Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

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

June 9, 2024

These Are Allah's Most Special Days - Don't Miss Them!

Imagine if someone told you there were 10 days in the year when every good deed you do counts 100 times more. Would you believe it? Well, it’s true! These are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah – the most blessed days Allah has given to our Ummah. Think about it this way: it’s like Allah is giving us a special discount on good deeds. But instead of paying less, we get rewarded more! Much, much more. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said something amazing about these days. He said: “There are no days when good deeds are more loved by Allah than these 10 days.” The Companions were shocked. They asked, “Not even fighting for Allah’s sake?” The Prophet replied, “Not even that – except for someone who goes to fight and comes back with nothing.” Can you imagine? These 10 days are better than everything else!

Why Allah Chose These Days Above All Others

Allah doesn’t do anything without a reason. When He chose these days to be special, He had beautiful wisdom behind it. Here’s why these days are so amazing:
Allah Made a Promise About Them In the Quran, Allah says: “By the dawn; by the ten nights.” When Allah makes a promise like this, it means these days are incredibly important. The great scholar Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said these “ten nights” are talking about our special Dhul Hijjah days.
The Prophet Showed Us Their Value Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) didn’t just tell us these days were special – he showed us. He used to fast during these days. He would make extra dhikr (remembering Allah). He would encourage everyone to do more good deeds.
They Include the Day of Arafah The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah is called the Day of Arafah. This is when Allah completed Islam as our religion. If you fast on this day, Allah forgives your sins for two whole years – the year that passed and the year coming up! It’s like getting a fresh start.

Your Golden Ticket to Jannah: What to Do During These 10 Days

Your Golden Ticket to Jannah: What to Do During These 10 Days
1. Fast for Allah – And Watch Your Sins Disappear
Fasting during the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah is like having a direct phone line to Allah’s mercy. Why? Because Allah Himself said: “All good deeds belong to the person who does them, except fasting. Fasting belongs to Me, and I will reward it Myself.”
Think about this: when you feel hungry or thirsty while fasting, Allah is watching. Every moment of hunger becomes a prayer going straight to Him. Every time you feel thirsty but don’t drink, Allah sees your love for Him.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast all 9 days. If it was good enough for him, imagine how good it is for us!
Pro tip for parents: Encourage your children to try fasting for a few hours. Even small efforts during these blessed days bring huge rewards.
2. Fill the Air with Takbir – Bring Your Community Together
During these 10 days, Muslims should say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) everywhere it’s allowed. At home, in the streets, in the mosque – everywhere!
Here’s a beautiful story: In the time of the Prophet’s companions, Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah would go to the marketplace and say Takbir loudly. When people heard them, they would join in. Soon, the whole market was filled with the remembrance of Allah!
Sadly, most Muslims today have forgotten this beautiful practice. But you can bring it back! Here are some phrases you can say:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah”
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi’l-hamd”
Men should say it loudly. Women should say it quietly.
Imagine if every Muslim family started doing this. Our neighborhoods would be filled with the remembrance of Allah. Our children would grow up hearing these blessed words. The Barakah would be incredible!
3. Give Sadaqah – Your Investment in Akhirah
During these 10 days, every act of charity becomes super-powerful. That money you give to help poor families? It gets multiplied many times over. That food you share with your neighbor? Allah counts it as much more than just food.
Think of Sadaqah during these days like putting money in a special bank account. But instead of getting 5% interest, you might get 500% or 5000% returns! And the best part? You get the returns in both this life and the next.
Easy Sadaqah ideas for these days:

Buy groceries for a family in need
Pay someone’s medical bills
Help a student pay for school
Give money to build a mosque or Islamic school
Feed people during Iftar

4. Extra Prayers – Your Private Time with Allah
These 10 days are perfect for increasing your prayers. Wake up a little earlier for some quiet time with Allah. Pray extra Sunnah prayers. Make longer duas.
Remember, during these days, every prayer has extra weight. It’s like Allah is listening even more carefully to what you’re asking for.
Simple prayer schedule for these days:

Wake up 30 minutes before Fajr for personal dua time
After Fajr, sit and do dhikr until sunrise
Before Maghrib, make dua for your family and the Ummah
After Isha, pray 2 extra rakats and ask Allah for forgiveness

5. Read Quran – Let Allah’s Words Change Your Heart
The Quran during these 10 days becomes like medicine for your soul. Each verse you read carries extra healing power. Each chapter brings you closer to Allah.
Try to read a little more than usual. If you normally read one page, try reading two. If you don’t usually read daily, start with just a few verses.
Family Quran time: Gather your family after Maghrib and read together. Let the children take turns. Make it a special time that everyone looks forward to.

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

Special Rules for Those Giving Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice)

If you’re planning to sacrifice an animal on Eid day, there are some simple rules to follow during these 10 days:
Don’t cut your hair or nails from the 1st day of Dhul Hijjah until after you do your sacrifice. This makes you similar to the people doing Hajj. It’s like you’re joining them spiritually even if you can’t be there physically.
Why this rule? It connects our worldwide Ummah. Muslims all over the world are following the same practice. It creates unity and shows our love for Allah.
What if you forgot and cut your hair? Don’t worry! Just ask Allah for forgiveness. Your sacrifice will still be accepted.
Important for families: Only the person giving the sacrifice needs to follow this rule. If a wife asks her husband to sacrifice for the family, she should follow the rule, not him.

The Day of Arafah: Your Chance for a Complete Fresh Start

The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah is called the Day of Arafah. This day is so special that Allah forgives sins just for fasting on it!
Think about this amazing promise: Fast for one day, and Allah forgives your sins for two whole years. It’s like getting a time machine to go back and erase all your mistakes, plus protection for the future.
What makes this day so special?

