Virtues of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah in Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 583
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah possess immense virtue, excellence, and distinction over all other days of the year. These are the “best days of the world” (أَفْضَلُ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا), as explicitly mentioned in authentic narrations.
Imām al-Bazzār narrated from Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding these days that they are the most virtuous days of this world.
(Al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb, Vol. 2, p. 199)
Presented below are some of the key Qur’anic and Prophetic evidences highlighting the virtues of these blessed days.
Allah Almighty swears by these days in Sūrat al-Fajr, saying:
Arabic Text:
﴿وَالفَجرِ ﴿١﴾ وَلَيالٍ عَشرٍ ﴿٢﴾ وَالشَّفعِ وَالوَترِ ﴿٣﴾…﴾
(Sūrat al-Fajr, Verses 1–3)
Translation:
“By the dawn, and by the ten nights, and by the even and the odd.”
According to Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, the phrase “ten nights” refers specifically to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah.
Arabic Text:
وَاللَّيَالِي الْعَشْرُ الْمُرَادُ بِهَا عَشَرُ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ
Translation:
“The ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah.”
This was also the interpretation of Ibn ʿAbbās, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujāhid, and many others among the early generations (salaf) and later scholars.
In Musnad Aḥmad, a narration from Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه highlights the virtue of these days:
أَنَّ الْعَشْرَ الأضْحَى...
“Indeed, the ten days of sacrifice (i.e., the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah)...”
This ḥadīth was also narrated by al-Nasā’ī, who said:
“Its narrators are reliable, though the text in its elevated (marfūʿ) form has some irregularity.”
(Musnad Aḥmad; Sunan al-Nasā’ī)
Nevertheless, the meaning of virtue and excellence in these days is firmly established through multiple authentic narrations.
Allah Almighty further commands:
Arabic Text:
﴿وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ﴾
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, Rukūʿ 25)
Translation:
“And remember Allah during the appointed days.”
In his exegesis, Ibn Kathīr clarifies:
Thus, Muslims are commanded to increase in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) throughout these days — including tahlīl (Lā ilāha illallāh), takbīr (Allāhu Akbar), and taḥmīd (Alḥamdulillāh).
① These are the best days of the year, as affirmed by Qur’an and Sunnah.
② Acts of worship performed during these days are more beloved to Allah than on any other days.
③ They encompass major acts of devotion — Ḥajj, Qurbānī (sacrifice), fasting, dhikr, and ṣalāh.
④ The Day of ʿArafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah) — within these ten — is among the greatest days, whose fasting expiates sins of two years.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a season of mercy, reward, and spiritual elevation.
A believer should engage in abundant remembrance of Allah, fasting, prayers, recitation of Qur’an, and sacrifice — striving to earn Allah’s pleasure during these most blessed days.
May Allah grant us all the ability to value these days and fill them with acts of obedience and devotion.
Āmīn.
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 583
✿ Introduction
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah possess immense virtue, excellence, and distinction over all other days of the year. These are the “best days of the world” (أَفْضَلُ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا), as explicitly mentioned in authentic narrations.
Imām al-Bazzār narrated from Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding these days that they are the most virtuous days of this world.
(Al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb, Vol. 2, p. 199)Presented below are some of the key Qur’anic and Prophetic evidences highlighting the virtues of these blessed days.
❀ The Mention of Dhul-Hijjah in the Qur’an
Allah Almighty swears by these days in Sūrat al-Fajr, saying:
Arabic Text:
﴿وَالفَجرِ ﴿١﴾ وَلَيالٍ عَشرٍ ﴿٢﴾ وَالشَّفعِ وَالوَترِ ﴿٣﴾…﴾
(Sūrat al-Fajr, Verses 1–3)Translation:
“By the dawn, and by the ten nights, and by the even and the odd.”
❀ Explanation from Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr
According to Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, the phrase “ten nights” refers specifically to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah.
Arabic Text:
وَاللَّيَالِي الْعَشْرُ الْمُرَادُ بِهَا عَشَرُ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ
Translation:
“The ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah.”
This was also the interpretation of Ibn ʿAbbās, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujāhid, and many others among the early generations (salaf) and later scholars.
❀ Evidence from the Hadith
In Musnad Aḥmad, a narration from Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه highlights the virtue of these days:
أَنَّ الْعَشْرَ الأضْحَى...
“Indeed, the ten days of sacrifice (i.e., the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah)...”
This ḥadīth was also narrated by al-Nasā’ī, who said:
“Its narrators are reliable, though the text in its elevated (marfūʿ) form has some irregularity.”
(Musnad Aḥmad; Sunan al-Nasā’ī)Nevertheless, the meaning of virtue and excellence in these days is firmly established through multiple authentic narrations.
❀ The “Numbered Days” in the Qur’an
Allah Almighty further commands:
Arabic Text:
﴿وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ﴾
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, Rukūʿ 25)Translation:
“And remember Allah during the appointed days.”
❀ Explanation from the Hadith
In his exegesis, Ibn Kathīr clarifies:
- “Ayyām Maʿdūdāt (appointed days)” — refer to the Days of Tashrīq (11th–13th Dhul-Hijjah).
- “Ayyām Maʿlūmāt (well-known days)” — refer to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Thus, Muslims are commanded to increase in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) throughout these days — including tahlīl (Lā ilāha illallāh), takbīr (Allāhu Akbar), and taḥmīd (Alḥamdulillāh).
❀ Summary of Virtues
① These are the best days of the year, as affirmed by Qur’an and Sunnah.
② Acts of worship performed during these days are more beloved to Allah than on any other days.
③ They encompass major acts of devotion — Ḥajj, Qurbānī (sacrifice), fasting, dhikr, and ṣalāh.
④ The Day of ʿArafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah) — within these ten — is among the greatest days, whose fasting expiates sins of two years.
Conclusion
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a season of mercy, reward, and spiritual elevation.
A believer should engage in abundant remembrance of Allah, fasting, prayers, recitation of Qur’an, and sacrifice — striving to earn Allah’s pleasure during these most blessed days.
May Allah grant us all the ability to value these days and fill them with acts of obedience and devotion.
Āmīn.
