Things To do On The Sacred 10 Days Of Dhul Hijjah
It is narrated by Abu Bakra: The Prophet (ﷺ) said. “(The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban.” (Bukhari, 3197)
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar and it is also one of the four sacred months mentioned above hadith. Therefore, The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged us to be engaged in more righteous deeds during these blessed days and to increase our repentances.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are considered the best days of the year and are more beloved to Allah. In Surah Al-Fajr, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala sworn upon these blessed days, “By the dawn; And by the ten night” (89:1-2)
Performing good deeds and increasing acts of worship during these blessed days will bring us closer to Allah and multiply our rewards and bring barakah (blessing) into our life.
To illustrate the virtues of these days, it is narrated by Ibn Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things.”” (Bukhari, 969)
Thus let us increase the remembrance of Allah, seeking His forgiveness, recitation the Quran, making dua and other good deeds such as praying tahajud and nafl prayers, helping other individuals or even smiling to bring joy to another person’s day, the list is long. We should do as many good deeds as we can and stay away from deeds that will bring the anger or the displeasure of Allah toward us and seek His forgiveness and mercy. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, and He loves to forgive.
- Fasting:
It was narrated from Hunaidah bin Khalid that his wife said: One of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on the day of Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursday.” (An Nasai, 2372)
Muslim narrated that “Fasting on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.”
Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do they want?” (Muslim, 1348).
We are encouraged to fast the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah and to encourage those around us to fast as well. We can call or send a message to family and friends to remind them to fast during these blessed days. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, and fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates sins for 2 years, What’s a blessed day to increase ibadah.
Fasting on the Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is permissible and it is recommended sunnah for those who are not at Arafah. As for those who are performing Hajj, it is not permissible for them to fast on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not fast on the day of Arafat while he was at Arafah and he prohibited us to do so. Furthermore, it is narrated by Um Al-Fadl bint Al Harith: “On the day of Arafat, some people who were with me, differed about the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ) some said that he was fasting while others said that he was not fasting. So I sent a bowl full of milk to him while he was riding his camel, and he drank that milk.” (Bukhari, 1661). Moreover, it was narrated that Ikrimah said: “I entered upon Abu Hurairah in his house and asked him about fasting the Day of Arafah at Arafat. Abu Hurairah said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting the Day of Arafah at ‘Arafat.’” (Ibn Majah, 1732)
It is a sunnah to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, or 3 days of each month
- Reciting the Quran:
Narrated Muhammad bin Kab Al-Qurazi: “I heard Abdullah bin Mas'ud saying: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi, 2910)
As a muslim, we should constantly read the Book of Allah and contemplate its meanings and messages. During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, we are encouraged to increase the recitation of the Quran and other good deeds. As mentioned above Hadith, a person gets 10 rewards for reading one letter from the Quran. Imagine the rewards the person will receive for reading the Quran one or more juz or reading the Quran for 30 min or more during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah. Only Allah knows, Allah is All-Knower, Wise. We should have a Quran, an appointment with the Quran, a specific time and place.
Based on the Hadith above let calculate how many rewards a person will get by reading the shortness Surah in the Quran. Surah Al-Kawthar has three verses and about 43 letters . Let's do some math to estimate the rewards, we multiply 43 letters by 10 which is equal to 430 rewards for reading Surah Al-Kawthar which takes less than 30 seconds to read and during the blessed days, rewards are multiplied. Allah knows the best, He is the All-Knower and the Keeper of Counts.
- Dhikr, the remembrance of Allah:
“Those who believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)
“Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be grateful to Me and never be ungrateful to Me.” (2:152)
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’” (Bukhari, 7405)
During these blessed days, we are encouraged to increase the remembrance of Allah, to make a lot of dua, and to ask Allah to forgive our sins and shortcomes. We can dedicate 5 to 20 min a day (Dhikr appointment) just to sit and make Dhikr and seek Allah’s forgiveness. We should constantly remember Allah throughout the day, such as, during our commute, when waiting in line, when driving or doing our chores.
Keep our tongue moist with:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
“Glory is to Allah, and praise is to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great”
The best dua to make on the Day of Arafah is the one below:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things”
- To recite the Takbir:
It is sunnah to recite the Takbir after the obligatory daily prayers from the Fajr prayer on the Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah until the Asr prayer on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Recite the takbir in or on the ways to the mosques, at home, and anywhere, where Allah’s name is mentioned.
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَللهِ الْحَمْدُ
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no God but Allah and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and all praise belongs only to Him.”
- Celebrate Eid Al-Adha:
Eid Al-Adha occurs on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. It is the day of worship, be thankful to Allah and seek His forgiveness and mercy. As well as a day of celebration, joy and togetherness.
The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged everyone to attend the Eid prayer and to recite the takbir. Those who can afford the sacrifice; sheep, goat, cow or camel; could perform the Qurbani and the meat is distributed among family, friends, and the needy. We should do other sadaqah as well like assisting family, friends and those who are less fortunates whether it is financially, emotionally or physically.
Family and friends come together, share the Eid delicious feasts, exchange gifts and enjoy the joyful and memorable moments. We visit or call family and friends and share the wonderful moments with them and make dua for one another. Eid is a day of ibadah and celebrations and sharings. We should be mindful and not fall into committing sins instead of gaining rewards and blessings.
- Performing Umrah and Hajj:
Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam is performed within the blessed days Dhul Hijjah. Pilgrims will take a journey to Makkah to perform Umrah and Hajj.
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs Hajj to this House (Kabah) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newborn child. (Just delivered by his mother).” (Bukhari, 1819)
What to avoid during these blessed days if you want to sacrifice:
Narrated Umm Salamah: That the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever sees the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah, and wants to slaughter a sacrifice he should not take from his hair nor from his nails.” (At-Tirmidhi, 1523)
We are encouraged to do more good deeds during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The rewards are multiplied and doing more good deeds are beloved to Him even more than going Jihad.
The good deeds mentioned above are just a few deeds to add to your calendar or to do list that one can do during the blessed days.
Below is a free pdf file to track the habit for the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Please fell free to download it and utilize it. Your suggestions and inputs are welcome.