The First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that no deeds on other days are better than good deeds in these ten days. His companions asked if this includes striving in the way of Allah. He said that it does, except for a person who went out putting his life and his wealth at risk and returned with nothing.

Many scholars of tafsir, including Ibn Abbas, also understand the "ten nights" in Quran 89:2 to mean these days. Quran 22:28 also speaks of remembering Allah on "known days", which many early scholars explained as these ten days. They include the day of Arafah, and they lead to the day of sacrifice.

Many scholars encourage fasting in the first nine days, because fasting is a good deed and these days have a special reward. Note that Aisha said that she never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast the ten days, so the recommendation comes from the general virtue of good deeds in these days and not from a regular practice that is reported of him. You can fast all nine, or only the days that are easy for you. Nobody should hurt their health to do it.

The day of Arafah, the 9th, is the most stressed. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that fasting it is hoped to expiate the sins of the year before and the year after. Scholars understand this to mean minor sins. This is for people who are not performing Hajj.

Do not fast on the day of Eid itself. Most scholars also say that the three days after it, the days of Tashriq, are not for voluntary fasting, because the Prophet ﷺ called them days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.

Increase your dhikr (remembrance of Allah) in these days. This includes saying Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest), La ilaha illa Allah, and Alhamdulillah. It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayra used to go out to the market in these days saying takbir aloud, and the people said it with them. Scholars differ on the exact period for takbir after the obligatory prayers, but most start it from the day of Arafah.

You can add other simple deeds:

• Pray your five prayers on time, and add voluntary prayers.
• Recite and reflect on the Quran.
• Give charity and help people in need.
• Keep ties with your relatives and make peace with others.
• Ask Allah for forgiveness and turn back to Him.

Eid al-Adha is on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. Muslims pray the Eid prayer, and then those who are able offer udhiyah, the sacrifice of an animal such as a sheep, goat, cow or camel. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the first thing we do on this day is to pray, and then to sacrifice. This remembers the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

Scholars differ on the ruling. The Hanafi school says that udhiyah is obligatory for a resident who has the nisab, while the Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools say that it is a strongly recommended Sunnah. The meat is eaten, shared with family and given to people in need.

Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that when the ten days begin, a person who intends to sacrifice should not take anything from his hair or his skin, which scholars understand to include the nails. Many scholars therefore advise staying away from this from the start of the month until the sacrifice is done.

Scholars differ on the ruling. The Hanbali school says that it is forbidden, the Shafi'i and Maliki schools say that it is recommended to avoid it, and the Hanafi school sees no restriction. If you need to cut something because of a real need, or if you forgot, ask a qualified local scholar.