Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, hold a special place in the heart of Islam.
These ten days are greatly beloved by Allah (SWT) and have preference over all other days of the year, as they are ripe with blessings and endless rewards.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his ummah to make the most of these blessed ten days by engaging in righteous deeds.
It is one of the greatest favors of Allah (SWT) to grant His servants multiple opportunities to increase their rewards in this world and the Hereafter, which include the first ten days of DhulHijjah.
These blessed ten days have enormous virtues associated with them, some of which are as follows: 1.
Allah (SWT) swears by it in the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) takes an oath upon things in order to showcase their importance and significance.
In the Quran, Allah (SWT) has sworn upon these blessed ten days of Dhul-Hijjah in Surah Al-Fajr: “By the dawn and by the ten nights…” (Quran 89:1-2) This oath authenticates the excellence of these nights in the sight of Allah (SWT) and the great value He attaches to these days.
2.
Dhul-Hijjah is a month of sacredness and piety Allah (SWT) has deemed four months, out of the twelve months in the Islamic Calendar, to be sacred months.
These include Rajab and the three consecutive months of DhulQadah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram.
Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Quran: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.” (Quran 9:36) 3.
Best days to perform righteous deeds Righteous deeds that are carried out in these ten days are magnified in their blessings.
Allah (SWT) is greatly pleased with His servants who engage in Ibadah and righteous acts in this particular period of time and promises exalted rewards, mercy, and forgiveness.
Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Sahih Bukhari 2:457) 4.
A combination of the prime acts of worship A distinguishing factor of DhulHijjah, amongst the other Islamic months, is essentially the combination of the primary pillars of Islam- all in one month.
During the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the annual pilgrimage, Hajj, takes place where Muslims gather from across the globe to worship Allah (SWT).
Moreover, Muslims also engage in the other pillars of Islam including Salah (prayer), Sadaqah (charity) and Siyam (fasting) during the month.
Hence, it is an auspicious month where all these great deeds of worship come together with the sole purpose of pleasing Allah (SWT).
5.
Allah (SWT) perfected the religion of Islam on the day of Arafat It was on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, that Allah (SWT) sent down the last of the revelations, completing the religion of Islam.
It is also known as the day of Arafat, on which Allah (SWT) fulfilled His favor upon His people.
As stated in Surah Maidah: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:3) 6.
Expiation of sins According to the Prophetic tradition, fasting on the day of Arafat expiates sins for two years – the preceding year and the year to come.
It is a day of forgiveness and mercy.
Reported by Abu Qutaadah: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafa (9th of Dhu’I-Hijja), whereupon he said: ‘It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.’” (Sahih Muslim 6:2603) 7.
Fasting during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah equal to fasting for one year According to the ahadith, fasting on any one of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is equivalent to fasting for one whole year in the sight of Allah (SWT) and saying your Tahajjud prayers on any one of these ten nights is equivalent to performing those prayers on the blessed night of “Layla-tul Qadar” (which is better than a thousand months).
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power.
[i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” (Tirmidhi 758) And lastly, on the 10th of DhulHijjah, Muslims across the globe celebrate the auspicious event of Eid ul-Adha.
For those of us who are not able to perform Hajj, can still reap the immense rewards and blessings offered in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah by engaging in devoted supplication, worship, voluntary fasting, giving charity and doing dhikr.
As Muslims, we should not let this tremendous opportunity slip through our fingers and we should make the most of it.
the community and to the personal interest as well.
In case of a conflict between public and personal interests, a priority should be given to the public and greater interest.
This ruling is supported by another legal maxim that reads, “a smaller benefit can be sacrificed for a larger benefit”.
Therefore, if the Muslim community is in bad need of Muslims’ financial help in order to survive, to defend Muslims against aggression and occupation, or to launch necessary public social and educational welfare projects such Islamic schools or centers, then a Muslim is best advised to give them the hajj costs and not repeat the hajj.
Nowadays, Muslims are suffering in different parts of the world: in Pakistan due to the destructive floods, in Palestine due to the Israeli aggressive occupation, etc.
So, Muslims should help their fellow Muslims who are suffering even at the expense of not repeating hajj and Umrah.
In the Sunnah, we have evidence that supports the fact that helping Muslims preserve and protect their lives and religion, which is a form of jihad, takes precedence over hajj.
When the Prophet (peace of Allah be upon him) was asked which deed is best, he said, “Belief in Allah and His Messenger.” He was asked, “Then what?” He said, “Jihad for the sake of Allah.” He was asked, “Then what?” He said, “An accepted hajj.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Helping the needy and poor Muslims, particularly one’s relatives, could entail more rewards than repeating hajj or umrah.
In this regard, Ibn Taymiyah said, “Hajj in the prescribed manner is better than charity that is not obligatory.
But if a person has needy relatives, then giving charity to them is better.
The same applies if there are people who need his help.” It is not acceptable, moreover, for a Muslim to ignore obligations and duties for the sake of optional acts of worship.
Helping Muslims to preserve their Islamic identity and belief and protect their lives is an obligation.
Supporting dawah and social welfare projects—such as Islamic centers and schools, particularly in the West— that educate Muslims, and even nonMuslims, about Islam and its teachings, and raise children on the values of Islam is a duty on Muslims.
Therefore, a Muslim who gives priority to these duties will gain more reward than repeating hajj, which is an optional act of worship.
In addition, Muslims need to maintain the spirit of ethaar among themselves.
One should never hesitate to give priority to Muslims’ public interest and social welfare over his or her own personal benefit.
Almighty Allah praised the early Muslims of Madinah who welcomed and helped the Prophet (peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions who migrated from Makkah to Madinah.
They are called the Ansar (the helpers) because of their wonderful help and marvelous altruism for the Muhajirun (the emigrants of Makkah).
Allah says regarding them: “And those who before them, had homes (in Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot).
And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (Al-Hashr 59: 9) To conclude, Muslims are in need to consider the priorities of their time.
Shari`ah-based maxims and objectives give precedence to public interest, obligations, and warding of bigger harms over personal or lesser benefits and performing optional acts of worship.
So, Muslims are required to consider these legal rulings in all aspects of their lives.
Repeating hajj, therefore, should be assessed in the light of these maxims and priority should be given to what achieves greater benefits and wards off bigger harms.
Almighty Allah knows best