The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, are considered the most blessed and sacred days of the entire year for Muslims.
This period is associated with the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, also known as Hajj, but it is important to note that those who are not performing Hajj can still benefit immensely from these days.
In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the significance of these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, why they are so special, and how we can make the most of them.
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th month of the Islamic Hijri Calendar and contains many special and virtuous days within it.
First of all, it is considered to be one of the four sacred months.
The sanctity of these months is mentioned in the Quran and alluded to by the Prophet ﷺ.
They were revered throughout time, even in pre-Islamic Arabia.
During these months, the Jahili Arabs would cease fighting out of respect, allowing people to travel and make the pilgrimage safely.
The month of Dhul Hijjah is the season of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the five compulsory pillars of Islam.
Dhul Hijjah is predicted to start June 19th, 2023.
Hajj begins: 26th June 2023
Day of ‘Arafah: 27th June 2023
Eid al-Adha: 28th June 2023
The following dates are all dependent upon moonsighting.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.
In fact, the rewards for good deeds during these days are multiplied several times over, making them an opportunity not to be missed.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” [Sahih al Bukhari]
These days are also known as the season of worship, as we are encouraged to increase our acts of worship, including fasting, recitation of Quran, charity, and other good deeds.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are associated with the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, one of Islam’s five pillars.
Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather in Makkah during these days to perform Hajj, which is an opportunity to renew one’s faith, seek forgiveness, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.
However, for those who are not performing Hajj, these days are still special, as they mark the end of the Islamic year and the start of a new one, which is a time for reflection, gratitude, and repentance.
There are several ways in which we can make the most of these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, including:
In addition to the various acts of worship during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, one significant practice that holds immense spiritual and humanitarian value is the act of Qurbani.
Qurbani, also known as Udhiyah, is the ritual sacrifice of an animal in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah.
By partaking in this noble act, we not only emulate the obedience and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim but also fulfill our duty to assist those in need.
Donating your own Qurbani can have a profound impact on the lives of the less fortunate, providing them with nourishment and joy during the blessed days of Eid al-Adha.
Your contribution can alleviate hunger, bring smiles to the faces of those who struggle, and deepen your connection to the essence of sacrifice and compassion.
Embrace this opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of others by generously donating your Qurbani and spreading the spirit of unity and generosity that defines these sacred days.
At HCI, we’re bursting with excitement to share our Qurbani projects for 2023. The impact of your generous donations last year reverberated across poverty-stricken pockets of the world. Last year, you helped deliver meat to 91,698 people across three continents.
Together, let’s continue making waves of positive change this year too.
We wholeheartedly encourage you to contribute with a spirit of abundance so that the incredible influence of Qurbani can radiate throughout the globe this Eid ul-Adha, Inshallah.
Let’s make it a celebration of compassion and empowerment like never before!
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah culminate in the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which is a day of joy, sacrifice, and gratitude.
However, the benefits of these days extend beyond Eid, as the first ten days of the new Islamic year are also considered blessed and an opportunity for good deeds.
We should aim to continue the momentum of worship and good deeds that we started during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and carry it forward into the new Islamic year.
In conclusion, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a golden opportunity for Muslims to increase their acts of worship and good deeds, seek forgiveness, and renew their faith.
Whether we are performing Hajj or not, we can all benefit from these days by increasing our recitation of the Quran, fasting, giving to charity, and doing other good deeds.
Let us make the most of this precious time and strive to carry the momentum of worship and good deeds into the new Islamic year.
Human Concern International is the oldest Muslim relief organization in Canada, fighting poverty for over 40 years.
We are a registered charity with the CRA. Charitable Registration No. 107497125 RR 0001