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The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are considered the most significant days of the Islamic year.
No other days are more beloved to Allah (SWT) than these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and the last ten nights of Ramadan. These days are the most sacred that Allah (SWT) swears an oath by them:
‘By the dawn; by the ten nights.’
(Surah Al-Fajr 89:1-2)
The mercy of Allah (SWT) lies in the numerous opportunities He provides us to atone for our bad deeds and earn rewards for our good deeds. This exemplifies the beauty of Islam, a religion that Allah (SWT) perfected for us, especially evident during the ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Let’s explore the acts one should perform to attain the maximum rewards and seek forgiveness in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Let’s start with a simple yet powerful act - increasing your dhikr. The Talbiyah (a holy recitation performed during Hajj and Umrah) will be on every pilgrim’s tongue day and night in Makkah. Those at home are also commanded to praise Allah during these ten days constantly.
Zikr in first 10 days of Zil Hajj includes the following tasbeeh:
You can also perform dhikr after your five daily prayers by reciting SubhanAllah-33 times, Alhamdulillah-33 times, and Allahu Akbar-34 times.
Reciting SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (Glory be to Allah and praise Him) one hundred times a day will erase sins, no matter how burdensome they are.
These simple practices will ensure you remember Allah throughout the day and reap the blessings of Dhul Hijjah.
It is recommended to fast during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, as fasting is among the most righteous deeds.
In a hadith Qudsi, Allah says,
"All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me, and I shall reward for it."
(Sahih Bukhari)
If fasting for the entire nine days is not feasible, strive to fast on the Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Similar to Laylat al-Qadr,' Arafah is the most blessed day of the year.
The Prophet (saw) said,
"There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than on the day of 'Arafah."
(Sahih Muslim)
Just as on Laylat al-Qadr, one should spend this day seeking forgiveness and benefiting from Allah's immense mercy. Non-pilgrims have the opportunity to expiate sins of two years by fasting on this day.
The Prophet (saw) said,
"It (fasting on the Day of 'Arafah) expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year."
(Sahih Muslim)
Engaging in Qur'an recitation is among the most virtuous acts of worship, drawing us closer to Allah and seeking His pleasure.
The Prophet (saw) said,
"Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that 'Alif, Laam, Meem' is a letter; rather, ' Alif' is a letter, 'laam' is a letter, and 'meem' is a letter."
(Tirmidhi)
Reflect on the immense rewards awaiting you as you read each letter during these blessed days. Allah has promised to multiply your reward, making this time more spiritually significant.
After a month since the last ten nights of Ramadan, many of us miss the spiritual experience of seeking Laylat al-Qadr through nightly worship.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"There are no days more beloved to Allah that He be worshiped in them than the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, fasting every day of them is the equivalent of fasting a year, and standing every night of them (in prayer of Tahajjud) is the equivalent of standing on the Night of Qadr."
(Tirmidhi)
During Dhul Hijjah, it is especially important to strive to avoid sin. These holy days are filled with opportunities for worship and forgiveness, and maintaining purity in actions and intentions enhances the spiritual significance of this blessed time.
By consciously avoiding sin, Muslims uphold the sanctity of Dhul Hijjah and draw closer to Allah's mercy and blessings.
Many of us focus on giving Sadaqah during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Yet, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are equally significant, offering a prime opportunity to accumulate additional rewards through simple good deeds.
Hasan al-Basri (RA) stated,
"Fulfilling your brother's needs is better for you than performing Hajj after Hajj."
Among Allah's most beloved acts is assisting those in need, like helping orphans. This act holds immense religious value, especially during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah. Take this opportunity to maximize your rewards and make a difference in their lives.
The month of Dhul Hijjah is recognized as "The Month of the Pilgrimage". Starting from the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims from across the globe gather in Makkah to undertake the Hajj.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a mandatory act of worship for financially, emotionally, and physically capable people. Muslims who are eligible must perform Hajj once in their lifetime.
Many Muslims aspire to perform Hajj, seeking forgiveness for their sins upon its completion. It is among the greatest deeds one can undertake during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
"An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise."
(Ibn Majah)
Hajj is the ultimate act of worship for Muslims, offering a path to seek forgiveness and expiate sins.
Yet, many of us may only have the opportunity to perform it once in our lives. Dhul Hijjah is a special blessing from Allah, granting the chance to those who don’t have resources to perform hajj. They can sincerely repent and seek forgiveness, even if they are not performing the pilgrimage.
Repentance draws us nearer to Allah and purifies our souls.
Allah says:
“Seek forgiveness from your Lord and repent to Him; He will provide you with good sustenance for a specified period and will give every deserving person his due.”
(Surah Hadid 11:3)
Participating in Eid Salah is a vital expression of our Islamic community identity and a significant act of worship for all Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) consistently attended Eid Salah, as did his companions after his passing.
He (PBUH) urged everyone, including menstruating women who cannot perform the prayer, to join and partake in the blessings of this congregation.
The 10th day of Dhul Hijjah marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha when Muslims perform Qurban (sacrifice, also known as Udhiyah or Qurbani). This ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) unwavering devotion to Allah (SWT).
In his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS), Allah (SWT) intervened by sending a ram (a male sheep) as a substitute.
Therefore, on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Adha, Muslims from every corner of the globe unite in a shared act of worship, sacrificing an animal (such as a goat, sheep, cow, or camel) as a reflection of this profound narrative.
Following the sacrifice, usually performed after Eid prayer, the meat is distributed, with at least one-third given to the poor or vulnerable.
Donating Qurbani is highly encouraged for every financially capable Muslim and can be facilitated through certified charities, such as Pakistan Sweet Home, which offer specific Qurban programs.
In conclusion, embracing the Sunnah practices during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah offers a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. These practices include abundant Dhikr, fasting, Tahajjud prayers, recitation of the Quran, and performing Qurbani and Hajj.
By engaging in these acts of worship, Muslims can maximize their rewards. These sacred days provide a chance to deepen one's faith and connection with Allah. These acts not only bring immense rewards but also deepen one's connection to Allah, enhancing their faith and devotion.
WRITTEN BY
Ali Raza (Islamic Theology)
Ali Raza holds a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies and is an expert in Islamic theology and jurisprudence. Specializing in Zakat, Sadaqah, and other Islamic donations, Ali's writings provide valuable insights into the religious and ethical aspects of charity. His work for Pakistan Sweet Homes aims to educate and inspire readers to support orphan care and charitable initiatives, making him a key contributor to the organization's mission.
Ali Raza holds a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies and is an expert in Islamic theology and jurisprudence. Specializing in Zakat, Sadaqah, and other Islamic donations, Ali's writings provide valuable insights into the religious and ethical aspects of charity. His work for Pakistan Sweet Homes aims to educate and inspire readers to support orphan care and charitable initiatives, making him a key contributor to the organization's mission.
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