Did you know there are days in the year when rewards are multiplied, supplications are answered, and the gates of repentance are flung wide open? Days so sacred that Allah, the Most High, swore by them in His eternal Book? These are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah — the best days on the face of the earth.
Allah's Divine Oath Over These Days
Allah honoured these days with the greatest distinction — an oath in the Qur'an itself. He says in Surah Al-Fajr:
"By the dawn. And by the ten nights."
(Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1–2)
The great companion 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), along with the majority of scholars of Qur'anic exegesis, affirmed: "The ten nights are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah." Allah does not swear by something except that it is of immense greatness and nobility.
He further mentions these days in the context of Hajj:
"…and mention the name of Allah on appointed days."
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:28)
Ibn 'Abbas explained that the "appointed days" are the ten days of Dhul Hijjah — the days in which the rites of Hajj reach their peak and pilgrims gather from every distant mountain pass.
The Prophet's ﷺ Testimony
The Qur'an's honouring of these days was not enough — the Prophet ﷺ came to reveal to us, in his own blessed words, why they are so special. Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days" — meaning the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. They said: "O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the path of Allah?" He said: "Not even jihad in the path of Allah — except for a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 969)
Reflect on the weight of this hadith. Jihad — striving in the path of Allah — is considered the pinnacle of Islamic practice. Yet righteous deeds performed in these ten days are more beloved to Allah than even that. The only exception is the one who sacrifices everything — his life and his wealth — and does not return. This is a virtue beyond description.
Why Are These the Greatest Days?
The great scholar Imam Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani wrote in Fath al-Bari: "What appears to be the reason for the distinction of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is that they bring together the greatest acts of worship — prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj — and this does not occur in any other period."
These ten days gather within them:
- Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam, performed in these very days
- Fasting — especially the fast of the Day of 'Arafah
- Prayer and remembrance — including the Eid prayer and the takbirat of these days
- Charity and sacrifice — the rite of Eid al-Adha
It is no wonder, then, that they are the most beloved days to Allah. They are an exceptional season of worship, drawing closer to the Divine.
The Best Deeds to Perform in These Ten Days
1. Fasting — Especially on the Day of 'Arafah
Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "There are four things the Prophet ﷺ never abandoned: fasting on 'Ashura, fasting the ten days, three days of every month, and two rak'ahs before Fajr." (Ahmad and al-Nasa'i)
The ninth day — the Day of 'Arafah — holds an especially exalted position. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Fasting the Day of 'Arafah — I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year after it."
(Sahih Muslim, 1162)
One day of fasting, and two full years of sins erased. Is there a more profitable transaction than this? This is also the day on which Allah completed His religion and perfected His favour upon us, as He declared:
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion."
(Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:3)
2. Abundant Remembrance, Takbir, and Praise
Allah commanded us to remember Him in these blessed days:
"And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:203)
'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) 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 increase in them your saying of tahlil (lā ilāha illallāh), takbir (Allahu Akbar), and tahmid (Alhamdulillah)."
(Musnad Ahmad, 5446 — authenticated by al-Albani)
The companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) would declare the takbir openly in the markets and streets, reviving this great practice. The words to say:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, lā ilāha illallāh, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillāhil hamd.
3. Sincere Repentance
These days are a tremendous opportunity for anyone who has fallen into sin to return to their Lord with a sincere and contrite heart. Allah says:
"And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed."
(Surah An-Nur, 24:31)
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah extends His hand by night so that those who sinned during the day may repent, and He extends His hand by day so that those who sinned during the night may repent." (Sahih Muslim, 2759) How much more so, then, in the most beloved days of the entire year?
4. Charity, Maintaining Ties of Kinship, and Good Deeds
The excellence of these days is not confined to ritual worship alone — every righteous act is multiplied. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Righteous deeds in them are more beloved to Allah." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 969)
Feed a neighbour. Call a relative. Give generously to those in need. Help someone who is struggling. Every single good deed in these days carries extraordinary weight in the sight of Allah.
5. The Sacrifice (Udhiyah) on Eid al-Adha
Among the greatest acts of worship in this blessed season is the udhiyah — the animal sacrifice — on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Eid. Allah says:
"So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]."
(Surah Al-Kawthar, 108:2)
'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The son of Adam does not perform any deed on the Day of Sacrifice more beloved to Allah than shedding blood. It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, its hair, and its hooves, and the blood reaches Allah's acceptance before it even falls upon the ground." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1493 — graded hasan)
The Day of 'Arafah — The Crown of All Days
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is the noblest of the ten and the greatest of the entire year. On this day, pilgrims stand on the plain of 'Arafah in a scene unlike any other — calling upon their Lord, weeping before Him — while Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts of them to His angels.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of 'Arafah. He draws near, then boasts of them to the angels, saying: 'What do these people want?'"
(Sahih Muslim, 1348)
The Day of 'Arafah is the day of Hajj itself — the Prophet ﷺ declared: "Hajj is 'Arafah." (Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi) Whoever is not performing Hajj can still share in its blessings by fasting — a single fast that wipes away the sins of two years.
A Practical Guide: How to Invest These Ten Days
| Day | Recommended Acts |
|---|---|
| Days 1–8 | Fasting · Takbir and dhikr · Reciting the Qur'an · Charity · Maintaining kinship · Abundant supplication |
| Day of 'Arafah (9) | Fasting (the most important day for non-pilgrims) · Supplication and humility · Repentance and seeking forgiveness · Intensive remembrance of Allah |
| Day of Eid (10) | Eid prayer · Animal sacrifice (udhiyah) · Takbirat of Eid · Bringing joy to family and the poor |
An Important Note: Refraining from Hair and Nails
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the ten days enter and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin."
(Sahih Muslim, 1977)
Whoever intends to offer an udhiyah should refrain from cutting their hair or trimming their nails from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until after the sacrifice is performed.
Do Not Let This Season Pass You By
This world is fleeting, life is short, and these days return only once a year. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "These days are days of striving and action. It is not befitting for a person of sound mind to let even a single moment pass in other than obedience and drawing closer to Allah."
These ten days are a divine gift. The Lord of all worlds opens for you in them a door of mercy and forgiveness unlike any other time of year. Make your intention now: fast as many of the ten days as you are able, increase your remembrance and praise, give generously in charity, seek forgiveness and repent sincerely, and be good to those around you. Above all, guard the fast of the Day of 'Arafah — for it expiates two years of sins.
Allah says at the conclusion of the verses on Hajj:
"…and do good, that you may be successful."
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:77)
We ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to allow us to reach these blessed days in good health, to help us fill them with the finest deeds, and to accept from us and from you our righteous acts. Ameen.