“By the dawn; by the ten nights” al-Fajr 89:1-2. Allah سبحانه وتعالى swears by the first ten days of Zul Hijjah in Surah Al Fajr indicating its importance. Firstly Zul Hijja is the month in which the annual pilgrimage takes place. This month is of great importance to the Muslims round the world. The first ten days of Zul Hijjah are of a special value to the Muslims as they are considered an opportunity to do more good deeds and earn greater reward. The significance of these days is mentioned in the following hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “There is no deed that is better in the sight of Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of Al-Adha”. It was asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for Jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.”

The Prophet  used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijja and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-Hijja) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)

The Prophet  said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying لا إله إلا الله), Takbeer (saying الله أكبر) and Tahmeed (saying الحمد لله).” (Ahmad -Saheeh) Omar رضي الله عنه would go around the market place reciting takbeer and people would recite takbeer when they heard him.

Allah says, “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [Al-Qasas 28:67] Indeed Allah ٍسبحانه وتعالى loves those who repent sincerely. Make good use of these ten days and repent for the sins you have committed and you shall find Him Ever Forgiving.

Allah Almighty calls out to His servants in the latter part of the night: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhaari, Muslim) The Tahajjud prayer humbles ones inner self and helps in the establishment of a strong relationship between Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His slave.

Give the book of Allah some time in these blessed days and try understanding its message.

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it; and whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.“[Al-Zalzalah 99:7-8] Since these days are of special value to Allah, He doubles the reward for every single good deed done for His sake. Don’t forget to thank Allah for all His bounties!! May Allah سبحانه وتعالى give us the tawfeeq to utilize our time in His worship and accept our struggles…Amen