The Blessed First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijja
Dhul-Hijja is just a week away! What do you hope to accomplish during these blessed days? Take a few minutes to think it over and write down your goals.
During the first 10 days of Dhul-Ḥijja, Allah pours His mercy upon his creation. For the Muslims who are not performing Hajj, it takes more effort to take advantage of the many blessings Allah has promised and to honor these days in which deeds are multiplied numerous times.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهِنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ الْعَشَرَةِ» قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ
Ibn’ Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are no days in which a good deed is more pleasing to God than these ten days.” When asked whether even jihad in God’s path was as pleasing, he replied, “Not even jihad in God’s path, except when a man goes out in person with his property and loses both life and property.” ~ Bukhari
Let’s garner the spirit of these blessed days and maintain the momentum to perform as many good deeds as we can.
- Fast – Fast on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijah, the Day of ‘Arafah, but it’s also sunnah to fast all of the first 8 as well.
- Give in Charity – All deeds are worth more during the sacred hours of Dhul-Hijah, and few of them more so than giving in charity.
- Make more Dhikr – The Prophet (PBUH) said, “During the 10 days of Dhul-Hijah, recite a great deal of tahlil, takbir, and tahmid.”
- Pray – Here’s an opportunity to focus and perfect your daily prayers, and, if you can, add extra sunnah prayers or qiyam into your day and night.
Strengthen your souls during these blessed days.