The ten days of Dhul Hijjah-a priceless gift

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are upon us once again — the greatest and most beloved days to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. These are not ordinary days. They are days filled with mercy, forgiveness, multiplied rewards, and endless opportunities for every believer to draw closer to their Lord.

For the sincere believer, these ten days are a priceless gift. A chance to increase the scale of good deeds on the Day of Judgment. A chance to elevate one’s rank in this life and the Hereafter. A chance to wipe away sins, soften the heart, and strengthen the connection with Allah. Most importantly, they are a chance to prove how much we truly desire Jannah.

Do not allow these blessed days to pass like any other days. Every hour is valuable. Every good deed counts. Every sincere intention matters. Shaytan will try to distract us with laziness, entertainment, excuses, and worldly matters — but this is the moment to push ourselves for the sake of Allah.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY. DON’T LET IT SLIP AWAY.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
The companions asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He replied, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not return with anything.” (Bukhari)

SubhanAllah — imagine deeds so beloved to Allah that they surpass nearly every other act of worship. This alone should motivate us to fill these days with obedience, remembrance, worship, and sincerity.

The Prophet ﷺ also said: “There are no days greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (La ilaha illallah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah).” (Ahmad)

These days are the days of dhikr. Let your tongue remain moist with the remembrance of Allah. Say:

• La ilaha illallah
• Allahu Akbar
• Alhamdulillah
• SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi
• SubhanAllahi al-Adheem
• Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh
• Send abundant salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ

One of the greatest secrets to maximizing reward in these days is intention. Renew your intentions constantly. Every act — whether prayer, charity, helping family, smiling at someone, or reading Quran — can become an act of worship when done sincerely for Allah.

Here are some of the most rewarding deeds we should strive to increase during these blessed days:

1. Sincere Tawbah (Repentance)

These days are a perfect opportunity to return to Allah with sincere hearts. No matter how many sins a person has committed, Allah’s mercy is greater.

The Prophet ﷺ taught us that Allah rejoices over the repentance of His servant more than a man who loses his camel in the desert and suddenly finds it again after losing all hope.

Open a new chapter with Allah. Cry to Him. Seek forgiveness. Leave behind sins that have been holding your heart captive. Perhaps this Dhul Hijjah may be the turning point of your life.

2. Fasting the First Nine Days

Fasting during these days is among the greatest acts of worship. The Day of Arafah especially carries immense rewards.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts a day for the sake of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Hellfire by seventy years.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)

Imagine seventy years away from the Fire for just one day of sincere fasting. Try your best to fast as many of the first nine days as possible, especially the 9th day — the Day of Arafah — about which the Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.

3. Increase in Salah and Voluntary Prayers

Do not limit yourself to only the obligatory prayers. These days are an opportunity to increase in nawafil and earn closeness to Allah.

Among the valuable voluntary prayers are:

• The 12 Sunnah Rak’ahs connected to the obligatory prayers
• Tahajjud and Qiyam ul-Layl
• Witr prayer
• Dhuha prayer
• Two rak’ahs after wudhu
• Four rak’ahs before Asr
• Four rak’ahs after Dhuhr
• Two rak’ahs before Maghrib

Every sujood raises your rank and erases sins.

4. Read and Reflect Upon the Quran

The Quran is guidance, mercy, healing, and light. Increase your daily recitation during these blessed days. Do not only read — reflect, understand, and act upon its message.

If one reads three juz daily, they can complete the Quran before the end of the ten days. Even listening attentively to the Quran brings tranquility and reward. Let the Quran revive your heart again.

5. Give Charity Daily

Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire. Give something every day — no matter how small.

Feed the hungry. Support an orphan. Help a struggling family. Sponsor a well. Buy someone food. Even a smile is charity. The most beloved deeds to Allah are often the consistent ones.

6. Honour Your Parents

Being kind and obedient to parents is among the greatest acts of worship. Imagine the reward of serving them during the most beloved days to Allah.

Speak gently to them. Spend time with them. Make dua for them. Assist them before they ask. If they have passed away, continue honouring them through dua and charity on their behalf.

7. Maintain Family Ties and Visit the Sick

Islam teaches us to remain connected to family even when relationships become difficult. These days are an opportunity to mend broken ties, forgive others, and reconnect hearts.

Visit the sick, comfort the grieving, and support those who are struggling. Every act of mercy shown to creation brings mercy from the Creator.

8. Make Plenty of Dua

Especially on the Day of Arafah, increase in dua with complete sincerity and certainty.

Ask Allah for:

• Forgiveness
• Guidance
• Jannah
• Protection from Hellfire
• Ease in hardships
• Righteous spouses and children
• Success in this life and the next
• Relief for the oppressed Muslims around the world

Never underestimate the power of a sincere dua made in blessed moments.

9. Offer the Udhiya (Sacrifice)

For those not performing Hajj, offering a sacrifice on Eid al-Adha is among the greatest acts during these days. The sacrifice symbolizes submission, sincerity, and devotion to Allah, following the example of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام.

Whoever intends to offer a sacrifice should avoid cutting their hair and nails from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is completed.

10. Be a Source of Guidance and Goodness

Invite others to goodness with wisdom, kindness, and beautiful manners. Share reminders. Encourage worship. Inspire people through your character.

You may guide someone toward a single good deed and continue receiving reward every time they practice it. Never underestimate the impact of one sincere reminder.

As these precious days pass quickly, remember that many people who were with us last Dhul Hijjah are no longer here today. We do not know if this will be our final opportunity.

So worship Allah with urgency, sincerity, humility, and hope. Fill these days with Quran, dhikr, fasting, charity, prayer, repentance, and kindness.

Race toward forgiveness before the doors close.

May Allah allow us to witness these blessed days with sincere hearts, fill them with righteous deeds, forgive our sins, accept our worship, ease the suffering of the Ummah, and grant us all the highest levels of Jannah.

Ameen.