The Days That Take You Closest to Allah

There is a window of time that comes once a year — ten days that the scholars of Islam have described as the greatest days of the entire calendar. The Prophet ﷺ left us no room for ambiguity about their status:

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days. The Companions asked: Not even jihad for the sake of Allah? He said: Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out with his life and his wealth and does not come back with anything.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه

These are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah — the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Allah ﷻ Himself swore by them in the Quran:

The majority of the mufassirun — Imam Ibn Kathir, Ibn Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujahid, and others — held that "the ten nights" refers precisely to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. When Allah swears by something in His creation, it is an indication of its tremendous importance.

Why Are These Days So Special?

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله offered a beautiful explanation in Zad al-Ma'ad: these ten days are distinguished because they bring together all the greatest acts of worship — Salah, Sawm (fasting), Sadaqah (charity), and Hajj — in a single season. No other days unite all four pillars of worship in this way.

The tenth day — Eid al-Adha — also marks the conclusion of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. For the pilgrims standing on the plain of Arafah on the ninth day, it is the spiritual apex of their lives. But for those of us not performing Hajj, these days carry their own immense opportunity.

The Crown of These Days: Yawm Arafah

The ninth day — the Day of Arafah — holds a rank above all others. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”

— Sahih Muslim, narrated by Abu Qatadah رضي الله عنه

This is for those who are not performing Hajj. The scholars explain that "expiation of sins" here refers to minor sins, and it is a tremendous act of mercy from Allah ﷻ that a single day of fasting can wipe the slate clean for two full years. No other fast in the year carries this reward.

What Should You Do in These Ten Days?

The scholars have identified several specific acts to prioritize:

1. Fast the First Nine Days (or as Many as Possible)

Imam Ahmad recorded that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. If you cannot fast all nine, then at the very minimum fast on the ninth — the Day of Arafah. Even one day carries extraordinary reward.

2. Increase in Dhikr — Especially Takbeer, Tahmeed and Tahleel

The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to increase in dhikr during these days. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه narrated that we should fill these days with tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed. Fill your tongue with the Takbeer al-Mutlaq:

The early Muslims would recite this aloud in the markets, in the streets, in the masajid — until the whole community was alive with the remembrance of Allah. This is a Sunnah that has been largely forgotten and is worth reviving.

3. Give in Charity

All righteous deeds are magnified in these days — and charity is among the most beloved. Even a small amount given sincerely carries extraordinary weight.

4. Recite the Quran

Allocate a portion of each day to sitting with the Book of Allah — even a few pages with reflection and contemplation.

5. Offer the Udhiyah (Qurbani)

The Udhiyah — the sacrificial animal slaughtered on Eid al-Adha and the days of Tashreeq — is a confirmed Sunnah. Whoever intends to offer a sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until after they have slaughtered.

A Reminder About Consistency

One of the most profound points from this talk is about the nature of consistency. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are most consistent, even if they are small." These ten days are a divine invitation — but the foundation underneath should be the daily habits of worship maintained all year long.

Use these ten days not just to do more, but to reset — to repair your relationship with the Quran, to revive a dhikr habit, to restore a prayer you've been delaying. Then carry that momentum into the months that follow.

Do Not Let This Season Pass

These days come and go faster than we realize. The shaytan works hardest to distract us precisely during the seasons of greatest reward. His goal is not major sins — it is simply to keep us busy, keep us scrolling, keep us from recognizing the value of the window Allah has opened before us.

May Allah ﷻ allow us to reach the ten days of Dhul Hijjah in a state of health and iman, grant us the tawfeeq to fill them with worship, accept from us our deeds, and draw us close to Him through His mercy. Ameen.