The month of Dzulhijjah is a very special month in the Islamic calendar, because it contains various major acts of worship such as Hajj and sacrifice. The virtues of this month are confirmed in the Hadith.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
مَامِنْ عَمَلٍ أَزْكَى عِنْدَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، وَلَا أَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْمَلُهُ فِيْ عَشْرِالْأَضْحَى. قِيْلَ : وَلَاالْجِهَادُ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ؟ قَالَ : وَلَااالْجِهَادُ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ.
‘There is no deed holier in the sight of Allâh and greater in reward than the good deeds done in the first ten days of Dzulhijjah’. Then someone asked, ‘Does this include jihad in the cause of Allâh?’ Rasûlullâh Shallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, ’It is jihad in the way of Allâh, unless one goes out with his soul and wealth (to the field of jihad) and none of them returns (he is martyred) (HR: Ad-Darimi).
This shows how great the rewards and virtues that can be achieved by Muslims through acts of worship on these days.
Because of its great virtues, Muslims are encouraged to increase their good deeds during the first ten days of Dzulhijjah. The purpose of this article is to discuss the main acts of worship that are recommended to be performed during this period, including fasting, prayer, dhikr, recitation of the Qur’an, charity, and sacrifice, as well as the main acts of worship in this month, namely Hajj and Umrah.
The Main Acts of Worship In The First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah
1. Sunnah Fasting Especially Arafat Fasting
Sunnah fasting in the first nine days of Dzulhijjah, especially on the day of Arafat which falls on the 9th of Dzulhijjah, is highly recommended for Muslims. Specifically regarding the fast of Arafat, The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَة الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَة الَّتِى بَعْدَهُ وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَة الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ
‘Fasting Arafat (9th Dzulhijjah) expiates the sins of a year past and a year to come. Fasting Ashura (10 Muharram) will expiate the sins of a year ago.’ (HR. Muslim)
This virtue demonstrates how much benefit there is to fasting on these days, especially on the day of Arafah.
2. Sunnah Prayers and Dhikr
During the first ten days of Dzulhijjah, Muslims are encouraged to increase the quality and quantity of prayers, both obligatory and voluntary. Sunnah prayers performed during the day such as Dhuha and Rawatib can be done as a means of taking advantage of the reward in the first 10 days of Dzulhijjah. increasing dhikr such as takbir, tahmid, tahlil, and tasbih is also highly recommended, as the hadith states:
مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أَعْظَمُ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَلاَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ الْعَمَلُ فِيهِنَّ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ، فَأَكْثِرُوا فِيهِنَّ مِنَ التَّهْلِيلِ وَالتَّكْبِيرِ وَالتَّحْمِيدِ
‘There is no day greater in the sight of Allah and no deed more beloved to Him than the deeds done in these ten days, so increase tahlil, takbir, and tahmid’ (HR Ahmad).
Dhikr helps to keep the heart calm and remember Allah ﷻ throughout the day, which is the essence of worship in these glorious days and remember Allah ﷻ throughout the day, which is the essence of worship in these glorious days.
3. Reading the Qur’an
Reciting the Qur’an has great virtues, especially in the noble days such as the first ten days of Dzulhijjah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ – رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ – ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ – صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – : (( خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ )) رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيُّ
‘Uthman ibn “Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said that The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ”The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.’ (HR. Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:
وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُوْدٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‘مَنْ قَأَ حَرْفًا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللهِ فَلَهُ حَسَنَةٌ وَالحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا , لاَ أَقُوْلُ الم حَرْفٌ وَلَكِنْ أَلِفٌ حَرْفٌ وَلاَمٌ حَرْفٌ وَمِيْمٌ حَرْفٌ
Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever recites one letter from the Book of Allah will receive one good deed. One good deed is rewarded tenfold. I did not say alif laam miim is one letter, but alif is one letter, laam is one letter, and miim is one letter.’ (HR. Tirmidhi)
By increasing our interaction with the Qur’an in the first 10 days of Dzulhijjah, we can expect to be rewarded greatly in the sight of Allah.
4. Charity and Social Charity
Giving alms in Dzulhijjah has immense virtues, especially during the first ten days of the month. By giving alms and doing social charity, we not only gain great rewards, but also contribute to improving the welfare of society and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood.
5. Qurban
Qurban is a sunnah mu’akkadah that is highly recommended to be performed on the 10th of Dzulhijjah, coinciding with Eid al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا عَمِلَ آدَمِيٌّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ أَحَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ إِهْرَاقِ الدَّمِ إِنَّهَا. لَتَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَأَظْلَافِهَا وَأَنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنْ اللَّهِ بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ مِنْ الْأَرْضِ فَطِيبُوا بِهَا نَفْسًا
Aisha RA reported that the Messenger of Allah Shallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘There is no deed that the son of Adam [man] does on Eid al-Adha that Allah loves more than slaughtering an animal. Because the animal will come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, feathers, and hooves. The blood of the animal will reach Allah before it drips onto the ground. Therefore, make up your mind to do it,’ (H.R. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).
