Virtues of the First Ten Days of
Dhu’l-Hijjah
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Among the great seasons of worship are the first ten days of
Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allah (Subhaanahu wa
Ta-‘aalaa) has favored over other days. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radii Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa aalihii wasallam)
said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah
than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He
said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for
jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” 1
It was also narrated from Anas (Radii Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa aalihii wasallam) said: “There is no deed
that is better before Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in
the (first) ten days of al-Adha.” It was said: “Not even jihad for the sake of
Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out
himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with
anything.” 2
These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all other days of the year, with no exception, even
the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are
better than the first ten
nights of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because they include Laylat al-Qadr, which is better
than a thousand months.
So the Muslim should start these days with sincere repentance to
Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta-‘aalaa), then
he should do a lot of righteous deeds in general, then he should pay attention
to doing the following deeds:
1. Fasting
It is Sunnah for a Muslim to fast on the first nine days of
Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (Sallallaahu
alaihi wa aalihii wasallam) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the
first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and fasting is one of the best of deeds, which
Allah has chosen for Himself. 3
It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that
one of the wives of the Prophet (Sallallaahu
alaihi wa aalihii wasallam) said: The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa aalihii wasallam) used to fast on the first
nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month,
the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays. 4
2 – Reciting tahmeed, tahleel and takbeer abundantly
It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar (Allah is
most great)), tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allah)), tahleel
(saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allah)) and tasbeeh (saying
Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to Allah)), during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah,
saying these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets and every place in
which it is permissible to remember Allah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta-‘aalaa), to perform this act of worship openly and proclaim the
greatness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa
Ta-‘aalaa).
Men should recite out loud and women should recite quietly.
Allah
says: “That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of
Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial]
animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor” [al-Hajj 22:28]
The majority are of the view that the “appointed days” are the
first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radii Allaahu anhu) that the appointed
days are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (Radii Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa aalihii wasallam)
said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds
are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of
tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” 5
The takbeer is as follows:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu
akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is
no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).
3 – Doing Hajj and ‘Umrah
One of the greatest deeds that can be done during these ten days
is Hajj to the sacred House of Allah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta-‘aalaa). Whoever Allah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta-‘aalaa) helps to go on Hajj to His House and do the rituals in the
required manner will – in sha Allah – be included in the words of the Messenger
of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wa aalihii
wasallam): “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.”
4 – Udhiyah (sacrifice)
One of the righteous deeds that bring a person closer to Allah
in these ten days is to slaughter the sacrifice and to look for a good, fat
animal and to spend money on it for the sake
of Allah (Subhaanahu wa
Ta-‘aalaa).
Let us hasten to make the most of these great days, before the
negligent regrets what he did, and before he asks to go back and receives no
response.
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