The first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are considered among the greatest times. Allah has favored them and distinguished them from all other days with many virtues and special qualities, encouraging people to strive harder and seek increased reward and good deeds.
During these days, the core acts of worship come together—such as prayer, fasting, and Hajj—and this combination does not occur at any other time except in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Scholars have explained that the nights of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are better than the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, while the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan are better than the days of the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah.
What is the month of Dhul-Hijjah?
The month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the twelve months of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. It is well known as the month of Eid al-Adha and comes after the month of Dhul-Qa’dah. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered a very great period; it is one of the sacred months in Islam and holds a special and significant status among Muslims all over the world.
The Virtue of the Month of Dhul-Hijjah
It is important to recognize that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah hold great virtue and a high status in Islam. One of the greatest acts of worship performed during this month is Hajj, which is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.
Muslims from all over the world travel to the Sacred House of Allah in Mecca during the month of Dhul-Hijjah to perform Hajj—a duty that brings together people of all races, nationalities, and cultures.
What is the virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have a special significance in Islam. According to the Islamic calendar, the month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon and continues for ten days. These days are considered blessed, and Muslims are encouraged to make the most of them through acts of worship and obedience.
Among the recommended acts during these ten days is fasting on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafah, which precedes the day of Eid. Fasting on this day is considered one of the best fasts after Ramadan.
The virtue of fasting during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
According to the Prophetic traditions, fasting during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is among the righteous deeds whose rewards are multiplied. Muslims are encouraged to fast for nine days, from the beginning of the ten days up to the Day of Arafah, which is the day when pilgrims stand at Arafah.
Among the virtues of Dhul-Hijjah is that the Day of Arafah is an opportunity for repentance and seeking forgiveness. Fasting during this period is also a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Ruling on fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
Islamic scholars have recommended fasting during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, except for the day of Eid al-Adha, which is the Day of Sacrifice (the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah). It is prohibited for Muslims to fast on the day of Eid by scholarly consensus.
Although there is no definitive evidence specifically encouraging fasting all nine days, scholars rely on general evidence regarding the virtue of fasting and the encouragement of such acts by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Recommended acts of worship during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
A Muslim should take advantage of these blessed days by engaging in various acts of worship and good deeds, including:
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Performing Hajj and Umrah, which are among the best acts of worship in Dhul-Hijjah. It is authentically reported from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “From one Umrah to another is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.”
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Fasting, especially on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”
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Reciting Takbir, Tasbih, Tahlil, and engaging in remembrance of Allah, as these are days in which such acts are highly encouraged.
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Repentance, seeking forgiveness, and refraining from sins and disobedience.
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Drawing closer to Allah through prayer, supplication, enjoining good, and forbidding evil.
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Offering the sacrifice (Udhiya) in following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is reported from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet sacrificed two horned rams with his own hands, said “Allahu Akbar,” and placed his foot on their sides.
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Performing various good deeds such as giving charity, reading the Qur’an, honoring guests, maintaining family ties, guarding one’s tongue, being dutiful to parents and praying for them, observing voluntary prayers, bringing joy to others, and other righteous actions. Also, be keen to perform the Eid prayer.
What is the ruling on cutting hair during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on cutting hair during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah for those intending to offer a sacrifice, and their opinions are as follows:
- The Hanafi school holds that it is not disliked to remove hair from the body.The Maliki and Shafi‘i schools maintain that the Sunnah is to refrain from removing any hair from the body—whether from the head or elsewhere—and from trimming the nails, for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice, or who knows that someone else will offer a sacrifice on their behalf, from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah until the sacrifice is completed.
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- The Hanbali school states that it is obligatory to avoid removing any body hair, and this view of obligation has also been reported from Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, Rabi‘ah, and Ishaq.The basis for this ruling is the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), narrated by Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), who reported that he said: “When the ten days begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or skin.”
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- ConclusionAmong the blessings of Allah upon His servants is the virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged increasing in righteous deeds during these days due to their great status in the sight of Allah. The reasons for their distinction are many.
These days are among the sacred months, and they include the Day of Arafah. Making the most of them is achieved through sincere repentance, steadfastness upon the truth, and holding firmly to the rope of Allah.
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