Virtues and DeedsThe Virtues of Dhul-Hijjah's First Ten Days
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
It is part of Allah's mercy toward His servants that He has appointed great seasons in which the reward for righteous deeds increases, doors of goodness open, and a servant draws closer to Him through acts of obedience He loves. Among the greatest of these seasons are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, noble days that bring together virtues not found together at other times.
The Quran and Sunnah establish the virtue of these days. The early generations, may Allah have mercy on them, encouraged making the most of them through righteous deeds. They are a great opportunity for anyone seeking closeness to Allah, self-examination, and a fresh beginning in obedience to Him.
Why Are the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah So Great?
These are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, from the beginning of the month through Eid al-Adha. The virtue of righteous deeds during them is established. They include the day of Arafah and the day of sacrifice, and bring together prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
وَالْفَجْرِ
وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
Translation of the meaning: "By the dawn, and by ten nights." [Al-Fajr: 1-2].
Ibn Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujahid, and others interpreted the ten nights as the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, preferred this interpretation. According to it, Allah's oath by these nights indicates their nobility. The following hadith of Ibn Abbas further confirms the virtue of deeds during them.
Righteous Deeds in Them Are More Beloved to Allah
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, reported that 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 in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days," meaning the ten days.
They asked: O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in Allah's cause?
He said:
وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ
"Not even jihad in Allah's cause, except for a man who went out with his life and wealth and returned with neither."
Reported by Abu Dawud (2438) with this wording and graded authentic by al-Albani. The hadith is also recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (969).
The hadith does not limit this virtue to a single act of worship. Prayer, remembrance, fasting, charity, kindness to parents, and all other prescribed deeds are included in righteous action. Anyone unable to perform one deed should make the most of the good they can do, with sincerity toward Allah and adherence to the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.
Why May They Be the Best Days of This World?
It is reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أَفْضَلُ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا أَيَّامُ العَشْرِ
"The best days of this world are the ten days."
Reported by al-Bazzar from Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, and graded authentic by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami (1133).
In comparing them with the last ten days of Ramadan, Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, distinguished between days and nights. The days of the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah are better, while the nights of the last ten of Ramadan are better because they include Laylat al-Qadr. This is a preferred scholarly view in comparing the two seasons, not a claim of consensus.
The virtue of a time encourages greater obedience, but does not make an act contrary to Islamic law a means of drawing closer to Allah. Nor does it permit assigning a particular prayer or a fixed number of remembrances to each day without evidence.
The Major Acts of Worship Come Together in Them
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, noted in Fath al-Bari that one reason these ten days are distinguished is that the principal acts of worship come together in them: prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj.
A pilgrim performs the rites of Hajj, while others pray, remember Allah, give charity, and fast as many of the first nine days as they can. Someone not performing Hajj should therefore not think this season is not for them. The hadith concerning the virtue of righteous deeds is general.
Udhiyah is prescribed on the day of sacrifice after Eid prayer in a locality where the prayer is held. Slaughtering before the prayer does not count as udhiyah, as stated in Sahih al-Bukhari (5560). According to the view preferred by Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, the time for slaughter extends until sunset on the thirteenth day. It therefore includes all three days of Tashriq and is not limited to Eid itself.
The Day of Arafah Is Among the Greatest of Them
The day of Arafah is the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. Regarding its virtue, Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَدْنُو، ثُمَّ يُبَاهِي بِهِمُ المَلَائِكَةَ، فَيَقُولُ: مَا أَرَادَ هَؤُلَاءِ؟
"There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the day of Arafah. He indeed draws near, then praises them before the angels, saying: 'What do these people seek?'"
Reported by Muslim (1348).
Fasting on the day of Arafah is a great deed for someone not performing Hajj. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about fasting that day, he said:
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ
"It expiates the preceding year and the coming year."
Reported by Muslim (1162) from Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, explained that the apparent meaning of the Sunnah is to understand this expiation as applying to minor sins. Major sins require sincere repentance, and fasting does not cancel other people's rights. The hadith must not be understood as permission to commit sins while relying on fasting Arafah. Rather, one should receive this virtue with repentance and hope.
For a pilgrim standing at Arafah, however, the Sunnah is not to fast. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, drank milk while standing at Arafah, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (1988). Not fasting helps the pilgrim with supplication, remembrance, and performing the rites.
For more detail about fasting, read Fasting Dhul-Hijjah and the Day of Arafah.
The Day of Nahr Is One of the Greatest Days
Another great day within the ten is the day of sacrifice, the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah. It includes Eid prayer, slaughtering sacrificial animals, and abundant remembrance of Allah.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ الأَيَّامِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ، ثُمَّ يَوْمُ القَرِّ
"The greatest day before Allah, Blessed and Exalted, is the day of sacrifice, followed by the day of al-Qarr."
Reported by Abu Dawud (1765), and graded authentic by al-Albani.
The day of al-Qarr is the eleventh of Dhul-Hijjah. It is named for the pilgrims settling in Mina after the day of sacrifice. It is one of the days of Tashriq, which follow the first ten days.
Despite the great virtue of the day of sacrifice, fasting on it is forbidden. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited fasting on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (1990). Making the most of this day means doing what Allah has prescribed for it, not fasting.
Sincere Repentance
Begin by putting your relationship with Allah right: abandon the sin, regret it, resolve not to return to it, and restore people's rights if the sin concerns them. Do not delay repentance while waiting for a particular season.
