The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most sacred and beloved days in Islam. These blessed days offer Muslims a powerful opportunity to increase worship, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
(Ahmad)
These days include the great Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha, making them a spiritually powerful season for every Muslim.
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Here are 9 meaningful acts of worship you should focus on during these blessed days.
1. Make Abundant Dhikr
One of the best acts during Dhul Hijjah is remembering Allah frequently.
These blessed days are a perfect time to keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. Dhikr softens the heart, increases faith, and brings peace to the believer. The companions of the Prophet ﷺ would increase takbir during these days publicly and privately.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor more beloved for good deeds than these ten days, so increase in tahlil, takbir, and tahmid.”
(Ahmad)
Recommended dhikr:
- SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
- Alhamdulillah (All praise and thanks are due to Allah)
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
- La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah)
Fill your mornings, evenings, walks, and free moments with remembrance.
2. Pray Salah on Time and in Congregation
Prayer is the foundation of worship.
During the blessed first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, protecting your five daily prayers should be your highest priority. Salah is the first deed a believer will be questioned about, and praying on time with sincerity brings a person closer to Allah and increases the reward of all other good deeds.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of deeds is prayer at its proper time.”
(Muslim)
If possible:
- Pray in the masjid
- Do not delay obligatory prayers
- Focus on khushu (concentration)
Congregational prayer carries multiplied rewards.
3. Give Charity and Help the Needy
Dhul Hijjah is a perfect time to help others.
The blessed days of Dhul Hijjah are not only for personal worship but also for serving humanity. Charity during these sacred days carries immense reward, and helping those in need reflects the mercy and compassion that Islam teaches.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved people to Allah are those most beneficial to people.”
(Tabarani — Hasan according to some scholars)
Ways to give:
- Feed the poor
- Donate to Islamic causes
- Help an orphan
- Support struggling families
- Even a small charity counts
Allah multiplies rewards in blessed times.
4. Make Tawbah and Seek Forgiveness
These sacred days are a golden chance to cleanse your heart.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a powerful opportunity to return to Allah with sincerity. No matter how many mistakes a person has made, Allah’s mercy remains open for those who sincerely repent and seek forgiveness.
Allah says:
“O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance.”
Practical steps:
- Stop the sin
- Feel regret
- Intend not to return
- Seek Allah’s forgiveness sincerely
Say often:
Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih
(I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.)
5. Pray Tahajjud and Nafl Prayers
Extra voluntary worship brings immense reward.
Extra voluntary prayers are among the most beloved acts that bring a servant closer to Allah. During the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, adding nafl worship such as Tahajjud, Sunnah prayers, and Duha can greatly increase your rewards and strengthen your connection with Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Hold firmly to the night prayer…”
(Tirmidhi)
Recommended voluntary prayers:
- Tahajjud
- Sunnah prayers
- Duha prayer
- Extra nafl after obligatory salah
Even two sincere rak‘ahs offered purely for Allah can bring peace to the heart, wipe away sins, and draw a believer closer to their Lord.
6. Make Dua for Yourself and the Ummah
Dua is one of the most powerful acts of worship.
Allah says:
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
Dua is one of the greatest acts of worship and one of the easiest ways to draw closer to Allah during these blessed days. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a precious opportunity to ask Allah for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and success in this life and the Hereafter. These are days when sincere supplications carry immense spiritual value.
Pray for:
- Your forgiveness and acceptance
- Your Family and loved ones
- Halal Rizq and barakah
- Good Health and protection
- Guidance and steadfast faith
- The oppressed Muslims around the world
- The entire Ummah
- Hujjaj performing Hajj
Remember, a sincere dua made for others brings blessings back to you as well. Use these sacred days to raise your hands and ask Allah with full hope and humility.
These are days when mercy descends abundantly.
7. Recite the Qur’an
Dhul Hijjah is an ideal time to reconnect with the Book of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a reward.”
(Tirmidhi)
The Qur’an is the guidance, mercy, and light for every believer, and these blessed days are a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with the words of Allah. Even a small amount of recitation done consistently can bring immense reward, peace, and spiritual reflection.
Whether you recite in Arabic, read the translation, or reflect on the meanings, spending time with the Qur’an during Dhul Hijjah strengthens your heart and renews your faith.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that every letter recited brings reward, making these ten sacred days a perfect time to increase your connection with the Book of Allah.
Even if you cannot complete large portions, consistency matters more than quantity. A few sincere moments with the Qur’an each day can transform your relationship with Allah.
8. Fast—Especially on the Day of Arafah
Fasting is among the greatest deeds.
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding Arafah:
“It expiates the sins of the previous and coming year.”
(Muslim)
Fasting during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah is among the most rewarding voluntary acts of worship, especially for those who are not performing Hajj. Among these days, the Day of Arafah holds exceptional virtue.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that fasting on the Day of Arafah is a means of immense forgiveness, expiating sins from the previous year and the coming year by the mercy of Allah.
If you are able, fasting during these blessed days can help strengthen self-discipline, increase taqwa, and bring your heart closer to Allah. Even if you cannot fast all nine days, making the intention to fast on the Day of Arafah is highly rewarding.
It should be remembered that fasting is not observed on Eid al-Adha itself, as that is a day of celebration, gratitude, and sharing blessings with others.
9. Offer Qurbani (Udhiya)
If you are financially able, offering Qurbani (Udhiya) is one of the most meaningful acts of worship during Dhul Hijjah. This sacred act commemorates the obedience, sincerity, and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to submit completely to the command of Allah.
Qurbani is not merely the sacrifice of an animal—it is a symbol of devotion, gratitude, and willingness to put Allah above all worldly attachments. It revives an important Sunnah and allows Muslims to share blessings with family, friends, and those in need.
Through this act, believers are reminded of generosity, compassion, and obedience to Allah. For many struggling families, the meat distributed during Eid becomes a source of joy and relief.
If performing Qurbani, ensure it is done according to authentic Islamic guidelines with sincerity and care.
Final Reminder
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most precious and spiritually rewarding days of the entire year. They are a special gift from Allah—an opportunity to increase worship, seek forgiveness, purify the heart, and earn immense rewards through sincere good deeds.
Whether through dhikr, prayer, fasting, charity, Qur’an recitation, dua, or Qurbani, every act done sincerely for the sake of Allah carries tremendous value during these blessed days.
Many people allow these sacred moments to pass like ordinary days, but the wise believer recognizes their worth and uses them to draw closer to Allah before the opportunity is gone.
Even the smallest sincere deed can become a mountain of reward in the sight of Allah.
May Allah accept our worship, forgive our sins, bless the Ummah, and allow us to make the most of these blessed days. Ameen.
