Key Dates of Dhul Hijjah: Making Every Moment Count
There are certain times of the year that feel completely different from the rest. The air feels a bit more still, our hearts feel a bit more open, and the opportunity to get our lives back on the right track, feels completely within reach.
While many of us eagerly wait for the final nights of Ramadan, our blessed Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) guided us toward another group of days that are even more powerful.
He (ﷺ) said:
"There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
These are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.
Whether you are blessed to be standing on the plains of Arafah for Hajj this year, or you are observing these days from home, every single moment is an opportunity to show compassion, change your life, and save others.
To help you navigate this beautiful month, here is a simple guide to the key dates of Dhul Hijjah and how you can maximize your rewards.
This marks the beginning of the best ten days of the year. From this day forward, every good deed you do is multiplied in value.
While fasting the entire ten days isn't mandatory, it is a beautiful tradition followed by the Prophet (ﷺ) to fast during the first nine days of the month.
Every day you fast during this period is a deeply personal sacrifice that draws you closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). If fasting all nine days feels difficult due to work or health, try to pick a few days, or focus entirely on the most important day -the Day of Arafah.
This is the pinnacle of the entire month. For the pilgrims on Hajj, this is the day they stand before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) pleading for mercy. For those of us at home, it is a day of immense forgiveness.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, and he replied:
"It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year."
— Sahih Muslim
Make a Du'a List: Write down your deepest prayers the night before. Spend the afternoon of Arafah, especially the hours right before sunset, making heartfelt du'a for your family, your future, and the millions of people around the world suffering from poverty and conflict.
After days of reflection, fasting, and prayer, we celebrate Eid al-Adha. It is a day of joy, community, and gratitude. But at the heart of this day is a beautiful act of solidarity: Qurbani.
Qurbani honours the ultimate devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (as). When we offer our sacrifice, we are directly sharing our blessings with families who routinely go months without tasting a single piece of meat.
The celebration doesn't end on Eid day. The three days following Eid are known as the Days of Tashreeq. These are days designated for eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.
It is a time to enjoy meals with your loved ones and reflect on the hospitality we owe to the rest of the world. It is also the final window where Qurbani meat is distributed to those who need it most.
Life gets busy, and it is easy to accidentally lose track of these precious days amidst work, family, and daily chores. The last thing you want is to look back and realize you missed the immense rewards of the Day of Arafah or the first ten nights.
To make sure you never miss a moment of giving, you can automate your donations. By setting up a daily giving plan, you can ensure a small, consistent amount of charity is given on your behalf every single day of the best ten days.
Decide on a sustainable amount to give each day (e.g., £5 or £10 a day). Remember, the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us that the most beloved deeds to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) are those done consistently, even if they are small.
Direct your automated charity toward the projects closest to your heart- whether that is providing clean water, feeding a vulnerable family, or supporting orphans.
Don't leave your Qurbani to the last minute. By scheduling it alongside your daily donations, you ensure your sacrifice is made on time and fresh meat is delivered to a struggling family right for Eid.
As we approach these sacred days, let’s remember that our worship is directly connected to how we treat the creation of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). True compassion means looking beyond our own dinner tables and reaching out to the parents across Pakistan, Africa, Bangladesh, and India who are wondering how they will feed their children today.
Let these ten days be the moment you change your habits, cleanse your heart, and save a life.
May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) accept all your contributions and reward you and your loved ones abundantly, in this world and the hereafter, Ameen.
Every Penny Helps Thank you.
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