What are some of the Most Preferable Deeds that can be Performed during the First Ten Days of Dhil Hijjah?

It is, as we have already mentioned, preferable to increase in doing all types of good deeds during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah because of the superiority of performing righteous actions during those days since they are the best days of the year.

However, the preferability of the performance of some acts of worship during these days, or on some of them, have been specifically mentioned.

Such as:

Increasing in the Remembrance of Allah the Most High

Ibn Rajab R said: “As for the preferability of increasing the remembrance of Allah during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the proof can be found in the statement of Allah ﷻ.

وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ

and mention the name of Allah on known (i.e. specific days) [al-Hajj 22: 28]

Certainly the vast majority of the scholars are of the opinion that: (the well-known days) refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. [Lataaiful Ma`aarif, page 462]

Frequently Saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, La Ilaaha Illal Allah’, and Al Hamda Lillaah’

We are reminded of the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar RA, where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

ما من أيام أعظم عند الله سبحانه ولا أحب إليه العمل فيهن من هذه الأيام العشر. فأكثروا فيهن من التهليل والتكبير والتحميد

“There are no days that are better in the sight of Allah, and during which deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days (i.e. the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah). So, during them frequently say La llaaha Illa Allah’, Allahu Akbar’, and ‘Al-Hamdu Lillaah’,”

Imam Bukhari R said: “Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah RA used to go to the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and repeatedly say the takbeers and the people would repeat it along with them.”

Naafi R said that: “Ibn ‘Umar RA used to say the takbeer during each of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, even while on his bed and while sitting down.”

Likewise, Ataa ibn Abee Rabah R used to say the takbeer during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah while walking in the streets, and in the marketplace.

Ja’far ibn Sulaiman R said: “Once, during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, I saw Thaabit Al-Bunaani R stop teaching his hadith class and then say: الله اكبر الله اكبر لا الاه الا الله الله اكبر و لله الحمد

Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. All praise is due to Allah.”

Then he said: These are the days of remembrance of Allah and this is how the people used to do it.” Then Ja’ far (the narrator of the hadith) said: “I saw Maalik ibn Dinar R do the same thing.”

Fasting During the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah Except for the Day of Eid

It has been authentically narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.

عَنْ هُنَيْدَةَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ، عَنِ امْرَأَتِهِ، قَالَتْ حَدَّثَتْنِي بَعْضُ، نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَتِسْعًا مِنْ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ أَوَّلَ اثْنَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَخَمِيسَيْنِ

It was narrated from Hunaidah bin Khalid RA that his wife said:

“One of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ said: “The Prophet used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursdays. [Sunan an-Nasa’i 2372]

Imam An-Nawwawee R said with reference to fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijah: “It is extremely preferable to do so.”

Standing the Nights in Prayer

Standing the nights in prayer is one of the righteous deeds that is preferable to perform during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Ibn Rajab R said: “It is preferable to stand the nights in prayer during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Imam Ash-Shaafi’ee R as well as other scholars, have said that it is preferable to do so.

Sa’eed ibn Jubair R narrated a hadith in which he said that whenever the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah began, Ibn ‘Abbas RA would exert himself to the limits of his ability. It has also been narrated upon Ibn ‘Abbas RA that he said: Do not turn out your lamps during the nights of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah! – because he was especially worship (during those days).” [Lataaiful Ma`aarif, page 462]