What You Should Do on The First 10 Days of Zulhijjah

  • Lily Syahirah Ramlan
  • 10 July 2021
On July 11, 2021, we will soon approach the blessed days in the month of Zulhijjah, Insha’Allah. The first ten days of Zulhijjah is the most important period for us to maximise our capacity in performing good deeds and sincere ‘ibadah. Muslim scholars unanimously agree on the great significance and merit of the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.
On the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās RA that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which [good] actions are superior than in these days.” It was asked, “Not even fighting for the sake of God?” He replied, “Not even fighting for the sake of God, except that a person sets out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither.” [Musnad al-Imam Aḥmad]

What is Dhul Hijjah?

Understanding what is Dhul Hijjah will give us a clearer perspective on why this blessed time is so important for Muslims worldwide.
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic or Hijri calendar, and one of the holiest months in Islam.
It is a sacred time consisting significant acts of worship, including fasting, Hajj and even performing Qurban. Most notably, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are considered among the most virtuous days of the entire year, even more than the last ten days of Ramadan.

Virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)
Just like the blessed time of Laylatul Qadr during Ramadan, Muslims are also given the opportunity to multiply good deeds, increase in worship, and draw closer to Allah ﷻ in these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Whether you are performing Hajj or not, every Muslim can benefit from the immense blessings and mercy available in this sacred time.

Sunnahs to Follow on the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Dhikr

Recite dhikr or constantly remember Allah Almighty with phrases like Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah). There is no greater act of worship than remembering your Creator alone.

Fast the first nine days

Fasting these days, especially the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah), is highly rewarding. The Prophet ﷺ said fasting on Arafah expiates the sins of the past and coming year (Muslim).

Recite Qur’an

If you’re reading the Quran everyday, this is your opportunity to reap immense rewards in this blessed time! Take the time to recite and reflect on the Qur’an.
The reward for recitation is multiplied, and it is a perfect time to reconnect with the words of Allah Almighty.

Remember Loved Ones

Dhul Hijjah is a time of unity and compassion. Reach out to family and friends. Pray for your departed loved ones and remember them in your dua.If you’re reading the Quran everyday, this is your opportunity to reap immense rewards in this blessed time! Take the time to recite and reflect on the Qur’an.
'Abdullah bin 'Amr Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him". [Al-Bukhari]

Stand at night in prayer

If you’ve missed the opportunity to perform qiyamullail or the night vigil prayer during Ramadan, you still have the chance to redeem yourself by standing in one of these nights in prayer. The merits of qiyam during this blessed period is equal to standing in prayer on Laylatul al-Qadr!
Abu Hurairah narrated that:
"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 every day of them is the equivalent of fasting a year, and standing every night of them (in prayer) is the equivalent of standing on the Night of Qadr.” [Sunan at-Tirmidhi]

Give Sadaqah

Charity is beloved to Allah Almighty, especially in these days. Donate to those in need and support causes that benefit others. Even a small act of kindness counts.
It was narrated from Salman bin 'Amir that the Prophet said:"Giving charity to a poor person is charity, and (giving) to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship." [Sunan An-Nasa’ie]

Repent

Turn to Allah in sincere repentance. Ask for forgiveness, and make a firm intention to improve your relationship with Him.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: 'A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,' and Allah said: 'My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.' He then again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.' He again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Pray Eid Salah

On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims gather for Eid al-Adha prayer. It is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah), and a chance to celebrate and reflect.
Busy yourself with the remembrance of Allah the Glorious
Remembering Allah should not be a seasonal routine, but in these blessed days, the Prophet ﷺ himself advised that we should make abundant of adhkar which includes Tahlil (La ilaha ill’Allah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmid (Alhamdulillah).
Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahlil (saying: ‘there is no god but Allah’), Takbir and Tahmid.” [Ahmad]

Perform the Qurban (udhiyah/sacrifice)

Udhiyah or Qurban is one of the great forms of ‘ibadah in Islam, in which we remember the Oneness of our Creator, Allah the Almighty, and the obedience of our blessed Prophet Ibrahim, may Allah be Pleased with him.
Qurban is derived from the word ‘Qurb’, which means ‘nearness’. Sacrifice or Qurban is thus a form of worship through which the love and nearness of Allah can be attained. It is also a Sunnah Mu’akkadah – a greatly encouraged Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ used to offer rams as sacrifices as mentioned in the hadith below:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer as sacrifices, two horned rams, black and white, and used to put his foot on their sides and slaughter them with his own hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Key Questions Related to Fasting and Ramadan
What are the rules of fasting in Islam? Every Muslim is obligated to fast during Ramadan, once a year.

