By Haruna Razaq

The most virtuous days in Islam are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar). Evidences from Qur’an and Sunnah indicate that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, including the last ten days of Ramadan. However, the last ten nights of Ramadan are better, because they include Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power). (See Tafsiir Ibn Kathiir, 5/412).

The importance of these blessed days is based on the following: (1) Allah swears an oath by these blessed days, which underlines their importance and the great benefits they contain. Allah says in Suratul Fajr: “By the dawn, by the ten nights”, (Q 89:1-2). Ibn Abbas, Ibn az-Zubaer, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Kathiir concurred saying: “This is the correct opinion.” (Tafsiir Ibn Kathiir, 8/413)

(2) Righteous deeds on these ten days are more beloved to Allah than other days; as a result, the Prophet (SAW) encouraged people to do many righteous deeds in line with the followingHadiths: 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 to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Bukhari, 2/457) Also, ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahliil (La ilaaha ill-Allah),Takbiir and Tahmiid.” (Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is sahiih). (Also see: Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) in al-Irwaa’, 3/398).

(3) These ten days occurred in the month ofDhul Hijjah, one of the four sacred months in Islam mentioned in Suratul Taubah (Qur’an 9 verse 36). (4) These ten days include: the days of Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafaah, the greatest day of the entire year on which Allah perfected His Religion, 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: (1) Performing Hajj and Umrah in line with the commandment of Allah, Sunnahof Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and agreed by all Muslim. (2) 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).

(See: Muslim). (3) Zikr (remembrance) of Allah, a lot (on these days). And to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place that is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud. (3) Offering a high quality animal in sacrifice on the day of ‘id.  (4) Performing Salat ‘id (‘id ul dha). (5) To occupy oneself with doing a lot of good deeds in general.

DON’T’S OF THE DAYS: (1) It is forbidden for a person who wants to offer sacrifice to remove or cut his/her hair or nails from the first of these days till he/she offer his sacrifice on the day of ‘id. According to the Hadith (See: Muslim, 13/146) (2) Also forbidden is all forms of sins such as using ram meant for sacrifice to fight another ram, missing Salat ‘id, and other Salats under the guise of ‘id celebration. And all others act of sins.