The righteous predecessors used to glorify the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah and appreciate their value. It was reported in Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif that Abu ‘Uthmaan An-Nahdi said, "The righteous predecessors used to glorify three different ten days: the last ten days of Ramadan, the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah and the first ten days of Al-Muharram."
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said, "It used to be said that every day of the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah equals one thousand days and that the day of ‘Arafah equals ten thousand days (i.e. in their virtue)."
It was narrated that Al-Awzaa‘i said, "I was told that deeds on one day of the ten days (of Thul-Hijjah) are like going to a battle in the Cause of Allah where one fasts during the day and guards during the night, except if one was killed as a martyr."
How great are these days for people to compete and how grave is the loss of those who turn their backs! O slaves of Allah, race to all that is good and hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth and be wary of laziness.
Recommended Actions During these Days:
1- Performing Hajj:
One of the most virtuous acts of worship that is performed during these days is Hajj that Allah The Almighty ordained on every Muslim who meets the conditions of Hajj obligation. The Prophet said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet also said: “Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah alternately, for they remove poverty and sins as a blacksmith's bellows remove impurities from iron, gold and silver; and Hajj which is accepted receives no less a reward than Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i: Saheeh]
2- Fasting:
It is favorable to fast a lot during the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah. It is permissible to fast the first nine days of Thul-Hijjah as fasting is one of the good deeds. The Prophet said: “Anyone who fasts one day for the Sake of Allah, Allah will keep him away from Hell for a distance covered in seventy years." [Al Bukhari and Muslim]
The reward of fasting is multiplied when one fasts on these blessed days. An-Nawawi said, "Observing fast on the first nine days of Thul-Hijjah is favorable to a great extent and it is not disliked." [Sharh Saheeh Muslim]
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins of two years. The Prophet said: “I seek from Allah The Almighty that fasting the day of ‘Arafah would expiate the sins of the past year as well as the next year.” [Muslim]
The sins here mean the minor ones just as explained before regarding the expiation of sins through performing ablution. If there were no minor sins, one would hope that major sins would be alleviated or the rank would be elevated. [Sharh Muslim]
3- Reciting Quran:
The Quran is a profit that will never perish, so try to recite the whole Quran during these ten days. The Prophet said: “If anyone of you goes to the mosque and learns or recites two verses of the Book of Allah, this is better for him than two she-camels; three verses are better than three she-camels; four verses are better than four she-camels (and so on)." [Muslim] Dear Muslim brother and sister, you should know that the best way to draw closer to Allah The Almighty is to recite His Book and contemplate its meanings.
Recommended Actions During the Ten Days of Thul-Hijjah – II