Dhul Hijjah — ذُو الْحِجَّة — is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar — the month of Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah ﷻ than these ten days.” The Companions asked: “Not even jihad in the path of Allah ﷻ?” He said: “Not even jihad — except for the man who goes out with his life and wealth and comes back with nothing.” (Bukhari 969, Abu Dawud 2438). The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the most valuable ten days in the Islamic year.
What to do in the first ten days
Increase all good deeds: prayer, fasting, dhikr, Quran, sadaqah, silat al-rahim, tawbah. The Prophet ﷺ was specifically asked what to do in these days and said to increase tahlil (la ilaha illAllah), takbir (Allahu Akbar), and tahmid (Alhamdulillah). (Ahmad, authenticated). Fast the first nine days where possible — particularly the 9th (Day of Arafah) which expiates two years of sins (Muslim 1162). For those able to sacrifice: the Prophet ﷺ instructed not cutting hair or nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after the qurbani — placing oneself in a state analogous to the ihram of the pilgrim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dhul Hijjah?
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar — the month of Hajj and the month containing the most valuable ten days of the year. The Prophet ﷺ said good deeds in the first ten days are more beloved to Allah ﷻ than any other time — even greater than jihad except for the one who sacrifices everything (Bukhari 969). The 9th (Day of Arafah) expiates two years of sins; the 10th is Eid al-Adha.
What are the best deeds in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?
The Prophet ﷺ instructed increasing tahlil, takbir, and tahmid (Ahmad). Fast the first nine days where possible, particularly the 9th (Day of Arafah). Give sadaqah. Make tawbah. Recite Quran. Maintain family ties. If intending qurbani, do not cut hair or nails from the 1st until after the sacrifice. The Prophet ﷺ said every day of these ten is the equivalent of spending that day in jihad in the path of Allah ﷻ.
No days more beloved to Allah ﷻ than these ten. More beloved than any other — even jihad. When Dhul Hijjah arrives, treat the first ten days as if nothing else matters as much. Because it does not.