What to Know About the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah

Islamic months

Dhul Hijjah (the Month of Hajj) is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar year. During this month the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is made by those who can afford to. However, the actual pilgrimage rites occur on the eighth to 12th days of the month.

According to the Prophet Muhammad, the first 10 days of this month are a special time for devotion. In particular, the 9th day of the month marks the Day of Arafat, and the 10th day of the month marks the Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Even for those who are not traveling for the pilgrimage, this is a special time to remember Allah and spend extra time in devotion and good deeds.

It should also be noted that the month of Dhul Hijjah is among the four sacred months, the other ones being Dhul Qiddah, Muharram and Rajab.

Allah (SWT) speaks about these months in the Holy Qur'an.

"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them..." 

Suratul Tawba (9:36) 

These first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are so important that Allah and His Messenger (SAW) spoke about them.

Allah (SWT) says: “By the Dawn; By the ten nights” Suratul Fajr (89:1-2)

About the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Dhul Hijjah).” [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Allah is so Merciful that He creates ways for His righteous servants to earn His pleasure and ward off His Wrath. 

The noble Messenger (SAW) urged Muslims to do as many good deeds as possible in these set of days.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas narrated, the Prophet (SAW) said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked , “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Here are some things we should strive to do in these special days that have been given so much recognition by Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW).

There is no limit to what can be called a good deed. I have a definition that no one has been able to fault. 

"A good deed is anything that brings benefit and does not violate the lwas of Allah (SWT) and the teachings of his Messenger (SAW)"

EXAMPLES OF GOOD DEEDS

Reciting the Qur’an abundantly

Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Giving much in charity

Allah admonishes his righteous servants:

"Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward". 

Suratul Hadeed (57:18)

Observe more Nawafil

Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan  narrated she heard the Prophet (SAW) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” [Muslim]

Make much Dhikir

Abdullah Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed.” [Ahmad]

Fast as much as you can

Perhaps the most important feature of the first ten days of Dhul Hijja is the fasting on the day of Araf. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not take heed. Muhammad (SAW) said, "Fasting on the Day of 'Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on 'Ashura, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years." 

This Hadith is said to have been reported by all except Al-Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi

Make sacrifice if you can

Just like we try to make the world understand, whatever we do as acts of worship are for our own good. Allah is Self Sufficient. He (SWT) buttresses this point when He spoke about sacrifice in the glorious Qur'an.

“It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches Allah; it is their piety that reaches Allah.” Suratul Hajj (22:37)

As regards the sacrificing of animals on the day of Eid or the two days that precede Eid, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the 10 days until after he has offered his sacrifice.

Prophet (SAW) said: “When you see the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.”

According to another report, the Prophet (SAW) said: “He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin.” [Muslim]

Whoever needs to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound in a site where there is hair, can do so and there is nothing wrong with that.

May Allah make us among those who will derive maximum benefits and earn maximum rewards in these ten days of Mercy.