In the Islamic calendar, there are certain months that are singled out for their special virtue in the sight of Allah, subhana wa ta’ala. Within these months, specific days and nights that are highlighted as particularly powerful or significant. For example, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year, but the last 10 days of Ramadan are considered especially important.

The month of Dhul Hijjah is also considered a special month, and specifically, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Usually, Dhul Hijjah is the month in which Muslims perform Hajj, celebrate Eid al -Adha, and perform their Qurbani sacrifice.

How do we know that the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are important?

Allah swears by certain things in the Quran to demonstrate their importance. In Surah Al-Fajr, Allah swears: “By the Fajr, And the ten nights.” (89:1-2)

 Early scholars including Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) have said that these ten nights mentioned in the Quran refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The importance of these ten days is also mentioned in the Sunnah of the Messenger (PBUH):

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” (Bukhari)

This hadith demonstrates that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best of days in the sight of Allah. There are many good deeds that we can do during these ten days to seek Allah’s mercy, including offering additional prayers, giving in charity, fasting the day of Arafah, and performing dhikr and dua.

Here are some of the best duas and dhikr for you to perform during these 10 days:

Best 10 duas for the best 10 days

1. It was narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) 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)

This is not a dua, but it is the reminder to perform dhikr during these ten blessed days of Dhul Hijjah.

2. "Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar."

"Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire." (2:201)

This is a comprehensive dua that Muslims make during Tawaf, during the Tashahhud in prayer before the salam, and any other time. It is a beautiful dua that protects us both the dunya and the hereafter.

3. "Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in-nasina aw akh-ta'na. Rab-bana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'ala-lladhina min qablina, Rab-bana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih, wa-'fu 'anna wa 'ghfirlana warhamna anta Maulana fansurna 'alal-qawmil kafirin."

"Our Lord! do not punish us if we forget or make mistake; Our Lord! do not lay on us a burden as You did lay on those before us; Our Lord! do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us, You are our Protector, so help us against the unbelieving people." (2:286)

This dua is from the last ayah of Surah Al-Baqarah. Along with asking for Allah’s forgiveness, it asks Him for ease and protection. This is a very relevant dua for us to repeat as we try to protect ourselves from COVID-19.

4. "Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhuriyyatina qurrata A'yunin waj'alna lil-muttaqina imama."

"Our Lord! grant us in our spouses and children the joy of our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." (25:74)

This dua asks Allah for specific blessings in our personal life. It is relevant to those who are married as well as those who are looking for righteous spouses who will be their comfort and ease.

5. "Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka alati an'amta 'alayaa wa 'ala walidayya wa an a'mala salihan tardahu wa aslih li fi dhurriyyati, inni tubtu ilaika wa inni minal-muslimeen."

"O My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed on me and my parents, and that I should do good such as You are pleased with and do good to me in respect of my offspring; surely I turn to You, and truly I submit (to You) in Islam." (46:15)

Use this dua to acknowledge Allah’s blessings and to ask Him to increase your gratitude. When we find ourselves in tough situations, it can be hard to show gratitude. But Allah has told us in the Quran that if we are grateful, He will give us more.

6. "Rabbanaghfir lana wa li-ikhwanina aladhina sabaquna bil-imani wa la taj'al fi qulubina ghillan lil ladhina amanou Rabbana innaka Ra'ufur Rahim."

"Our Lord! forgive us and those of our brethren who had precedence over us in faith, and do not allow any spite to remain in our hearts towards those who believe, Our Lord! surely Thou art Kind, Merciful." (59:10)

It is very important in Islam to have husn al-dhan (a good opinion) about our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and to let go of grudges. Since Dhul Hijjah is a time of forgiveness, we should also take this time to clear our hearts of any grudges and resentment that we may be holding towards others. This dua is the perfect aid to doing that.

7. "Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da idh hadaitana wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah, innaka antal Wahhab.

"Our Lord! do not make our hearts deviate after You have guided us aright and grant us from Your mercy; surely You are the Giver." (3:8)

This is a beautiful dua which asks Allah for continued guidance upon the right path and for His mercy. We do this by invoking upon His beautiful name, Al-Wahhab, the One Who Loves to Give Gifts.

8. "Rabbana dhalamna anfusana, wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna la-nakunanna minal-khaasireen."

"Our Lord! we have been unjust to ourselves, and if You forgive us not, and have (not) mercy on us, we shall certainly be of the losers." (7:23)

This is the famous dua of Adam (AS) and Hawwa after they were removed from Heaven. Allah taught Adam to turn to Him in repentance. Allah forgave them their transgressions, as we learn in Surah Al Baqarah. This is a comprehensive and humbling dua that serves as a reminder of our dependence on Allah.

9. “Rabbana taqabbal minna, innaka antas-Sami’ul-‘Aleem.”

”Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”

This is the dua that Ibrahim (AS) made after he and Ismail (AS) finished building the Kabah. The season of Qurbani all began with Ibrahim’s story of sacrifice. Each Eid, we continue his legacy by sacrificing an animal, so this is a good dua to remember as we perform our acts of worship in Dhul Hijjah.

Don’t forget to give your Qurbani donation. Give from as little as £26, and Human Appeal will perform your sacrifice after Eid prayer, and distribute the meat on your behalf to the most vulnerable.

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10. “Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

Ibrahim (AS) was known for his absolute submission to Allah in every circumstance of his life. In this dua, Ibrahim asks Allah to ensure he and his descendants continue to be submissive to Allah. He asks Allah for forgiveness and to show him how to best worship Him. What a beautiful way to conclude an act of worship—with more worship!

May Allah allow us all to worship Him with the steadfastness and submission of Ibrahim (A) and may He allow us to remain connected to Him by continuing the legacy of submission, sacrifice, and devotion of this great prophet and other prophets. Ameen!