There are moments in life when Allah (SWT) places you before a quiet door. No noise, no thunder. Just a door. You may walk past it, or you may step through it, and once you do, you will discover that your soul has changed for the better, forever. The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are that door.
These are not just blessed days, but they are the most beloved to Allah (SWT). In fact, not even the days of Ramadhan carry this specific praise from the Messenger of Allah (SAW) who has said in a hadith, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
These are days that Allah (SWT) has blessed to live and experience, because these are days for the heart of a Muslim where we are supposed to soften, return, strive, and shed the dust of sin and forgetfulness.
However, this doesn’t mean that you have to perform several different actions in order to grow nearer to Allah (SWT). No, rather, perform a few acts of righteousness with intention, and with love in your heart, keeping Allah (SWT)’s happiness and pleasure at the center of all that you will do.
In this blog article, let’s walk through these days together, and set the intention from this moment to step over the threshold of Allah (SWT)’s open door with love, intention, and hope.
- Prepare your heart
Whenever we start a new path on our spiritual journey, it is important to take steps that will purify and ready our heart for the actions and worship we will perform. In fact, the Prophet (SAW) has said in a hadith, “Actions are judged by niyyat (intention), so each man will have what he intended.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) The soul needs to be awakened before the journey even begins! Cleanse your heart of grudges. Forgive. Ask forgiveness. Empty your vessel of the world so that it may be filled with light. Here are some simple ways on how you can start preparing your heart for the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah:- Make a firm intention (niyyah) to make these 10 days the most spiritually fruitful of your life. The best way would be to write down your intention in a journal because you will be more likely to remain firm on your goals!
- Beg Allah (SWT) to give you sincerity and tawfiq (divine aid).
- Plan your days around worship which can include Quran recitation, fasting, dhikr, charity, and prayer.
- Disconnect from excess distractions and prepare to stand at the doors of His mercy.
- What to do during days 1-8 of Dhul Hijjah
Each of these days is like planting a seed. What you plant with love, you will harvest with tears of joy on the Day of Judgment, in shaa Allah! Here is a daily checklist you can use to make sure you are nurturing your heart and soul during these crucial days:- Perform Fajr with full presence. Don’t just show up on the musallah and offer your prayers quickly just so you can get over it and go back to sleep, use that time to really connect with your Lord through your soul. Be sure to also supplicate as much as you can at the time of Fajr for the fulfillment of your wishes.
- Fasting has been highly recommended for us Muslims to do by the Prophet (SAW), and this opportunity to receive blessings has been given to us by Allah (SWT) if we are not able to go to Hajj.
- Recite The Quran, even if it’s just a few verses! The Quran is not a book meant to only be read in Ramadhan, our entire lives should be surrounding it, and implementing its teachings within ourselves! If you are unsure which Quran product is the right one for you, check out The Clear Quran®’s large selection of Quranic products which include the eloquent and easy-to-understand thematic translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab!
- Engage in the dhikr of Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah, La ilaaha ilallah, SubhanAllah.
- Be sure to rise at night for Qiyam even if you offer just two rak’ah.
- Give charity, feed someone, or serve your family/community!
- What to do on the Day of Arafah
This day is the crown jewel, a day where the grounds of Mount Arafat are met with the tears of pilgrims and whose skies are heavy with angels descending. The Prophet (SAW) has said, “There is no day when Allah sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: ‘What do these want?’” (Sahih Muslim, 1348)For those who are unable to go for Hajj this year, consider doing the below deeds to get the best experience in Dhul Hijjah:- Fast, for it erases the sins of the previous and coming year.
- Spend the day in seclusion, dhikr, Quran, and dua.
- Repeat the words “Laa ilaaha ilallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shayi’in qadir.”
- Make dua for your parents, your children, your past sins, the Ummah, and those buried beneath the earth who await a prayer on their behalf.
Reflect deeply. Think of how many Arafah days you have missed, and how many you may never see again. Speak to your Lord like a beggar who knows that no other door will open to him.
- The Day of Eid ul Adha
This is the day of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who raised the knife but placed his trust in Allah (SWT). It is the day of submission, of rejoicing in obedience. The Prophet (SAW) has said, “A human does no action from the actions on the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah than spilling blood (of sacrificial animals). On the Day of Judgment, it will appear with its horns, and hair, and hooves, and indeed the blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 1493)On this day, all Muslims do the following:- Pray the Eid prayer and embrace the joy, but do not forget to remember Allah (SWT) in the midst of celebration.
- Offer the Udhiyah (sacrifice) with sincerity.
- Feed the poor, share with family, and express gratitude.
But also remember that, because it is Eid, it does not mean that we should forget our progress. On the day of Eid, there should be a renewal in our promise to Allah (SWT) that we will remain steadfast on the good habits we have worked on to make us better Muslims and believers.
Maybe you’ve been distant. Maybe you feel broken. Maybe you’re trying but still feel far from Allah (SWT). These 10 days aren’t for perfect people, they are the people who want to return to Allah (SWT).
The beauty of these days isn’t just in the reward. It’s in the mercy. It’s in knowing that Allah (SWT) wants to forgive you. He wants to draw you near. He wants you to experience what it means to walk this life with a heart connected to Him.
So begin.
Even if it’s just a small fast, a whispered dua, a quiet moment of dhikr between meetings or chores, just begin. These 10 days may pass quickly, but what Allah (SWT) can place in your heart during them can last a lifetime.
And remember, even if the world forgets your name, Allah (SWT) knows every step you take toward Him. So walk. Even if it’s slow. Even if it hurts. Walk towards him.
Your Lord is waiting.
