Deeds to be performed in the first 10 days of Zilhajj

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah: The month of Dhul-Hijjah is the month of Hajj, one of the important principles of Islam and one of the five pillars. The first ten days of this month have special importance and significance. Allah Almighty has sworn by these ten nights in the Holy Quran.

It is stated, ‘By the dawn and the ten nights.’ (Surah Fajr, verses 1-2) Another verse states, ‘That they may come to their blessed places and that which He has provided for them of the cattle,"And may they remember the name of Allah on certain days." (Surah Hajj, verse: 28)

The "ten nights" in the first verse and the "specified days" in the second verse refer to the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

On the other hand, the first 10 days of this month are called the best days in the Hadith. For example, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated,The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "There is no day whose deeds are more beloved to Allah than the deeds of the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah."It was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)! What is more beloved than fighting in the way of Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Yes, it is more beloved than fighting.But if a person sets out in the way of Allah with his life and property and does not bring back any of it.’ (Bukhari and Tirmidhi)

Let's briefly learn about what we should do during these days in the light of the Hadith:

A greater amount of good deeds

During these ten days, do good deeds. The deeds done on these days are more beloved to Allah than any other day. This includes Zikr, recitation of the Qur'an, prayer and fasting.

To recite dhikr more and more

It is necessary to take more care of these days. In particular, I want to immerse myself in the lessons of La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar and Alhamdulillah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "There is no greater deed with Allah than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So recite La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar and Alhamdulillah more often in these days. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 5446)

Don't cut hair, nails, etc.

It is mustahabb not to cut any hair, fur or nails on the body for ten days after the moon rises until the sacrifice is made. All the Hadiths and the deeds of the Sahabah and the Tabaids in this regard show that it is best for those who sacrifice and those who do not sacrifice due to lack of ability to do so.

However, for the person who makes the sacrifice, this act is of relatively high importance.

Allah's Apostle said, "When you see the crescent moon and one of you wants to sacrifice, he should refrain from cutting his hair and nails. (Muslim, Hadith: 1977)

In another hadith, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "I have been ordered to observe Eid on the day of sacrifice, which Allah has decreed for this Ummah. The man said, "O Messenger of God! If I have only one maniha (i.e. a milch camel taken from another) will I sacrifice with it? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: No, but you should cut your nails, hair and moustache and clean the fur under your navel. This will be your complete sacrifice to Allah. (Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 773, 5914)

Even the Sahabah of Keram and Tabei disliked cutting the hair and nails of children in those days. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar was passing by a woman. The woman used to cut her son's hair in the decade of Zilhajj. He said: "If he had waited till the Day of Sacrifice, it would have been better." (Hadith: 7595)

From the first day to the ninth day fasting 

If possible, fast from the first to the ninth day of Zilhajj. Or any number of days in between - fasting. However, try to fast on the ninth day, i.e. the day before Eid. Because by fasting on this one day, the sins of two years, one year before and one year after, are forgiven.

"The Prophet said," "I hope that Allah will forgive the sins committed one year ago and one year later on the day of Arafah, i.e. the ninth day of Zilhajj." "" (Muslim, Hadith: 1162)

Several hadiths have been reported about the first nine days of Zilhajj fasting, which are weak in terms of the charter, but the Muhaddiths have said that they are collectively practicable. (Latayful Ma'arif; Imam Ibn Rajab Hanbali, pp. 352-353)

The Tashriq Text of the Takbir

From the ninth day of Zilhajj until the thirteenth day of Asr, it is obligatory for men to recite the Tashrir aloud and for women aloud after every obligatory prayer.

Men will recite the Tashreeq aloud during the Eid prayer. Various terms for tashriq are mentioned in the hadith sharif. The best and most famous of them are:

الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، و الله إكبر، الله أكبر، و لله الحمد

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallahu Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillahil Hamd. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: Sunan Ibn al-Munazir: 4/349)

make a sacrifice

Sacrifice is one of the great and important acts of Zilhajj. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said, "Whoever has the ability to sacrifice, but does not sacrifice, should not come to our Eidgah." (Hadith: 7639)