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The 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the most sacred days of the Islamic year — greater in virtue than any other days, including the days of Ramadan. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari). The companions asked: “Not even jihad in the path of Allah?” He replied: “Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for the man who goes out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither.”
This guide breaks down exactly what to do on each of the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah so you can make the most of this blessed season whether you are performing Hajj or at home.
Why Are the 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah So Special?
Allah Himself swears by these days in the Quran:
“By the Dawn, and by the Ten Nights” (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1-2)
When Allah swears by something in His Book, it is of immense significance. These 10 days are honoured because they combine the greatest acts of worship prayer, fasting, charity, dhikr, and sacrifice all within one period. They also include:
- The Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) — the greatest day of the year
- Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah) — the greatest day of the Islamic calendar
- The days of Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam being fulfilled by millions
Who Are These Days For?
This is one of the most important things to understand about Dhul Hijjah: the blessings are not exclusive to pilgrims.
Every Muslim on earth, regardless of whether they are in Makkah or at home, can earn enormous reward during these 10 days. The deeds you perform at home during Dhul Hijjah are more beloved to Allah than deeds performed at any other time of year. Don’t let these days pass like any ordinary week.
One Important Sunnah: Stop Cutting Hair and Nails
If you intend to offer Qurbani (animal sacrifice), it is Sunnah to refrain from cutting your hair or nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after you have performed your sacrifice on Eid.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever has an animal to sacrifice, once the crescent of Dhul Hijjah appears, let him not cut his hair or nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” (Muslim)
This is not obligatory, but it is a recommended Sunnah that connects you spiritually to the pilgrims who are in Ihram.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1 -1st Dhul Hijjah: Make Your Intention
The best way to begin these 10 days is with a sincere, conscious intention. Don’t let these days arrive without preparing yourself mentally and spiritually.
What to do:
- Make a firm intention to worship Allah during these 10 days
- Stop cutting hair and nails if you plan to offer Qurbani
- Begin your daily Dhikr routine (see Dhikr section below)
- Give your first Sadaqah of the season — even a small amount
- Tell your family so they can join you in maximising these days
Days 2–7 – 2nd to 7th Dhul Hijjah: Stack Your Good Deeds Daily
The middle days of Dhul Hijjah are your opportunity to build a consistent daily worship routine. Every single good deed in these days carries extraordinary weight.
Your daily worship stack:
- 📖 Quran — recite at least one page or one Juz per day
- 🔁 Dhikr — say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and La ilaha illa Allah as much as possible throughout the day
- 💸 Sadaqah — give something in charity every single day, even if small
- 🕌 Five prayers on time — this is your foundation; do not miss a single prayer
- 🙏 Tawbah — end each night by seeking sincere forgiveness from Allah
- 🤲 Extra Nafl — add Duha prayer and Tahajjud if you are able
The Prophet ﷺ specifically mentioned in the hadith that fasting during these days is also among the most beloved deeds to Allah. If you are able to fast any of days 2–8, do so.
Day 8 – 8th Dhul Hijjah: Yawm al-Tarwiyah
The 8th of Dhul Hijjah is called Yawm al-Tarwiyah — the Day of Quenching. On this day, the pilgrims travel from Makkah to Mina and enter Ihram. It is the official beginning of Hajj.
What pilgrims are doing: Travelling to Mina, settling into their tents, and beginning the days of Hajj in a state of worship and preparation.
What you can do at home:
- Fast this day if you are able it is a day of great virtue
- Increase your Salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet ﷺ
- Make dua specifically for the pilgrims who have begun their Hajj journey today
- Reflect on the journey of Ibrahim (AS) and his family, which Hajj commemorates
- Prepare your heart for Day 9 the most important day of the year
Day 9 – 9th Dhul Hijjah: Yawm al-Arafah The Most Important Day
The Day of Arafah is the pinnacle of the entire Islamic year. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Hajj is Arafah.” And for those not performing Hajj, this day carries a reward unlike any other.
The fast of Arafah:
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah and said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim)
This is one of the most powerful single acts of worship available to a Muslim in an entire year. Do not miss this fast.
How to spend the Day of Arafah at home:
- Morning: Begin the day with Fajr, make Dhikr, and set your intention for the fast
- Dhuhr to Maghrib: This is the primary time for worship — the pilgrims are standing at Arafah during this window. Make this your personal standing with Allah. Make dua, seek forgiveness, recite Quran, and pour your heart out to Him
- Dua to recite: The Prophet ﷺ said the best dua of Arafah is:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir
“There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything.”
