These days, we welcome the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and much has been narrated about the virtues of these blessed days and the merit of performing good deeds during them. Allah the Almighty says, “By the dawn. And [by] ten nights.” (Al-Fajr: 1-2)
Many scholars have said that these ayahs refer to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the superiority of these days and testified that they are the greatest days of the world. He also mentioned that righteous deeds during these days are more beloved to Allah than at any other time. This is evident in the narration of Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which a good deed is more pleasing to God than these ten days.” On being asked whether not even jihad in God’s path were as pleasing, he replied, “Not even jihad in God’s path, except when a man goes out in person with his property and loses both life and property.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 969) And in the narration of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) 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).” (Imam Ahmad 5446)
Having the Day of Arafah in these days confirms its superiority over any others, on which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, as narrated by Aisha, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her): “There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of 'Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these want?” (Sahih Muslim 1348) It is a day of forgiveness of sins, and fasting on it expiates the sins of two years. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of 'Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” (Sahih Muslim 1162)
Furthermore, there is the Day of Sacrifice, which is the greatest day for Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The greatest day in Allah's sight is the day of sacrifice and next the day of resting (Yaum al-qarr).” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1765).
“Yaum al-qarr” is the day that follows the Day of Sacrifice, which is the eleventh day of Dhu al-Hijjah, as people settle in Mina after completing the rituals of Tawaf al-Ifadah and offering sacrifices and taking rest.
The ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah have attained this esteemed status, for they gather all acts of worship within, including Salah, fasting, charity, and Hajj, which do not occur collectively at any other time.
Among the particulars discussed by our scholars is the comparison between the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the last ten days of Ramadan. Some scholars have concluded that the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior to the last ten days of Ramadan, while the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan are superior to the nights of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. This is based on textual evidence highlighting the virtues of each. The nights of the last ten days of Ramadan are distinguished by the presence of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), which is one of the greatest nights for Allah. Conversely, the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are distinguished by the presence of the Day of Sacrifice, the Day of Arafah, and the Day of Tarwiyah.
Some of the Deeds of the Ten Days of Dhu al-Hijjah:
Some of the best ways for a Muslim to come closer to Allah during these blessed days include:
- Sincere repentance: These blessed days offer a great opportunity for renewing repentance and returning to Allah (SWT), adhering to His obedience, and distancing oneself from anything contrary to His command and prohibition. Allah says, “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (An-Nur: 31) The believer is constantly in need of repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
- Performing Hajj to the Sacred Mosque: It is known that these are the days on which the obligation of Hajj takes place. Hajj is one of the greatest acts of righteousness. The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “Which is the best deed?” He said, “To believe in Allah and His Apostle.” He was then asked, “Which is the next (in goodness)?” He said, “To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause.” He was then asked, “Which is the next?” He said, “To perform Hajj-Mabrur.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1519; Sahih Muslim, 83)
Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Muslim, if they have the means (wealth and health), to hasten to perform this great obligation to attain immense reward. It is the best deed to be performed during these blessed days.
- Uphold the obligatory deeds and perform them in the most correct and perfect manner: This should be the foremost concern of the servant before increasing voluntary acts and Sunnahs. In a Hadith Qudsi narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6502)
- Increasing voluntary acts after fulfilling the obligatory ones: It is recommended for the Muslim to increase voluntary deeds, seizing the honor of these days. Thus, they should increase what they used to do outside of these ten days and engage in actions that were not feasible for them to perform at other times. They should strive to occupy themselves with obedience to Allah Almighty, from offering voluntary prayers to reciting the Quran, du’a, giving charity, obeying parents, maintaining family ties, enjoining what is good, forbidding what is evil, showing kindness to people, fulfilling rights, and other good deeds.
- Fasting: While fasting is generally included in righteous deeds, there are specific texts emphasizing its recommendation. It was narrated by the Mother of the believers, Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her), that she said, “There are four things which the Prophet never gave up: Fasting 'Ashura', (fasting during) the ten days, (fasting) three days of each month, and praying two Rak'ahs before Al-Ghadah (Fajr).” (Abi Dawud) Meaning, the fasting of the nine days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, as fasting on the day of Eid is prohibited. Imam al-Nawawi said regarding fasting during the ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, “Its fasting is highly recommended.” This is further emphasized by fasting on the day of Arafah for those not performing Hajj. Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, to which he replied: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” (Sahih Muslim, 1162)
- Udhiyah (sacrifice): It is a “confirmed Sunnah” for those who are capable, and some scholars even deemed it obligatory. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, 1493)
- Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) in general, and specifically Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar). Allah Almighty says, “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) The majority of scholars agree that the known days mentioned in this ayah refer to the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a Sunnah to begin the Takbir on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah, loudly in mosques, homes, streets, markets, and elsewhere, with men raising their voices and women saying it quietly, as a declaration of the magnification of Allah. This should continue until the Asr prayer on the last day of the Days of Tashreeq (the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah). It is established that Ibn Umar and Abu Huraira used to go out to the market during the ten days, making Takbir and causing people to follow suit. This is one of the neglected sunnahs that should be revived during these blessed days.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Read the Article in Arabic
