The importance of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijah

We are about to enter Dhul-Hijjah the 12^th month of the Islamic calendar.  This sacred month, sandwiched between two other sacred months of Dhul-Qa`dah and Muharram, gains its name from the fact that it is the month in which Muslims perform pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam.

We will talk in our next blog about the hajj itself, but here I am going to highlight the importance of the first ten days of this month.

In a very famous hadith about the significance of this month, our prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘There are no other days in which good deeds are so beloved to Allah the Almighty than these days which are the first ten days of Dhul-hijjah', The companions asked: 'Not even the jihad in the path of Allah?' He replied saying: 'Not even that except for a man who left with his soul and wealth and did not return with either of them’.

The whole cycle of each day is important, just not the day or night on their own but the whole period of these ten days carry significance in the sight of Allah. Their degree of significance is indicated in the Quranic verse in which Allah swears about the importance of these ten days: ‘I swear by the Fajr and by the ten nights’. These ten nights are interpreted by scholars as being the first ten days of of Dhul-Hijjah.

Included in these ten days are seven which precede those in which hajj is performed. On the eighth day pilgrims leave for Mina, outside Makkah, in preparation for the performance of hajj on the ninth day. The tenth day is the day of Eid, in which Muslims, if able, celebrate the tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim by offering a sacrifice to Allah. For the pilgrims it is also the day in which they will come out of their hajj ihram by accomplishing most of hajj obligations.

The background to these ten days makes it clear why they are so significant in the Sight of Allah and why Allah loves dedications to good deeds in this period more than on other days. They are the build-up to the days in which one of the most important pillars of Islam will be accomplished.

Unlike other Islamic obligations, hajj is the one in which all other Islamic obligations  come together, and demand the most from us in terms of hardship, financial sacrifice, fasting, attending to the call, surrendering to the Will of Allah and falling into the Path of Tawheed (oneness of Allah).

Hajj is the melting pot of all Islamic obligations and the Islamic spirit of dedication to Allah and these ten days epitomise the importance of these Islamic dedications.

While it may be obvious what a pilgrim would do, or should do, once he or she is there in Makkah, what about those believers who is not on pilgrimage? How should they dedicate themselves to ‘good deeds’?

Let us refer to some of the Prophet's hadith , peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, in respect of what a Muslim should do in these days. In a hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah by Tirmidhi and ibn Majah, the Prophet says: ‘No days are more beloved to Allah to be worshipped in than these ten days. One day of fasting in them is the equal of fasting for a whole year and the dedication of one night in ibadah equals the Night of Power (lailatul Qadr).

The message on fasting during this time is made very clear and those who are able to fast, even for one day, should do so. We should also try to spend part of the nights in remembrance of Allah, performing extra prayers, dua and reciting the Quran, and commit to    as many good and charitable acts as we can. 

In another hadith, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘There are no greater days in the Sight of Allah or more beloved to Him from the perspective of good deeds than these ten days. So intensify in them the (recitation) of the glory of Allah, his praise and gratitude, His oneness and greatness'.

This is extremely important guidance as they all carry very particular rewards for their completion. One needs to learn how to engage with these very important ways of remembering Allah.

Additionally, the day of Arafah is one of the most important days, about which the Prophet says: ‘When it comes the day of Arafah , everyone,  in whose heart is left an atom's weight of Imaan, is forgiven. The Prophet was asked: ‘Is it only for those who were at Arafah, or is it for all people?' He replied saying: ‘It was for all people’.

The prophet further said: ‘The best dua is one made on the day of Arafah and the best that I said on the day and other prophets before me is this: ‘There is no God worthy of worship than Allah alone. He has no partner with Him. To Him belongs dominion of everything.  To Him belongs all praises and He is powerful over all things’.

So, for a believer, Dhul-Hijjah presents a golden opportunity to dedicate one's self, to gain from one's good deeds, from the infinite mercy of Allah and from the acceptance of dua by the Lord Who is the creator and Sustainer of every and all things.

May Allah grant us all that is beautiful in this world and in the Hereafter and make us true believers.