✨Virtue of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Be conscious of Allah Almighty and know that consciousness of Allah is the best provision for attaining the pleasure of Allah.

Al Baqarah (2) 197: And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is consciousness of Allāh. And be conscious of Me, O you of understanding.

We are living in an honored period and a blessed season. And soon the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah will arrive. And they are blessed days and the best time to gain goodness and righteous deeds. Allah Almighty singled them out with characteristics and distinguished them with virtues.

When a believer reflects on the virtues of these ten days, it reinvigorates his heart and soul towards the obedience of Allah, the Exalted and Most High, worshipping Him in the best fashion, and turning to Him in the best possible way.

From the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is that Allah Almighty selected them as the best days of the year as indicated in authentic hadeeths. Just as the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best nights of the year. And Allah creates what He wills and chooses. So He made the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah the best days.

And from the characteristics and virtues of these days is that Allah took an oath by them to honor them and elevate their importance. Allah Almighty said:
Al Fajr (89) 1-2: (1) By the dawn (2) And by ten nights

Ibn Abbas and other commentators of the Quran said that the ten nights mentioned in the verse are the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah.

And from the virtues of these days is that they are the best days for the righteous deeds. For there is no better time to draw closer to Allah through acts of worship like these honored virtuous days. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
There are no ten days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days (meaning the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah) They said: Not even striving in the cause of Allah? He said: Not even striving in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not return with anything. [Bukhari 969]

And from the virtues of these ten days, is that the principal acts of obedience come together on these days and they do not come together on any of the other days of the year. In these days are prayer, fasting, hajj, zakat and other great worships, acts of obedience and deeds for drawing closer to Allah. And these acts of worship do not occur at the same time except during this honorable and virtuous time.

And from their virtue, is that Allah Almighty made it a season for Hajj to His sacred house. And He made distinguished days within them. In these ten days is the Day of Tarwiya which is the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah. And it is the day when pilgrims go from Makkah to Mina proclaiming the call of hajj:
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.[Muslim 1184a]

And during these ten days is the Day of Arafat. And it is the best day on which the sun rises. And for those not performing Hajj there is great reward in fasting it as was narrated by Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after. [Sunan Ibn Majah 1730]

And in these ten days is the Day of Sacrifice. And it is the best day in the sight of Allah as the Prophet ﷺ said:
The best day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice. [Sahih Jami’ 1064]

These are some of the virtues of these great and virtuous days. So what will we put worth? Will our condition on these days be like the other days of the year? Have we realized the value of these days and their place and virtue? Or are they and the rest of the days of the year equal? Will our hearts be moved in these days to repenting, turning to Allah and eagerness to obey Him?

Traders of this worldly life do not let a profitable season pass by just like that. Rather they prepare for it in the best possible fashion by buying goods, displaying merchandise, spending time and exerting great efforts. And this is a profitable season for traders of the hereafter. So what will our state be within these ten days?

Indeed the weakness of a person’s iman (faith), and his accumulated sins deprive him of goodness. So we should receive these ten days with repentance to Allah. And make the most of these ten days by being diligent and striving in worship. And turning to Allah in the best fashion and making plenty of supplication.

And making much remembrance of Allah the Almighty. For these ten days are a great season for the remembrance of Allah, as Allah Almighty said:
Al Hajj (22) 28: And mention the name of Allāh on known [i.e., specific] days.

Ibn Abbas and others said that the known days are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

It is incumbent upon us to safeguard these virtuous times with much remembrance of Allah – the Exalted and Most High – and plentiful supplications and seeking forgiveness. And adherence to acts of obedience and worship, especially the obligations. For Allah Almighty said:
And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have mandated upon him. [Bukhari 6502]

For this reason, the Muslim should give particular attention on these ten days to going to the congregation early for the five daily prayers and offer them on time, with devotion and humility, with tranquility and remembrance of Allah, hoping for the mercy of his Lord and fearing His torment.

Oh Muslims:Be conscious of Allah Almighty. And be mindful of Him in public and private, and while seen and while unseen. Be mindful of Him like the one knowing that his Lord hears him and sees him.

Allah Almighty has made Eid the conclusion and ending of these ten days. It is a celebration for Muslims to rejoice with great joy for what Allah has facilitated for them in these ten days of acts of obedience, worships and deeds to draw nearer to Him.

For that reason, Muslims meet on the day of Eid, whether they performed Hajj or not, and congratulate one other with what the noble companions said:
May Allah accept from us and you. [Tamam Al Minna (Albani) page 354]

And this is a phrase that has impact, weight, and standing among those who competed in worship and acts of obedience.

And as for the one who comes on the day of Eid, lost and neglectful, overwhelmed by sins and misdeeds, then on what is he congratulating? And on what basis is it said to him: may Allah accept from us and you?

For that reason, we should take the day of Eid into account by preparing righteous deeds and acts of obedience. So that we rejoice on the day of Eid for having performed them seeking to draw closer to Allah in the best possible fashion.

The wise person is the one who controls himself, and works for what is after death. And the heedless person is the one who follows his desires and has wishful hopes of Allah.

We ask Allah Almighty through His Most Beautiful Names and His Lofty Attributes, to extend us assistance and success. And to help us capitalize and profit from these ten virtuous days. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.

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