The ten days of Thul-Hijjah have started; the days of performing good deeds, acts of obedience and worship. These are the days of those who fast and the nights of those who perform Qiyaam (supererogatory night prayers). It is the much-awaited season, longed for by those who spend in charity, pray, obey Allah The Almighty devoutly and remember Him.

In the following authentic Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet said: "No good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those that are done in these ten days (meaning the ten days of Thul-Hijjah)." Praying on these days is not like praying on other days, fasting is not like other fasting as well as giving charity, supplicating, Thikr (remembering Allah) and reciting the Quran. Rather, performing any of the deeds loved by Allah is not like performing them in the other days of the year. Maintaining ties of kinship, being dutiful to parents, being kind to neighbors, enjoining good, forbidding evil and performing such other acts have great rewards in those days.

It is beautiful to see a slave sitting in one of the houses of Allah after the Fajr prayer until the sun rises or from the time of ‘Asr till the sun sets or between the Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ prayers to remember Allah The Almighty and recite the Quran. He is considered in a state of prayer so long as he is waiting for the prayer. The best places in the sight of Allah The Almighty are mosques. With regard to fasting these days, it is one of the best deeds. The day is very short, the cold weather does not exhaust the fasting person and the reward is doubled. Rather, the time of breaking the fast may come and the fasting person may feel does not need any food or drink, as he does not feel hungry. The Prophet said: "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for the Pleasure of Allah, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years."

These are also the days when people compete amongst themselves in doing good deeds and spending in charity. Feeding the needy, fulfilling their needs and relieving their hardship are among the great acts that bring one closer to Allah The Exalted. Perhaps a small amount given in charity may save its giver away from Hell. The Prophet said: "Save yourself from Hell even by giving half a date-fruit in charity."

Let us be as diligent as possible in worship during these days. The winner therein is the one who does many good deeds and avoids sins. These are ten days which are short in duration but heavy on the scale on the Day of Judgment. These days are the most honored days in the Sight of Allah The Almighty and the best for doing good deeds. It is a grave mistake to expose oneself to the displeasure of Allah The Almighty in these days by committing sins and acts of disobedience publicly. Thus, know the value of the days honored and glorified by Allah The Exalted.