Dhul Hijjah is the Holy month which holds the best ten days of the year, and when millions of Muslims from all over the world come together to perform Hajj.
The rites of Hajj reflect the actions of Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Muhammad (saw), who travelled through the planes of Arafat and made sacrifices in the name of Allah to prove their love for The Almighty.
The Prophet (saw), said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.” [Bukhari]
The importance of these 10 days cannot be understated, because every good deed that we do has increased rewards. This is a blessing from Allah (swt) and reflects the divine mercy and the many chances he gives us so that we can atone for bad deeds and enjoy the rewards of good deeds. This is one of the many beauties of our religion.
We’ve compiled a list of things you can do during these ten days to maximise the reward.
Increase your Dhikr and Takbeer
The Prophet (saw) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah (saw) or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so recite a great deal of Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed.” [Ahmad]
Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah - There is no God but Allah
Takbeer: Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest
Tahmeed: Alhamdulillah - All Praises be to Allah
Fast the Nine days
It is Sunnah to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, because fasting is one of the best deeds. The Prophet (saw) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashura (10th Muharram), three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” [Abu Dawood].
Read the Quran
Reading the Quran is one of the best acts of worship we can perform to draw closer to Allah and seek his pleasure.
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter’. (At-Tirmidhi)
Give to the poor
These 10 blessed days are most beloved to Allah (swt) and are an amazing time to give charity because the rewards of your Sadaqah or Zakat will be maximised and amplified. Your charity will also aid you on the Day of Judgement.
The Prophet (saw) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.” (Tirmidhi)
Fulfil Your Qurbani
We are all required to give a Qurbani on the day of Eid and we can increase the reward by giving the meat to the poor and needy in the Ummah who would otherwise be unable to afford to celebrate the days of Eid.
