Get the most of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said, “There is no deed that is better in the sight of Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah”. He was asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him replied, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for Jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari

Ibn’ Abbas said about the Ayah, “Remember Allah during the well known days,” that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. 

Allah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicates its importance and great benefit. Allah says  “By the dawn; by the 10 nights” [Surah Al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn Abbaas and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la blessed the nation of prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him with opportunities to gain many rewards and blessings. Just like the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best ten nights out of the year, these first ten days of Dhul-Hijja are the best days of the year and the most beloved to Allah.

What deeds can I perform during these days to attain Allah’s pleasure?

The following are some examples of the acts of worship that will help us gain Allah’s pleasure:

Perform Hajj 

Hajj is one of the best deeds that can be done during these ten days. However, for those of us who are not going to Hajj this year, there are still many more ways to earn the pleasure of Allah.

Make Sincere Repentance

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la says, “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [Quarn 28:67]

Return to Allah by quitting all the bad deeds that He dislikes. Make an intention to firmly adhere to the path which Allah loves.

Fast all nine days and especially on the ‘Day of Arafah’

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijja and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-Hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)

Qiyam-ul Lail (Pray at night)

Allah Almighty calls out to His servants in the latter part of the night: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Zikr and Takbeer

The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillaah).” (Ahmad)

Recite Quran

Reconnect with the Quran. Your relationship with the Quran opens for you the doors of happiness and success in this life and in the Hereafter.

Give Charity

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

The prophet peace be upon him also said “Indeed the gates to goodness are many: glorifying God, praising Him, magnifying Him, saying ‘There is no god but Allah,’ enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong, removing (any source of) harm from the road, making the deaf hear (and understand), guiding the blind, showing the seeker his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and with deep concern to give succor to him who asks, carrying with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. All these are (acts of) charity.” And he added, “And your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, your removing of stones, thorns, and bones from people’s paths is charity, and your guiding a man gone astray in the world is a charity for you.”

Qurbani 

Ibn Umar said: “The Prophet peace be upon him lived in Madeenah for ten years and every year he slaughtered an animal.” (Ahmad)

Say Alhamdulillah from your heart

Thank Allah for all what you have: the blessing of Islam, the blessing of life and every blessing you possess. Thank Him for keeping you alive to witness these ten days. Ask Him for His forgiveness, guidance and Tawfiq.

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la accept our worship during these days and grant us Jannah.