First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah

The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: Your Path to Jannah and Unlimited Barakah

May 14, 2024

Why These 10 Days Can Change Your Entire Life

Dhul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. But it’s not just any month. It’s special. Very special. Think of it like this: if the entire year was a garden, these first 10 days would be the most beautiful flowers. They shine brighter than everything else. During these days, Allah opens the doors of His mercy wider than any other time. This month brings us two incredible gifts: the blessed 10 days (including the Day of Arafah) and Eid ul-Adha. These aren’t just dates on a calendar—they’re chances to wipe away our sins and get closer to Allah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told us something amazing: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” Just think about that for a moment. Out of 365 days in a year, these 10 days are Allah’s favorite. When you pray during these days, give sadaqah, or even smile at someone—Allah loves it more than the same action on any other day. The Prophet ﷺ wanted us to understand something important: use these days to worship more, be kind to people, and help our Muslim brothers and sisters who need support. The rewards you’ll get? Beyond imagination.

Allah Made a Special Promise About These Days

In the Quran, Allah doesn’t make promises lightly. But in Surah Al-Fajr, He says:
“By the dawn; And by the ten nights.”
When Allah swears by something, it means that thing is extremely important. Most Islamic scholars agree that these “ten nights” are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Let that sink in. Allah—who created the sun, moon, stars, mountains, oceans, and every human being—made a special oath about these particular days.
This tells us these days are not ordinary. They’re sacred. They’re blessed. They’re your golden opportunity to change your Akhirah (afterlife) forever.
During these days, you should:

Pray more (extra prayers beyond the five daily ones)
Read Quran every day
Ask Allah for forgiveness
Give sadaqah (charity) to those who need it
Be good to your family
Do dhikr (remembering Allah with your tongue)

Dhul Hijjah: One of the Four Sacred Months in Islam

Allah tells us in the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah):
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months. Four of them are sacred. So do not wrong yourselves during them.”
Dhul Hijjah is one of these four sacred months. In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, even wars would stop during these months. Why? Because these months are meant for peace, worship, and getting closer to Allah.
So what should you do during Dhul Hijjah? Here’s your simple action plan:
Pray extra prayers (Nawafil): After your five daily prayers, add some extra rakats. Talk to Allah. Ask Him for what you need.
Read the Quran daily: Even if it’s just one page. The Quran carries barakah (blessings) into your life.
Fast these days: Especially the Day of Arafah (the 9th day). We’ll talk more about why this is so powerful.
Give sadaqah regularly: It doesn’t have to be big amounts. Even a small amount of money, food, or help can change someone’s life.
Perform Hajj if you can: If Allah has given you the health and money to go, this is your time.
Keep your tongue busy with dhikr: Say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar throughout the day.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days greater before Allah in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days. So recite a lot of Tahleel (Laa ilaha illallah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) during them.”

I’m on the advisory board of this great organization, Basmah. And I’m saying to you, from a man on the inside, they do a lot of incredible work. I’m amazed every day by more and more work; they don’t stop, they never stop.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Honorary advisor of BASMAH

Fast One Day, Get Rewards for an Entire Year

Here’s something that might sound unbelievable, but it’s true: When you fast during these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, each day of fasting equals fasting for one whole year. And every good deed you do gets multiplied by 80 times! The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days more beloved to Allah that He be worshipped in them than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting one day during it is like fasting for a whole year. And praying at night during it is like praying on Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power).” Let’s break this down in simple terms: Fast 1 day = reward of fasting 365 days Pray at night = reward of Laylatul Qadr Do any good deed = get 80 times the normal reward Where else can you get this kind of deal? Nowhere. Only during these blessed 10 days.

The Day of Arafah: When Your Sins Get Erased

The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah is called the Day of Arafah. This is THE most important day of the entire year for Muslims. On this day, millions of pilgrims stand at Mount Arafah during Hajj. But even if you’re not in Makkah, even if you’re sitting at home—you can still get incredible rewards by fasting. The Prophet ﷺ gave us amazing news: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah erases the sins of two years—the past year and the coming year.” Read that again. Two years of sins. Gone. Wiped clean. Forgiven. Imagine all the mistakes you made last year—forgotten prayers, unkind words, small lies, wasted time. Now imagine all the sins you might commit next year. All of it can be erased in just one day of fasting. The Prophet ﷺ also told us that Allah says on this day: “Look at My servants—tired, dusty, and exhausted. They came from every corner of the earth. I don’t see a day when more people are saved from Hellfire than the Day of Arafah.” This is your rescue day. This is when Allah’s mercy pours down like rain. Don’t miss it.

