The importance of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

Like the night of majesty (Layla al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan, the nights that herald the first 10 days of this month – the month of Dhul Hijjah – equally enjoy Qur’anic validation.  In other words, as it is characteristic of the chapters of the Qur’an that were revealed to the Prophet (upon him […]

Like the night of majesty (Layla al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan, the nights that herald the first 10 days of this month – the month of Dhul Hijjah – equally enjoy Qur’anic validation.  In other words, as it is characteristic of the chapters of the Qur’an that were revealed to the Prophet (upon him be peace) when he was in Makkah, Surah Al-Fajr (Chapter 85) occupies a unique position in this regard. It begins with oaths and adjurations that call attention to and also emphasise the greatness of the Almighty even as they draw the attention of the highly obdurate Makkan audience of the prophets who were immediate and first receivers of the revelation to the importance of the entities and subjects in creation.

The Almighty begins the chapter by calling attention to the early dawn (al-Fajr). Here, the dawn enjoys reference as a metaphor for other realities in nature; the vagaries and varieties in time and space, the alternation of days and nights and ultimately the non-permanence of life as a whole.

The politics in the text is the admonition for humans to avail themselves of the opportunities that the dawn offers; the opportunities that life offers. Whenever the dawn breaks, so says the Almighty in the Chapter of the Dawn, it speaks to the ‘dawn’ in our life, the ‘spring’ in our present circumstances and location. Ironically, too, whenever it is ‘dawn’ and we become witnesses to it, the former equally awakens us to the imminence of the ‘dusk’, of the pendency of ‘summer’: that for every arrival, there is a departure.

In the ayat that follows this, however, the Almighty then comes with another oath. He swears by the 10 nights which, according to exegetes, refer to the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, as stated by Ibn ‘Abbas (upon him be the pleasure of the Almighty).

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The Prophet (upon him be peace) is reported to have said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to the Almighty than these days (i.e. the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah).” They said: “Not even embarking on Jihad in His way?” He replied: “Not even Jihad in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out (for Jihad) with his self and his wealth and he does not return with any of that.”

Thus it becomes evident that this period comes with lots of benefits and blessings for believers the most important of which are the rites of Hajj that take place during these days.

For those of us who are not on Hajj, we already have instructions on how best to maximise the rewards in these days. The Prophet (upon him be peace) commanded us to recite lots of Tasbih (‘Subhan-Allah’), Tahmid (‘Al-hamdu Lillah’) and Takbir (‘Allahu akbar’) during this period.

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may He be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (upon him be peace) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Almighty and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so during this time, recite a great deal of Tahlil (‘La ilaha ill-Allah’), Takbir and Tahmid.”

Recall, too, dear brethren, that one act of righteousness that you should have started since the first day of this month, is fasting. If you have not, begin this supererogatory fasting tomorrow and bring it to a close next Thursday, i.e. Arafat Day! Fasting on these days will expiate our sins, provided that they are not major ones.

While we are all involved in these acts of worship, there is no doubt that we shall keep an eye on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah- the day of Eid. Our supplications shall then be, in the main, that the Almighty should grant us the privilege of being alive to witness that day and many more thereafter. I say, Aamin.