Without a doubt, we should appreciate every day we wake up alive in this world, as it means that our time here is not over yet. Then, we can still do more of the good acts and refrain from more of the evil ones, getting nearer to our Lord in this life and consequently, in the hereafter, too.
However, among our Lord’s endless mercy is that He singled out some of the days to be even more sacred and more invaluable than the rest. That is such a great bounty for us, as in those blessed days, Allah grants us limitless forgiveness and countless rewards. Among the most sacred times in the year are the first ten days of Dhul Al-Hijjah. Let’s know more about them, their blessed significance to the Muslims, and the rewarding acts to keep performing during those sacred days, so as not to miss that treasure!
What Are the Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah?
Those are the first ten days of the Dhul Al-Hijjah (Month of Pilgrimage) in the Islamic calendar. This month is actually one of Al-Ashur Al-Hurum (The Sacred Months). Those days are special and blessed as they are associated with performing Hajj, that once-in-a-lifetime act of worship, and the fifth pillar in Islam. Those ten days and nights are so sacred that Allah the Almighty swore by them in His Noble Book:
[By the dawn, and by the Ten Nights] [Al-Fajr: 1-2].
How Significant and Blessed Are The Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah?
Having such rushing lives and busy minds, we feel that we can’t actually do much; that is why, as attentive Muslims, we really appreciate those ‘bonus’ days throughout the year. In those blessed days, doing whatever good and performing even the regular, daily acts of worship- not to mention the voluntary ones, too- can bring us so much of Allah’s abundant mercy and forgiveness, with multiple rewards. Allah’s doors of pardon and grace are wide open in those sacred days. Literally, they are the best days ever! So, we exert our maximum efforts not to miss those blessings and rewards:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
The sacredness of the Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah is linked to the holiness of the major acts of worship and obedience in these days:
- Performing the Hajj:
Dhul Al-Hijjah is named after the Hajj ritual. Hajj is that life-changing journey of faith, devotion, and submission to Allah. All its rituals reflect a genuine servitude to the Lord, returning to Him in true awe, repentance, and glorification through various acts performed at these sacred days, like:
- Takbeer:
How heart-moving is that magnificent scene of all those people coming from all over the world, worshipping Allah the One, as one big family, with one destination, declaring loudly with ultimate faith and submission:
“Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, La Illah Illah Allah” [Text Wrapping Break](Allah is the Greater, Allah is the Greater, Allah is the Greater; No god but Allah)
In the Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah, not only is Takbeer encouraged, but also all dhikr, in general; the Prophet (PBUH) 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 (La ilaha illAllah), takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) during them.” [Hadith | Ahmad].
- Standing on ‘Arafa:
Standing on ‘Arafa is an indispensable part of Hajj, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Hajj is ‘Arafa”. The pilgrims stand on Jabal Ar-Rahma (The Mountain of Mercy), and that really tells us a lot about Allah’s boundless mercy for His devoted servants on that blessed day!
So solemn and inspiring is to witness all those Muslims wholeheartedly calling their Lord with a profound fear of His displeasure, and sincere hope for His forgiveness and pardon on that witnessed day. It is the day of getting freed from the Hellfire, as the Prophet (PBUH) told us: “There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah…”
For the non-pilgrims not standing on Mount ‘Arafa, they can perform a great act of worship this day, too, besides constant dhikr; it is to fast on this sacred day, as fasting is at the top of the beloved acts to Allah, for which He rewards us unimaginably! Fasting on that blessed day brings us a divine pardon and incomparable expiations of sins; the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.”
- Offering the Sacrifice (Qurbani):
After finishing the rituals of Hajj and after Salat of Eid Al-Adha, the Muslim pilgrims and the non-pilgrims offer their Qurbani as a symbol of sacrificing what they are so attached to in this world in pure devotion for Allah’s sake.
It is a highly spiritual act of ultimate obedience and real submission to Allah, just as what Prophet Ibrahim did. It is to purify our souls, to break free from our worldly attachments, to get nearer to our Lord by gaining piety, which is the goal of Qurbani in the first place, and also to share this feast with one another as one caring family.
[Their meat will not reach Allāh, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.] [Al-Hajj: 37]
The Rewarding Acts to Perform During the Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah?
Of course, every act of obedience and worship to Allah is rewarding, but it is definitely even more rewarding in those sacred days of Dhul Al-Hijjah; Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
That is why a mindful Muslim should not waste any minute during that blessed time of the year, and here are some of the major rewarding acts to keep performing for attaining Allah’s pleasure and grace:
- Fasting:
Fasting is highly recommended for the non-pilgrims in those blessed days to gain Allah’s abundant bounty, as Allah gave glad tidings for those who fast for His own sake: “Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, Allah will separate his face from the fire by (a distance of) seventy years.” (Sahih)
Also, the Prophet (PBUH) used to fast the 9 days of Dhul Al-Hijjah, when not performing Hajj. But remember that you must not fast on the tenth day, as it is haram to fast in Eid Al-Adha:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on these two days, the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. As for the Day of Fitr, it is the day when we break our fast, and on the Day of Adha, we eat the meat of our sacrifices.
- Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah):
In the Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah, we have a great chance with multiple rewards for dhikr. So, we should keep Allah in our mind, heart, and on our tongue: The Prophet (PBUH) told us: “The words dearest to God are four: Glory be to God; Praise be to God; there is no god but God; and God is most great. It does not matter which you say first.”
On top of the dhikr, we need to keep reciting and reflecting on the Qur’an ayahs during those rewarding days, as the Qur’an is the major reminder that brings us piety and nearness to Allah.
- Sadaqa:
Actually, it is not only to give money, “every act of goodness is Sadaqa”. So, helping others, taking care of them, even smiling at them, etc., is Sadaqa. So, never belittle any good act in those holy days.
- Performing Umrah and Hajj:
The Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah are when Muslims all over the world gather together in that sacred spot of the Ka’ba, worshiping and glorifying Allah, the One and Only Lord.
- Offering Sacrifice (Qurbani):
In Eid Al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice a Qurbani to share it with their relatives, friends, and the needy, so Muslims all celebrate the Eid with so much love, generosity, and care. By that Qurbani, the Muslim purifies and frees himself from worldly attachments and declares his pure servitude and submission to His Lord, Allah.
Conclusion:
The Ten Days of Dhul Al-Hijjah are the best and the most beloved to Allah. So, we should never miss that treasure of rewards. Allah is so merciful and generous to bless us with those days. We should show our gratitude for His blessing by doing our best to do every good act that Allah loves, and that brings us nearer to His majesty.