Allah completed Islam as our religion on this day
It’s the main day of Hajj when pilgrims stand at Mount Arafah
Allah comes down to the first heaven and shows off His servants to the angels
More people are freed from Hell on this day than any other day

Even if you can’t fast the full day, try to fast for a few hours. Every moment counts during this blessed time.

Welcoming New Babies: The Beautiful Practice of Aqiqah

When Allah blesses a family with a new baby, Islam gives us a beautiful way to say “thank you” – it’s called Aqiqah.
For boys: Sacrifice two healthy sheep or goats For girls: Sacrifice one healthy sheep or goat
When to do it:

Best time: 7 days after the baby is born
If you can’t do it then: 14 days after birth
If still not possible: 21 days after birth
If you miss all these times: Do it anytime before the child grows up

What kind of animal:

Must be healthy with no broken teeth or horns
Sheep: At least 6 months old
Goats: At least 12 months old
Choose the best animal you can afford

The meat sharing:

One-third for your family
One-third for friends and neighbors
One-third for poor people

This isn’t just a tradition – it’s a way to thank Allah, feed people, and bring the community together.

Building Stronger Communities During These Sacred Days

These 10 days aren’t just about individual worship. They’re about bringing our Ummah together and making it stronger.
Ideas for community activities:

Organize group Iftar for fasting people
Plan community charity drives
Have family gatherings where you read Quran together
Teach children about these special days
Share food with neighbors of all faiths

For parents: Use these days to teach your children about Islam in fun ways. Let them help with charity. Explain why you’re fasting. Make them part of the spiritual excitement.
For youth: Use social media to spread good messages about these days. Share Islamic posts instead of just entertainment. Be a positive influence on your friends.

The Big Day: Eid al-Adha and Your Qurbani

The 10th day is Eid al-Adha – the celebration that ends our 10 blessed days. If you’re doing Qurbani (animal sacrifice), this is your big moment.
Choosing your animal:

Pick the healthiest, most beautiful animal you can find
This is your gift to Allah, so make it the best
Check that it meets all the age and health requirements

The sacrifice process:

Say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” before sacrificing
Face the animal towards Qibla (direction of Mecca)
Make dua that Allah accepts your sacrifice
Think about Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his great sacrifice

Sharing the meat:

Keep one-third for your family’s meals
Give one-third to friends, neighbors, and relatives
Give one-third to poor and needy people

This sharing brings the whole community together. Rich and poor, everyone gets to enjoy good meat on Eid day.

Making These Days Change Your Whole Year

The real success comes when these 10 days change how you live the rest of the year. Think of them as training days for your spiritual life.
Habits to continue after these days:

Keep reading Quran daily
Continue giving regular Sadaqah
Maintain extra prayers
Keep saying dhikr throughout the day
Stay connected with your community

Planning for next year:

Write down what worked best for you
Note which good deeds felt most rewarding
Plan to do even more next year
Teach others what you learned

Your Personal Action Plan for These 10 Sacred Days

Here’s a simple day-by-day plan that anyone can follow:
Every Day (Days 1-9):

Wake up 15 minutes earlier for personal dua
Fast if you’re able to
Say Takbir throughout the day
Give some Sadaqah (even if it’s just $1)
Read at least one page of Quran
Make extra dua for your family and the Ummah

Day 9 (Day of Arafah) – Extra Special:

Definitely try to fast this day
Make lots of dua from afternoon until sunset
Ask Allah to forgive all your sins
Pray for Muslims suffering around the world

Day 10 (Eid Day):

Celebrate with your family and community
If doing Qurbani, do it with full attention and gratitude
Share your joy and food with others
Thank Allah for letting you experience these blessed days

The Rewards That Never End

The beautiful thing about these 10 days is that their rewards keep growing even after they’re over. Every good habit you start, every person you help, every dua you make – they all keep benefiting you. When you teach your children about these days, you get rewards every time they practice what you taught them. When you help someone and they help others, you get rewards for that too. It’s like planting trees that keep giving fruit forever.

A Message of Hope for Our Entire Ummah

These 10 days come as a gift from Allah when our Ummah needs hope the most. Muslims around the world are facing challenges, but these days remind us that Allah’s mercy is always greater than our problems.
When we all participate together – fasting, praying, giving charity, helping each other – we become stronger as one big Muslim family. A mother fasting in Bangladesh, a father giving charity in Nigeria, children learning Takbir in Indonesia – we’re all connected by these same blessed days.
Remember: Allah chose you to be Muslim during these special days. Out of all the people in history, you get to experience this blessing. That’s not a coincidence – that’s Allah’s special gift to you.

Your Journey to Jannah Starts Now

As you read this, the next Dhul Hijjah is getting closer. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare. Start planning now:

Set aside money for extra charity
Think about who you want to help
Plan your fasting schedule
Prepare your family for these special days
Make a list of duas you want to focus on

These 10 days are your highway to Jannah. They’re Allah’s special invitation to come closer to Him. The door is wide open, the path is clear, and the rewards are beyond imagination.
Will you accept the invitation? Will you make these days count? Will you let them change your life forever?
The choice is yours, but remember – opportunities like this don’t come every day. They come once a year, for 10 precious days, as a gift from your Lord who loves you more than you can imagine.
May Allah give you the strength to make the most of these blessed days. May He accept all your good deeds, forgive all your sins, and grant you and your loved ones a place in Jannah. May these 10 days become the turning point in your spiritual journey and a source of Barakah for your entire life.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi’l-hamd.
Your amazing journey to unlimited Barakah and Jannah starts with these 10 days. Don’t let them pass by without grabbing every blessing Allah wants to give you!