What is the significance of Dhul Hijjah in Islam?

Dhul Hijjah is a significant time throughout the year and holds many virtues. It is a time when Muslims embark on the journey of Hajj (the major pilgrimage). During this period, Muslims also increased in good deeds to get closer to their Creator and, more specifically, during the first ten days, as they have been described as the best days of worship throughout the year. We also have the great festival of Eid ul-Adha to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion to Allah SWT and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS), which was then replaced with a ram by Allah. This command from Allah was a test of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness and commitment to obey Allah’s commands.

What are the important events that occurred during Dhul Hijjah? 

• The religion was completed in Dhul Hijjah. 
• Allah says “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Qur’an 5:3) This verse was revealed on the day of ‘Arafat.
• The major pilgrimage (Hajj) takes place during this period and due to this, the month is named after it (Dhul Hijjah – ‘Possessor of the Pilgrimage’)
• Eid ul-Adha takes place on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah

What are the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?

There are no days more beloved to Allah that He be worshipped in them than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Each day of fasting in it is equivalent to the fast of an entire year. And each night standing in prayer is equivalent to standing in prayer on the Night of Power. (Tirmidhi)

What is the significance of the Day of ‘Arafat? 

People are saved from the hellfire:

Look at My servants disheveled, dusted, and fatigued. They have come from every far-off corner of the earth. They have not witnessed My mercy, and they have not witnessed My punishment. And I do not see a day in which more people are saved from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafat. (Haythami)

Expiation of sins:

Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation (of sins) for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. (Ibn Majah)

What are the recommended acts of worship during Dhul Hijjah?

Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

There are no days greater and more beloved to Allah than these ten days of Dhul Hijjah, so increase in them your declaration of the oneness of Allah (tahleel), your exaltation of him (takbeer), and your praise of him (tahmeed). Musnad Ahmad.

Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafat

Fasting the Day of ‘Arafat expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one. Saheeh Muslim 

Repentance

Abu Darda reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Allah Almighty said: ‘O son of Adam, whenever you worship Me and place your hopes in Me, without associating any partners with Me, I will forgive whatever you have done. If you turn to Me with the likes of the heavens and the earth full of sins and shortcomings, I will turn to you with the same amount of forgiveness, and I do not mind.’ (Shu’ab al-Imān lil-Bayhaqī 1009)

Du‘a

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.” They said, ‘In that case we will ask for more.‘ The Prophet said, Allah has even more. (Musnad Aḥmad 11133)

What should those that cannot perform Hajj do?

If you have the financial capacity for Hajj but not the physical, you may request someone to do the Hajj on your behalf. This is known as ‘Hajj Badal’. As for those who have already been Hajj or do not have the financial/physical capability of going, then they should increase their ability to take good actions during this period.