If someone told you there were 10 days in the year where every good deed you do is multiplied more than any other time including even Ramadan you’d pause, wouldn’t you?
Well, welcome to Dhul-Hijjah a sacred month, and more importantly, its first 10 days that are often overlooked but deeply cherished by Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) didn’t leave us guessing about the value of these days. He said:
مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهِنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari 969)
Just let that sink in. Not even the last ten nights of Ramadan yes, including Laylatul Qadr were described quite like this. This alone should make us pause and rethink how we approach these ten days.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have been a time of divine significance. It’s when the rites of Hajj take place, when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) showed unmatched devotion, and when Allah swore by these days in the Qur’an:
وَٱلْفَجْرِ (١) وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ (٢)
“By the dawn, and by ten nights.” (Surah Al-Fajr 89:1-2)
Many scholars, including Ibn Kathir, say these ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. And when Allah swears by something in the Qur’an, it means it’s immensely important.
Let’s be honest. For many of us, Dhul-Hijjah comes and goes like any other time. We’re caught up in work, school, family, and our phones. We wait eagerly for Ramadan and let Dhul-Hijjah pass by quietly, unaware that Allah has opened another gate of mercy right in front of us.
You might hear people say, “I wish I could go to Hajj.” But the beauty of Dhul-Hijjah is that you don’t need to be in Makkah to gain reward.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim 1162)
That’s two years’ worth of sins wiped clean—just for one day of fasting. It’s like a reset button for your soul.
One of the most touching stories we reflect on during this time is that of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). He was commanded to sacrifice his beloved son, Isma'il. Without hesitation, both father and son submitted to Allah’s command. Their obedience wasn't just ritual, it was total submission.
That moment wasn’t just about sacrifice; it was about trust, tawakkul, and love for Allah that outweighed love for everything else.
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he said, ‘I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:131)
This isn’t just history it’s a lesson. What are we willing to sacrifice for Allah today? Our sleep for Fajr? Our ego in a fight? Our phone time for some Qur’an?
You don’t need to do anything extreme. Start with dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The Prophet (SAW) said:
فأكثِروا فيهنّ من التهليل (لا إله إلا الله)، والتكبير (الله أكبر)، والتحميد (الحمد لله)
“So say a great deal of tahleel (La ilaha ill-Allah), takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) during them.” (Ahmad 5446)
And if you can afford it, take part in Qurbani (offering a sacrificial animal), reviving the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS).
If you’ve missed out on previous chances, these ten days are Allah’s way of saying, “Here’s another one.” Whether you're struggling with your faith or you're already trying to get closer to Allah, these are the days to push further.
Start small. Stay sincere. And don’t underestimate the power of a single day done right.
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7)