Ten Points for the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Ten Points for the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

1. The first ten days are actually nine days with the addition of the day of Eid. It is called the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, but only nine of it is for fasting as the tenth day is the beginning of Eid. It is impermissible to fast on the day of Eid, this is a consensus amongst the people of knowledge.

2. It is permissible to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah with the last day being the day of Arafah for those not doing Hajj. The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said in a hadith narrated by ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu anhuma) (in at-Tirimidhi): “There are not any days that good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than those done in these ten days.”

3. In these days, it is recommended that there is a lot of remembrance of Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) – this is for all of the ten days.

4. In these days, it is recommended that one makes takbir of Allaah (saying “Allaahu akbar Allaahu akbar Allaahu akbar, La ilaaha illallaah, Allaahu akbar Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahil hamd”) – this is for all of the ten days.

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5. In these days, it is recommended to read the Quran as much as possible and give charity – this is for all of the ten days.

6. The ninth day is the day of Arafah. The Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said in an authentic narration: “Verily on the day of Arafah there is expiation of sins for the year before and the year after” (narrated by Abi Qatada (radhiAllaahu anhu), reported in Sahih Muslim and At-Tirmidhi). So therefore it is a great day, so it is recommended to fast that day for those not doing Hajj. Fasting is only permissible for the first nine days as the tenth day is the day of Eid.

7. Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) said: “That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)…” (Surah al-Hajj: 28).

Ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu anhuma) said: “The appointed days are the days of Arafah (9th), an-Nahr (10th) and the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th ).

8. Whoever wishes to slaughter in these days it is not allowed to cut or remove any hair from his body or his nails, but this does not apply to his family, only the head of the family who is doing the slaughtering.

9. The ruling regards to slaughtering:

a. An individual who slaughters from his own wealth on behalf of himself and his family – It is not permissible for this individual to shave any hair from his body, remove any part of his skin or cut his nails.

b. An individual who slaughters from his own wealth for others e.g. he wishes to slaughter for his father or his mother – He too must not cut his hair, take from his skin or cut his nails.

c. Anybody who wishes to slaughter with someone else’s wealth, for somebody else .e.g. He has been entrusted by someone else to slaughter cattle for him – This individual is allowed to cut his hair, nails and skin etc.

10. Eid Al-Adha is four days in total: the tenth (the day of Eid prayer) and the days of tashreeq (the eleventh, twelve and thirteenth days of Dhul-Hijjah). It is impermissible to fast in these days for those not performing the Hajj. The Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said: “The days of Tashreeq are days for eating, drinking and remembering Allaah (Azza wa Jalla).” (narrated by Abi al-Maleeh (radhiAllaahu anhu), reported in Sahih Al-Muslim). Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) said: “And remember Allaah during the appointed Days.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 203).

[Taken from the works of Al-Imam Al-Baghawee, Al-Alaamah bin Baz and Al-Alaamah Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy on them all and all the scholars of the Sunnah.]