By Shaykh Abdul Qayum
22 May 2026

﷽ 

Respected brothers and sisters, we are now living in some of the greatest days of the year: the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. These are not ordinary days. These are days that Allah has given a special status, and days in which the Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to increase in worship.

Many of us know the virtue and importance of Ramadan; it is already established in our minds and in our communities. We prepare for it, we speak about it, and we try to take it seriously. But the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are not always given that same place in our hearts, even though the Prophet ﷺ declared them the best days of the world.

Allah swears by these days in the Qur’an:

Many scholars explained that these ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ also said that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.

This shows just how valuable the days ahead are. If we are aware of them and take notice, then this is a great success from Allah. But if we remain heedless and treat them like normal days, then we are the ones who lose out.

So these days require more from us. If possible, we should give more charity, increase in dhikr, recite more Qur’an, make du‘a, and do the good deeds we usually try to do in Ramadan. The reason these days are so special, as the scholars mention, is that many major acts of worship gather together in them: prayer, fasting, charity, dhikr, Hajj, and sacrifice.

A couple of days may already have passed, and we may now be in the middle of these blessed days. But the opportunity is still there. After Ramadan, this is one of the greatest time of worship given to us. We should not allow it to pass without taking benefit.

One of the main acts of worship in these days is the remembrance of Allah. Our tongues should be busy with takbir, saying Allahu Akbar, and remembering Allah often. There is the general takbir, which can be said at any time, without a specific limit. Then there is the specific takbir after the prayers during the days of Eid and the days of Tashriq. These are important acts of worship, and we should remind ourselves, our families, and our children so that we do not forget.

The Day of ‘Arafah is also from the greatest days. For those who are not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is a huge opportunity. The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting the Day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year. This is a great support from Allah. One day of fasting, and Allah may forgive two years of sins. We should ask Allah to give us the ability to fast it and accept it from us.

We should also make time on the Day of ‘Arafah for du‘a. Even though the main standing at ‘Arafah is for the pilgrims, the virtue of the day is also something we should take seriously. We should sit, make du‘a, ask Allah for forgiveness, ask Him for guidance, and ask Him for our families and the Ummah.

Another major act in these days is the sacrifice. Allah says:

Allah also says:

Sacrifice is an act of worship that has existed in all prophetic traditions. We sacrifice for Allah alone, with a sincere intention.

But we must be careful with our intention. Qurbani is not about showing off. It is not about who bought the biggest animal or who spent the most money. Allah says:

What reaches Allah is the sincerity and taqwa in the heart.

Allah also says:

So before we think about the animal, the cost, or the distribution, we should think about our intention. Is it purely for Allah? Are we doing it as worship? Are we following the Sunnah properly?

The Prophet ﷺ taught that the sacrifice should be done after the Eid prayer. Whoever sacrifices after the prayer has followed the Sunnah, and whoever slaughters before the prayer has only provided meat for his family. This reminds us that worship must be done sincerely and correctly.

So let us take these days seriously. Let us increase in dhikr, fasting, charity, Qur’an, du‘a, and sacrifice. Let us remind one another and not remain heedless. These days are a great opportunity from Allah, and we do not know if we will reach them again.

O Allah, help us to benefit from the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Help us to remember You, thank You, and worship You properly. Accept our fasting, our charity, our dhikr, our du‘a, and our sacrifice. Forgive our sins, increase us in taqwa, and make us from those who take these blessed days seriously.

Ameen.

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