What to do on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name Of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).

Even if we are not traveling for hajj, we can still do good deeds.

Recommended extra good deeds

1. Fast these 10 days. Fasting on the 9th of Zulhijjah, the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years.

2. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.

3. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.

3. Give more charity during these 10 days.

4. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, etc.)

5. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, etc).

6. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.

7. Make du'a (supplication)

8. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.

9. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and a portion for yourself and friends.

10. Go to the Eid prayer.

A video on the blessed first 10 days of Zulhijjah by Al-Maghrib Institute instructor, Shaykh Yasser Qadhi

Blessed 10 Days of Zulhijjah

May Allah accept our works and bring us to His House next year. Hajj mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam