of our Prophet ﷺ. One of the wives of the Prophet said:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursday.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, 2372)
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” Sahih Muslim
Fasting the first nine days is highly recommended (Sunnah), with the Day of Arafah standing out as the pinnacle. On this day, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts about His servants to the angels. It’s a day when hearts are softened, tears are shed, and forgiveness is generously granted.
“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” Sahih Muslim
3. Increased dhikr like takbeer, tahmeed and tahleel
One of the easiest things to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is to moisten your tongue with Dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. This is a confirmed sunnah and mostly practiced by the Sahabah. This Sunnah was practiced by companions like Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah, who would walk through the markets loudly reciting the Takbeer, reviving the spirit of Dhul Hijjah among the people.
Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said, “Remember Allah during the well-known days; i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and also the fixed number of appointed days; i.e. the days of Tashriq.”
Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurairah used to go out to the market saying Takbir during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the people would say Takbir after their Takbirs. Muhammad bin ‘Ali used to say Takbir after Nawafil.
The recommended dhikr is:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahil-hamd.”
Whether you’re walking, driving, cooking, or working, let your heart stay connected to Allah through Dhikr. Every utterance during these days is magnified beyond measure in reward. But make sure that you are not saying it in places where mentioning Allah’s name is prohibited, like the toilet, bathroom, or dustbin.
4. Qurbani (Sacrifice)
Slaughtering an animal on Eid al-Adha, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, revives the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS) and honors his legacy of submission.
Slaughtering animals on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, Eid al-Adha, is a great act of worship that one should do on this day. It is very beloved to Allah and very rewarding. It is a means of upholding the unwavering faith of and reviving the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the submission of his son Ismail (peace be upon him). The Prophet ﷺ said..
“The son of Adam does no deed on the Day of Sacrifice more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood.” (Tirmidhi 1493, Hasan)
The act of Qurbani isn’t about the meat. It’s about obedience, gratitude, and sacrifice for Allah’s sake. And remember: If you plan to offer Qurbani, abstain from cutting your hair or nails starting from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is done. Check the conditions of the required animals for sacrifice here. Choose the best animal, ensure proper slaughter, and give from the meat to people, especially to the poor.
5. Wake up for tahajjud and seek forgiveness
Want to have your sins erased, your dua answered? Then get up in the last third of the night and especially in the blessed first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The last third of the night is when Allah descends, saying…
“Who is calling upon Me that I may answer? Who is asking of Me that I may give?” (Bukhari 1145)
These are nights of opportunity. Use them for Tahajjud, seek Istighfar, and have private conversations with Allah.
6. Give charity and help others
One of the overlooked virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is the incredible reward of sodaqah (charity). It doesn’t have to be much, every penny, every act of kindness counts. Spend what you have and make sure that you do it with sincerity, not showing off. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi)
Give to orphans, support a masjid, feed the hungry, or most especially, your Qurbani meat. Make sure that you give to the needy from your meat and those who ask. Look around your friend in debt that you can relieve him from the debt, and do a lot of charity as you can. Just do it. Uplifting others during these ten days is a direct means to earn Allah’s pleasure.
7. Engage in reading the Quran regularly too
And don’t forget the Quran too. Every letter you recite during these sacred days carries multiplied rewards. Reciting the Quran during Dhul Hijjah becomes even more beloved. Make sure that you read with reflection and strive to understand its message so as to put it into use. The Prophet ﷺ said…
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will receive one reward, and that reward will be multiplied by ten.” (Tirmidhi)
8. Make sincere repentance (Tawbah)
Perhaps you’ve made some mistakes, or committed sins, or feel distant from Allah. These ten days are the best time to return to Him. These days are prime time for forgiveness. Allah says…
O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into paradise… (Q 66: 8)
Make heartfelt Tawbah, leave sins, regret them, and vow never to return. Cry, make dua, and open a new chapter. The importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is linked to returning to Allah in our worship.
How to repent properly:
- Feel remorse for sins.
- Stop the sin immediately.
- Make a firm intention not to return.
- If it involves people’s rights, restore them.
Things not to do in the first ten of Dhul Hijjah
Do not cut your hair or nails if you intend to sacrifice
If you plan to offer Qurbani, follow the prophetic instruction: avoid cutting your hair or nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until your animal is slaughtered. The Prophet ﷺ said…
“When the ten days (of Dhul Hijjah) start, and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not cut his hair or nails until he has offered the sacrifice.” (Sahih Muslim)
The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are not to be taken lightly. Allah swears by them in the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned to us that these days are the most beloved days for good deeds. And the scholars of Islam also praised the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
They only come once a year. Blink, and they’re gone. But if you make good use of these days, they can leave a positive imprint on your heart that lasts a lifetime. Let this year be different. Let these days not pass in heedlessness.
We ask you, Ya Allah, to make us witness many of these blessed days on Earth. Forgive our sins, accept our deeds, and grant us Your mercy. Make us among those who race to do good and attain Your pleasure. Aameen.
