Practical ProgramHow Should a Muslim Prepare for the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah?
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Preparing for the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is a sign of honoring seasons of worship. A Muslim should not wait until the days arrive and then wonder what to do. Rather, he welcomes them with a sincere heart, a clear intention, and a practical program that suits his condition and ability.
"There are no days in which deeds are better than in these days."
مَا العَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا فِي هَذِهِ.
They said: Not even jihad? He said:
"Not even jihad, except a man who goes out risking himself and his wealth and returns with nothing."
وَلَا الجِهَادُ، إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخَاطِرُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ، فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بِشَيْءٍ.
Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
Before The Ten1. Renew Repentance
Begin before the ten days with sincere repentance from sins, especially recurring sins that weaken the heart.
"And repent to Allah all together, O believers, so that you may succeed." [An-Nur: 31]
{وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا المُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ} [النور: 31].
2. Choose Your Core Acts of Worship
Do not make the plan so large that you abandon it. Choose steady acts of worship that you can maintain, such as:
- Praying on time.
- A portion of Qur'an.
- Daily dhikr.
- Charity, even if little.
- Daily du'a.
- Fasting whatever is easy.
Before The Ten3. Repair Relationships
Part of good preparation is leaving disputes, maintaining family ties, honoring parents, returning rights, and asking forgiveness from those you wronged.
FastingFasting Program
Whoever is able to fast the first nine days has done well. Whoever cannot should fast whatever is easy and be especially keen on the Day of Arafah if he is not a pilgrim.
"It expiates the previous year and the coming year."
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ.
Narrated by Muslim regarding the virtue of fasting Arafah. It is not permissible to fast the day of Eid, which is the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah.
DhikrDhikr and Takbir Program
Increase in takbir from the beginning of the ten days. Allah says:
"...and mention the name of Allah during known days over what He has provided for them of grazing livestock..." [Al-Hajj: 28]
{لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ، وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ، فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا البَائِسَ الفَقِيرَ} [الحج: 28].
One form of takbir is:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is for Allah.
الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر، الله أكبر، ولله الحمد.
Also say:
Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر.
Keep dhikr present in unused moments: while traveling, waiting, working, or arranging the home.
UdhiyahFor Whoever Intends to Offer Udhiyah
Whoever intends to offer an udhiyah should prepare before the ten days begin, learn its basic rulings, and know that once the ten days enter, he should refrain from cutting his hair, nails, and skin until he slaughters his udhiyah.
"When the ten days begin, and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, he should not touch any of his hair or skin."
إِذَا دَخَلَتِ العَشْرُ، وَأَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ، فَلَا يَمَسَّ مِنْ شَعَرِهِ وَبَشَرِهِ شَيْئًا.
Narrated by Muslim. This ruling applies specifically to the one intending to offer the udhiyah. The family members included in the reward are not required to refrain.
FamilyFamily Program
It is beautiful for a Muslim to give his household a share of these days:
- Teach children the meaning of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
- Put up a small paper with the takbir formula.
- Set a family charity.
- Read one hadith about the virtue of the ten days.
- Encourage children to do one good deed daily.
For The BusyFor Someone Very Busy
If a Muslim is busy with work, study, illness, or responsibilities, he should not abandon the whole season. He can make a short program:
- Pray on time.
- Morning and evening adhkar.
- Ten minutes of Qur'an.
- Repeated takbir during the day.
- Charity, even if little.
- Du'a before sleep.
MistakesMistakes to Avoid
- Strong enthusiasm for two days, then stopping.
- Becoming busy with disputes and leaving action.
- Neglecting obligations while focusing on voluntary deeds.
- Spreading unauthentic hadiths about the virtue of each day of the ten.
- Turning worship into psychological pressure beyond one's ability.
- Forgetting to remind and teach the household and children.
FAQDo I need a big plan for the ten days?
No. A realistic, steady plan is better, even if small, as long as it is done with sincerity and consistency.
FAQWhat if I miss the first day or more?
Start from whenever you remember. Do not let missing some days become a reason to abandon the rest of the season.
FAQWhat is the most important thing to begin with?
Begin with repentance and preserving the obligations, then increase in dhikr, Qur'an, charity, and fasting according to your ability.
FAQHow can I encourage my family?
With gentle teaching, reminders of the virtue of the days, making takbir apparent, and doing small shared deeds such as charity or reading one hadith daily.
ConclusionConclusion
Preparing for the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah does not need complexity. It needs sincerity and organization. Make a suitable program, begin with repentance and obligations, increase in dhikr and takbir, seize the Day of Arafah, and ask Allah for acceptance and firmness.
