By Musa Bukhari

How can we make use of the 10 blessed days of Dhul Hijjah?

By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights. (89:1-2)

The blessed month of Dhul Hijjah is here. This is the final month in the Islamic calendar and the month in which Muslims from around the globe would usually gather in Makkah for the Hajj pilgrimage. This year, Hajj is cancelled to halt the spread of coronavirus, but there are plenty of ways to reap blessings and improve our ibadah during these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah.

Then remember Me, I will remember you. (2:152)

12 tips for Dhul Hijjah

Here are a few ways you can get closer to Allah, and be remembered by Him during these blessed days

1) Intention

Before starting an act, make sure you make your intention the pleasure of Allah. This is a powerful way to centre our priorities and reflect upon our intent.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The intention of a Muslim is better than his action”. (Bukhari)

2) Fasting

One of the ways to reap the rewards of this month, is by fasting the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, which offer multiplied rewards.

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)

One of the most important days to fast is the Day of Arafah, which expiates the sins of the past year, and of the year to come.

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RA) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, “This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation.” (Muslim)

3) Sadaqah

Increase your charity during these blessed days. Remember when you give to help vulnerable people, Allah will give to you. Charity never decreases your wealth.

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)

This Dhul Hijjah, Human Appeal needs your help in helping to treat Syrian mothers and babies, supporting street children in Bangladesh, and protecting Yemenis from malnutrition, cholera and COVID-19. Explore all our sustainable projects, and reap the blessings of the beloved days of Dhul Hijjah.

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4) Qurbani

One of the greatest acts of worship in this month is to give Qurbani , also known as Udhiyah. It is a virtuous act that honours the example of the prophet Ibrahim (AS) in his obedience and submission to Allah.

Pay your Qurbani with confidence through Human Appeal this year from just £26 and give a vulnerable family the precious gift of nutritious meat. Often, it’s a family’s only chance in the year to eat meat.

Last year, your Qurbani donations supported over 240,000 people in 8 countries.

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 5) Family relationships

During this period we should try our best to cherish and repair our relationships; this will allow us to enjoy the pleasure of Allah through an act of worship that is crucial in our faith.

“The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him.” (Al-Bukhari)

6) Du’a

Make it your goal to make as much dua during these ten blessed days. Try to make dua after each of your five daily prayers. It is also very important to focus on dua on the day of Arafah.

“The best of du’a is du’a on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer” (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things). (Al-Tirmidhi)

7) Kindness

"Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language." (Al-Tirmidhi)

8) Guide others to virtue

“Whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practices that good action.” (Muslim)

Encourage others to do good in this month, it could as simple as sharing this article so that many others can benefit, inshallah.

9) Dhikr

Nourish yourself with the remembrance of Allah. When you have a few minutes, recite ‘Allahu Akbar,’ ‘Alhamdulillah’ and ‘SubhanAllah’ throughout the day and the blessings will pour in, inshallah.

10) Qur'an

Use your time wisely; set a portion of time aside to recite some Quran, and contemplate on the verses you have read. Make the most of these blessed days by building a stronger relationship with the Quran.

11) Takbeer, tahmeed, tahleel and tasbeeh

It was the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) to recite takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), and tasbeeh (SubhanAllah) during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

These are powerful dhikrs that we should aim to recite in abundance in our homes, or wherever we are, heeding where it is permissible to glorify Allah.

O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. (33:41)

12) Zakat

Many Muslims choose to make the annual payment on their wealth during the blessed first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a requirement for anyone of sound mind who has reached puberty and owns the nisab (minimum level of wealth).

All of our Dhul Hijjah projects are Zakat-applicable, and when you check the Gift Aid box at checkout, 100% of your donation goes straight to the project you’re supporting.

Give your Zakat today and make the most of these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah.

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May Allah give us the honour of glorifying Him and excelling in our worship during the ten blessed days, inshallah.