Virtues and DeedsBest Deeds in Dhul-Hijjah's First Ten Days
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the greatest seasons of worship. Righteous deeds during them are more beloved to Allah than deeds during the other days of the year. A Muslim should therefore enter these days with an attentive heart, a sincere intention, and a practical plan to make the most of them.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ
"There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days."
He meant the ten days. They asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said:
وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ
"Not even jihad in the cause of Allah, except for a man who set out with his life and his wealth and returned with neither."
Reported by Abu Dawud (2438) with this wording and graded authentic by al-Albani. The hadith is also reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (969).
A deed for which acceptance is hoped must be sincere for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. These two principles are indicated by Allah's words at the end of Surat al-Kahf [al-Kahf: 110]. The virtue of these days does not permit introducing an act of worship that Allah has not prescribed.
Sincere Repentance
Repentance is obligatory at all times. These days are an opportunity to examine ourselves and return to Allah, not a reason to postpone repentance until another season. What needs to be corrected may be habitual backbiting, delaying a prayer beyond its time, or money taken unjustly.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِي اللَّهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَى بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
{You who believe, repent sincerely to Allah. Your Lord may remove your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, on a day when Allah will not humiliate the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their light goes before them and on their right, as they say: "Our Lord, complete our light for us and forgive us. You have power over all things."} [al-Tahrim: 8]; translation of the meaning.
Sincere repentance means stopping the sin, regretting it, and resolving not to return to it. If the sin concerns other people's rights, it also requires restoring those rights or seeking forgiveness in the manner prescribed by Islam. Merely reducing a sin while persisting in it is not enough. If someone returns to a sin after sincere repentance, they should repent again and not despair of Allah's mercy.
Preserving the Obligatory Deeds
The greatest righteous deed is fulfilling what Allah has made obligatory. Making the most of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah does not mean performing many voluntary acts while neglecting obligations. A Muslim should begin by praying on time, honoring their parents, fulfilling others' rights, and avoiding what is forbidden.
Allah, the Exalted, says in a hadith qudsi:
وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ
"My servant does not draw closer to Me through anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him."
Reported by al-Bukhari (6502).
Do not stay up for voluntary worship and then sleep through Fajr. Nor should you give voluntary charity while neglecting financial support that is obligatory upon you or a right you owe.
After maintaining the obligatory prayers, observe the regular Sunnah prayers and perform as much night prayer and other prescribed voluntary worship as you can. These, too, are righteous deeds during these days.
Hajj and Umrah
Among the greatest deeds of this season is Hajj for those able to undertake it. Hajj is a pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime for anyone who meets its conditions. Voluntary worship should not be given priority over the obligatory Hajj that a person is required to perform.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ
"An accepted Hajj has no reward other than Paradise."
Reported by al-Bukhari (1773). An accepted Hajj is not merely completing the journey. It is a Hajj undertaken for Allah's sake, performed according to the guidance of His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while avoiding sins.
Umrah is also a righteous deed. Anyone unable to perform Hajj or Umrah should make the most of the opportunities for good that are available to them.
Abundant Dhikr and Takbir
During these days, frequently say takbir, tahlil, and tahmid: declaring Allah's greatness, affirming that none has the right to be worshipped except Him, and praising Him.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا البَائِسَ الفَقِيرَ
{So that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over the livestock He has provided for them. Eat from them and feed those who are poor and in hardship.} [al-Hajj: 28]; translation of the meaning.
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, explained the "known days" as the ten days, as Ibn Kathir mentions in his commentary on this verse.
One well-known form of takbir is:
الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر، الله أكبر، ولله الحمد.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.
This is one of the prescribed forms of takbir; it is not necessary to use only this wording. Unrestricted takbir is prescribed from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah until sunset on the thirteenth day and is not limited to after prayer. A Muslim may say it at home, while traveling, and during free time, without disturbing someone who is praying or sleeping, and teach it to their children. Each person says takbir individually, without organizing a group recitation in one voice.
For the distinction between unrestricted and restricted takbir and their times, read Takbir in the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Fasting
Fasting is included among righteous deeds generally. It is recommended for a Muslim to fast as many of the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah as they can. The most virtuous of these is fasting the Day of Arafah for someone who is not performing Hajj.
When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about fasting the Day of Arafah, he said:
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ
"It expiates the preceding year and the coming year."
Reported by Muslim (1162).
This expiation concerns minor sins, as Shaykh Ibn Baz explained. Major sins require repentance, and fasting does not remove obligations concerning other people's rights. For a pilgrim standing at Arafah, the Sunnah is not to fast, following the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It is established that he was not fasting at Arafah; reported by al-Bukhari (1988).
The tenth day is Eid al-Adha, and fasting on it is forbidden. The prohibition of fasting on the two Eid days is established in Sahih al-Bukhari (1990). Thus, "fasting the ten days" means fasting the nine days before Eid, not all ten days.
Anyone able to fast some of the nine days but not others should fast what they can. Fasting the preceding days is not a condition for fasting Arafah. For details, see Fasting in Dhul-Hijjah and the Day of Arafah.
Reciting the Qur'an
The Quran is the best form of remembrance. Set aside time to recite it and reflect on its meanings, even if you read only a small amount that you can maintain consistently.
Choose a time when you can read with an attentive heart, and pause at meanings that you need to put into practice. No particular surah or required number of complete Quran readings is specified for these ten days. Organizing your reading time is a means of maintaining consistency, not an act of worship with a special number attributed to the Sunnah.
Charity and Goodness
Charity is a righteous deed beloved to Allah. It includes giving money, feeding others, meeting the needs of those in hardship, relieving distress, and showing kindness to relatives, neighbors, and the poor.
