The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: What Every Muslim Should Be Doing
Most Muslims know Ramadan. They prepare for it weeks in advance, plan their suhoor, set their goals, and chase Laylatul Qadr with everything they have.
But here is something many people don’t realise… the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are just as beloved to Allah as the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)
Not some days. Not most days. That is how significant this window is.
Whether you are preparing for the pilgrimage of Hajj or remaining at home, these 10 days are a golden opportunity that comes only once a year, and this guide will help ensure you do not waste a single one of them.
Table of Contents
Why Are the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah So Special?
These days hold a unique place in Islam for various reasons:
- Allah swears by them in the Quran: In Surah Al-Fajr, Allah says: “By the dawn, and by the ten nights”… many scholars of tafsir consider this to be a reference to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah
- They combine the greatest acts of worship: Hajj, Qurbani, fasting, Eid prayer, Dhikr, and charity, all fall within or connect to these days
- The Day of Arafah falls on Day 9: the single most virtuous day in the entire Islamic calendar
- Good deeds are multiplied: righteous actions performed in these days carry a weight that no other time of year can match
Think of it as your second chance after Ramadan, or for some people, an even greater opportunity.
The Rule About Hair and Nails: What You Need to Know
This is one of the most searched questions during Dhul Hijjah, and one of the most misunderstood.
What is the ruling?
If you intend to perform Qurbani (either for yourself or on behalf of your household), it is Sunnah to avoid cutting your hair or trimming your nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after your Qurbani has been performed.
Key points to remember:
| Question | Answer |
| Who does this apply to? | The person performing or praying for the Qurbani |
| Does it apply to the whole family? | No, only the one making the Qurbani |
| What if I accidentally cut a nail? | No sin, simply avoid doing it intentionally |
| Does it apply to women too? | Yes. If they are the ones responsible for the Qurbani |
| What if I don’t do Qurbani | The ruling does not apply to you |
This is not the same as Ihram… it is a voluntary act of worship, not an obligation. But following it is a beautiful way to connect with the spirit of Hajj, even if you are not physically there.
Day-by-Day Action Plan
Here is your practical, day-by-day guide to making the most of every single day.
Day 1: Set Your Intention
The first day sets the tone for everything that follows. Before anything else, make your Niyyah (intention) clear.
- Intend to worship Allah sincerely throughout these 10 days
- If you are performing Qurbani, stop cutting hair and nails from today
- Write down your personal goals for these days; how many pages of the Quran, how much Sadaqah, which prayers you want to improve
- Make a sincere Tawbah (repentance) and start these days with a clean slate
A journey of 10 days begins with one honest intention.
Day 2: Increase Your Dhikr
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically mentioned Dhikr as one of the best deeds to perform in these days. Make it a constant companion; in the car, on your commute, in between daily tasks.
The recommended Dhikr for Dhul Hijjah:
| Dhikr | Meaning |
| SubhanAllah | Glory be to Allah |
| Alhamdulilah | All praise is for Allah |
| Allahu Akbar | Allah is the Greatest |
| La Ilaha Illallah | There is no good but Allah |
- Recite the Takbeer abundantly: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd
- Set a target: 100 times after each prayer, or a specific count after waking up and before sleeping
Day 3: Give Sadaqah
Charity in these blessed days carries extraordinary weight. You don’t need to give a large amount… consistency and sincerity matter more.
- Set up a daily Sadaqah for the remaining days… even £1 a day counts
- Donate to a cause connected to Dhul Hijjah; Qurbani for those who cannot afford it, water projects, food packs for families in need
- Don’t forget Sadaqah of action: a kind word, helping a neighbour, removing something harmful from the path
Day 4: Read and Reflect on the Quran
These days are not just about quantity; they are about connection.
- Set a daily Quran target you can realistically keep… even half a page with reflection is better than rushing through five pages
- Read the Tafsir of Surah Al-Fajr… it is directly connected to the significance of these days
- If Arabic is difficult, read a translation alongside it… understanding what Allah is saying matters
- End your Quran session with a dua asking Allah to make the Quran a light in your life
Day 5: Fast (If You Can)
Fasting in the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah is an established Sunnah, and it is highly recommended.
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah
- If fasting all nine days feels too much, prioritise fasting on Day 9… the Day of Arafah (if you’re not performing Hajj)
- Even fasting on a few of these days carries great reward
- Note: Fasting on Day 10 (Eid ul Adha) is forbidden because it is a day of celebration and eating
Day 6: Strengthen Your Salah
These days are the perfect time to audit your prayer and rebuild any habits that have slipped.
- Pray all five daily prayers on time… this alone is one of the most beloved acts to Allah
- Add Sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory ones
- Try to pray Fajr in congregation at the Masjid if possible, or at home with family
- Spend an extra five minutes after each Salah in quiet Dhikr and Dua instead of rushing away
Day 7: Make Dua for Everyone You Love
Dua is the weapon of the believer, and these days, the doors of acceptance are wide open.
- Write a Dua list… your family, your parents, your friends, the Ummah
- Make Dua for those who have passed away and ask Allah to grant them mercy and Jannah
- Ask Allah for whatever is in your heart… your worries, your hopes, your dreams
- Don’t forget to make Dua for Muslims around the world who are suffering
Day 8: The Day of Tarwiyah
The 8th of Dhul Hijjah is known as Yawm al-Tarwiyah… the Day of Tarwiyah. This is the day when Hajj pilgrims travel to Mina and begin their Hajj rituals in earnest.
For those not on Hajj:
- Fast today if you are able
- Increase your Dhikr and Takbeer… the pilgrims are entering Ihram, and you can spiritually align with them through worship
- Make Dua for the two million pilgrims who are beginning one of the greatest journeys of their lives
- Reflect on the story of Ibrahim and what obedience to Allah truly means
Day 9: The Day of Arafah
This is it. The single most important day of the entire year.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim)
One day of fasting. Two years of sins forgiven. There is nothing else like it in the Islamic calendar. Understanding the virtues of the Day of Arafah helps us appreciate why it is such a powerful opportunity for forgiveness, repentance, and drawing closer to Allah.
On this day:
- Fast… this is the most important fast outside of Ramadan
- Spend the afternoon in Dua and Dhikr… from Dhuhr until Maghrib, mirror what the pilgrims are doing at Arafah
- Make your most heartfelt Duas… Allah descends to the lowest heaven on this night and asks: “Who is calling upon Me that I may answer? Who is asking of Me that I may give?”
- Recite abundantly: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay’in qadeer
Day 10: Eid ul Adha
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid ul Adha… the Festival of Sacrifice. The days of intense worship give way to celebration, gratitude, and community.
- Wake up early, perform Ghusl, and wear your best clothes
- Eat nothing before the Eid prayer… unlike Eid ul Fitr, it is Sunnah to delay eating until after the prayer and Qurbani
- Attend the Eid prayer at your local masjid or prayer ground
- Perform or arrange your Qurbani and remember the three shares: one for yourself, one for family and friends, one for those in need
- Spend the day with family… visit relatives, share food, celebrate
Conclusion
Ten days. That is all you have. But ten days done right, with intention, consistency, and sincerity, can change your entire year.
These are the days Allah chose above all others. The days when Hajj pilgrims stand at Arafah, when Qurbani is performed, and when Eid is celebrated.