Centering Sacrifice: The Importance of the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah | Blog

The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are many. Allah swears by them in the Qur’an (89:2), emphasizing their significance. It is on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah that the Hajj rituals begin, fulfilling the 5th pillar of Islam for attending pilgrims. On the 9th day, we witness the Day of ʿArafah—the day that marked the completion of the religion, the day on which Allah frees the greatest number of people from the Hellfire, and the day on which fasting expiates the sins of the previous year and the year to come for those not attending Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ also said: “No good deeds are better than those done in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.”

Draped in virtue, these ten days offer an unmatched opportunity for the believer. But, as with much in life, they don’t come without a price. Most things worth having require hard work, determination, and sacrifice. Yet even when the reward is great, the time opportune, and the means available, it’s still humanity’s greatest struggle to give up what we love, desire, or feel rightly entitled to. Whether it be comfort, freedom, time, or choice, we go to great lengths to limit what we have to forgo in order to flourish. 

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah stand in contrast to this basic human tendency. They are sacred and symbolic for many reasons, central to which is this profound notion of sacrifice. It’s during this time that some of the greatest acts of devotion and surrender conceivable to mankind are honored during the rituals of Hajj.

Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son is honored through the udhiya (animal sacrifice), and Hajar’s forgoing of her and her infant’s right to the protection of her husband in the heat and barrenness of the desert is commemorated in the saʿee (the ritual of walking between the two hills of al-Safa and al-Marwa).

Allah commanded sacrifice. Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Hajar obeyed, displaying the utmost faith and devotion. So it’s during these profound days that we’re invited to ask ourselves: what am I willing to sacrifice to serve and obey Allah? How far am I willing to go to take advantage of the divine gift that is being offered? 

Despite the great incentives we’ve been given, these days often pass by without a thought. The inertia of human nature may be to blame for this—our tendency to condition action on either obligation or convenience. We’re more likely to show up when we have to, or when it doesn’t ask too much of us—that is, when it aligns with our plans, doesn’t stretch our comfort, and costs little. 

But the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are designed to interrupt this reflex with their quiet call toward surrender. 

True sacrifice is hard. It’s uncomfortable, and often painful. It often stands directly in contrast to convenience, rarely coming when we feel ready. It demands action precisely when we lack energy, or when the circumstances are less than ideal. It’s easy to give when we feel generous, when charity is pre-planned in our volunteering calendars, or when the community comes together en masse to fundraise.

But what about when someone turns up at your doorstep unannounced and in need—catching you in the middle of a meeting, cooking, or when you’ve finally sat down after a long day at work? Opportunities to do good aren’t always convenient.

Fasting while longing and able to eat, waking while others sleep, and forgiving while still hurting are acts that require real sacrifice. They are acts reserved for the truly devoted. 

Allah sends us opportunities to do good when He sees fit, to test which of us are best in deed. These ten days are an example of just that—a chance to answer Allah’s call, show up when others might fall behind, and to perform the greatest deeds of the year. As these blessed days pass, meet them with reverence. Ask yourself: What am I willing to sacrifice, for the sake of the One who gave me everything?

These ten days are more than a graceful opportunity. They reflect back to us who we are when no one is watching, what we value when no one is asking, and how we respond when Allah quietly calls us forward. So whether you act in public or in solitude, do so with sincerity and sacrifice in mind.

As the pilgrims declare during Hajj:

Learn more about why the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are important in our Virtues of Dhul Hijjah series and discover practical tips for making the most of these days in our action blog.