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Significance of Dhul-Hijjah:

Dhul-Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four months designated as sacred in Islam, which means fighting is strictly prohibited in these months.

Narrated Abu Bakr (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) said. “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa’da, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Shaban.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari 3197)

“Dhul-Hijjah” literally means “The Month of the Hajj”. During this month Muslims from all around the world congregate at Makkah to perform the pilgrimage. The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the month and Eid al-Adha begins on the tenth day.

Virtues of The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah:

Allah Almighty, out of His boundless mercy, has made some days and nights and months better and sacred than the others, in which the reward for doing good deeds are multiplied many times. For example, fasting the month of Ramadan brings much more reward than fasting the other eleven months of the Islamic calendar; praying at the time of Tahajjud makes our dua much more likely to be answered; Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree) is better than a thousand months, as Allah says in the Quran; performing (an accepted) hajj entails all previous sins being forgiven. These blessed times bring us an opportunity to make up for any of our shortcomings and draw closer to Allah.

Among these special times and days of the year are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, in which righteous deeds done are more beloved to Allah than at any time of the year.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1727)

Things to Do On the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah:

1. Do dhikr all the time
   1. It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”), tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillah”), tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allaah”) and tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allaah”) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims are encouraged to fill the atmosphere saying these words aloud in mosques, homes and streets. But women should say quietly.
   2. Seek forgiveness from Allah.
   3. Send peace and blessings upon the Prophet(ﷺ).
2. Perform righteous deeds as much as you can:
   1. Offer salah with more zeal and zest.
   2. Recite Quran more frequently.
   3. Reach out to the needy and poor people in your community.
3. Fast the first nine days:
   1. Hunaydah ibn Khalid narrated from his wife on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashura’ and three days of every month, that is, the first Monday (of the month) and Thursday. (Sunan Abi Dawud 2437)

Fasting the Ninth of Dhul-Hijjah:

These first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah include the Day of Arafah (the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day will bring about a huge reward: expiation for the sins of two years, previous year and the coming year!

It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1730)

But it is forbidden to fast on the Day of Arafah for the people who are present at Arafah.

It was narrated that ‘Ikrimah said:

“I entered upon Abu Hurairah in his house and asked him about fasting the Day of Arafah at Arafat. Abu Hurairah said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting the Day of Arafah at Arafat.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah: Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1732)

Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the Hajj, while they are primarily concerned with their pilgrimage.

Conclusion:

These blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah are a great gift and opportunity for us from Allah, which we should take advantage of to the best of our abilities by devoting these ten days to striving hard in worship. Days and times like these should encourage us to be more eager in worshipping Him and gain a greater share of reward in preparation for the Day when no soul shall be helped by another.