Performing Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Hajj requires every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey to the holy city of Mecca at least once in life time.

Hajj occurs two months and ten days after Ramadan month ends, during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Some of the rites, which are observed during the first 10 days of the Dhul-Hijjah (the last month of the Islamic calendar),

includes wearing simple, unsewn white garments, standing on the plain of Arafat (at the foot of Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon), circumambulating the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, stoning the Jamrat Al-Aqaba (throwing 7 pebbles at a stone pillar representing Satan) and sacrificing animals on the Feast of Sacrifice (commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God and readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail).

As we enter the first 10 days of this blessed month, 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.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Bukhari]

Don’t waste these most blessed days. Be sure to fill these days with as much good as possible. The Almighty gives us these periods of a spiritual boost throughout the year. So, purify your intent to make a plan and you are on the way to accomplish much!

Deeds to do in First 10 days of Dul al- Hijjah:

FASTING: BEST DEED

It is sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.

“Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure. Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years”(Bukhari).

DHIKR AND TASBEEH

There are no days on which good deeds are great or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days. So recite,

Takbeer: Allahu akbar

Tahmeed: alhamdulillah

Tarheel: Laa Ialaha ill-Allah

Say these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets and every place in which it is permissible to remember Allah, to perform this act as worship openly and proclaim the greatness of Allah.

Spending for the sake of Allah gives in his way as much as possible, don’t leave any raised hands to return empty.

PRESERVE THE TIES OF KINSHIP

Preserve the ties of kinship for “No one who serves the ties of kinship will enter paradise”.

Connect with all of your near & far relatives.

QURAN

There is reward against each alphabet of Quran, therefore, reciting it in these ten days helps increase the reward count for a person and the use of it in supplication afterwards also lays a strong foundation for being forgiven.

HAJJ

The biggest deed which a Muslim can undertake in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is performing Haj.