The first ten days are the great blessings from Allah to Muslim Ummah. A Muslim should grasp this opportunity and worship Allah so he is rewarded, as Allah has given us many ways to worship him to gain His blessings. Ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days; meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They inquired: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless one goes out for Jihad sacrificing both his life and property and returning with neither.” (Sahee Al-Bukhari) In another Hadith, Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him), said: “There are no days during which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than these ten days. So recite more often the Tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illallah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah). (Imam Ahmad) Jaabir reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best day is the Day of Arafah. There are no days during which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allaah than these ten days. So recite more often the Tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) Takbeer (Allahu Akbar),Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah).” Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are: n Performing Haj and Umrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Performing Umrah and following it with another expiates sins that are committed in between. And the perfect Hajj would be requited with nothing other than Jannah.” n Observing fasting on all or some of these days, particularly on the Day of Arafah. Abu Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Observing fasting on the Day of Arafat; I expect Allah to expiate the sins that were committed during the preceding year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after”. (Sahee Muslim) n Reciting takbeer, and Dhikr in these days - Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out to the marketplaces during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and recite out loud the takbeer and people would repeat it after them. Ishaaq (may Allah bestow mercy upon him) reported that the jurists (may Allah bestow mercy upon them) used to recite during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa Ilaaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, wa lillaahil-hamd. It is commended to recite them out loud in marketplaces, at homes, roads, mosques and elsewhere. n Accomplishing more good deeds of voluntary observances, such as Nawafil Salah, charity, Jihad, Qur'ânic recitation, enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong, and the like; for the rewards of such observances are multiplied during these days. Offering the sacrificial animal during the day of sacrifice and the Days of Tashreeq i.e. 4 days. It is the sunnah of Ibraheem, may Allah exalt his mention, in commemoration of the occasion when Allah ransomed Ibraheems son with a large ram. It has been authentically confirmed that the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) sacrificed two black and white rams with horns with his own hands, and invoked the name of Allaah upon them, recited the takbeer, and placed his foot on their sides, when he slaughtered them. (Agreed upon). Its narrated from Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “O Fatima come and stand by your sacrificial animal and witness it being slaughtered for surely, by the the first drop of blood, all your sins will be forgiven.” She asked: “O Rasullullah! Is this reward specifically for us, your family, or is it for us and the Muslims as well? He replied: “It is for us and for the Muslims.”(Al-Bazaar) n Umm Salamah, (may Allah be pleased with her), said: When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah, and one of you wants to sacrifice an animal let him refrain from cutting or shaving his hair or clipping his finger nails, or toenails. In another version: Let him not cut his hair or his fingernails until he has slaughtered his sacrificial animal. n The Muslim must make sure to observe Eid prayer in its designated place, and attend the Eid sermon. He should also know the purpose of Eid, and that its a day of giving thanks and a chance for accomplishing good deeds. A Muslim should take advantage of these 10 days, do good deeds and ask Allah to grant success and guidance to the right path and repentance and relinquishing acts of disobedience and all sins. __
