8 Things to Do in Dhul Hijjah to Get the most of Allah’s best 10 Days
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best 10 days of the Islamic year. They give us the wonderful chance of redeeming ourselves in the eyes of Allah. The Prophet (saw) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Bukhari]
While many of us cannot make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.
it is great to know that these 10 days unlock divine opportunities to gain immense rewards and blessings. The key to this is by doing good deeds with the love of Allah, as well as in repentance and seeking forgiveness for our wrongdoings.
Here are 10 top things we can all do to get the most of these blessed days:
Fasting
On these 10 blessed days, we are given the chance to free ourselves from sins by repenting so that we are blessed with Allah (SWT)’s forgiveness.
The Prophet said: “Fasting the day of `Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one.” [Muslim]
It is Sunnah for the Muslims to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah which is the day of Arafat because fasting is one of the best deeds.
In a hadith, Qudsi, Allah says: “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.” [Bukhari, 1805]
Read the Quran
Muslims will earn great rewards for reciting the Quran. Reading just a single letter from the book of Allah (SWT) will receive a Hasanah (good deed). Read as much as you can in Dhul Hijjah, even if it is a few verses each day.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever reads a letter from the book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by 10. I am not saying that Alif, Laam, Meem is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter, and “meem” is a letter.” [Tirmidhi]
Increase your remembrance of Allah -Dhikr-
The Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah (SWT) or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so recite a great deal of Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed.” [Ahmad]
- Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah – There is no God but Allah (SWT)
- Takbeer: Allahu Akbar – Allah (SWT) is the Greatest
- Tahmeed: Alhamdulillah – All Praises be to Allah (SWT)
It is also recommended to recite Tasbeeh.
- Tasbeeh: Subhanallah – Glory be to Allah (SWT)
The Prophet (SAW) also said: “Whoever wishes that Allah (SWT) would respond to him during hardship and grief, then let him supplicate plentifully when at ease.” [Tirmidhi]
Pray Eid Salah
Eid Salah is one of the ways we show our Islamic identity as a community and is therefore a very important act of worship for all Muslims to partake in.
The Prophet (saw) always attended Eid prayer, as did his companions after he had passed away. He encouraged everyone to attend.
Pray Tahajjud
It’s been two months since the last ten nights of Ramadan, and many of us are missing the ‘spiritual high’ of seeking out Laylat al-Qadr through our nightly worship.
There are a number of extra prayers you can observe during the day to increase your worship and good deeds including Tahajjud since praying at night for the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah is equivalent to praying on Laylat al-Qadr.
The Prophet of Allah said:” There are no days more beloved to Allah that he be worshipped in them than the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, fasting every day of them is equivalent to fasting a year; and standing every night of them (in Salaah) is equivalent to standing on the Night of Qadr“.[Tirmidhi]
Give to Charity
Open-handed charity in these sacred times is very rewarding. Give in charity in these blessed days, as much as you can to as numerous diverse causes as possible, even if it is a small quantity.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” [Muslim]
You can also find some ways to give to charity without money as The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Every joint of a person must perform a charity each day that the sun rises: to judge justly between two people is a charity. To help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity. And the good word is charity. And every step that you take towards the prayer is a charity, and removing a harmful object from the road is a charity.” [Al-Bukhari]
Perform Qurbani -Zabihah-
Performing Qurbani in Dhul Hijjah is more than just a sacrifice for food, it will give you immense awards. It is also a gift for many poor people around the world, for whom meat is a rare luxury.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “For every hair of the Qurbani, you will receive a reward from Allah.” [Tirmidhi].
Perform Hajj
Hajj is the fifth Pillar of Islam and every able Muslim must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime.
It is the highest activity that can be completed throughout these 10 days is Hajj. If you can’t go this year, make the intent throughout these blessed ten days to visit next year.
