Ten Out of Ten: The First Ten Days of Dhul Ḥijjah
As the warmth of Ramaḍān fades and we get back to our routine, the 10 days of Dhul Ḥijjah can come as a surprise. Ramaḍān enters loudly, but these auspicious days steal upon us so silently that by the time many of us look up, they are almost gone. While Ramaḍān is collectively welcomed with anticipation and planning, these days are marked by the quiet exertion of a slave who patiently awaited its arrival.
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The Prophet ﷺ described these days in Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, without making any exception for the days of Ramaḍān and as such, scholars have concluded that they are even more magnanimous than even the month of Ramaḍān.
For that reason alone, we should search for these days with the same fervour with which we anticipate the crescent moon of Ramaḍān. Allah has honoured these days and sworn by their nights. The reward of good deeds during this time is unlike any other. No true servant of Allah should be comfortable letting these days pass by without some sort of acknowledgement.
Fortunately for us – just as this article hopefully serves as a reminder to you – Allah sends his reminders in many ways. Just as we plan for anything of importance, we should not enter these days without a clear idea of what we want to achieve. So, to help you reap the maximum benefit of these precious few days, here are ten actions you can do in the first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah:
- Increase Salāh:
In this time, you should take great care to pray every salāh on time.
Perform as many extra salāh as you can. It’s best to start before the ten days by adding one or two and build momentum as you go along. If you’re unable to do that then get in as many as you can within the ten days. Take a look at this prayer chart and select the ones you aim to complete every day. Then check them off as you go along to see your progress.
Here is a salāh chart and tracker to hopefully assist you in this endeavour.
If you’re not regular with your farḍ salāh then apps like Salah Diary and mySalah might be worth checking out.
There are many sunnah and nafl salāh that many of us have only heard of but never prayed. Salatul Ishraaq, Dhuha, Awabeen, Tasbeeh, etc were performed by the Prophet ﷺ but are not commonly practised upon by all Muslims. This is a good time to research and try your hand at a new sunnah.
Here is a link on how to perform them.
Don’t feel like attempting something new just yet? Why not try enhancing something you already do several times a day? For example, did you know that there is a special salāh for the one who performs wuḍū? “Whoever performs wuḍū’ diligently and performs two raka’āt with sincerity and devotion, Paradise becomes obligatory for him.” (Sunan Abū Dāwūd)
If you were thinking of giving them a try, there is no better time than these ten days to learn and practice upon uncommon sunnan of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Qiyamul Layl:
Abū Hurayraؓh related that Rasūlullāh ﷺ said, “On no days is the worship of Allāh desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul Qadr.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)
We exert ourselves searching for Laylatul Qadr during Ramaḍān, while Allah offers the very same reward, for comparatively less effort. Any ONE night we spend in worship will bring us 83 years of reward. Any one of us who has slept unintentionally during an odd night of Ramaḍān can keenly recall the feeling of regret and sorrow that comes with it. We should call upon the memory of that feeling and pour it into these upcoming nights. We should make every possible effort to seize this generous opportunity.
- Fasting:
We already know, from the previous ḥadīth, that fasting is an ‘ibadah that should not be left out.
Hafsaؓh reports that Rasūlullāh ﷺ used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul Ḥijjah. (Sunan Abu Dāwud)
Fasting outside of Ramaḍān can be challenging for some, especially when doing it alone. It’s best to try fasting with other members of the household or friends. If the fasting all or some of the nine days isn’t manageable, then at very least you should try your best not to miss out on the fast of ‘Arafah.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the fire than on the day of ‘Arafah.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) Just as Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night of the year, ‘Arafah is the most blessed day of the year. How fortunate that we can experience the reward of both in just these ten days! Additionally, the fasting of one day has the ability to wipe out two years worth of sins. The Prophet ﷺ said in another ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, “It (fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah) expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”
- Dhikr
The Prophet ﷺ made a special recommendation for dhikr on these days. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umaؓr related that Rasūlullāh ﷺ said, “No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhānallah, Lā ilāha illallāh, Alhamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar.” (Musnad Ahmad)
- Stay Away from Sins
On auspicious occasions, we usually think about what we can add to our routine, but overlook what we can remove from it. Staying away from that which Allah dislikes is a worship in itself. When we cleanse ourselves in this way, it leads to an added benefit. The heart becomes more open and accepting of supplemental acts of ibadah and it becomes easier for us to incorporate them into our routine. The first ten days and nights are undoubtedly a time when we should be extra vigilant over our eyes and ears and anything that may trigger actions prohibited by Allah.
- Istigfār
Just as Allah loves when we stay away from sins, He also loves when we turn to Him in repentance. This is why we should fill our time with abundant – but sincere – repentance. The Prophet ﷺ would say “Astugfirullāh” at least 100 times on a regular day. We all sin, but the best sinners are the ones who repent often.
- Preserve Ties of Kinship
An easy way to diminish the reward of these days would be to enter into them while harbouring ill will against others. We should try our best to forgive and make peace with everyone. Family members, above all, are those we tend to take for granted. Many of us, if we look deeply and honestly within ourselves, we may find that we are not fulfilling the rights of our family in some way or the other. We live in a time where family members are lost every single day, with little warning. Too late, we realise that most of the issues hampering family relationships amount to nothing in light of illness and death.
“The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly upholding the ties of kinship. The one who truly upholds those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship.” (Al-Bukhāri)
Extending peace towards others can be a long and difficult road to traverse, but the rewards of fixing a relationship before it’s too late are well worth it. Aside from increasing your provision and lifespan, it can save you a lifetime of regret. In this time, Allah is especially merciful and loving towards his struggling servants. There is truly no better moment to call upon the help of Allah in taking the first steps.
- Charity
Charity purifies wealth and prevents calamities. We should dedicate a portion of money to give to charity just for this occasion. Even better if we spread out that action over the 10 days. With the growing popularity of online banking, there are many different options available at our disposal. If you’re not one for online purchasing, feel free to ask a friend to help. They can share in the blessing as well.
- Qurān
Whether it’s memorizing surahs, studying the qāidah, or reading masnūn surahs, set aside some time in your schedule for the Qurān. It will be your intercessor on the Day of Judgement.
- Qurbānī
This year, many who usually perform uḍḥiyyah may find it difficult. However, as long as we are financially able, this sacrifice should be done. If someone cannot afford a local share, then international shares are a great and easy option, as they tend to be more affordable. By the mercy of Allah, this year, more than ever, many can benefit from the different options available to us.
In these trying times, uḍḥiyyah may feel like less of a blessing and more of a financial burden. “For every hair of the sacrificed animal, you receive a reward from Allah.” (At-Tirmidhī) We should choose to look at this as a blessing from Allah, rather than an obligation. Acts like these help us gain the favour and love of Allah to help us out of whatever situation we might be facing.
Bonus tip: Share the knowledge! As previously mentioned, it is easy to let these days slip by unnoticed. Just as you have benefitted from this reminder, you should spread that benefit to those around you by sharing this advice with them or reminding them in some way.
Allah has created us and He knows us better than we know ourselves. At a time when our Imān need boosting, this holy period comes as a favour and a mercy from Allah. Don’t let Allah’s gift go to waste. Challenge yourself to see if you can do even one of these special acts each day and at the end of the ten days have a look at what you were able to achieve.
So, what do you think? Can you get ten out of ten?
Article by: Alimah Noorie Khan
