VIRTUES OF DHUL HIJJAH AND THE BEST TEN DAYS

Glorified and Exalted is Allah above all that’s ascribed as partners with Him. May His endless
blessings be showered upon Muhammad PBUH, His household, companions, and the generality of
Muslims until the last day.

We thank Allah for honoring us to be one of His slaves who witnessed the sacred month of Dhul Qadah
and now Dhul Hijjah. May Allah grant us the ability to push forth good acceptable deeds. Allah has
favored the Muslim nation with little deeds, yet enormous rewards. One of such seasons of blissful
showers is the month of Dhul Hijjah. In it, the first ten days are sacred and filled with bliss — they are
the best ten days of the year. The virtues and importance of the month cannot be over-emphasized. It is
mentioned in the Qur’an and as well buttressed in the hadith. These ten days are better than all other
days of the year with no exception. It’s even better than the last ten days of Ramadan.

On the authority of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him and his father) who said,
Allah’s Apostle Peace be upon him said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more
beloved to Allah than these ten days (i.e. the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah). They (the companions) said:
‘Oh Messenger of Allah, not even jihad?’ The messenger of Allah replied: ‘Not even jihad in the cause
of Allah. Except for the one who went, taking himself and his wealth and never returned with either of
them.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Among the virtues of these ten days is that, in it, Allah completed the religion of Islam for his slaves!
This was the day in which the following verse in Suratul Maidah verse 3 was revealed:

“This day I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My favor upon
you and I have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

GOODS DEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF DHUL HIJJAH

1. Abstinence from Sins: As much as we can, let’s try to stay away from sinful acts. It is
   understandable that we are humans and can still fall short. However, make the intention with a
   firm conviction that you will stay away from disobeying Allah in these blessed days and beyond.
   Violating the sanctity of this sacred period can lead to the multiplication of its punishment if one
   fails to repent sincerely.

2. Sincere Repentance: We are all encouraged to seek forgiveness of our Lord with sincere
repentance. Allah’s Apostle who happens to be the best of His creations told us that he repents
back to Allah at least 70 or 100 times daily. The conditions for repentance include:
• Quitting the act of disobedience without procrastinating.
• Feeling remorseful about the previous sins
• Making a firm resolve never to return to sinful ways
• Returning people’s rights.
Let’s seize this opportunity of the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah to repent our sins.

3. Increasing the remembrance of Allah: The famous scholar Ibn Rajab said: “As for the preferability
of increasing the remembrance of Allah during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, we find the proof in
the statement of Allah the Almighty, the Majestic:

“…And mention the name of Allah on specific known days …” [Al-Hajj 24:28]

We learned from the sunnah to say Takbeer — Allahu Akbar! (Allah is Great). Tahleel — Lailaha illa
Allah! (There’s no deity worthy of worship except Allah). Tahmeed — Alhamdulillah! (Praise be to
Allah). And this was on the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar — May Allah be pleased with him and his
father. He said: ‘the prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah in which good
deeds are more beloved to Him than these days. So recite a lot of Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed during
them.” (Ahmad). The companions used to say the takbiraat even on the streets and marketplace during
these days of Dhul Hijjah.

4. Fasting during the days: Fasting is one of the most beloved good deeds to Allah. And this is the
only deed which Allah said it is solely for Him!

It was narrated from Hunaydah Ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one of the wives of the prophet peace be
upon him said: The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah and the day of Ashura’
and three days each month; the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays. (An-Nasai’)

5. Engage with the Qur’an: It is highly encouraged to bond with the Qur’an in these blessed days.
This can be attained in several ways through recitals, reflection, memorization and above all putting
into practice the dos and don’ts. The people of the Qur’an are the special ones to Allah. Hence, strive to
be among them by consistently engaging with the Quran and not abandoning it even after the blessed
ten days.

6. Spending the nights standing in prayer: The night prayer is one of the needful deeds of the best
ten days. Ibn Rajab said: “It is preferable to stand the nights in prayer during the first ten days of Dhul
Hijjah. Imam Ash Shafi’ee, as well as other scholars, have mentioned the preference as well.
It has also been narrated upon Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he said:

“Do not turn out your lamps during the nights of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. This is because he
was especially fond of worship.

7. Fasting on the day of Arafah: In case you are not able to fast the eight preceding days before
Arafah, do not miss the ninth. The reward is bountiful! The prophet ﷺsaid: “… fasting the day of
Arafah is an end expiation for all the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim)
This is only applicable to those who are not performing the hajj rites.

8. Going to the Eid praying ground: This is in fact a well-stressed sunnah like an obligatory act. In
fact, Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Ibn-ul-Qayyim are of the opinion that it is
mandatory. Their justification is that Allah’s Apostle ﷺ always attends Eid prayers. He also
encouraged others to do so as well. He even instructed women in menstruation to attend, although they
should keep away from the prayer place.

9. Slaughtering the Qurbani and giving out the meat: The permissibility of this is well established in
the Qur’an where Allah the Most High said:
“So, turn in prayer unto your Lord and make sacrifice” [Al-Kauthar 108:2]
Remember, Allah is not in need of the blood or the meat, but it’s your piety that reaches Him. So eat of
it, give out to the needy and keep a part to entertain your guests in a lawful way.

10. Performing Hajj and Umrah
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud — May Allah be pleased with him and his father said: The Messenger of Allah
ﷺ said: “Make the Hajj and Umrah follow each other closely, for they remove poverty and sins; just
as a blacksmith’s furnace removes impurities from Iron, Gold, and Silver. And there is no reward for a
Hajj which is accepted except Jannah.” (At-Tirmidhi)
We ask Allah to count us among those who do sincere and acceptable deeds in these blessed days.