BY HARUNA  RAZAQ

The importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar) is enormous in Islam as stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah says in Suratul Fajr: “By the dawn, by the ten nights”, (Q89:1-2).

According to Ibn Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid, Ibn Kathiir in his Tafsiir and others of the earlier and later generations this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Allah preferred these days over all the other days of the year, Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”

The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out for jihaad giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Bukhaari, 2/457). These days are regarded as the best days of this world, according to the Prophet (SAW) as quoted in sahiih ahaadiith.  These ten days occurred in the month of Dhul Hijjah, one of the four sacred months in Islam as mentioned in Qur’an 9 verses 36. These ten days include the great days in Islam: such as the days of Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafaah, Yaum an-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice) etc.

DO’S OF THE DAYS:  Among the good deeds that a Muslim is expected to do during these ten days are: Performing Hajj and Umrah in line with the commandment of Allah, Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and agreed by all Muslim. Fasting on some of these blessed days is established from the sunnah, more importantly, it is desirable to fast on the day of Arafah (with exception of Hujjaj). The prophet (s.a.w) said “fasting the day of Arafah expiates the sins of two years.”

The prophet (SAW) is reported to have said …say tahlil (lailaha illa llahu), takbir (Allahu akbar) and tahmid (Alhamdu li llah) a lot (on these days). And to say it loudly in the mosque, at homes, on the streets and everywhere permitted for the rememberdance of Allah.  Men should recite these phrases aloud while women should recite them quietly. Zikr at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that should not be forgotten.