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 month of Zulhijjah is around the corner.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, 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, Allah bless him and grant him peace, 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 you are not traveling for Hajj, you can still do good deeds.

Recommended extra good deeds

1. Fast on the first 9 days of Zulhijjah, at least on Zulhijjah 9, the day of Arafat. Fasting on the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years (past and future).

2. Avoid all sins at all costs. Remember there is no connection with Allah except our obedience to Him (Omar's advice).

3. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.

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

5. 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.

6. Give more charity during these 10 days.

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

8. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the 5 daily prescribed prayers, etc).

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

10. 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 deeds. 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.

11. 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.

If you have relatives in some of the poor countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Somalia, it is not a bad idea to have the sacrifice done in those countries for it is likely this is the only time the poor there are able to taste meat in the entire year.

12. Go to the Eid prayer on Zulhijjah 10. It is recommended to fast before Eid prayer. You break your fast after the prayer.

Hajj Mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. Ameen. Please include us in your prayers. May Allah accept our works and grant us the opportunity to perform hajj next year.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam