What is Dhul Hijjah?

The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest periods of the Islamic year, SubhanAllah. A month of increased spirituality, we witness two very special events (Hajj and Eid ul Adha) – all in devotion to Allah (SWT).

Many people don’t know that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year, the 10 best days with no exception. They are even better than the days of Ramadan, SubhanAllah!

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days

Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari

After the holy month of Ramadan, you may feel you could have done more throughout the sacred month and miss the Ramadan feeling.

Well, these beloved ten days of Dhul Hijjah offers another chance to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven and reach great levels of piety, Insha’Allah.

A month of increased spirituality, we witness two very special events – all in devotion to Allah (SWT).

Not only is this the month of Hajj, but also the blessed day of Eid al-Adha.

On this day, each and every one of us, who is able to, must offer a Qurbani – just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did – in devotion to Allah (SWT) and to help vulnerable communities in need across the globe.

When are the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah 2024 begin on 7th June 2024. The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) will be on 15th June 2024 and 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid al Adha) will be on 16th June 2024. 

Benefits of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are often referred to as the best ten days of the year, and a second chance after Ramadan. For those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year, this is still a great time of blessing and immense reward.

Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Hajj during these days. While many of us are unable to make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.

By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights.

Qur'an | 89:2

According to many scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds than usual. These can include anything such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship by being mindful of our prayers and ensuring we pay our Zakat on time.

For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make Du’a that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so soon. Fasting and remembrance are particularly recommended.

The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.

Hadith | Abu Dawood, 2/462

The ten days of Dhul-Hijjah include Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion

Remembrance

Our Prophet  said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer  and tahmeed during them.” (Ahmad)

• Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)
• Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)
• Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God)

While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd.

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise.

The companions would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer out loud and people would also recite after hearing them.

Let us follow their footsteps and encourage others to recite the takbeer as well, as an act of worship and a proclamation of the greatness of Allah.

Fasting in Dhul Hijjah

Muslims are taught to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. As an important sunnah, Dhul Hijjah fasting  brings great rewards and forgiveness of sins. 

Fasting Dhul Hijjah is extremely beneficial to Muslims because of the blessings Allah bestows during this time. As fasting is one of the most virtuous acts of rewards, fasting Dhul Hijjah is highly recommended. 

In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: 

All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.

Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari

If Muslims are unable to fast the whole 9 days of Dhul Hijjah, they should try their best to fast on the 9th day- Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. 

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

Fasting the day of `Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one.

Hadith | Muslim