Every year, when Ramadan arrives, Muslims around the world embrace a powerful atmosphere of worship. Mosques fill with worshippers reciting the Qur’an, striving to complete its chapters, increasing charity, and spending their nights in prayer.
During the final ten nights of Ramadan, that spiritual energy often reaches its peak. Many Muslims devote nearly every moment to drawing closer to Allah. Communities gather for iftar meals, mosques host religious lectures, and a strong sense of togetherness flourishes throughout society.
Yet an important question remains: why is the same spirit rarely seen during the first ten days of Dhulhijjah?
This contrast is striking because the Prophet Muhammad explicitly described those days as among the most beloved times for righteous deeds. In practice, however, mosques are often less crowded than they are during Ramadan. Voluntary fasting, nightly prayers, and intensive Qur’anic recitation have not become equally vibrant traditions during Dhulhijjah.
The Excellence of the First Ten Days
In an authentic narration recorded by Imam al-Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad said:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ» يَعْنِي أَيَّامَ الْعَشْرِ، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ»
From Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), Rasulullah SAW said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days,” referring to the first ten days of Dhulhijjah. The companions then asked, “Not even jihad in the path of Allah?” The Prophet replied: “Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth and returns with neither.” (Sunan Bukhari)
This hadith highlights the extraordinary status of the first ten days of Dhulhijjah. Acts of worship performed during this period carry immense spiritual value, surpassing even many of the greatest forms of devotion.
Another narration further emphasizes the virtue of these days. The Prophet said:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُتَعَبَّدَ لَهُ فِيهَا مِنْ عَشْرِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ، يَعْدِلُ صِيَامُ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِنْهَا بِصِيَامِ سَنَةٍ، وَقِيَامُ كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْهَا بِقِيَامِ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ»
“From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), Nabi SAW said, “There are no days more beloved to Allah for worship than the first ten days of Dhulhijjah. Fasting each day is equivalent to fasting for a year, and standing in prayer each night is equivalent to the Night of Decree.” (Sunan Tirmidzi, Ibn Majah, and Al-Baihaqi).
Together, these traditions reveal that Dhulhijjah offers a rare spiritual opportunity. Voluntary fasting, remembrance of Allah, charity, and nightly worship during this period hold exceptional merit.
Rebuilding a Collective Spiritual Tradition
For that reason, Muslim communities should revive the spiritual culture of the first ten days of Dhulhijjah. Mosques can organize Qur’anic recitations, religious gatherings, remembrance circles, and communal prayers. Families and neighborhoods can encourage one another to fast, pray at night, and engage in acts of charity.
Just as Ramadan creates a powerful collective spirit of worship, Dhulhijjah should also become a season of renewed devotion. These sacred days should not pass as ordinary moments in the calendar.
Dhulhijjah is not merely the month of sacrifice. It is also a month of deep servitude to Allah. Within it lies a profound opportunity to strengthen faith, increase righteous deeds, and revive the spiritual consciousness of the Muslim community.
