The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah 1446 are expected to begin on the 28th of May 2025. The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) will be on the 5th of June, and the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) will be on the 6th of June 2025.
The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest times of the Islamic year – a period of increased spirituality, during which we observe the two sacred events of Hajj and Eid al-Adha, all in devotion to Allah SWT.
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year, including the days of Ramadan. They present a unique opportunity to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven, and deepen our spirituality.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are often referred to as the best days of the year. Even for those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage, it is still a time of great blessing and immense reward.
According to many scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Whoever is not able to perform Hajj should maximise this blessed time by increasing their acts of worship and good deeds – giving more charity, honouring parents, strengthening ties of kinship, enjoining what is good, and forbidding what is evil.
It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship by being mindful of our prayers and ensuring that we pay our Zakat on time.
For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make Du’a that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so soon. Fasting and remembrance are also particularly recommended.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
– Ahmad
While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:
Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise.
The companions would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer aloud, as more people would join in. Let us follow their footsteps and encourage others to recite the takbeer as well, as an act of worship and a proclamation of the greatness of Allah.
Muslims are taught to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. As an important sunnah, Dhul Hijjah fasting brings great rewards and forgiveness of sins.
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says:
Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari
If Muslims are unable to fast the full nine days of Dhul Hijjah, they should try their best to fast on the ninth day of Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
At Islamic Relief, we work all year round to relieve food poverty and help families maintain a healthy and stable livelihood.
Every Eid al-Adha, Islamic Relief is at the forefront of distributing Qurbani meat to some of the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, in over 30 countries. For many, this is the only time they will be able to eat meat in the entire year.
In 2024 alone, we distributed Qurbani meat to more than three million people in 27 countries across the world.
By donating Qurbani during this blessed month, you are offering a sacred source of solidarity and hope.