Dhul Hijjah literally means owner of Hajj. The name of Dhul Hijjah indicates that it is the month of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Ka’bah.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S called the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah : "The best days in the world are the ten days." 1
Although Muslims are required to perform good deeds throughout their lives, the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah, are the days in which Allah loves His faithful doing good deeds.

Ibn 'Abbaas R narrated that the Messenger of Allah S said: "There ore no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these (ten) days." He was then asked: Not even jihad in the path of Allah? So he replied: "Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for a person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing." Sahih-Bukhari (2/382)

Allah has taken an oath by in the Holy Qur-an, by His saying: "By the Dawn and by the Ten Nights." [Surah (Chapter) al-Fajr (The Break of Day or the Dawn) Qur-an 89:1-2].

It is recommended to make Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), Tahlil (saying La Ilaha Illallah) and Tamhid (saying Alhamdulillah) during these days ..."2

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) also quoted about the virtues of these ten days citing another Hadith (Saying of Muhammad S): "There are no days that are greater with Allah, and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in making tasbih (saying Subhanallah), Tamhid (saying Alhamdulillah), Tahlil (saying La Ilaha Illallah) and Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), during them."3

FASTING THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is called the day of 'Arafah. On this day the pilgrims of Hajj gather at the mountain plain of 'Arafah. From Zawal (Little past high-noon) to Maghrib (Sunset), they stand for Wuquf ‘Arafah facing the Qiblah (Direction of the Ka’bah), and make Du’a (Supplication) to Allah.

It is Mustahab (Highly Desirable) for the non-pilgrims to fast on this day of ‘Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah).

The Messenger of Allah S was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafah, so he said: "It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year." 4

The Messenger of Allah S also said: "There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of 'Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on 'Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying: What are these people seeking." 5

Imaam at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) said: "The People of Knowledge recommend to fast on the day of 'Arafah, except for those at 'Arafah." 6

SLAUGHTERING ON THE DAY OF AN-NAHR AND 'ID UL AD-HA OR THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS
The tenth day of Dhul Hijjah is known as the Yaum un Nahr (The Day of Slaughtering). Pilgrims of Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah), offer a sacrifice after completing the major rituals of Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah). It is done to commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim A and his elder son Isma'il A.

Yaum un Nahr (The Day of Slaughtering) is the best day among the ten best days of the year.

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) said: "The most excellent day of the week is the day of Jumu'ah (Friday), by the agreement of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year is the day of Nahr. And some of them said that it is the day of 'Arafah. However, the first opinion is the correct one, since it is related in the Sunan collections that the Messenger of Allah S said: "The most excellent days with Allah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr (the day that the Muslims reside in Mina)." 7 & 8

The Messenger of Allah S said:: "The greatest day of the Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of Nahr (Slaughtering)." 9

The day of an-Nahr is also known as 'Id ul-Ad-ha (The Festival of Sacrifice) and is one of the two major of Muslims.

Anas R narrated: When the Messenger of Allah S, came to Madinah he found that the people of Madinah had been celebrating two days every year since the times of jahiliyyah (Pre-lslamic Ignorance). The Messenger of Allah S said: "I came to you, and you had two days of play and amusement in the times of jahiliyyah. But Allah has replaced them with something better for you: The day of al-Adha (Sacrificing) and the day of al-Fitr (Breaking the Fast)." 10

The Prophet S also said:

"The day of al- Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the days of at-Tashriq (Three days after an-Nahr) are our days of 'Id (festivity); and they are days of eating and drinking." 11

'Id ul Ad-ha, is a day in which Muslims slaughter a camels, cows, buffaloes, sheep or goat, in commemoration of the sacrifice of Ibrahim A and his elder son Isma’il A. This sacrifice is compulsory for all those who can afford it. 12

The Messenger of Allah S said: "One who has the ability to sacrifice, but chooses not to do so, should not approach our place of ('Id) Prayer." 13

The Messenger of Allah S also said: "Whosoever sacrificed before the Prayer, then let him do so again. But whosoever has not sacrificed, then let him sacrifice." 14

The head of the household is usually responsible for offering sacrifice. They should not cut their hair or nails, starting from the first day of Dhul Hijjah up until after the sacrifice.

