These days are some of the best days of the year. Allah (SWT) is so Merciful and gives us many ways to increase our good deeds. Unfortunately many of us do not know the value or importance of these upcoming 10 days and let them fly by and miss out on a great deal of good.
Hadiths: Let's see what Prophet Muhammad said about the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah in the hadiths. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran - And he speaks not of his own desire. It is but a revelation revealed to him. (53:3-4)
The superiority of these 10 days
The Prophet said: “ No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days.” His companions asked “ Not even Jihad in the way of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger and returns with neither.” (Muslim/Bukhari)
Fasting during these days are equivalent to fasting for one year & Praying
Tahajud is also rewarded tremendously
The Prophet said: “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul Tahajud (late night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing late night prayer for one year. (Tirmidhi)
There are no days greater in the sight of Allah (SWT) which righteous deeds
are more beloved to Him
The Prophet said: "There are no days greater in the sight of Allah in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (La ilaaha ill-Allah - There is no God but Allah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest) and Tahmeed (Alhumdoilllah - All Praise Belongs to Allah). (Ahmad)
The Great blessing of Fasting on the day of Arafah
Prophet Muhammad was questioned about about the observance of fast on the day of Arafat. He said : Fasting the day of Arafah causes forgiveness of the sins of the previous year and coming year. (Muslim)
Arafah, which is the ninth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, is one of the greatest days of the year. Fasting this day for those not performing Hajj is strongly recommended.
Summary
We should take great care and make sure we use these upcoming 10 days to earn Allah's (SWT) pleasure and increase our record of good deeds. These are the days where whatever good we do is multiplied several times, only Allah (SWT) knows how much! None of us are in a position where we can say we have enough good deeds, because we can never do enough for the sake of Allah (SWT).
What will we gain from these upcoming 10 days? A big something or big nothing? Right now the choice is ours!
We ask Allah (SWT) the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allah (SWT) grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions...
*(SWT = Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) - Glory Be To Allah The Exalted!
= Peace and Blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him.