The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the entire year.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The companions asked: “Not even jihad in the way of Allah?”
He replied: “Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except a man who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with any of it.”
These ten days contain the Day of Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice and the main rituals of Hajj.
They combine every major form of worship: prayer, fasting, charity, sacrifice and pilgrimage.
Whether or not you are performing Hajj, these days are a golden opportunity to draw closer to Allah.
This guide explains their virtues, the deeds recommended in them and a practical day-by-day plan to make the most of them.
The Virtues of the First Ten Days
Allah swore by them
“By the dawn, and by ten nights” (Al-Fajr 89:1-2). Many scholars, including Ibn Abbas, explained that the ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Allah only swears by things of great importance.
The “appointed days”
“And mention the name of Allah on known days” (Al-Hajj 22:28). Ibn Abbas said these known days are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The completion of religion
The verse “This day I have perfected for you your religion” (Al-Ma’idah 5:3) was revealed on the Day of Arafah during the Farewell Hajj, within these ten days.
Better than the last ten nights of Ramadan?
Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the days of the first ten of Dhul Hijjah are better than the days of the last ten of Ramadan, while the nights of the last ten of Ramadan are better because they contain Laylat al-Qadr.
All the pillars of worship come together
Ibn Hajar noted that the reason these days are distinguished is that the main acts of worship, prayer, fasting, charity and Hajj, all come together in them, which does not happen at any other time.
Recommended Deeds in the First Ten Days
1. Takbir, tahlil and tahmid
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite much tahlil (La ilaha illallah), takbir (Allahu akbar) and tahmid (Alhamdulillah) during them.”
The common wording of the takbir is: “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.”
Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah would go out to the marketplace during these ten days saying takbir, and people would say takbir after them.
Reviving this Sunnah in homes, workplaces and streets, in a gentle voice, is highly rewarded. Women should say it quietly.
There are two types of takbir:
- General takbir (mutlaq): at any time from the start of Dhul Hijjah until the end of the days of Tashreeq.
- Specific takbir (muqayyad): after the obligatory prayers, from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until Asr on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
2. Fasting, especially on the Day of Arafah
Fasting the first nine days is recommended, as some of the Prophet’s wives reported that he used to fast the nine days of Dhul Hijjah.
Fasting is not permitted on the tenth day, the day of Eid.
The most emphasised fast is on the Day of Arafah, the ninth day, for those not performing Hajj.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”
3. Prayer
Be punctual with the five daily prayers, pray in congregation when possible, increase sunnah and voluntary prayers and stand in night prayer.
4. Quran recitation
Set a higher Quran goal for these days. Even completing the whole Quran over ten days is achievable for many, at three juz per day.
5. Charity
Give generously. Charity in these days carries the multiplied reward of the most beloved time to Allah.
6. Repentance
Begin the ten days with sincere tawbah, leaving sins and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
7. Qurbani (Udhiyah)
Sacrificing an animal on Eid al-Adha or the days of Tashreeq is a great Sunnah. Allah says: “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice” (Al-Kawthar 108:2).
8. Not cutting hair and nails
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the ten days begin and one of you intends to sacrifice, he should not take anything from his hair or skin.”
This applies to the person who is offering the sacrifice, from the start of Dhul Hijjah until the animal is sacrificed.
9. Hajj and Umrah
For those able, Hajj is the greatest deed of these days. The Prophet ﷺ said: “An accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.”
10. All other good deeds
Kindness to parents, maintaining family ties, helping neighbours, feeding people, visiting the sick and every other good deed is more beloved to Allah in these days.
Key Days Within the Ten
The 8th: Yawm at-Tarwiyah
The day pilgrims go to Mina and prepare for Arafah.
The 9th: The Day of Arafah
The greatest day of the year. Pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah in dua from after noon until sunset.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more of His servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.”
He also said: “The best dua is the dua on the Day of Arafah, and the best thing I and the prophets before me have said is: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.”
The 10th: Yawm an-Nahr, the Day of Sacrifice
Eid al-Adha. The Prophet ﷺ described it as the greatest day in the sight of Allah. Muslims pray the Eid prayer, offer sacrifices and celebrate with family.
The 11th to 13th: The Days of Tashreeq
The Prophet ﷺ described these as “days of eating, drinking and remembrance of Allah”.
Fasting on these days is not allowed, except for pilgrims who could not find a sacrificial animal.
A Day-by-Day Plan for Non-Pilgrims
Before the 1st
- Make sincere repentance.
- Arrange your Qurbani.
