Maximizing The First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah

On the authority of Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā, as reported by Imām al-Bukhāri, Abū Dāwūd and others, Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, says:

مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days.”

According to ibn ‘Abbās raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā, “these days” refers to the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. The same 10 days are the 10 days by which Allah swears in the Qur’an:

وَٱلْفَجْرِ *  وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ

“By the dawn. And by the ten nights” (Sūrah al-Fajr, 89:1-2).

It’s observed that many people only focus on fasting on these days. Although it’s good–in fact, it’s encouraged–to fast on these days, fasting is not the only righteous deed the Muslim can or should observe in these blessed days.

The acts of good deeds in the “Dictionary of Deeds” in Islam are countless.  If we limit or narrow them to one good deed, we are depriving ourselves of plentiful blessings and bounties from Allah.

Therefore, one shouldn’t be disheartened if he’s unable to fast on these days, for whatever the reason may be. However, one should sincerely intend and work towards fasting on the day of ‘Arafah, if one is not performing ḥajj.

Among other good deeds of significant emphasis is to make a lot of takbīr (saying Allāhu Akbar) throughout the 10 days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah. One should also make a lot of du’a, especially on the day of ‘Arafah.

May we be among those who are successful in attaining the ultimate acceptance of Allah in these blessed days and nights. Āmīn.

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Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