Consider the needs of those around you: a relative struggling to meet expenses, a neighbor needing food, or a family requiring assistance. Any money given should come from lawful earnings, while safeguarding obligatory financial support and other rights. Charity does not require a large amount or a payment on every one of the ten days.
Du'a
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ
"Supplication is worship."
Reported by Abu Dawud (1479) and graded authentic by al-Albani.
Pray to Allah for yourself, your parents, your family, and the Muslims. Ask Him for guidance, steadfastness, forgiveness, and acceptance. On the Day of Arafah, a pilgrim should be diligent in supplication while standing at Arafah. Those not performing Hajj may also supplicate, without introducing a special gathering or ceremony. You do not need a different list of supplications for each day. The supplications of the Quran and Sunnah encompass much good, and other permissible supplications may also be made.
Honoring Parents and Maintaining Family Ties
Do not neglect the rights of your parents and relatives during these days. Honoring parents may take the form of a visit, a call to check on them, or meeting a need they cannot attend to themselves. Maintaining family ties includes asking about relatives, helping those among them who are in need, and working to resolve disputes justly, without disregarding anyone's rights or remaining silent about injustice.
Leaving Sins
Making the most of this season involves not only doing acts of obedience but also leaving sins. This includes guarding the tongue against backbiting and lies, lowering the gaze, and avoiding the wrongful taking of wealth and injustice. Increasing voluntary worship does not compensate for persisting in what is forbidden. Combine repentance with righteous deeds, and do not belittle whatever good you are able to do.
Udhiyah for Whoever Is Able
Udhiyah is one of the rituals of Islam and is a strongly emphasized Sunnah according to the majority of scholars. Its slaughtering time begins after the Eid prayer where it is held and continues until sunset on the thirteenth day, according to the view preferred by Shaykh Ibn Baz. Simply buying a sacrificial animal or donating its price does not replace slaughtering it within its prescribed time.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِذَا دَخَلَتِ العَشْرُ، وَأَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ، فَلَا يَمَسَّ مِنْ شَعَرِهِ وَبَشَرِهِ شَيْئًا
"When the ten days begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, he must not remove anything from his hair or skin."
Reported by Muslim (1977).
Accordingly, anyone intending to offer udhiyah refrains from removing hair, nails, or skin from the beginning of the ten days until their sacrifice is slaughtered, whether personally or through a trustworthy representative. If they decide during the ten days, they begin refraining when they form that intention. This applies to the person offering the sacrifice, whether a man or a woman, not to every family member on whose behalf it is offered. It is not ihram and does not prevent a person performing Hajj or Umrah from the shaving or trimming required to complete their rites. For details on choosing the animal, slaughtering, and distribution, read Udhiyah in Islam: Virtues and Basic Rulings.
A Short Program for the Ten Days
Begin with what you cannot neglect: praying on time, fulfilling the rights of those in your care, and repenting from the sins you know in yourself. Then choose voluntary deeds you can maintain, such as a regular time for the Quran, charity according to your means, and fasting as many of the nine days as you can. Let takbir and remembrance be part of your day, not a task postponed until late at night.
This is personal planning to help with worship, not a religious program that everyone must follow. It does not require assigning each day a particular surah, supplication, or amount of money. If you fall short on one day, do not abandon the remaining days. Return to doing good and ask Allah for acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best deed in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
The best starting point for a Muslim is fulfilling obligations and repenting from sins, then increasing righteous deeds. What is presently obligatory upon someone may be their first Hajj, supporting their family, or restoring another person's rights. They should not neglect it for voluntary worship. After fulfilling obligations, opportunities for good vary according to ability and need.
Is takbir better or Qur'an recitation?
The Quran is the best form of remembrance in general, but the remembrance prescribed for a particular time and situation has its own virtue. Do not abandon takbir on the grounds of reciting the Quran, nor neglect the Quran on the grounds of saying takbir. Combine both, and do not let comparing their virtues become a reason to leave either act of worship.
Must all nine days be fasted?
No. Fasting the nine days is voluntary, not obligatory for someone who has no other reason requiring a fast, such as making up missed fasts or fulfilling a vow. It is recommended to fast what one can of these days, especially the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims. Fasting on Eid is not permitted.
What should someone do if busy or sick?
They should fulfill obligations to the best of their ability and perform the voluntary deeds they can manage. They can remember Allah during free time, supplicate, maintain family ties even through a call, and give charity if able. They should not undertake fasting that harms them or neglect obligatory work for voluntary worship. Opportunities for good are not limited to fasting.
May I fast the Day of Arafah alone?
Yes, for someone not performing Hajj. It is not necessary to fast the preceding eight days or the day before Arafah. This fast is observed for the virtue of the Day of Arafah, not merely to single out a particular weekday.
What can a woman do during menstruation or postpartum bleeding in the ten days?
She does not pray or fast during menstruation or postpartum bleeding, but she may remember Allah, say takbir, supplicate, give charity, honor her parents, maintain family ties, and listen to the Quran. She should not think that opportunities for worship are closed to her because she does not fast or pray.
Is there a fixed worship schedule for each of the ten days?
No established schedule assigns each of the ten days a particular supplication, surah, or special number of voluntary acts. Acts with a prescribed religious time, such as fasting Arafah and offering udhiyah, must be observed at that time. Permissible planning does not make the details of a schedule a Sunnah or a condition for acceptance.
Conclusion
We ask Allah to help us remember Him, thank Him, and worship Him well; to accept these acts of worship from us; and to keep us steadfast after the season ends.
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