Where can we perform Qurban?

http://simplyislam.sg/qurban
https://hajjahnazihacharity.co.uk/
https://www.islamic-relief.org/
https://www.muslimaid.org/

Pray for and assist those going for Hajj.

If you do not plan to go for Hajj this year, it does not mean that you can’t pray for those who went for pilgrimage. As a person who is concerned about the welfare of his brothers, let us make du’a for those who are doing their Hajj.
Habib Umar bin Hafiz said,
“We should pray for those performing Hajj and thereby receive a portion of the reward which they are receiving.” 
The travel they are undertaking is one of the most spiritually significant ones they will ever undertake in their lives. Pray for all pilgrims worldwide, whether we know them or not.

Increase in all good deeds.

Like any other blessed day, the easiest thing we can do is to do good deeds sincerely, whether it is giving charity or sadaqah, helping your parents, preparing meals for your family, we should be encouraged to perform as many good deeds as we can, as they are magnified in the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. So, seek out the deeds you can do and strive to do them with utmost sincerity and effort.
The point of it all is to encourage ourselves to keep on doing good despite the problems we have, the demotivation we endure, so these blessed days exist to motivate us to do better as Muslims. May Allah Bless us in the days of Zulhijjah, answer all our prayers, forgive all our sins and keep the Hajj pilgrims safe and accept their Hajj, and for those performing the Qurban, accept it from them, Insha’Allah.

What to avoid in 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

For those intending to offer Qurban, the Prophet ﷺ advised: “When the ten days (of Dhul Hijjah) start and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him not cut his hair or nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” (Muslim)
In general, avoid wasting time, engaging in sinful behavior, and neglecting your spiritual goals during these precious days.

Why is Dhul Hijjah Important?

A Time for Great Rewards

These days are an unmatched opportunity to earn Allah’s Divine Pleasure. Every act of worship holds immense reward, from prayer, to Hajj, to charity to fasting.

Dhul Hijjah and the Day of Arafah

The Day of Arafah is the most blessed day of this month. For pilgrims, it is the most important day of Hajj. For others, fasting this day wipes out two years of sins, so you are recommended to fast on this blessed day.

The Coming Together of the Pillars of Islam

In Dhul Hijjah, we witness all five pillars of Islam; Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj, come together. It is a month that reminds us of the comprehensive beauty of our faith.

Conclusion

Dhul Hijjah is more than just the month of Hajj or Qurban. It is a sacred season of renewal, mercy, and transformation. Whether you’re performing pilgrimage or observing from home, make the most of these ten days. Set goals, purify your heart, and race towards Allah’s reward.
May Allah accept our deeds, guide us to righteous actions, and bless us during this sacred time, Ameen.
Reference:
https://www.ihh.org.tr/en/verses-and-hadiths-on-qurban
http://muzlimbuzz.sg/the-many-blessings-of-the-ten-days-of-zulhijjah/
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FAQs

What are the benefits of fasting the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

Fasting increases reward, especially on the Day of Arafah, which erases the sins of the previous and coming year.

Can I cut my hair in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

If you intend to offer Qurbani, it is Sunnah to avoid cutting hair or nails until after the sacrifice is done.

What date is 10th Dhul Hijjah?

The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha. The exact Gregorian date changes yearly, depending on moon sightings.

What is the reward of the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

These are the most beloved days for good deeds. Worship done in these days is more rewarded than even jihad, except for one who gives all in the path of Allah.

What is Takbeer during 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

Takbeer is the glorification of Allah by saying: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd. It is encouraged to say this throughout the 10 days.

What is the dua for Qurbani?

Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar. Allahumma haadha minka wa laka. (In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You.)

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About The Author:
Written By:
Lily Syahirah Ramlan
Lily Syahirah is a Content Writer of SimplyIslam Academy based in Selangor, Malaysia. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language) from International Islamic University Malaysia in 2020. She is actively invovled in public speaking, English language debates, poetry and theatre and loves to express her work through writing. Her love for language arts and imagination has led her to produce, direct and write experimental plays she's passionate about during her degree years. She was also actively invovled as a Master of Ceremony (Emcee) where she hosts minor and major events in IIUM.
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