Co-authored by Musa Bukhari

Dhul Hijjah: Significance and Rewards

Even though we cannot perform Hajj this year, there are many acts of worship we can do at home to continue the legacies of the prophets and to make the most of the blessings of Dhul Hijjah.

We’ve put together a Dhul Hijjah plan; use it as a guide to help you to reap the rewards of these ten days.

“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)

Day 1

Start as you mean to continue! It’s time to get your spiritual house in order and renew your intentions for your daily prayers, and for sunnah prayers. Perform Dhikr in your spare moments. After a couple of days, reciting takbeer (Allahu akbar), tahmeed (alhamdulillah), tahleel (laa ilaaha ill-Allah), and tasbeeh (subhanAllah) will become second nature.

“Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out to the marketplace on the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah saying takbeer, and the people would say takbeer with their takbeer.” (Bukhari)

Day 2

Take a daily walk, and during those moments, observe and remember Allah’s blessings and power around you. Make a list of the du’as you wish to ask for and keep them with you. This will help you remember to read them every day and also make sure that you don’t omit a du’a by accident.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me—indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of every supplicant when he calls upon Me… (Qur’an 2:186)

Day 3

These ten days are a blessed time to give to charity because all the rewards you receive from giving Sadaqah will be multiplied many times over. You can easily make Sadaqah donations to a number of life-changing, impactful projects. There are no days in which Allah loves good deeds more than these first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.

We also encourage people to give their Zakat during Dhul Hijjah, which helps them to remember to give each year, and offers them the blessings of Dhul Hijjah. Calculate and pay Zakat through Human Appeal.

Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity. (Al-Tirmidhi)

Day 4

Decide in which country you’d like to give your shares and pay your Qurbani with Human Appeal. All the Qurbani meat we distribute will be received by vulnerable families facing hunger, conflict, hardship or displacement.

And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But, if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. (2:196)

Day 5

Make sure you’re keeping up with reading the Quran. Reading just a single letter of the holy book earns 10 spiritual rewards outside of this blessed month, so imagine the blessings you’ll receive for reading the Qur’an every day of Dhul Hijjah.

This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious] (2:2)

Day 6

Allah is pleased with those who honour their parents, so spend time talking and listening to your mother and father, running errands for them and seeking their guidance with your life choices.

Worship Allah and associate nothing with him, and be good to parents. (4:36)

Day 7

The 10 blessed days of Dhul Hijjah provide a golden opportunity to give up bad habits and improve your lifestyle. If you’re a smoker, try to use the blessings of these days to quit. If you are quarrelling with someone, try to make amends.

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (25:70)

Day 8

Centre and align your intentions before the sacred day of Arafah. All your actions should work to glorify Allah and be performed in accordance to His will.

“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather he looks at your hearts and actions.” (Muslim)

Day 9

The Day of Arafah is one of the most sacred days in the Islamic calendar. It’s recommended that you fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, but if you can’t manage this, try to fast on the Day of Arafah.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” (Muslim)

Make sure to put into practice all of our suggested actions on the Day of Arafah, on which day all good deeds and acts of worship will be multiplied. Don’t let this beautiful opportunity for blessings go to waste.

Day 10

The festival of Eid al-Adha has arrived! It’s time to head to the mosque, give gifts to children and share a meal with family and friends. to commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

Traditionally, the Qurbani sacrifice is carried out after Eid prayer, but if give your Qurbani earlier, charities like Human Appeal have more time to arrange your charity on your behalf. The sooner we receive your Qurbani payment, the better our chance of delivering fresh meat to a hungry family in time for the Eid celebrations.

Anas bin Maalik (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) came to Madinah and the people had two days when they would play and have fun. He said, ‘What are these two days?’ They said, ‘We used to play and have fun on these days during the Jaahiliyyah (Days of Ignorance). The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Allah has given you something better than them, the day of (Eid) Adhaa and the day of (Eid) Fitr.’”(Abu Dawood)

May Allah accept our worship and allow us to help others for His sake. Ameen.