Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
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How do the first ten days of the Month of Dhul Hijjah
differ from other days of the year?
Praise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made
some times better than others, some months and days
and nights better than others, when rewards are
multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves.
This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and
makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the
Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of
reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself
in readiness for the Day of Judgement.
This season of worship brings many benefits, such as
the opportunity to correct ones faults and make up
for any shortcomings or anything that one might have
missed. Every one of these special occasions involves
some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw
closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though
which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon
whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who
makes the most of these special months, days and hours
and draws nearer to his Lord during these times
through acts of worship; he will most likely be
touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the
joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of
Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataaif, p.8)
The Muslim must understand the value of his life,
increase his worship of Allaah and persist in doing
good deeds until the moment of death. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the
certainty." [al-Hijr 15:99] The mufassireen
(commentators) said: "The certainty means death."
Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten
days of Dhul-Hijjah, which Allaah has preferred over
all the other days of the year. Ibn Abbaas (may
Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous
deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days."
The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of
Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of
Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to
fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause,
and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
2/457).
Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his
father) also reported that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There is no
deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater
in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days
of Sacrifice." He was asked, "Not even jihaad for the
sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the
sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went
out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the
cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by
al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in
al-Irwaa, 3/398).
These texts and others indicate that these ten days
are better than all the other days of the year, with
no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadaan.
But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better,
because they include Laylat al-Qadr ("the Night of
Power"), which is better than a thousand months. Thus
the various reports may be reconciled. (See Tafseer
Ibn Katheer, 5/412).
You should know, my brother in Islaam, that the virtue
of these ten days is based on many things:
Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by
something is indicative of its importance and great
benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn
Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the
earlier and later generations said that this refers to
the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said:
"This is the correct opinion." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer,
8/413)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) testified that these are the best days of this
world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh
ahaadeeth.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds because
of the virtue of this season for people throughout the
world, and also because of the virtue of the place -
for the Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of
Allaah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh
("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and
Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") during this time. Abdullaah
ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his
father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days
greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous
deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so
during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel ("La
ilaaha ill-Allaah"), Takbeer and Tahmeed." (Reported
by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is
saheeh).
These ten days include Yawm Arafaah (the Day of
Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His Religion.
Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two
years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day
of Sacrifice), the greatest day of the entire year and
the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of
worship in a way unlike any other day.
These ten days include the days of sacrifice and of
Hajj.
Question: What must the Muslim avoid during these ten
days if he wants to offer a sacrifice?
The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a
sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and
removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of
the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "When you see the new moon of
Dhul-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a
sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and
nails until he has offered his sacrifice." According
to another report he said: "He should not remove
(literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin."
(reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146)
The Prophets instruction here makes one thing
obligatory and his prohibition makes another haraam,
according to the soundest opinion, because these
commands and prohibitions are unconditional and
unavoidable. However, if a person does any of these
things deliberately, he must seek Allaahs forgiveness
but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrifice in
expiation; his sacrifice will be acceptable. Whoever
needs to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is
harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound
in a site where there is hair, should do so, and there
is nothing wrong with that. The state of ihraam is so
important that it is permitted to cut ones hair if
leaving it will cause harm. There is nothing wrong
with men or women washing their heads during the first
ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only forbade
cutting the hair, not washing it.
The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who
wants to offer a sacrifice from cutting his hair etc.,
is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in some
aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may
draw closer to Allaah by offering the sacrifice. So he
leaves his hair and nails alone until the time when he
has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allaah
will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And
Allaah knows best.
If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first
ten days of Dhul-Hijjah because he was not planning
to offer a sacrifice, then he decides later, during
the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must
refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the
moment he makes this decision.
Some women may delegate their brothers or sons to make
the sacrifice on their behalf, then cut their hair
during these ten days. This is not correct, because
the ruling applies to the one who is offering the
sacrifice, whether or not he (or she) delegates
someone else to carry out the actual deed. The
prohibition does not apply to the person delegated,
only to the person who is making the sacrifice, as is
indicated in the hadeeth. The person who is
sacrificing on behalf of someone else, for whatever
reason, does not have to adhere to this prohibition.
This prohibition appears to apply only to the one who
is offering the sacrifice, not to his wife and
children, unless any of them is offering a sacrifice
in his or her own right, because the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to sacrifice
"on behalf of the family of Muhammad," but there are
no reports that say he forbade them to cut their hair
or nails at that time.
If a person was planning to offer a sacrifice, then he
decides to go and perform Hajj, he should not cut his
hair or nails if he wants to enter ihraam, because the
Sunnah is only to cut hair and nails when necessary.
