What to do in the 10 days of Dhul Hijja as Non-Hujjaj

By Ustadha Fahmina

What to do in the 10 days of Dhul Hijja as Non-Hujjaj

Why is the first “10 days of Dhul Hijja “the Best Days of Islamic year?

Allah has preferred the first 10 days of dhul hijja over all the other days of the year. This is evident from the following Hadiths.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457). Also (Reported by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa’, 3/398).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning)”That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)…” [al-Hajj 22:28]The majority of scholars agree that the “appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father), “The appointed days are the first ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah).”

Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) “By the dawn; by the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better, because they include Laylat al-Qadr (“the Night of Power”), which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. (SeeTafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412).

Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn’Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “There is no day more honorable in Allaah’s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days].” [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]

Narrated Ibn’ Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijja), the Messenger (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said, “This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Messenger (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) started saying repeatedly, “O Allaah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message).” He then bade the people farewell. The people said, “(This is Hajjat-al-Wada).” [Bukhari 2.798]

These ten days include Yawm ‘Arafaah (the Day of ‘Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two years. In Sha Allah. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice), the greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.

A quick checklist of things we can do on Dhul Hijja

1. Hajj and Umrah : No doubt ,the best thing we can do on these blessed day is do Umrah and Hajj . Abu Hurayrah (R.A) reported that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was asked which deed is best. He said, “Belief in Allah and His Messenger.” He was asked, then what? He said, “Jihaad for the sake of Allah.” He was asked, then what? He said, “An accepted Hajj.” (Bukhaari, 26; Muslim, 83)
2. Do Dhikr : The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allaah“), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah“) and Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar“) during this time (Bukhari)
3. Fast the first 9 days : The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.If someone can’t fast all 9 days ,it is recommended to fadt in 9th day.It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, as is stated in the hadeeth qudsi: “Allaah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1805).
4. Read more Quran :In a riwaayah from Tirmidhi listed in Muntakhab Ahadith is the following detail of the reward for reciting each letter of the Quran:Abdullah ibn Masud narrated that Rasulullah r said: He who reads one letter of the Quran it (becomes) for him a good deed, and a single good deed is rewarded (by Allah)  by ten times the like thereof. I am not saying that Alif-Lam-Mim is (just) one word, but that Alif  is a (separate) letter (word), Lam is a (separate) letter (word), and Mim is a (separate) letter (word). (Tirmidhi)
5. Pray Tahajjud : These days are the days when we should lay special emphasis on tahajjud .Allah says in Quran :And during a part of the night, keep awake by the prayer It is beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.— Al-Isra 17:79
6. Give sadaqa“Believe in Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allaah’s way), theirs will be a great reward”[al-Hadeed 57:7]
7. Sacrifice animal: “That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)…” [al-Hajj 22:28]
8. Read nafl salah Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“Verily, Salah prevents from Al-Fahshaa’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)”} [Quran, 29: 45]. The Prophet  said: “Pray the optional night prayer, because it is the way of righteous people before you, it brings you close to your Lord, prevents you from committing sins, expiates your sins and cures you from sicknesses.” [At-Tirmithi]
9. Do Astaghfar and repent : Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this is a sign of success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [al-Qasas 28:67]
10. Show kindness towards others ,make right intention in doing things and seek the pleasure of Allah swt in everything we do : Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allaah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allaah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allaah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honouring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.

Tips to make the most of Dhul Hijjah

1. Increase your Knowledge on Hajj. Try this Hajj Quiz
2. Prolong the recitation of Quran in Salah
3.  Spend your wealth in friends,family,relatives besides the poor .Even spending for family earns rewards
4. Engage your kids in Islamic activities .You may Download 99 Names of Allah coloring Sheet 
5. Do a family Halaqa – Read out Quran tafseer or some good book to your family
6. Avoid excess talks and backbiting
7. Reach out to the needy
8. Men should try to read Salah in Congregation
9. Avoid Bad Company
10. Work on our Ibadat
11. Send Darud and Salam on Prophet Muhamad SAW
12. Seek forgiveness via Astaghfar
13. Try to Memorise the Short Duas
14. Offer Sacrifice with the intention of seeking pleasure of Allah swt
15. Be dutiful to Parents
16. Follow the Sunnah of Eid and Pray the Eid Salah
17. Make Personal Dua (here is a Sample checklist )

May Allah accept our Ibadah ,forgive our Sins and be pleased with the ummah of our dear Prophet (Muhammad SAW)

Written by

Ustadha Fahmina

Founder and Senior Editor

Ustadha Fahmina holds the Alimah sanad from two prestigious institutes and is a certified Optometrist Doctor. She teaches Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Seerah to Women and Kids and is passionate about spreading authentic information about the religion of Islam. Connect with her to keep updated about her recent ebooks and projects.

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