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These ten days could save your Akhirah! Here are TEN ways to maximise Dhul Hijjah's blessings. Shaytaan wants you to skip this post...
Imagine standing before Allahﷻ on the Day of Judgment, only to realise that you wasted the most blessed days of the year–days when mountains of sins could have been erased, your rank in Jannah elevated, and your connection with Allahﷻ strengthened beyond measure . The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are not just any ordinary days—they are a divine gift, directly from the mercy of Allahﷻ.
The Prophetﷺ said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." (Bukhari). If you understood just how important these days are, how they hold the key to success in this life and the next, would you let them pass by unnoticed?
Shaytaan wants you to scroll past this, to skip this article; don’t let him win. What follows is crucial to your Akhirah, and what is a few minutes to ensure you’re fully prepared for Allah’sﷻ favourite days? This is your personal roadmap to maximising the blessings of Dhul Hijjah 2025 – don’t miss out on life-changing rewards.
Unlike any other time of the year, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah carry immense weight in Islam. They are so sacred that Allahﷻ swears by them in the Qur’an: "By the dawn, and by the ten nights..." (89:1-2).
The ten nights are the first ten of Dhu’l-Hijjah, as Ibn Abbaas, Ibn az-Zubayr, Mujaahid, and others of earlier and later generations stated
The ten nights are the first ten of Dhu’l-Hijjah, as Ibn Abbaas, Ibn az-Zubayr, Mujaahid, and others of earlier and later generations stated.
Here are FIVE reasons why these are the best days of the year:
Below is a breakdown of how to make the most of each day, and how to use these days as a catapult to build your habits for the rest of the year, Insha’Allah.
Every great action begins with sincerity. The Prophetﷺ said: "Actions are judged by intentions." (Bukhari). Starting Dhul Hijjah with a pure intention magnifies every good deed you perform.
✔ Make the sincere intention to worship Allahﷻ wholeheartedly these ten days–do everything for His sake.
✔ Fast the first day (or as many as possible)—the Prophetﷺ fasted these days, except for Eid.
✔ Write down your spiritual goals—what do you want to achieve in these ten days?
✔ Istighfar 100x with this technique:
The last third of the night is when Allahﷻ descends to the lowest heaven, asking: "Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer?" (Bukhari). This is a golden opportunity for your Duas to be accepted and to become closer to Allahﷻ.
Tahajjud Blueprint:
✔ Recite Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping—it intercedes for you in the grave.
✔ Sleep early after Isha and wake up at least 45 minutes before Fajr
✔ 2 rak’ahs of Tahajjud (minimum), and make this a daily habit for these ten days.
✔ 15 minutes of heartfelt dua – Pour your heart out in dua
The Prophetﷺ said: "There are no days greater in the sight of Allahﷻ in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase in Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed." (Ahmad).
Dhikr Plan:
✔ Set a daily dhikr target (e.g., 100x "SubhanAllah," 100x "Alhamdulillah," 100x "Allahu Akbar").
✔ Use a tasbeeh counter or app to track your remembrance.
✔ Involve your family and make dhikr together after Salah.
✔ Recite the morning and evening adhkar for protection and barakah.
Charity during these blessed days carries unimaginable rewards. The Prophetﷺ said: "Charity does not decrease wealth." (Muslim).
✔ Donate daily—even a small amount (automate your donations and set your rewards on autopilot here!).
✔ Consider sponsoring an orphan or feeding the needy.
✔ Give in secret—hidden charity is more beloved to Allahﷻ.
✔ Volunteer your time—help the community at a local mosque or food bank.
Allahﷻ says: "˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful." (38:29).
✔ Aim to read at least one juz per day, slowly and carefully.
✔ Pick one ayah to reflect on deeply each day—what is Allahﷻ teaching you?
✔ Listen to Tafsir lectures—understand the meanings behind the verses.
✔ Recite Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays—it brings light between two Fridays.
Allahﷻ says: “But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (64:14).
✔ Reconcile with those whom you’ve wronged or who have wronged you.
✔ Pray for those who hurt you—it purifies your soul.
✔ Recite "Astaghfirullah" 1000 times—seek Allah’s mercy sincerely.
Midway through Dhul Hijjah, pause and evaluate your spiritual progress. This is your chance to recalibrate before the blessed days of Arafah and Eid.
✔ Spiritual Audit – what goals are on track? What needs improvement?
✔ Prepare for Arafah – research and memorise specific duas and plan your Ibadah schedule
✔ Encourage family and friends to do the same
Yawm al-Tarwiyah (The Day of Quenching Thirst–the day before Eid), observed on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, is when pilgrims prepare for the Hajj. Its name comes from a time when pilgrims would drink water in Makkah and carry it to Mina.
✔ Give extra Sadaqah—help someone in need before Eid.
✔ Recite Takbeerat loudly—revive the Sunnah of public remembrance.
✔ Pray extra nawafil prayers—2 rak’ahs before Dhuhr or after Isha.
✔ Plan your Qurbani (sacrifice) if you haven’t already—ensure it’s done sincerely, and for the sake of Allahﷻ.
The Prophetﷺ said: "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah." (Muslim).
✔ Fast Arafah seeking Allah’sﷻ protection (if not performing Hajj)—it atones for two years of sin.
✔ Spend the day in intense dua—ask for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings.
✔ Recite the best dua for Arafah: "La ilaha illAllah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir." (There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner with Him. His is the dominion, and His is the praise, and He is omnipotent over all things.)
✔ Avoid idle talk—focus on worship and remembrance.
The Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS) lives on through Udhiyah (Qurbani). The Prophetﷺ said: "For every hair of the sacrifice, you receive a reward." –(Tirmidhi).
✔ Perform Qurbani
✔ Pray Eid Salah in congregation (different route to/from)—revive the Sunnah of the Prophetﷺ.
✔ Give gifts to family, friends, and those in need, ensuring everyone enjoys Eid.
✔ Reflect on Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice—how can you submit to Allahﷻ even deeper?
These ten days are an investment in your Akhira. If you knew the rewards waiting for those who seize them, you wouldn’t waste a moment.
✅ Purify Intentions and Fast (especially on Arafah).
✅ Embrace Tahajjud
✅ Increase dhikr (Takbeer, Tahmeed, Tahleel).
✅ Give charity—no amount is too small.
✅ Recite Qur’an with reflection.
✅ Seek forgiveness and mend relationships.
✅ Reflect and Improve
✅ Maximise the Day of Arafah (fast & dua).
✅ Embody Ibrahim (AS) on Eid
The clock is ticking. Will you let these days pass like any other, or will you rise, strive, and transform your Akhirah?
The choice is yours. "So compete in good deeds." (2:148).
May Allahﷻ grant us the Tawfiq to maximise these blessed days and accept our deeds. Ameen.