But if he is performing Tamattu [whereby he performs
Umrah, comes out of ihraam and enters ihraam anew for
Hajj], he should trim his hair at the end of his
Umrah because this is part of the ritual.
The things that are described above as being
prohibited for the person who is planning to offer a
sacrifice are reported in the hadeeth quoted above;
the person is not forbidden to wear perfume, have
marital relations, wear sewn garments, etc.
Concerning the types of worship to be performed during
these ten days: one must understand that these days
are a great blessing from Allaah to His slave, which
is appreciated properly by the actively righteous. It
is the Muslims duty to appreciate this blessing and
make the most of the opportunity, by devoting these
ten days to paying more attention to striving hard in
worship. Among His blessings to His slaves, Allaah has
given us many ways in which to do good and worship
Him, so that the Muslim may be constantly active and
consistent in his worship of his Lord.
Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to
do during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are:
Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of
Dhul-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds
during this time, and fasting is one of the best of
deeds. Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, as is
stated in the hadeeth qudsi: "Allaah says: All the
deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for
fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will
reward him for it." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1805).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah.
Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some
of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the
ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, on the day of Aashooraa, on
three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays
and Thursdays of each month." (Reported by al-Nisaai,
4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as
saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462).
Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allaahu
akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La
ilaha ill-Allaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allaah")
during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and to say
it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and
every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah
and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship
and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may
He be exalted.
Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women
should recite them quietly.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"That they might witness things that are of benefit to
them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also
some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the
name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of
cattle that He has provided for them (for
sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]
The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed
days" are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, because
of the words of Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased
with him and his father): "The appointed days are
the first ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah)."
The Takbeer may include the words "Allaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar
wa Lillaahil-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is
Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most
Great and to Allaah be praise)," as well as other
phrases.
Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that
has been forgotten, especially during the early part
of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears
Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should
be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah
and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound
evidence that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah
be pleased with them) used to go out in the
marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah,
reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer
when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the
people to recite Takbeer is that each one should
recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no
basis in Shareeah for doing this.
Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that have been
virtually forgotten is a deed that will bring an
immense reward, as is indicated by the words of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
"Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is
forgotten after my death, he will have a reward
equivalent to that of the people who follow him,
without it detracting in the least from their reward."
(Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan
hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed).
Performing Hajj and Umrah. One of the best deeds that
one can do during these ten days is to perform Hajj to
the Sacred House of Allaah. The one whom Allaah helps
to go on Hajj to His House and to perform all the
rituals properly is included in the words of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
"An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than
Paradise."
Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds
are beloved by Allaah and will bring a great reward
from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should
occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping
Allaah, praying (salaat), reading Quran, remembering
Allaah, making supplication (duaa), giving charity,
honouring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship,
enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil,
and other good deeds and acts of worship.
Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a
person closer to Allaah during these ten days is
offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality
animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake
of Allaah.
Sincere repentance. One of the most important things
to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to
Allaah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and
sin. Repentance means coming back to Allaah and
foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He
dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it
up immediately and being determined never to return to
it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what
Allaah loves.
If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at
once, without delay, firstly because he does not know
when he will die, and secondly because one evil deed
leads to another.
Repentance at special times is very important because
in most cases peoples thoughts turn towards worship
at these times, and they are keen to do good, which
leads to them recognizing their sins and feeling
regret for the past. Repentance is obligatory at all
times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance
with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this
is a sign of success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): "But as for him who
repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he
will be among those who are successful." [al-Qasas
28:67]
The Muslim should make sure that he does not miss any
of these important occasion, because time is passing
quickly. Let him prepare himself by doing good deeds
which will bring him reward when he is most in need of
it, for no matter how much reward he earns, he will
find it is less than he needs; the time of departure
is at hand, the journey is frightening, delusions are
widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever
watchful, and to Him will we return and render
account. As the Quraan says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an
atom, shall see it,
And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an
atom, shall see it."
[al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]
There is much to be gained, so make the most of the
opportunity afforded by these invaluable and
irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works,
before death strikes, before one can regret ones
negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to
return to a place where no prayers will be answered,
before death intervenes between the hopeful one and
the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with
your deeds in the grave.
O you whose hard heart is as dark as the night, is it
not time that your heart was filled with light and
became soft? Expose yourself to the gentle breeze of
your Lords mercy during these ten days, for Allaah
will cause this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and
whoever is touched by it will be happy on the Day of
Judgement. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and
all his Family and Companions.
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