Virtues And Recommended Deeds Of The First 10 Days Of Dhul Hijjah

Revised on October 5th, 2013

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja).” Then some companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Not even Jihad?” He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allaah's sake) and does not return with any of those things.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree Vol. 2, Hadeeth (86)]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said: “There are no days greater or more loved by Allaah in which to perform good deeds other than these 10 days, therefore praise and glorify Allaah abundantly in these days.” [Musnad Ahmad (1968) and it is Saheeh]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said: “The best of days is that of Arafah.” [Ibn Hibbaan (3853) and graded as “Dha`eef” (Weak) by Shaikh al-Albaanee but there are other authentic Ahaadeeth on the virtues of of the Day of `Arafah.]

Recommended Deeds During These 10 Days:

1-      Performing Hajj and Ummrah is the best of deeds as supported by numerous ahadeeth including that in which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “(The performance of) `Umrah is expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabroor (the one accepted by Allaah) is nothing except Paradise.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree Vol. 3, Hadeeth 1]

2-      Fasting as many days as possible, particular the day of `Arafah (for non pilgrims), for fasting is amongst the best of deeds that can be performed as Allaah in the Qudsi hadeeth says: “The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree Vol 9, Hadeeth 584 and Saheeh Muslim]

Hunaydah ibn Khaalid narrated from his wife on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, `Aashuraa' and three days of every month, that is, the first Monday (of the month) and Thursday.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (2437), Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (2372, 2417) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Abi Dawood (2106)]

Also the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allaah's pleasure, Allaah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” [Saheeh Bukhaaree Vol. 4, Hadeeth 93 and Saheeh Muslim] Also, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The reward for fasting the day of Arafah would cancel the sins committed in the year before and the year after that day.” [Saheeh Muslim]

3-      Takbeer (saying ALLAAHU AKBAR) and to praise and glorify (remembering) Allaah in those days, as Allaah says in the Qur’aan: {And celebrate the name of Allaah through the days appointed} [Surah Al Hajj (23): 28] those days were interpreted as the first 10 days of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Thus religious scholars recommend praising and glorifying Allaah by saying: “LAA ILAAHA ILLA-LLAAH, ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALHAMDU LILLAAH.”

Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentioned that when Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما went out to the markets they used to say aloud: “ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR” and the people would emulate them. It is also reported that people in early days of Islaam the Taabi`een, in the 10 days of the month of Dhul Hijjah, used to say aloud: “Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar laa ilaaha illa Allaah” and “Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Walillaahil-hamd”. It is recommended to raise one’s voice with “Takbeer” when one is out in the markets, streets, mosques and other places for Allaah says in the Qur’aan: {And to glorify Him in that He has guided you}, [Surah Al Baqarah (2): 185] It is also possible to praise and glorify Allaah by various forms of “Takbeer”, “Tahmeed”, “Tasbeeh” and other supplications.

4-      Repentance and refraining from sins and ill deeds, so that one’s deeds would gain him Allaah’s forgiveness and mercy. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah can be displeased and His displeasure is in one who commits what Allaah forbids.”  [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].

5-      Performing extra optional acts of worship (“Nawafil”) like optional salaah, charity, Jihaad, reading Qur’an, “Promotion of virtue and prevention of vice” and other acts of worship as their reward is multiplied in those 10 days.    

6-      Takbeer in general is allowed and recommended in those 10 days, during all hours of days and night up to the time of Eid Prayers. After Eid Prayers Takbeer is allowed for non pilgrims after each congregational prayer starting from Fajr (dawn) Prayer on the day of `Arafah and for Pilgrims starting from noon time on the 10<sup>th</sup> of Dhul Hijjah. Takbeer for both groups can continue up to time of `Asr (mid-afternoon) Prayer of the day of 13^th Dhul Hijjah.

7-      It is recommended to offer animals for slaughter on the day of 10^th – 13^th Dhul Hijjah in commemoration of the very act by Prophet Ibraheem عليه السلام and also because it is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

8-      A Muslim who plans to offer an animal for slaughter during the days of 10^th - 13^th Dhul Hijjah should refrain from cutting any of his hair and nails starting from the sighing of the crescent of the month of Dhul Hijjah (i.e. beginning of the month) until the actual slaughtering of the animal. This is according to the Hadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم reported by Muslim. Also Allaah تعالى says in the Qur’aan: {And do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice} [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 196]. This applies to the person who will be slaughtering but his wife or children are not asked to refrain from doing so unless one of them in particular wishes to sacrifice. A Muslim however can wash and rub his head even if some hair was to fall down.

9-      A Muslim should endeavour to perform Eid Prayer and attend the sermon. He should also understand the wisdom behind the Eid that is a day of expressing gratitude to Allaah and of righteousness. Thus, he should not make it a day of ill deeds and sin through forbidden practices by going to nightclubs or consuming intoxicants which by so doing could abolish all the righteous deeds he may have done during those 10 days.

10- In addition to the above, a Muslim should utilize those days in worshipping Allaah and by glorifying and praising Him and by thanking Allaah for enabling him to perform those righteous deeds and abstaining from ill deeds. Also a Muslim should utilize those special occasions, as in the first 10 days of Dhul Hjjjah, to reap Allaah’s extra mercy and rewards.