Animals that are sacrificed must fulfil certain conditions, such as being old enough and not having defects. The slaughtering process must be done in a proper and Shariah-compliant manner, starting with chanting the name of Allah ﷻ and following Islamic slaughtering procedures. The wisdom of qurban is profound not only is it a form of obedience and approach to Allah ﷻ, but it also has a strong social aspect, sharing the meat with family, neighbors, and especially those in need. Thus, qurban teaches us about obedience, sacrifice, and social care, as well as strengthening relationships between community members.
6. Hajj and Umrah
Performing Hajj in the month of Dzulhijjah is one of the pillars of Islam that is obligatory for every Muslim who is financially and physically capable. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
مَنْ حَجَّ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ رَجَعَ كَمَا وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ
‘Whoever performs Hajj and does not speak bad words or commit an offence, he will return as his mother was born’ (Muttafaq Alaih).
Hajj rituals include a series of rituals that must be performed in an orderly manner, including ihram, wukuf in Arafat, tawaf, sa’i, and tahallul. Each ritual has its own deep meaning and wisdom. The inspiring stories of Hajj during the time of The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions are heartwarming. For example, the patience and determination of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam and his family in carrying out Allah ﷻ’s commands is an example for Muslims. Hajj teaches us about total obedience to Allah ﷻ, togetherness, equality and the spirit of sacrifice. Hajj is the culmination of a Muslim’s worship, which not only brings great rewards, but also spiritual and moral transformation for those who perform it.
The first ten days of Dzulhijjah are a golden opportunity for Muslims to maximise our worship and draw closer to Allah ﷻ. The importance of these days is reflected in the various recommendations to fast, increase prayer and dhikr, recite the Qur’an, give alms, and perform sacrifices. Let us try to make these days alive with righteous deeds, utilising every moment to do good and improve ourselves. May Allah ﷻ accept all our good deeds, give us blessings, and forgive our sins in this glorious month.
Wallahu a’lam
Referensi
Bukhari, M. I. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari.
Muslim, I. H. (1971). Sahih Muslim.
Ibn Majah, M. Y. (1987). Sunan Ibn Majah.
Muslim, I. H. (1971). Sahih Muslim.
Ahmad, A. (1995). Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
Bukhari, M. I. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari.
Tirmidzi, M. I. (1995). Jami’ at-Tirmidhi.
Makna Hadits “من حج فلم يرفث” Siapa yang haji dan tidak berkata jorok’ – Soal Jawab Tentang Islam. (n.d.). Islamqa.info. https://islamqa.info/id/answers/41811/makna-hadits-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%AC-%D9%81%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AB-siapa-yang-haji-dan-tidak-berkata-jorok
http://www.alukah.net/authors/view/sharia/1152. (2011, October 26). أعمال العشر الأوائل من ذي الحجة. Www.alukah.net. https://www.alukah.net/spotlight/0/35635/%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A9/
MSc, M. A. T. (2023, February 2). Satu Huruf yang Dibaca dari Al-Qur’an Dibalas Sepuluh Kebaikan. Rumaysho.com. https://rumaysho.com/35959-satu-huruf-yang-dibaca-dari-al-quran-dibalas-sepuluh-kebaikan.html
MSc, M. A. T. (2022, November 10). Manusia Terbaik di Antara Kalian yang Belajar dan Mengajarkan Al-Qur’an. Rumaysho.com. https://rumaysho.com/35143-manusia-terbaik-di-antara-kalian-yang-belajar-dan-mengajarkan-al-quran.html
MSc, M. A. T. (2012, October 22). Puasa Arafah Menghapuskan Dosa 2 Tahun. Rumaysho.com. https://rumaysho.com/2909-puasa-arafah-menghapuskan-dosa-2-tahun.html
Islamweb. (2014). إسلام ويب. Islamweb إسلام ويب. https://islamweb.net/ar/article/193015/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A9
القرآن الكريم – تفسير القرآن العظيم لابن كثير – تفسير سورة الفجر – الآية 2. (n.d.). Quran-Tafsir.net. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://quran-tafsir.net/katheer/sura89-aya2.html
Surat Al-Fajr Ayat 2. (n.d.). Tafsir AlQuran Online. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://tafsirq.com/89-al-fajr/ayat-2
Keutamaan Sepuluh Hari Pertama Bulan Dzulhijjah | Almanhaj. (2019, July 26). Almanhaj.or.id. https://almanhaj.or.id/12319-keutamaan-sepuluh-hari-pertama-bulan-dzulhijjah.html#_ftn2https://islamweb.net/ar/article/
Dalil Perintah Berkurban dalam Al-Quran dan Hadits. (2021, May 24). Www.dompetdhuafa.org. https://www.dompetdhuafa.org/dalil-perintah-berkurban/