The Messenger of Allah S said: "When the ten days start, and one of you intends to sacrifice, then let him not cut his hair or his nails." 15

GLORIFYING ALLAH WITH TAKABIR
From the day of 'Arafah (the 9th day of of Dhul Hijjah), up until the 'Asr Salah (Late Afternoon Prayers) on the thirteenth day of Dhul Hijjah, one should excessively say Takabir (Saying Allahu Akbar).

Imam al-Khattabi (d.456H) said: "The wisdom behind saying the Takabir in these days is that in the times of jahiliyyah (pre-lslaamic ignorance), they used to slaughter for their Taghuts (false objects of worship). So the takbeers were prescribed to remind that the act of slaughtering is directed to Allah alone." 16

Shaykhul-lslam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "All praise be to Allah. The most correct saying concerning the Takbir - that which the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the Scholars from the Companions and Imams were upon - is to begin making the Takabir from Fajr (Dawn) on the day of 'Arafah, up until the last day of at-Tashriq (the thirteenth of Dhul Hijjah), after every Prayer." 17

Ibn Abi Shaybah relates: "That 'Ali R used to make the Takabir beginning after the Fajr Prayer on the day of 'Arafah, up until after the 'Asr Prayer on the last day of at-Tashriq." 18

There are no specific words for the Takabir available from the Sunnah (Tradition) of the Messenger of Allah S. However, certain wordings have been authentically related from a number of Sahabah (Companions of Muhammad S).

Ibn Mas'ud R said:
" Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahil-Hamd. [Allah is great, Allah is great. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. And Allah is great, Allah is great. And to Him belongs all praise]." 19

Ibn 'Abbas R said:
" Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and to Allah belongs all praise. Allah is Greater and Sublime. Allah is Greater to what He has guided us to. [Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-Hamd. Allahu Akbar wa Ajalla. Allahu Akbar 'Ala Ma Hadana.]" 20

Unfortunately, many Muslims have neglected the Takabir established from our Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and have instead resorted to additions which have no basis at all.

Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr (d.856H) said: "Indeed additions have been invented on this day, which have no basis at all." 21

And may Allah have mercy upon the one who said:

"Every good is in following the Salaf; and every evil is in the innovations of the late-comers."

And all praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah extol and send the choicest blessings of peace upon our Leader, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, and upon his Family, his Companions, and all those who follow them.

1. Sahih: Related by al-Bazzar (1/234). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahihul-Jami (no.1133).
2. Zadul-Ma'ad (1/56).
3. Sahih: Related by at-Tabarani in al-Kabir (3/110/1) It was authenticated by al-Mundhari in at-Targhib wat-Tarhib (2/24).
4. Related by Muslim (no. 1 162), from Abu Qatadh R.
5. Related by Muslim (no.1348), from 'A"ishah R.
6. Jami'ut-Tirmidhi(3/377).
7. Sahih: Related by Abu Dawud (no.1765), from 'Abdullah ibn Qart R. It was authenticated by al-Albani in Irwaa' ul-Ghalil (no.2018).
8. Majmu' Fatawa (25/288).
9. Sahih: Related by Abu Dawud (no 1945), from Ibn 'Umar R. It was authenticated by al- Albani in al-lrwa' (no.1101).
10. Sahih: Related by Ahmad (3/103).it was authenticated by al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr in Bulughul-Maram (no.398).
11. Sahih: Related by Ahmad (no.1945), from 'Uqbah ibn 'Amir R. It was authenticated by al-Albani in Sahihul-Jami' (no.8192).
12. As explained by Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmu' Fatawa (23/ 162- 164).
13. Hasan: Related by Ibn Majah (no.3123), from Abu Hurayrah R. It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albani in Takhij Mushkilatul-Fiqr (no.398).
14. Related by al-Bukhari (no.5562) and Muslim (no.1960), from Jundub ibn 'Abdullaah al-Bajali R.
15. Related by Muslim (no.1977), from Umm Salamah R.
16. Quoted from Fathul-Bari (21586).
17. in Majmu' Fatawa (24/220). However, what seems more correct is not to restrict the Takabir to being just after every Prayer. as al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr pointed out in Fathul-Baaree (21587).
18. Related by Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf (2/1/2). It was authenticated by al-Albani in al-lrwa' (31125).
19. Related by Ibn Abi Shaybah with an authentic chain of narration
20. Related by al-Bayhaqeei (3/315) with an authentic chain of narration.
21. Fathul-Bari (2/536).