Dhul Hijjah: The 10 best days

The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the most sacred times of the Islamic year. 

Many people don’t know that the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year – even better than the days of Ramadan!

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

After the holy month of Ramadan, you may feel you could have done more throughout the sacred month and miss the Ramadan feeling.

Well, these beloved 10 days of Dhul Hijjah offers another chance to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven and reach great levels of piety, God-willing.

A month of increased spirituality, we witness 2 very special events – all in devotion to Allah (SWT).

Not only is this the month of Hajj, but also the blessed day of Eid al-Adha.

On this day, each and every one of us, who is able to, must offer a qurbani – just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did – in devotion to Allah (SWT) and to help vulnerable communities in need across the globe.

Dhul Hijjah means “the month of pilgrimage”.  The Hajj is so significant Iin Islam that the entire month is named after this sacred act, despite only lasting for 5 days. 

Depending on the sighting of the moon, Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin on Monday 18 May 2026, with Hajj taking place from Monday 25th May 2026.

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) is expected to be on Tuesday 26 May 2026.

10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid al Adha) will likely be on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

As the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah fall 10 days earlier each year.

*Please note these dates are subject to change according to the sighting of the moon.

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are often referred to as the best days of the year, and a second chance after Ramadan. For those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year, this is still a great time of blessing and immense reward.

Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Hajj during these days. While many of us are unable to make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.

One of the greatest virtues of this month is that, according to many scholars, its first 10 days are significant enough for Allah to swear by them in the Qur’an.

Another virtue is that the reward of any good deed performed in these 10 days is multiplied.

So whoever is not able to go to Hajj should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds than usual. These can include anything such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship by being mindful of our prayers and ensuring we pay our zakat on time.

For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make du’a that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so soon. Fasting and remembrance are particularly recommended.

The 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah include Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion.

• Our Prophet  said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer  and tahmeed during them.” (Ahmad)

  • Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)

  • Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)

  • Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God)

  While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:

  Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah hil-hamd.

  Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and for Allah is [all] praise.

  The companions would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer out loud and people would also recite after hearing them.

  Let us follow their footsteps and encourage others to recite the takbeer as well, as an act of worship and a proclamation of the greatness of Allah.

There are many rewards to be gained from acts of worship during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. As mentioned, it’s a sunnah to fast during the first 9 days, including on the day of ‘Arafah. It’s also recommended to take time to remember Allah SWT by reading a tasbeeh and reciting takbeers. Giving to charity and performing any acts of kindness are also recommended.

Muslims are taught to fast on the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah. As an important sunnah, Dhul Hijjah fasting  brings great rewards and forgiveness of sins. 

Fasting Dhul Hijjah is extremely beneficial to Muslims because of the blessings Allah bestows during this time. As fasting is one of the most virtuous acts of rewards, fasting Dhul Hijjah is highly recommended. 

In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: 

If Muslims are unable to fast the whole 9 days of Dhul Hijjah, they should try their best to fast on the 9th day- Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

It is recommended for Muslims to fast on the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah, as a sunnah which brings reward and forgiveness of sins. It’s highly recommended to fast on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, which is the Day of ‘Arafah. The 10th day of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, when fasting is haraam (prohibited).

According to the majority of scholars, if you are taking part in qurbani, it is recommended to refrain from cutting your nails and hair from the first day of Dhul Hijjah up until the moment the qurbani (sacrifice) has been made. 

In the Hanbali madhab (school of thought), it is considered haram (forbidden) to cut your hair and nails during this period if you’re donating qurbani.

It’s best to seek advice according to your madhab.

See more qurbani rules here.

At Islamic Relief, we work all year round to relieve food poverty and help families maintain a healthy and stable livelihood.

Every Eid al-Adha, Islamic Relief is at the forefront of distributing qurbani meat to some of the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, in 29 countries. For many, this is the only time they will be able to eat meat in the entire year.

In 2025, we distributed qurbani meat to over 3.2 million people in need.

Your qurbani donation will not only bring happiness to those less fortunate than ourselves, but you’ll also enable vulnerable communities across the globe to enjoy Eid without worrying about how and what they will feed their families.

Donating zakat and sadaqah during this blessed time are just some ways you can please Allah (SWT) and increase your rewards. Your donations will allow families and entire communities to have a happy Eid al-Adha and beyond.

By giving in this blessed month, we offer crucial solidarity and hope. Dhul Hijjah is a sacred month loved by Allah.

Give to Islamic Relief and reap the rewards of the 10 best days.