The Virtues of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah hold great importance and immense virtue in Islam. Every act and creation of Allah is filled with wisdom. In everything, there is evidence of His Lordship and testimony of His Oneness. Assigning certain creations with specific status and virtue, and preferring certain times and places over others, is part of His divine wisdom and greatness. Allah has designated specific days, months, and times for His servants so they can prepare for the Hereafter before death arrives and gather enough provisions for resurrection.

Based on the Qur’an and Hadith, the following blessings and virtues have been granted by Allah to His servants in these ten days. These are beautifully outlined below:

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah: A Spiritually Significant Time

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered among the holiest and most blessed days in Islam. During this time, Allah bestows special mercy and blessings upon His servants. These are the most beloved days to Allah. Through acts of worship, repentance, and good deeds, a servant can attain closeness to Allah.

Most Beloved to Allah: The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The Greatest Virtue of These Ten Days:

• In a hadith it is mentioned: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Ibn Majah]
• This means that any good deed performed during these ten days—such as prayer, charity, recitation of the Qur’an, or dhikr—is most beloved to Allah. During this time, He showers His special mercy and blessings on His servants.

Every spiritually significant season has its own specific deeds and guidelines. Through those, a servant can draw nearer to Allah. During these times, Allah's special grace and kindness are manifest, and He rewards whomever He wills from among His servants. So, fortunate is the one who takes advantage of these special moments and engages in the designated deeds and worship to attain nearness to His Lord. Perhaps, by Allah’s mercy, they will gain deliverance from Hell and its terrifying fire in the Hereafter.

Qurbani (Sacrifice):

On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Eid al-Adha is celebrated, one of the greatest festivals for the Muslim Ummah. Sacrificing an animal is a significant act of worship carried out to earn Allah’s pleasure.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever offers a sacrifice for Allah, it will be accepted by Him.” [Sahih Muslim]

Through Qurbani, we offer our most prized possessions—our livestock—in the path of Allah.

A Muslim should be well aware of the value of life and time and should devote themselves to the worship of Allah and remain steadfast in righteous deeds until death. Allah says:

“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).” [Qur’an 15:99]

Salim bin Abdullah (RA) said that “certainty” here refers to death. Similar interpretations have been given by other Mufassirun such as Mujahid, Hasan, and Qatadah.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah:

The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah—known as the Day of Arafah—is extremely virtuous for fasting.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” [Sahih Muslim]

This day is the essence of Hajj. For those not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is Sunnah.

Allah has granted the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah excellence over other days. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“No good deed done on other days is superior to those done on these ten days.”

The companions asked: “Not even jihad in the cause of Allah?” He replied:

“Not even jihad—unless a man goes out with his life and wealth and returns with nothing.”

Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness:

Repenting and seeking forgiveness (Tawbah and Istighfar) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is especially important. Allah says:

“O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance…” [Surah At-Tahrim: 8]

In these days, we should frequently repent and sincerely seek forgiveness for our sins. Allah is always ready to forgive His servants.

Ibn Kathir (RA) said:

“In summary, it is said that these ten days are the best days of the year, as is apparent from the Hadith. Many scholars have even preferred these days over the last ten days of Ramadan, because in these days all major acts of worship—prayer, fasting, charity—are practiced. And uniquely, Hajj is performed during these days.”

Daily Deeds:

• Voluntary Fasting: Fasting during the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is highly virtuous, especially on the 9th, the Day of Arafah.
• Dhikr and Du'a: These ten days are a time for increased remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and supplication (du’a). “Obey Allah so that you may succeed.” [Surah Aal-e-Imran: 200]
• Reciting the Qur’an: Regular Qur’an recitation is a vital act of worship during these days. Try to read at least one page daily.

Special Duas and Supplications:

During the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims are encouraged to make special du'as and seek mercy and forgiveness from Allah for themselves, their families, and society.

Here are a few appropriate supplications:

• “O Allah, have mercy on me and my family.”
• “O Allah, forgive me my sins.”
• “O Allah, guide my life to the straight path through the blessings of this sacred time.”

These days provide a unique opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the deeds prescribed in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

A Note on Relative Virtue:

When something is generally considered the best, it doesn’t mean it’s the best in every situation or for everyone. An act that is typically considered less virtuous might become more virtuous when performed at a specific, designated time. For example, jihad is generally a superior deed. However, during these ten days, even a less significant good deed may surpass the virtue of jihad if performed at its designated time.

Conclusion:

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are an extremely important and blessed time for Muslims. During this period, performing good deeds allows a servant to attain Allah’s forgiveness and draw closer to Him. Qurbani (sacrifice), fasting, dhikr, du'a, and tawbah are all special acts of worship unique to these days. It is our duty to make the most of this time to earn Allah’s pleasure and seek spiritual success.