Dhul-Hijjah: The Best Ten Days of the Year

Every year, a ten-day window arrives that the Prophet ﷺ described as the most beloved days to Allah for righteous deeds. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that he said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The Companions asked: "Not even jihad in the path of Allah?" He replied: "Not even jihad in the path of Allah — except for a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither of them." (Bukhari)

Those ten days are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. They encompass the Day of Arafah — the pinnacle of the Hajj — and culminate with Eid al-Adha on the 10th. Crucially, their blessings are not reserved for pilgrims alone. Every Muslim anywhere in the world can, and should, fill these days with worship.

Why Allah Singled Out These Days

One of the clearest signs of the rank of these days is that Allah swears an oath by them in the Quran. Oaths in the Quran draw attention to something of immense importance. In Surah Al-Fajr, the very opening verses state:

"By the dawn, and by the ten nights." The vast majority of the early scholars of tafsir — including Ibn Abbas (RA), Ibn Kathir, and al-Tabari — held that "the ten nights" refers to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. When Allah swears by something in His Book, it is a signal of its tremendous weight and blessing.

For Every Muslim — Not Only Pilgrims

Pilgrims are physically in Makkah performing the Hajj rites during these days, but the hadith in Bukhari speaks of righteous deeds broadly. This means every act of worship — fasting, dhikr, charity, recitation of the Quran, repentance — carries amplified reward during these days for every believer, whether they are in Makkah or at home. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged his entire community to increase their worship, making this one of the most democratic gifts in the Islamic calendar: anyone can access it.

The Best Deeds to Prioritise in These Ten Days

• Fasting — especially the 9th (Day of Arafah). It is recommended to fast as many of the first nine days as possible.
• Dhikr — reciting the Takbir, Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), and Tasbih (Subhanallah) abundantly throughout each day.
• Reciting the Quran — each letter earns ten rewards, multiplied further in these blessed days.
• Giving sadaqah — even a small, consistent amount of charity given across all ten days.
• Sincere tawbah — turning back to Allah, renewing intentions, and seeking forgiveness for past shortcomings.
• Qurbani (the sacrifice) — for those who are able, slaughtering an animal on Eid al-Adha is a confirmed sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Day of Arafah: A Fast That Expiates Two Years

The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah is Yawm Arafah — the Day of Arafah. For pilgrims, it is the standing (wuquf) on the plain of Arafah, the single most important pillar of Hajj. For those at home, fasting on this day carries a promise unlike that of any other voluntary fast. Abu Qatadah (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, will be an expiation for the year before it and the year after it." (Muslim)

One day of fasting that expiates the minor sins of two entire years is an extraordinary mercy. Scholars clarify that major sins require specific and sincere repentance, but the expiation of minor sins through this fast alone makes it one of the most rewarding acts available to a non-pilgrim all year. Note that pilgrims performing Hajj do not fast on this day.

The Takbir: Fill These Days with Remembrance of Allah

The Prophet ﷺ and the Companions would raise their voices with the Takbir from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah through the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, and 13th). Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (RA) used to go to the markets on these days saying the Takbir aloud, and those around them would join. (Reported in Bukhari as the practice of the Companions) Let these words fill your home, your commute, and your day:

Eid al-Adha and the Qurbani

The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid al-Adha — the greater of the two Islamic celebrations. Fasting on this day is not permitted. Those who are financially able perform the Qurbani — the animal sacrifice commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (AS) to obey Allah — and the meat is shared among family, neighbours, and the poor. For a full account of the Hajj pilgrimage itself, see our Hajj step-by-step guide. For everything about the celebration and sacrifice, read our Eid al-Adha guide.