dhul hijjah 2025 - a second chance after ramadan ♡
meaning 'the month of the pilgrimage' as many muslims go on hajj in this time, dhul hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the islamic year. the first ten days of this month are the best days of the entire year. yes - even better than ramadan:
it was narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah" - Sunan Ibn Majah 1727
these ten days encompass the day of Arafah, Hajj, and Eid ul-Adha
this month, we remember prophet Ibrahim (as) and how he was told by Allah to sacrifice his son, Hadrat Ismail (as). he took hadrat Ismail (as) on top of mount Arafat for the sacrifice, and just as he was about to sacrifice Ismail (as), Allah told him to stop as He was only testing him to see if he was truly obedient and willing to sacrifice everything for Allah's sake. the 9th day of dhul hijjah is the day of Arafah, commemorating this event.
we also remember how Allah told Ibrahim (as) to leave Ismail (as) and his wife, Hadrat Hajar, in a desert - which, today, is present day makkah.
this month is therefore about obedience, surrender and sacrifice for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.
depending on the sighting of the moon, dhul hijjah is expected to begin 28th may!
what to do in these first ten days?
even if you're not going for hajj, you should use these blessed days for extra righteous deeds and worship, especially on the day of arafah - the 9th day (which falls on 5th june this year, Insha'Allah) - the day before eid.
it is a sunnah to fast the first 9 days of dhul hijjah. if you won't fast all 9 days, then it's best to prioritise the 9th day, the day of Arafah. this is because the prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1730) however, unless you're going for hajj and you're actually at Afarah, then you cannot as it's forbidden to fast while on the mountain.
if you can't or are unable to fast, you can give an expiation (fidya).
it's extremely important to increase your dhikr in this time. recite the tasbeeh, tahmeed, takbeer and tahleel often:
tasbeeh - subhanallah (Holy is Allah)
tahmeed - alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah)
takbeer - Allah Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
tahleel - laa ilaha ill-Allah (there is no God except Allah)
Allah said “remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue” (29:46) - it brings you closer to Him, you feel more certain in His powers that He can remove any hardship which makes the heart feel less anxious, Allah becomes your Friend, you'll become successful (remember Allah often so you may prosper” (8:46), it cleans your heart, it protects you from harm, Allah becomes pleased with you. it truly is the greatest virtue.
also recite istighfar (astagfirullah) and repent for your sins
the best dua to recite on the day of Arafah itself is:
laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer - (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent)
OTHER INCREASED ACTS OF WORSHIP
do extra voluntary acts of worship (nawafil, sunnah prayers, duha prayers)
listen to the Qur'an more
send many, many salutations to the Prophet ﷺ (durood sharif!)
practice gratitude. what are you thankful for?
give sadaqah / donate to a charity. make sacrifices!
read translation and commentary of surahs
listen to islamic podcasts/read islamic books to increase your knowledge
talk to Allah!!!! pray!!!!
try and increase your acts of worship throughout the 9 days and especially on the 9th day, the day of arafah, which is the day before eid! (16th june Insha'Allah, depending on where you are in the world)
on the tenth day of dhul hijjah (eid), our beloved Prophet ﷺ used to give Qurbani (a sacrifice) every year to remember Ibrahim (as) almost sacrificing his son for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ's sake. muslims sacrifice animals all over the world to follow this sunnah, and donating qurbani is encouraged for every Muslim who is financially able to do so (this can be done online)
may Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ make it easy for us to utilise these blessed and best 10 days to the best of our abilities, forgive us of our sins, draw us ever nearer to Him and allow us to become His best friends, Allahumma Ameen ♡