Simple Actions That Bring Jannah Closer

You might be thinking: “This sounds great, but what exactly should I do?” Here’s your easy-to-follow guide:
1. Read Quran Every Single Day
The Quran isn’t just a book. It’s Allah’s direct words to you. Every letter you read gives you rewards.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Read the Quran, because it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions.”
During these 10 days, try to read at least a few pages daily. If you can’t read Arabic, read the translation in your language. Understand what Allah is telling you.
Here’s a beautiful fact: normally, when you read one letter of the Quran, you get 10 rewards. The Prophet ﷺ explained: “I don’t say Alif-Lam-Meem is one letter. Rather, Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.”
So if you read “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” (Bismillah), you’re getting rewards for each letter. Now multiply that by the special blessings of these 10 days. The rewards become countless.
2. Pray Extra Prayers (Nawafil)
The five daily prayers are required (Fard). But did you know you can pray extra prayers anytime you want?
These are called Nawafil or Sunnah prayers. They’re not required, which means when you pray them, it shows Allah that you love worshipping Him—not because you have to, but because you want to.
During these 10 days, add extra prayers:

Pray Tahajjud (late night prayer)
Pray Duha (morning prayer after sunrise)
Pray extra rakats after your Fard prayers

Each prayer is like a conversation between you and Allah. Use this time to ask for what you need, thank Him for what you have, and apologize for your mistakes.
3. Fill Your Day with Dhikr (Remembering Allah)
Dhikr means remembering Allah with your tongue. The beautiful thing about dhikr? You can do it anywhere, anytime.
During these blessed 10 days, keep these phrases on your tongue:
SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) – Say this 33 times after each prayer
Alhamdulillah (All praise belongs to Allah) – Say this 33 times after each prayer
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – Say this 34 times after each prayer
You can also say the special Takbeer of Eid:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd”
Say it while cooking. Say it while driving. Say it while walking. Say it while waiting. Your tongue costs nothing to move, but each word brings you closer to Jannah.
4. Make Istighfar Your Daily Habit
Istighfar means asking Allah to forgive you. The simple phrase “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness from Allah) is powerful beyond measure.
The Prophet ﷺ promised us: “Whoever constantly seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will make a way out of every difficulty, relief from every worry, and provide for him from sources he never imagined.”
Say Astaghfirullah:

100 times every morning
Whenever you remember a sin
After every prayer
Before going to sleep

Istighfar removes your stress and anxiety. It opens doors of mercy. It erases sins. It makes Allah accept your duas. It brings barakah into your money and health.
5. Fast as Many Days as You Can
In a special hadith, Allah says: “All the good deeds of humans are for them, except fasting. Fasting is for Me alone, and I will personally reward it.”
Did you catch that? Allah Himself will give you the reward for fasting. Not through angels. Not through any system. Allah directly gives you your reward.
Try to fast all 9 days (the 10th is Eid, and we don’t fast on Eid). If you can’t fast all 9, at least fast the Day of Arafah (the 9th day).
Remember: Fasting on Arafah = Two years of sins forgiven.
That one day can change everything for you.
6. Give Sadaqah with an Open Heart
Sadaqah means charity. During these 10 days, be generous. Give money to the poor. Buy food for someone hungry. Help pay someone’s bills. Support an orphan.
The beauty of sadaqah during Dhul Hijjah? Your normal charity gets multiplied many times over.
Give what you can:

$5 can feed a family
$20 can provide clean water
$50 can support an orphan for a month
$100 can change a family’s entire situation

Don’t think your small amount doesn’t matter. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Protect yourself from the Fire even by giving half a date in charity.”
Your small sadaqah during these days could be the reason Allah forgives you, protects you, and grants you Jannah.

Your Qurbani: Following the Footsteps of Ibrahim (AS)

On Eid ul-Adha (the 10th day), Muslims around the world perform Qurbani—sacrificing an animal like a sheep, goat, or cow.
This reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail ﷺ for Allah. When Allah saw his complete submission, He replaced Ismail with a ram.
When you do Qurbani:

One-third goes to your family
One-third goes to relatives and friends
One-third goes to the poor and needy

This teaches us something beautiful: worship in Islam includes taking care of the Ummah (Muslim community). Your Qurbani feeds families who can’t afford meat all year. It brings joy to children who rarely eat well. It strengthens the bonds of our global Muslim family.
If you can afford Qurbani, don’t skip it. The reward is immense, and you’re helping your brothers and sisters eat proper food.