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
Translation of the meaning: "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.'" [At-Tahrim: 8].
Preserving the Obligatory Deeds
Do not let abundant voluntary worship distract you from an obligation you have neglected. Maintaining prayer at its proper time, giving obligatory zakat, and fulfilling the rights incumbent upon you take priority over voluntary deeds.
Allah, the Exalted, says in the 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).
Abundant Dhikr and Takbir
Allah, the Exalted, says:
لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ
Translation of the meaning: "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].
One interpretation of the known days is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. This is reported from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, and others, as Ibn Kathir mentioned.
Among the well-known forms 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. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.
Unrestricted takbir is prescribed from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah until sunset on the thirteenth day, so it is not limited to the times after prayers. This is a permissible form, not a single obligatory wording without which other forms are invalid. Each Muslim says takbir individually. Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, disapproved of organizing takbir in a single synchronized voice.
An explanation of unrestricted takbir, takbir following prayers, and its wordings is available in Takbir in the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Fasting
It is recommended to fast as many of the first nine days as possible. Fasting Arafah is particularly emphasized for someone not performing Hajj. Fasting all nine is not obligatory, nor is it a condition for gaining the virtue of fasting Arafah. The tenth day is Eid and must not be fasted.
Charity and Goodness
There may be a needy person you know, a relative with whom you have lost touch, or parents waiting for your help. Giving money, feeding people, relieving distress, and maintaining family ties are all righteous deeds. Charity and kindness are not limited to financial donations.
Reciting the Qur'an
Set aside time for the Quran that you can maintain, and read while reflecting on its meanings and acting upon them. Completing the entire Quran during the ten days is not required. No particular surah or fixed daily amount of recitation is established specifically for them.
Preparing for Udhiyah for Whoever Intends It
Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that 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). Other narrations also prohibit trimming the nails.
Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, ruled that removing hair, trimming nails, or cutting any skin is prohibited from the beginning of the ten days until the person offering udhiyah slaughters their sacrifice, taking the prohibition in its apparent sense. This ruling includes both men and women who intend to offer udhiyah. It does not apply to household members merely because someone else's sacrifice includes them.
Someone who only decides to offer udhiyah during the ten days abstains from removing these things from the time of that intention. There is no blame for what was removed before then. The prohibition does not include the prescribed shaving or shortening of hair when leaving ihram after Hajj or Umrah.
This abstention is not ihram. It does not prohibit bathing or using permissible perfume. For further rulings on choosing and slaughtering the sacrificial animal, read Udhiyah in Islam.
How Can a Muslim Make the Most of the Ten Days?
Arrange your day according to your ability. Maintain your obligations, set aside time for Quran reading and supplication, and say takbir frequently at permissible times. If you can fast, do so. If you have money to spare, look for someone who would benefit from your charity.
Explain the virtue of these days to your family and children, help them obey Allah, and prepare for udhiyah if you intend and can afford it. Give attention to abandoning both outward and hidden sins, not merely increasing outward deeds.
These are suggestions for organizing time, not a fixed devotional program established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. They do not require a particular number or daily amount. Also read Best Deeds in the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah better than Ramadan?
Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, preferred the view that the days of the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah are better, while the nights of the last ten of Ramadan are better because they include Laylat al-Qadr. Distinguishing between days and nights is more precise than claiming that either season is better in every respect.
Should all ten days be fasted?
It is recommended to fast the first nine days, or as many as possible, but fasting them is not obligatory. The tenth day is Eid al-Adha, and fasting it is forbidden. Fasting Arafah is particularly emphasized for someone not performing Hajj.
When does takbir begin?
Unrestricted takbir begins with Dhul-Hijjah and continues until sunset on the thirteenth day. It is said at permissible times, not only after prayers. Takbir specifically following prayers has further details explained in the article about takbir.
Is there a special du'a for the ten days?
Assigning a particular supplication to each of the ten days, as in some circulated lists, is not established. A Muslim may make any prescribed supplication and increase remembrance, seeking forgiveness, and sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. This clarification does not negate what is reported about the virtue of supplication on Arafah.
What if someone cannot fast?
One does the prescribed deeds within one's ability, such as prayer, remembrance, supplication, charity, Quran reading, and kindness to parents, while avoiding sins. Righteous action is not limited to fasting. Inability to fast does not deprive a Muslim of other opportunities for good.
Is the virtue of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah limited to pilgrims?
No. The hadith concerning the virtue of righteous deeds during these days is general. Pilgrims have the rites of Hajj, and others have wide opportunities for obedience. Someone should not postpone righteous action on the grounds that they are not performing Hajj.
May I fast the day of Arafah alone?
Yes, for someone not performing Hajj. Fasting the preceding eight days is not a condition, nor must one fast them along with Arafah. The Sunnah for a pilgrim standing at Arafah is not to fast.
Must household members avoid cutting hair and nails when someone offers a sacrifice on their behalf?
They are not required to do so merely because a family member offers a sacrifice on their behalf. The ruling concerns the person intending to offer udhiyah. Someone offering a separate sacrifice of their own is subject to the ruling for the person offering it.
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Conclusion
If you reach these days, thank Allah for them and begin with the acts of obedience you can perform. Ask Him for acceptance and help in continuing righteous deeds after they have passed.
