Allah the Almighty has honored His servants by gifting them blessed days in which He multiplies rewards and opens the doors of goodness. Among these days are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, or the well-known days as mentioned in the holy Quran: “That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals.” (Al-Hajj: 28) Due to the virtue of these days, Allah has also sworn by them in His holy book: “By the dawn, and [by] ten nights.” (Al-Fajr: 1-2)
Al-Bukhari narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it.”
Therefore, a Muslim should strive to perform acts of worship during these days by maintaining Salah, reciting the Quran, doing dhikr (remembrance of Allah), seeking forgiveness, maintaining family ties, and other acts of worship. Allah the Almighty has honored some of His servants with the ability to perform Hajj when they are capable. However, in His mercy, He has not deprived those who are not able to perform Hajj of the opportunity to earn rewards and receive the blessings of these days by performing some deeds that can still help them attain the reward of Hajj. These actions include:
1- Fasting:
One of the most important acts of worship during these blessed days is fasting. It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast during these days. In Sunan Abu Dawood and other collections, it is narrated from some of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that she said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.”
In Musnad Ahmad, it is narrated from Abu Qatadah that a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about fasting on the day of Arafah. The Prophet said, “I hope from Allah, it expiates for the sins of the preceding year and the following year.” It is also reported in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for a day in the Cause of Allah, Allah will keep his face from Hell-fire at a distance of seventy years.” This hadith, generally, indicates the virtue of fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.
2- Intention of Udhiyah (Sacrifice):
If a Muslim is financially capable of offering Udhiyah, it is recommended to perform this act of worship to honor the rituals of Allah and these blessed days, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet said, “No spending of a man’s money after maintaining kinship ties is dearer to Allah than shedding blood (of sacrificial animals)” and “No servant turns his sacrificial animal towards the Qibla except that its blood, stomach contents, and wool are placed as rewards in his scale on the Day of Judgment. When the blood falls upon the earth, it is protected by Allah until He gives it to him in full on the Day of Judgment.” (Both hadiths reported by Ibn Abd al-Barr in his book al-Tamhid)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “A human does no action from the actions on the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah then spilling blood (of sacrificial animals). On the Day of Judgement, it will appear with its horns, and hair, and hooves, and indeed the blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it.” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi)
It is reported in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim from Anas that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) “offered as sacrifices, two horned rams, black and white in color. He slaughtered them with his own hands and mentioned Allah's Name over them and said Takbir and put his foot on their sides.”
3- Du'a (Supplication):
During the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and on the Day of Arafah, a day marking the completion of religion, it is highly recommended to do earnest du'a. As reported by Aisha, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no day when God sets free more servants from hell than the day of ‘Arafa. He draws near, then praises them (Literally, ‘boasts of them.’) to the angels.” (Narrated by Muslim) At-Tirmidhi narrated that ‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, quoted his grandfather as saying that the Prophet said, “The best supplication is that on the day of ‘Arafa, and the best thing which I and the prophets before me have said is, ‘There is no god but God alone who has no partner; to Him belongs the dominion, to Him praise is due, and He is omnipotent’.’’
Du'a is considered the essence of worship, or even the act of worship itself. In addition to the special virtue of the Day of Arafah, the act of making du'a carries significant merit, and there is a hope that du'a made, particularly on this day, is likely to be answered. Therefore, Muslims should devote themselves entirely to asking Allah for their needs on this day, as we are all in great need of Allah's mercy and assistance both as individuals and as Ummah.
4- Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed:
Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah (SWT) or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase in them your declaration of the oneness of Allah (Tahlil), your exaltation of Him (Takbeer), and your praise of Him (Tahmeed).” (Narrated by Ahmad) Al-Bukhari mentioned that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah would go out to the marketplace during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, doing Takbeer aloud, and the people would follow them in their suit. Ibn Umar used to make Takbeer throughout these days in Mina, following the prayers, on his bed, in his home, while sitting, and while walking.
There are numerous hadiths underscoring the importance and rewards of Tahmeed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, and are loved by the Most Merciful One: Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdih, Subḥānallāhi ‘l-`Aẓīm. (Glorified is Allah and praised is He, Glorified is Allah the Most Great) (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
5- Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Dhikr is one of the most beloved acts of worship for Allah. Many forms of worship were prescribed for it. Allah says, “Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides.” (Aal-Imran: 191) Allah has mentioned these days in His Holy Book, saying, “And mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals.” (Al-Hajj: 28) Allah has also commanded His servants to honor His sacred rites during these days, stating, “That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” (Al-Hajj: 32)
6- Qur'an Recitation
One of the best deeds is the recitation of the Qur'an. A Muslim is encouraged to recite the Qur'an at all times. Allah says, “And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.” (Al-Muzzammil: 4), and He says: “Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers.” (Al-Baqarah: 121) Given that rewards are multiplied during these blessed days, the reward for reciting the Qur'an is also multiplied. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah's Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Albani)
6- Charity and Acts of Righteousness
Additionally, among the best deeds during these days is charity for the sake of Allah. Allah says, “And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.'” (Al- Munafiqun: 10) Allah also says, “But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” (Saba: 39) Additionally, Allah states, “Those who spend their wealth [in Allah 's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah: 274)
Righteous deeds are countless and are not limited to just seven actions. A Muslim should seek out these deeds and avoid wasting even a minute on trivial matters or worldly pursuits. These are precious, well-known days filled with blessings that cannot be compensated for if missed.
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