Don't Let These Days Pass You By

Here’s the truth: These 10 days will come and go. They always do. Time doesn’t wait for anyone.
The question is: Will you use them, or will you waste them?
Imagine standing in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment. He asks you: “I gave you the blessed 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. What did you do with them?”
What will your answer be?
“I was too busy with work”?
“I forgot about them”?
“I kept planning to start but never did”?
Or will you proudly say: “Ya Allah, I fasted. I prayed extra. I read Quran. I gave sadaqah. I asked for Your forgiveness. I tried my best.”
These days are your chance to:

Erase years of sins
Multiply your good deeds by 80
Get closer to Jannah
Secure barakah in your life
Strengthen your connection with Allah
Help the Ummah through charity

The doors of mercy are wide open. Allah is waiting to forgive you. The angels are ready to write down your good deeds.

Your Action Plan Starting Today

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start preparing now:
Before Dhul Hijjah begins:

Make a list of sins you want to ask forgiveness for
Decide how many days you’ll fast
Set aside money for sadaqah
Plan your Qurbani if you can afford it
Download a Quran app or keep a physical Quran nearby

During the 10 days:

Wake up for Tahajjud at least 3 times
Read minimum 2 pages of Quran daily
Say Astaghfirullah 100 times every morning
Give sadaqah every single day (even $1)
Keep your tongue busy with Takbeer
Pray all your Fard prayers on time
Add 2 extra rakats of Nafl after each prayer
Fast all 9 days (or at least the 9th day)
Make special duas for yourself, your family, and the Ummah

After Eid:

Don’t stop the good habits you built
Thank Allah for allowing you to witness these days
Share the meat from your Qurbani with those in need
Keep praying, reading Quran, and giving sadaqah regularly

The Ummah Needs Your Duas and Generositytrust

Right now, as you read this, Muslims around the world are suffering. In Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, and many other places, our brothers and sisters face hunger, war, and hardship.
During these blessed 10 days, remember them in your duas. Give sadaqah on their behalf. Your charity can provide:

Food for a starving family
Medicine for a sick child
Shelter for a displaced family
Education for an orphan
Clean water for an entire village

When you help another Muslim, Allah helps you. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress in this world, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Resurrection.”
Your sadaqah during these 10 days doesn’t just help others—it secures your own Akhirah.

The Promise of Jannah Awaits

Allah has promised us Jannah if we strive for it. These 10 days are your express train to that promise. Imagine Jannah: rivers of milk and honey, gardens beneath which rivers flow, palaces made of pearls, meeting the prophets, seeing Allah’s face. All of this is real. All of this is waiting for those who work for it. These 10 days are your investment. Every prayer, every fast, every sadaqah, every dhikr—they’re all deposits in your Akhirah account. The Sahaba (companions of the Prophet ﷺ) used to prepare for these days months in advance. They knew the value. They understood the opportunity. They didn’t want to waste a single moment. You have the same opportunity they had. You have the same Allah who loves to forgive. You have the same chance to fill your scale of good deeds.

Take the First Step Now

Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for next year. Don’t make excuses.
Start today:

Say “Astaghfirullah” 10 times right now
Make intention to fast on the Day of Arafah
Set aside some money for sadaqah
Read one page of Quran before sleeping tonight

Small steps lead to big changes. One prayer leads to another. One page of Quran leads to ten pages. One dollar of charity leads to a hundred dollars.
The barakah of these actions will flow into every area of your life—your health, your wealth, your family, your work, your peace of mind.

May Allah Accept Our Efforts

These 10 days are a gift from Allah. A mercy. A chance to reset. A doorway to Jannah.
Don’t let it close without walking through it.
Fast these days. Pray extra. Read Quran. Give sadaqah. Make dhikr. Ask forgiveness. Help the Ummah.
When the Takbeer of Eid echoes and you stand for prayer, may Allah count you among those who maximized every second, who left no good deed undone, who can say with confidence:
“Ya Allah, I gave these blessed days everything I had. Please accept it from me, forgive my shortcomings, and grant me, my family, and the entire Ummah a place in Jannatul Firdaus.”
Ameen.
The clock is ticking. Jannah is calling. Your Lord is waiting to forgive you.
Will you answer the call?