Repeat this as much as possible throughout the day, alongside your personal duas.
Make a dua list: Just as pilgrims prepare their dua lists for Arafah, prepare your own. Write down everything you want to ask Allah for — your deen, your family, your health, your rizq, the Ummah, the deceased, and those who asked you to make dua for them. Go through it from Dhuhr until Maghrib.
- Sunset: Break your fast and pray Maghrib. Feel the weight of this day and thank Allah for making you among those who spent it in worship.
For a full guide on the Day of Arafah including duas, tips, and how to prepare, visit our Day of Arafah Guide.
Day 10 – 10th Dhul Hijjah: Eid al-Adha
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha one of the two great celebrations of Islam and the day the pilgrims perform their biggest rituals in Makkah.
What to do on Eid al-Adha:
- 🕌 Eid Salah attend Eid prayer with your community; this is highly recommended and some scholars consider it obligatory
- 🐑 Qurbani (Udhiyah) perform your animal sacrifice; this is obligatory for those who are financially able and not performing Hajj
- 👨👩👧 Family spend time with your family and loved ones
- 🤝 Share the meat distribute Qurbani meat to the poor, neighbours, and relatives
- 🔊 Takbeer say the Takbeer al-Tashreeq loudly after every Fard prayer from Fajr on the 9th until Asr on the 13th
🚫 Important: It is haram (forbidden) to fast on Eid al-Adha. Do not fast today.
Days 11–13 Ayyam al-Tashreeq: The Days of Celebration
The 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah are called the Ayyam al-Tashreeq — the Days of Drying Meat, named after the practice of drying Qurbani meat in the sun. These are days of continued celebration and worship.
What to do:
- Continue saying Takbeer al-Tashreeq after every Fard prayer:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.”
- Eat, drink, and celebrate the Prophet ﷺ said these are days of eating, drinking, and the remembrance of Allah
- Continue your Dhikr and Quran throughout these days
- Spend time with family and maintain the bonds of kinship (silat al-rahim)
🚫 Important: It is also haram to fast on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
The Dhikr of Dhul Hijjah
The Prophet ﷺ specifically instructed us to increase in Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed during the 10 days:
“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah than these ten days, so increase in them the Tahleel, the Takbeer, and the Tahmeed.” (Ahmad)
| Dhikr | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tahleel | لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ | There is no god but Allah |
| Takbeer | اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allah is the Greatest |
| Tahmeed | الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ | All praise belongs to Allah |
| Tasbeeh | سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ | Glory be to Allah |
Make these a constant on your tongue while driving, cooking, walking, and working.
Practical Tips to Make the Most of These 10 Days
- Plan before they arrive decide how much you will fast, how much you will give in Sadaqah, and what your daily Quran target will be
- Tell your family when the whole household is involved, it becomes easier and more rewarding
- Set a Fajr alarm don’t start these days by sleeping through the morning
- Prepare your dua list especially for Day 9; write it down in advance
- Reduce distractions limit social media and entertainment during these 10 days
- Treat it like Ramadan the same seriousness and intentionality you bring to Ramadan belongs here too
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Fasting on Eid (10th) or Ayyam al-Tashreeq (11th–13th) — this is haram
- Missing the fast of Arafah (9th) — this is one of the greatest missed opportunities of the year
- Cutting hair or nails before Qurbani — if you intend to sacrifice, hold off until after
- Treating these days like normal days — the reward is too great to waste
- Waiting until Day 9 to start — begin from Day 1 and build your momentum
Your Dhul Hijjah Action Plan at a Glance
| Days | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| Days 1–8 | Daily Dhikr, Quran, Sadaqah, Fasting (optional), no hair/nails |
| Day 8 | Fast, make dua for pilgrims, increase Salawat |
| Day 9 | FAST, maximum dua from Dhuhr to Maghrib, make Tawbah |
| Day 10 | Eid prayer, Qurbani, family, distribute meat — NO fasting |
| Days 11–13 | Celebrate, Dhikr, Takbeer al-Tashreeq — NO fasting |
Final Thoughts
The 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are a gift from Allah. He has placed within them a concentration of reward and mercy that is unmatched at any other point in the year. Whether you are at Hajj or at home, these days are your opportunity to earn forgiveness, draw closer to Allah, and change the trajectory of your life.
Don’t let them pass like ordinary days. Plan, prepare, and give these 10 days everything you have.
May Allah allow us all to make the most of these blessed days and accept our worship. Ameen.
For more guides on Hajj and Dhul Hijjah, visit our Hajj Preparation Hub.