The First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The Most Beloved Days

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The companions asked: “Not even striving in the path of Allah?” He replied: “Not even striving in the path of Allah — except for the man who goes out with his soul and his wealth and returns with nothing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th month of the Islamic calendar) are among the most elevated moments of the year. They contain:

• The Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah) — the central pillar of Hajj and a day of enormous forgiveness even for non-pilgrims
• Eid ul-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) — the great Eid of sacrifice
• The Days of Tashreeq (11–13 Dhul Hijjah) — days of remembrance and gratitude
• Eid al-Ghadir (18 Dhul Hijjah) — the greatest Eid in the Bohra calendar, though after the ten days

Allah Himself swears by these days in the Quran:

وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ — “By the dawn! And by the ten nights!” (Al-Fajr 89:1-2)

The majority of scholars of tafsir hold that the “ten nights” of Surah al-Fajr refer to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah.

Why These Days Are So Blessed

The ten days gather within them all the great pillars of Islam:

• Shahada (testimony of faith) — renewed throughout
• Salat (prayer) — increased in these days
• Zakat (charity) — giving sadaqah is especially meritorious
• Sawm (fasting) — highly recommended on 1–9 Dhul Hijjah
• Hajj (pilgrimage) — taking place simultaneously in Makkah

No other period of the year combines all five pillars in this way. The Prophet (SAW) thus described righteous deeds in these days as more beloved to Allah than any other time.

What to Do: A Guide for Non-Pilgrims

1. Fasting — especially the Day of Arafah

The Prophet (SAW) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah (1–9). He said regarding the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah):

“Fasting on the Day of Arafah — I hope that Allah will expiate by it the sins of the year before it and the year after it.” (Sahih Muslim)

Fasting on the Day of Arafah is among the greatest single acts of worship available to someone who is not on Hajj.

Minimum: Fast on the 9th (Day of Arafah) if you cannot fast all nine days.

2. Abundant Dhikr

The Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days greater and more beloved to Allah for righteous deeds than these ten days. So recite abundantly during them: tahlil, takbir, and tahmid.” (Ahmad)

The Takbirat al-Tashreeq

From the Fajr of the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah) through the Asr of the 13th, Bohras recite after every obligatory prayer:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar walillāhil-ḥamd

“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.”

This recitation fills the community with joy and declaration of Allah’s greatness throughout Eid week.

3. Sadaqah — Generous Charity

Ibn Abbas (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) strongly encouraged charity in these days. Giving sadaqah in Dhul Hijjah — especially on the Day of Arafah and Eid — multiplies in reward.

Consider:

• Sponsoring a qurbani (sacrifice) for those who cannot afford one
• Feeding iftar to those fasting
• A donation to a dawat institution or masjid project
• Fulfilling any Fidya or Kaffarah obligations

4. Qurbani — The Sacrifice

The qurbani (sacrifice of an animal on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of Dhul Hijjah) is wajib (obligatory, per Hanafi and one opinion in Shafi’i) or sunnah muakkadah (confirmed sunnah) for those who possess the nisab.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever has the means and does not perform qurbani — let him not approach our place of prayer.” (Ibn Majah)

Bohra practice: The qurbani is typically arranged through the Amil Saheb’s coordination — families inform him and participate through the community system. The meat is distributed as per Shari’ah: one third to the family, one third as gifts, one third to the poor.

5. Tawbah — Sincere Repentance

The Quran says:

“And seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Loving.” (Hud 11:90)

These blessed days are an opportunity to turn sincerely toward Allah. The Prophet (SAW) said Allah boasts to His angels about those making ‘ibada in Dhul Hijjah: “Look at My servants — they have come to Me dishevelled and dusty…”

Day by Day

A Special Dua for Dhul Hijjah

A comprehensive dua for these days, combining the essence of what is sought:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِن سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّار

Allāhumma innī as’aluka riḍāka wal-janna wa aʿūdhu bika min sakhaṭika wannār

“O Allah, I ask You for Your pleasure and for Jannah, and I seek refuge in You from Your anger and from the Fire.”

اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا صِيَامَنَا وَقِيَامَنَا وَدُعَاءَنَا وَعِبَادَتَنَا

“O Allah, accept from us our fasting, our prayers, our supplications, and our worship.”

For Pilgrims

If you are performing Hajj this year, these ten days are your entire world. You are living the greatest act of ‘ibada possible. The Prophet (SAW) said about the pilgrim:

“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back sinless as a newborn baby.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

May Allah accept the Hajj of all pilgrims, and may He extend the blessing of these ten days to every mumin in the dawat — those who are on Hajj and those who worship from their homes. آمين يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِين