Allah, the Almighty, has favored certain centuries over others, certain months over others, and certain days and nights over others. He preferred the century in which the Prophet ﷺ lived over all other centuries, the month of Ramadan over all other months, Friday over the rest of the week, and the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah over all other days. He also preferred the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) over all other nights, the Chosen Prophet ﷺ over all of mankind, and Makkah al-Mukarramah over all other lands.
The Importance of Obedience in Dhul-Hijjah
Obedience in its various forms—prayer, fasting, Zakat, and Hajj—is highly sought after during these ten days due to their superiority. These days encompass the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is a recommended righteous deed during this period. Our Noble Prophet ﷺ used to occasionally refrain from certain acts of worship out of fear that they might become obligatory for the Ummah; hence, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) did not see him fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): “I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasting during the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah]” ([1]). Scholars explained that this Hadith might imply a dislike for fasting these days (the first nine days), but they clarified that it is interpreted otherwise. Fasting these nine days is not disliked; rather, it is highly recommended, especially the ninth day, which is the Day of Arafah, as authentic Hadiths have confirmed its merit ([2]).
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days.” They asked, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except for a man who goes out risking himself and his wealth and does not return with anything” ([3]).
Interpretations of the Prophet’s Fasting:
- He might have abstained due to an accidental illness, travel, or other reasons.
- She might not have personally seen him fasting, which does not necessarily mean he did not fast in reality. This is supported by the Hadith of Hunaydah ibn Khalid from his wife, from one of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ ([4]).
- He ﷺ might have refrained from fasting despite loving the deed, fearing it would be made obligatory for his Ummah ([5]).
Fasting one day for the sake of Allah keeps one’s face away from the Fire for seventy years. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: “Whoever fasts a day for the sake of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Fire by seventy autumns (years)” ([6]).
10 Manifestations of the Virtues of Dhul-Hijjah
1. Allah Swore by Them in the Quran
Allah swore by the nights of these days, saying: {By the dawn * And [by] ten nights} [Al-Fajr: 1-2]. Allah swearing by them is evidence of their greatness, as the Almighty only swears by what is great.
2. Righteous Deeds are Superior During These Days
The Prophet ﷺ clarified that righteous deeds during these ten days are better than at any other time. Al-Ayni mentioned that the secret behind this superiority is that worship during times of “heedlessness” is more virtuous, similar to praying in the depths of the night while people sleep.
Furthermore, these days are unique because they combine the core acts of worship: Prayer, Fasting, Charity, and Hajj, which does not occur at any other time. Ibn Hajar noted that even the Days of Tashreeq (following the ten days) derive honor from their proximity to the ten days and the completion of Hajj rites ([11]).
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: “Obligatory deeds in the ten days are better than those in other times, and their multiplication is greater. Likewise, voluntary deeds in them are better than voluntary deeds elsewhere” ([12]).
3. They Contain the “Appointed Days” (Al-Ayyam al-Ma’lumat)
Allah said: {That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals} [Al-Hajj: 28]. The majority of commentators agree that the “appointed days” are the ten days ([16]).
4. The Conclusion of the “Well-Known Months” of Hajj
These days mark the end of the months of Hajj mentioned in the verse: {Hajj is [during] well-known months} [Al-Baqarah: 197].
5. They Include the Best of Deeds: Hajj Mabrur
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ was asked, “Which deed is best?” He replied, “Faith in Allah and His Messenger.” He was asked, “Then what?” He said, “Jihad in the way of Allah.” He was asked, “Then what?” He replied, “An accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur)” ([18]). The Prophet ﷺ also said: “An accepted Hajj has no reward but Paradise” ([19]).
6. Remembrance (Takbeer and Tahleel)
Whoever proclaims the greatness of Allah (Takbeer) or His oneness (Tahleel) during these days is given glad tidings of Paradise. Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah used to go out to the market during the ten days reciting Takbeer, and the people would follow their lead.
7. Standing the Night in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer” ([26]). Sa’id ibn Jubayr used to say: “Do not extinguish your lamps during the nights of the ten days,” signifying his love for worship ([27]).
8. The Day of Arafah
The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of Arafah. Its virtues include:
- Expiation of Sins: Fasting it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year ([29]).
- Completion of the Religion: The verse {This day I have perfected for you your religion} was revealed on this day.
- Divine Boasting: Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts of the people of Arafah to His angels ([43]).
- The Best Supplication: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah” ([49]).
9. The Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The greatest of days in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice, then the Day of Qarr (the day after)” ([51]).
10. Eid Prayer and Sacrifice (Udhiyah)
It is Sunnah for one who intends to sacrifice not to cut their hair or nails once the month of Dhul-Hijjah begins ([54]). One should also supplicate for the acceptance of the sacrifice, saying: “In the name of Allah, O Allah, accept from [name] and the Ummah of Muhammad” ([55]).
By Alsayyid Ahmed Ahmed Sahloul
