A Sacred Invitation: What to Do in the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah | Blog

We live in a world saturated with superlatives. The best sale, the best method, the best time to buy, invest, act. Our screens are full of promises. Most of them exaggerated, and nearly all of them forgettable. From billboards to social media ads, we’re constantly feeling the pressure to join in or get left behind. 

“Unbeatable deal. Limited time only!”
“Supplements that will change your life.”
“Get yours now, your future self will thank you.”

We’ve become accustomed to the promises, and the louder something is hyped, the more likely it is to grab our attention (and devotion). 

But what happens when the best days of the year for doing good deeds—the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah—come around? The truth is, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah arrive relatively quietly for most, usually with little more than a brief post or a short reminder after ʿIsha. There’s no communal worship, no major routine shift, no group iftars, and no cute decorations to hang around the house. 

But, unlike most other loud promises, this is the real deal. Within these days lies an unmatched opportunity and a reminder that what is most valuable isn’t always what’s most visible. The Prophet said, “No good deeds are better than those done in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.”

There’s a secret wisdom in how understated these days are, arriving without fanfare or obligation. That’s part of their beauty because the most sacred opportunities are often the ones not loudly announced. You may not be able to go to Hajj. You may not be where you want to be in your faith. But these days still hold immense value. Small efforts during this time carry weight far beyond what we might expect, so don’t let them pass by unnoticed.

Here are a few simple ways to honor these blessed days:

Seeking knowledge is a form of worship that increases your taqwa and motivation towards good. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” Start this month by learning about the significance of Dhul Hijjah, its connection to sacrifice, and the importance of prayer and duʿa in these days. To get started, explore some of our Dhul Hijjah resources.

Fasting is the best way to gain taqwa and stay spiritually engaged throughout the day. It’s common to fast on the Day of ʿArafah, but it’s also sunnah to fast the first 8 days as well. This year, set your alarm for suhur for the first 9 days of the month. 

During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, it’s sunnah to recite a great deal of tahlil, takbir, and tahmid, so say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu akbar, and La ilaha illa Allah often. Being in a constant state of remembrance allows us to connect with Allah throughout our day, reminding us of our purpose even during the most mundane of tasks. 

Increasing in dhikr can also help those of us at home during this time of year feel connected to the pilgrims performing Hajj—if not in action, then at least in spirit and reward. The Prophet ﷺ taught us several deeds that carry rewards similar to that of Hajj. He ﷺ told us, “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah [i.e., doing dhikr] until sunrise, and then prays two rakʿat [of nawafil], that person has the reward of Hajj and ʿumrah: complete, complete, complete.”

Prayer is a year-round practice, but this is a chance to really focus and spend a little more time on each of your daily prayers. Aim to increase your focus and intent and, if you can, sprinkle in extra sunnah prayers. Praying extra sunnah prayers is one of the actions that can build a home for you in Jannah.

Waking just 10 minutes before Fajr for two rakʿat of tahajjud prayer can become a moment of quiet connection with Allah, and adding in Salat al-Duha (a nafl prayer that is prayed any time between sunrise and the start of Dhuhr prayer) can be a source of comfort and peace for the rest of the day. The Prophet ﷺ told us that Allah said, “O Son of Adam, bow to Me in four cycles of prayer [rakʿat] at the beginning of the day and I will suffice you for the rest of it [i.e., the rest of the day].” The Witr prayer is the most emphasized sunnah prayer of the Prophet, one that can help you build a habit of praying at night. Abu Hurayra reported: “My friend [i.e., the Prophet] advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die: To fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.”

In Surah al-Hadid, Allah says, “Indeed, those men and women who give in charity and lend to Allah a good loan will have it multiplied for them, and they will have an honorable reward” (Qur’an 57:18). In these blessed days, every act of charity—no matter how small—is magnified even further in value.

These days are not just about doing more good. They’re also about letting go. Letting go of what distracts us. Of what dulls the heart. Of what keeps us distant. The most meaningful acts in these days might be the ones no one sees: choosing silence over complaint, patience over impulse, sincerity over image.

Use these days to reflect, seek forgiveness, and realign with your purpose. This isn’t just about physical deeds—it’s about turning back to Allah in sincerity. Speak intimately with Allah, knowing that He is al-Samīʿ, the One who always listens, and He is al-Jabbār, the mender of broken hearts. Here are 10 duʿas you can make this Dhul Hijjah and some important duʿas for the Day of ʿArafah—a prime time for extra devotion.

In the midst of increased fasting, prayer, and charity, there is no better time to dedicate a few hours to your community. Sign up for a shift at a food shelter, help clean your neighbourhood, or assist with a halaqa at your local mosque—there are endless ways to get involved. As the Prophet ﷺ told us, “Whoever leaves for the mosque in the morning, for no reason but to learn goodness or teach others, he will have a reward as if he has completed the Hajj pilgrimage.”

Follow the sunnah of our father, Prophet Ibrahim (as), and partake in a sacrifice, offering the meat as charity to those who are in need. The Prophet ﷺ said, “No human performs a deed on the day of Sacrifice [i.e., the 10th of Dhul Hijjah] more beloved to Allah than the sacrifice of an animal. On the Day of Judgment, it [the sacrificed animal] will appear with its horns, hooves, and hair and indeed its blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it."

As these days pass, don’t let their quietness fool you. Within them lies the chance to come closer to Allah in ways both seen and unseen. Whether through a whispered duʿa, a private fast, or an unseen act of charity—respond to the invitation. These are the best days of the year.

Learn more about how to make the most of the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah here.