- Trim hair and nails if you will be sacrificing.
- Write your goals for fasting, Quran, charity and dhikr.
Days 1 to 7
- Fast as many days as you can.
- Say takbir throughout the day.
- Read a fixed portion of the Quran.
- Give daily charity, even a small amount.
- Pray two rak’ahs of night prayer.
- Visit or call relatives.
Day 8
- Prepare for Arafah: plan your fast, write a dua list and clear your schedule if possible.
Day 9: Arafah
- Fast.
- Spend as much of the day as possible in dua, especially from after Asr until Maghrib.
- Repeat the best dhikr.
- Begin the specific takbir after Fajr.
Day 10: Eid al-Adha
- Wear your best clothes, do not eat before the Eid prayer (a Sunnah for Eid al-Adha) and go to the prayer saying takbir.
- Offer the sacrifice after the prayer.
- Share the meat with family, friends and the poor.
Days 11 to 13
- Continue the takbir after prayers.
- Enjoy halal food and family time while remembering Allah.
Making the Ten Days Special for Children
- Create a takbir chart and reward children for saying it.
- Explain the story of Ibrahim and Ismail.
- Let older children fast part of the day.
- Involve them in giving charity and distributing Qurbani meat.
- Decorate the home for Eid.
The Story Behind the Sacrifice
The sacrifice of Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah.
When Ibrahim told his son of the dream, Ismail replied: “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast” (As-Saffat 37:102).
As Ibrahim was about to carry out the command, Allah replaced Ismail with a great ram.
This story teaches complete submission, trust and the willingness to sacrifice what we love for Allah’s sake.
Allah reminds us: “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you” (Al-Hajj 22:37).
Making Dua on the Day of Arafah at Home
For those not performing Hajj, the Day of Arafah can still be a powerful day of dua.
Prepare a written list in advance that includes forgiveness for yourself and your parents, guidance for your children, health, halal provision, help for those suffering around the world and a good ending.
On the day itself, fast, reduce unnecessary work and conversations and set aside the hours from Asr until Maghrib for dua and dhikr.
Sit in a quiet place facing the qiblah, raise your hands, begin by praising Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, and then pour out your needs.
Repeat the best dhikr of the day often. Many people find that this becomes the most spiritually powerful afternoon of their entire year.
Increasing Quran in the Ten Days
Because these are the most beloved days for good deeds, every letter of the Quran recited in them carries extra value. Set a specific Quran goal before the month begins.
If you normally read one page a day, aim for five or ten.
If you are able, aim to complete the entire Quran over the ten days, reading three juz daily spread across the five prayers.
Choose surahs related to Hajj and Ibrahim, such as Surah Al-Hajj, Surah Ibrahim and Surah As-Saffat, and reflect on their meanings.
Recite slowly with Tajweed rather than rushing, because quality matters as much as quantity.
The Rulings of Qurbani in Brief
The sacrifice is a confirmed Sunnah according to most scholars, and obligatory upon those who can afford it according to others.
The animal must be a sheep, goat, cow or camel of the required age and free from major defects.
One sheep or goat counts for one person or household, while a cow or camel can be shared by up to seven.
The sacrifice must be made after the Eid prayer, on the 10th, 11th, 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
It is recommended to divide the meat into thirds: one for the family, one for relatives and friends and one for the poor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah special?
They are the days in which good deeds are most beloved to Allah, and they combine all the major forms of worship.
Should I fast all nine days?
Fasting all nine days is recommended but not required. The most emphasised fast is the Day of Arafah.
Can I cut my hair if I am offering Qurbani?
The Sunnah is not to cut hair or nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until after your sacrifice.
What should I say in the takbir?
“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.”
Can women say takbir?
Yes, women should say takbir, but quietly.
Keeping the Momentum After the Ten Days
When the ten days and the days of Tashreeq end, many people return to their previous routines.
Try to keep at least one habit you built during these days, whether it is a daily page of Quran, a weekly fast or a few minutes of dhikr after Fajr.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small.
Carrying one good habit forward is a sign that the blessings of these days have taken root in your heart.
Final Thoughts
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a gift that comes only once a year.
Every prayer, fast, charity, verse and word of remembrance in these days is more beloved to Allah than at any other time.
Plan ahead, begin with repentance, fill your days with takbir, fast as much as you can, give generously and pour out your heart on the Day of Arafah.
Whether you stand at Arafah or in your home, Allah’s mercy in these days is open to all who seek it.
Fill these ten days with extra Quran recitation.