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The best ten days of the year are almost here. Let us get ready.

Alhamdulilah this year I am actually preparing for blessed days of Dhul Hijjah.

Usually, these days arrive, and I only notice because we fast on the day of Arafah, and of course we celebrate Eid Al-Adha. However, the significance had been lost on me, even as a community, these days are not emphasized. Ramadan naturally receives more attention, and these ten days are quieter in comparison.

What are these days, and why should we care?

Let us learn together and start to become among those with knowledge.

Dhul Hijjah is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha. It is also among the 4 months that are sacred, and fighting is forbidden.

Allah Most High says:

وَالْفَجْرِ ۝ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ

By the dawn, and by the ten nights [89:1-2]

وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ

And mention the name of Allah on known days [22:28]

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ

There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.

According to scholars, the best days of the year are in Dhul Hijjah and the best nights are in Ramadan.

Now we know. What to do?

GOOD DEEDS: Just like in Ramadan we must race to do good. This is why I am preparing in advance to best utilize my days and decide which ibadah I will focus on. Charity, Quran recitation, extra prayers, du’a, fasting, visiting the sick, and much more. May Allah accept our efforts.

The best deeds are those that are consistent, we can start with something small, like one page of Quran a day, or even a few verses, a dollar of charity, so small we wouldn’t even think it counts but done consistently it can have the biggest impact.

SACRIFICE: Eid Al-Adha is a celebration of the great sacrifice. The story of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) where he is tested with the command to sacrifice his son and when he is about to obey is told to slaughter an animal instead. This is our chance to sacrifice what we love, whether it’s money, time, sleep, clothing, gold, etc. To show Allah that we love Him more than our possessions. To live in the meaning of
الله أكبر – Allah is greater, greater than everything.

This is the true essence of this life. Whenever our hearts call us to something, anything that distracts us from the Creator. الله أكبر is that gentle reminder of why we are here and with a simple intention shift everything we do can be for His pleasure, all praise is for Allah.

Allah Most High says:

لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتّىٰ تُنفِقُوا مِمّا تُحِبّونَ

You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love [3:92]

The Pilgrimage: Every year, Muslims around the world will travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, commemorating the journey of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and his submission. Hajj is a unique experience because it is like a rehearsal of Yawmul Qiyamah. In the dry heat, the pilgrims experience the crowds of millions of people in the same space. The thirst, the sweat on their foreheads, the intensity of the sun. It is hardest on the elderly and disabled, yet they are not alone. With them are loved ones who care for them with such love and gentleness; It is one of the most beautiful things to witness.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. A pillar, yet it is often treated like an option. It can be completed any time in a person’s life, whenever we are able, therefore, it’s not always a priority.

Due to the high costs of Hajj, many Muslims also don’t feel an urgency to go. However, I’m starting to realize that just like we plan for our vacations, houses, etc we need to create a dedicated Hajj fund for ourselves and our families. We need to be strategic in fulfilling this pillar because as the saying goes “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. Even if it takes years, we can consistently save and we are fortunate that Allah rewards us for our intention and sees our effort.

It is an obligation, not a choice, and it is time we honor Allah’s commands as they deserve.

Our dear Prophet Muhammad ﷺ only performed one Hajj in his lifetime and that is where he taught the Muslims how to perform Hajj and delivered his farewell sermon.

DAY OF ARAFAH: During my Hajj journey many years ago, Arafah was my favorite day. Muslims gathered making dua together yet individually. From the duhr prayer till the adhan of Maghrib no one spoke. Everyone together dressed in white, cannot differentiate the rich from poor, making intense du’a. Our only focus is Allah. It was a transcendent experience I will never forget.

To this day, I can close my eyes and feel myself on that day. My heart, fully present, looking in awe at the unison of Muslims, my tongue engaged in continuous du’a so I didn’t miss a moment of blessing. It was the greatest day; filled with calm, reverence, and a deep longing to connect with the Most High.

In a famous Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ

Hajj is Arafah.

These are among the greatest days of the year. Going forward, I will prepare for them just as I do for Ramadan.

This is a great time to ask ourselves, have we become the people we wanted to be post Ramadan? or did we get caught up in daily life. This is our chance to reignite our faith and push ourselves to a higher standard. A time to renew our du’a list and dream big. I am beyond grateful for this spiritual renewal, and I pray Allah forgives me for my shortcomings.

Peace and blessings upon the Nabi of Allah