Deeds to be performed in the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hajjah

Imam Ahmad narrated from Ibn Umar, from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he said: "There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah Most High, than these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah). So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allah), and Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar) and Tahmeed (al-hamdu-lillaah)." 

The deeds that should be performed in the first ten days of Dhul-Hajjah are:

Hajj and Umra: The performance of hajj and umrah are the best deeds that must be performed during these days because the Prophet Muhammad (saw) informs about these deeds as:

"Performance of Umrah is an expiation of the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah, and the reward of the Hajj which is accepted by Allah Most High is nothing but Paradise." (Bukhari)

Fasting:  Fasting in the ten days and especially on the day of Arafah is of great significance. Fasting is done for the sake of Allah and He alone would give his reward. Muslim narrated from Abu Qutaadah that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one's sins of the previous year and the following year." 

At-Takbeer and Adh-Dhikr: The starting hadith outlines the importance of increasing the zikr in these days. At-Takbeer (saying: Allah-Akbar) and adh-Dhikr (remembrance of Allah, the Most High) in these (ten) days, because of the saying of Allah in Soorah al-Hajj verse 28: "...And mention the name of Allah on the appointed Days..." 

Repentance: Repenting for the sins committed in the past and asking for forgiveness from Allah.

Deeds: Doing a lot of voluntary (Nafl) worship such as prayer, charity, jihad, reciting Quran, staying away from evil etc, and the reward of these deeds id multiplied several times their reward during these days of dhuul-hajj.

Sacrifice: The slaughtering of a sacrificial animal (Adhiyyah) is also legislated for the Day of Sacrifice (10th) and the Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th). This is the Sunnah of our father Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) - from when Allah, the Most High redeemed his son by the great sacrifice (of an animal in his place).

Eid: Performing the eid prayer and celebrating eid.

Eid ul-Azha

Eid ul-Azha is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah; right after the termination of the rites of Hajj. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice” or the “Greater Eid”. It is an Islamic festival to commemorate the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (AS) by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as an act of obedience of Allah. But instead of Ismail a ram was sacrificed by Allah’s command. In remembrance and honor of this great sacrifice Muslims all over the world sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a cow, sheep, goat, or camel, by slaughter. This ritual observance lasts until sunset of the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Hajj and the great sacrifice are the remembrance of the trails, hardships and triumphs of the Prophet Ibrahim. The Quran says:

 "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121) 

Of the many trials that Prophet Ibrahim had to face during his life time, the sacrifice of his only son Ismail was perhaps the hardest and the most difficult one. When he was given the command he didn’t think for a second and prepared himself to do it. He showed that his love for his Creator was more than anything compared. To honor his great sacrifice Allah made it customary for the Muslims to sacrifice animals on that particular day for eternity.

The meat from the sacrifice on Eid ul-Azha is be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors, and the other third is given to the poor & needy as a gift. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of beneficial and close to our hearts and that nothing is more important than to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need.