The Importance and Significance of the
First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah
Dr Mozammel Haque
Wednesday
28 May 2025
Saudi
Arabia has announced Dhul-Hijjah starts today, Wednesday, 28 May 2025,
following the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday
evening. Saudi Arabia announced that the five-day Eid-ul-Adha celebration will
begin on 6th of June 2025. This will be the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month
of the Islamic Hijri calender.
Arafat Day on Tuesday, 5th of June 2025
Dhul-Hijjah,
the 12th month of this year 1446 Hijri begins Wednesday 28 May
2025. Hajj will start on the 7th day of
Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 3rd of June and end on the 11th day
of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 7th of June. Arafat Day falls
on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 5th of
June, 2023. Eid-ul-Adha will begin inshaAllah on Friday, the 6th of
June 2025.
And there is another Hadith about the
fasting on the Arafat Day wherein Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon
him said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafat expiates the sins of the past year and
the coming year.” (Muslim)
Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan on Dhul
Hijjah
and Day of Arafah
Speaking about these days Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, said on Sunday, the 12th of August 2018 at the Library Hall of the Centre, “When we say Aml as saleh as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said it covers everything not only as some people think only fasting, for example or not only giving alms to the poor and needy; no; it covers everything.”
First Aml
As Saleh– Takbeer
There are
many good deeds which can be done during these first ten days of the month of
Dhul Hijjah. Last Sunday was the first day of the month of Dhul Hijjah and
there are still ten days till the tenth day when there will be Eid day. One of
the Aml as Saleh, according to Dr. al-Dubayan, is saying Takbeer.
He said, you can do the Aml as Saleh by saying these days Takbeer:
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar la ilaha illalla Allahu Akbar Allahu
Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd.
These ten days any time not only related to after prayer. After prayer Takbeer. will come after the Eid day for three days. But now till the day of Eid you can Takbeer. any time. You can do it when you are sitting, you can do it when you are at home, you can do it in your car or when you are walking whatever. Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar la ilaha illalla Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd. This is one of the good actions or good deeds Allah Subhanahu wa Taala likes it to be done in these days, explained Dr. al-Dubayan.
Dr.
al-Dubayan also said, One of the good things we can do is fasting; we can
fast one day, two days, three days or four days as many as you want. But do not
fast on the Eid day; because fasting on the Eid day is harm. Because Eid day is
a day of joy, day of eating, day of drinking; it is a day of celebration. So
you can fast one day or two or three.
Another good deed – Visiting family relations
Dr.
al-Dubayan also said, “One of the good deeds you can do is visiting your
families, your uncles, your cousins, your brothers your sisters, doing best for
your parents, or anybody who is around from your families visit him or visit
her try to show them your kindness with the intention that you are doing your
duty for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.
Giving charity to needy and poor people
The ICC
Chief also said one of the good things which you can do is to give charity to
the needy, to give charity to the poor people, whatever it is, small or big.
Don’t think big money will be accepted by Allah Subhanahu wa Taala only.
Sometimes you give little will be better in the sight of Allah than someone who
gives a lot. That’s why the Prophet peace be upon him said one dirham is better
than one thousand dirham in sadaqa. Why? That person who gives one
dirham he gives with the pure intention for the sake of Allah. Another one who
gave one thousand dirham may be gave it for other reason - to be seen by
people; to be praised by people whatever. So this one dirham is better,
explained Dr. Al-Dubayan.
Taking care of children, orphans
ICC
Director General mentioned, one of the good things is in these days really “to
take care of your children; taking care of orphans if they are around you;
especially if they are within your family. For example if you have nephew or
niece, cousins you give them more care; show them love and affection especially
in these days. You have to show always but to show them in these ten days are
more beneficial. Because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala likes to see
all goods deeds in these ten days. Prophet peace be upon him was asked by
somebody; he said: what is jihad fi Sabilillah? He said is it
better? Prophet peace be upon him said, anything you do in these days better
than the jihad except if someone goes for jihad with all his money, his life;
never return back everything lost; that person gives his all properties and
give his life for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. May be this
one is better. But nothing else is better than that doing hasanah good deeds
during these days, explained Dr. al-Dubayan.
Dr.
al-Dubayan said we have ten days like a season of good deeds, two times a year.
One is the last ten days of Ramadan; this is a season why because the Lailatul
Qadr is there, may be the first, the second or third till the end of
Ramadan. Then we have the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Now these ten days are
for doing hasanah or good deeds. Anything even talk to people
is good. If somebody angry with you for any reason or other try to fix it; if
you did wrong to some body, try to fix it; even if he or she does not know
about it. Try to clean yourself before the day of Eid.
Arafah Day 9th of Dhul Hijjah
Dr.
Al-Dubayan explained the Day of Arafah. He said, the last day before the Eid,
the day number 9th, we call it the day of Arafah the 9th day.
People on Hajj they will stand on Arafah, that day standing on Arafah day; it
is a very very holy day in the ten days. On that day it is Sunnah to
fast for those who do not perform Hajj. We are here in London or anywhere who
is not in Makkah we fast on the 9th Dhul Hijjah; the
day of Arafah. That’s why, Prophet peace be upon him said, “I am asking Allah
for those fast on the day of Arafah to forgive their sins for one year before
Arafah and one year after Arafah. It is an important day, explained ICC Chief.
Asking
Forgiveness
Dr.
al-Dubayan also explained, Day of Arafah is the Day of Mercy; the Day of
Praising Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.forgives
so many peoples. That’s why, it is really important on the Day of Arafah to
make Takbeer and to make dua supplication always to Allah
Subhanahu wa Taala asking forgiveness for us for all Muslims; for the
loved ones; for all families; asking guidance for yourself; for our husband;
for our wives; for our children; for everybody. It is a day of mercy and also
forgiveness and comfortable for all people around the world. Anybody you can
ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala you have relatives or friends or
somebody you like or she or he is not Muslims; ask Allah Subhanahu wa
Taala to guide him or to guide her to the right path. You can make dua
for those who are not Muslims to give them guidance from Allah
Subhanahu wa Taala.
Guidance is in the hand of Allah
Another
important thing one must try to understand is that showing light or Guidance is
from Allah and not from people. Dr. al-Dubayan explained this aspect of
Guidance. He said it is very close to Islam. People could not see the light of
it. Many people read the Qur’an; speak the Arabic; read Islamic books but they
don’t see the light. But some other people see the light just away far away and
see this light and they come to Islam. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala directs
them. Guidance is in the hand of Allah. He can guide someone in the light even
by explaining convincing a person.