Are you making the most of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?
The first ten days hold a special status in Islam, and are referred to as the “Al-Ayyam al-Ma’lumat” or “the Appointed Days” in the Holy Quran.
لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَـٰفِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْبَآئِسَ ٱلْفَقِيرَ ٢٨
“so they may obtain the benefits (in store) for them, and pronounce the Name of Allah on appointed days over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them. So eat from their meat and feed the desperately poor. (Surah al-Hajj, 22:28)
The status of these days is further cemented as Allah (swt) swears by them in Surah al-Fajr (89:1-2).
وَٱلْفَجْرِ ١
وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍۢ ٢
“By the dawn, and the ten nights” (Quran 89:1-2)
The Prophet (saww) is reported to have said that there are no days when Allah (swt) is as pleased with good deeds as He (swt) is during these ten days (Sayyid bin Tawus, Iqbal).
But what should Muslims do during these 10 days?
Here is a full list of what to do during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah!
1. Fasting
Fasting on the 1st of Dhul Hijjah is highly recommended.
Fasting on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, Arafah Day, is also highly recommended, provided that it does not affect one’s ability to perform the a’maal (acts of worship).
Fasting in Ramadhan: A Simple Guide to Ritual, Social, and Spiritual Dimensions by Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi mentions that fasting is recommended for the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah (the tenth day would be Eid Al-Adha, making it haram/unlawful to fast).
Important:
- Prioritise any compulsory fasts (qadha) first.
- You may fast with the intention of qadha and still gain blessings of these days.
2. Special Prayer Between Maghrib and Isha
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) is reported to have said,
“The reward for offering this two-raka’ah prayer is like that of those performing Hajj.”
(Iqbal al-A‘mal, Sayyid ibn Tawus)
In each raka’ah, recite:
- Surah al-Fatiha (1x)
- Surah al-Ikhlas (1x)
- Surah al-A‘raf (7:142)
The ayat is as follows:
وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلاَثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً وَقَالَ مُوسَى لأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And We appointed for Musa thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten more; thus he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights. And Musa said to his brother Harun: Take my place (Act for me) among the people. Do right, and do not follow the way of those who do mischief.” (Quran 7:142)
3. Special Recitations
Mafatihul Jinan has a few special recitations recommended for the first ten days:
- A dua that can be recited anytime after Fajr and before Maghrib.
- Five short duas revealed to Prophet Isa (as) by Angel Jibraeel as a gift from Allah (swt).
- A short tahlil (declaration of faith).
These are spiritually uplifting and easy to incorporate into your day. Read them here.
4. Increasing Worship and Good Deeds
During these 10 days, you can maximize your acts of worship by:
- Praying Salaatul Layl
- Reciting the Holy Quran
- Making frequent tawbah (repentance) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness)
- Self-reflection on how to improve ourselves
- Giving charity: money, time, or skills
It is also highly recommended to perform special devotions for the night and day of Arafat, and special devotions for the night and day of Eid al-Adha including the Eid prayer.
5. Qurbani
Performing Qurbani honours Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) willingness to sacrifice his son, and offers immense rewards:
- Forgiveness of sins
- Protection from misfortune
- Support for the needy
The Zahra Trust delivers your Qurbani to the most vulnerable.
Your donation:
- Combats food inequality
- Nourishes families
- Supports local economies
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a divine gift – ten opportunities to reset your soul, rekindle your connection with Allah (swt), and fill your scale with good deeds that carry weight on the Day of Judgment.
Whether it’s through fasting, prayer, charity, or reflection, every act counts.
Look to make an impact by:
- Supporting the needy to reduce their hardships
- Giving your Qurbani – deadline is June 4th!
