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The Most Beloved Days to Allah

Erase the sins of two years or let them remain with you? The choice is yours to make in these blessed 10 days.

Abdullah ibn Abbas related in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”

These blessed days are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They are different from the blessed last 10 nights of Ramadan.

What distinguishes these 10 days from the last 10 nights of Ramadan and the remaining days of the year?

The last 10 nights of Ramadan are special because of a particular unknown night in which the angels descend upon the earth spreading peace till morning: Laylatul Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months. A night in which destinies are written and changed by Allah’s permission.

Unlike the last 10 nights of Ramadan, every single day of the 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah is significant and blessed. The most blessed of the days is the Day of ‘Arafah. How blessed we are as Muslims!

Allah, in His absolute mercy, blessed us with these special days and nights so that we can gain additional rewards and also get closer to Him.

How then do we maximize these days? Read further, O beloved!

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as recorded by Ibn Hibban: “The best days in the world are the ten days.”

These 10 days are the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah and we are advised to carry out as many good deeds as possible. Some of these deeds are fasting, reciting the Qur’an, keeping the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah, chanting Takbiraat (saying Allahu Akbar), maintaining family ties, maintaining cleanliness of the body and environment, and making lots of du‘aa.

Allah (‘Azza wa Jall) said in Surah al-Hajj (22:28): “That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of sacrificial animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.”

He also said: “…and mention the name of Allah on the known days…”

This serves as evidence for increasing in the chanting of Takbiraat and the remembrance of Allah during these days.

It is from the practices of the Salaf (the righteous predecessors) and the Tābi‘ūn to chant “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” loudly in the markets, on the streets, in their homes, and everywhere except impure places such as toilets.

Some of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the Prophet used to fast during the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days of every month. These days are from the 1st to the 9th day, with the 9th being the Day of ‘Arafah. It is encouraged to fast during these days.

Those who are unable to fast all the days should strive to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”

May Allah make us among those who maximize these blessed days with righteous deeds. May He forgive our shortcomings, accept our acts of worship, and grant us the immense rewards attached to these sacred days.