The importance of the first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ

{BY the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah)} [Surah al-Fajr (89):2]

The `Arabic letter “و" (waw), which translated here as “By”, is understood to stand for the phrase “I swear by” and designates an oath.

The fact that Allaah تعالى took oath by these nights, shows their importance. Allaah تعالى never takes an oath of something** except that that thing has importance; and Allaah تعالى never takes an oath except that what is to follow is an important news.

Like the nights of Ramadhaan, these are the 10 most beloved days to Allaah. So take this opportunity to do more good deeds and shun all evil.

Baarak Allaahu feekum.

**Elsewhere in the Qur’aan, Allaah تعالى takes oath of celestial bodies (stars, planets), of the Qur’aan etc. Allaah تعالى can take an oath by whatever He تعالى wills, be it Himself, His creations, His revelation. But it is unacceptable that a man should take an oath except in the name of Allaah.

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]