The Excellence of Fasting during the first ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?" He (PBUH) replied, "Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it."

[Al-Bukhari]

Commentary:

 This Hadith brings out the following two points:

1. Righteous deeds done during the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are far better and more rewarding than righteous deeds done on other days of the year, because they are Hajj days in the sacred season of pilgrimage. Because of their excellence and importance, Allah (SWT) swore by them, thus: "By the Dawn; by the ten Nights..." (89:1, 2)

2. Jihad has immense importance in Islam.

Similarly in other hadith Abu Qatadah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of 'Arafah. He said, "It is expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year." [Muslim]

On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah called Yaum-'Arafah, the pilgrims are engaged in the remembrance of Allah and supplications as this is the most important worship of hajj. For this reason, fast is not desirable for them, but for other people, fast has a special merit. The importance and merit of this fasting can be judged from the fact that it expiates sins (minor) for two consecutive years: the previous year and the current year. 

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.