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Ten Points Regarding the First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
1. The ten days are actually nine plus the day of Eid. It is called the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah, but only nine of it is for fasting as the tenth day is the beginning of Eid. It is impermissible to fast on the day of Eid; this is a consensus amongst the people of knowledge.[1]
2. It is permissible to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Ḥijjah with the last day being the day of ‘Arafah for those not doing Ḥajj. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said in a ḥadīth narrated by ibn ‘Abbās (رضي الله عنه): “There are not any days that good deeds are more beloved to Allāh than those done in these ten days.”[2]
3. In these days, it is recommended that there is a lot of remembrance of Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى) – this is for all of the ten days.
4. In these days, it is recommended that one makes takbir of Allāh (saying Allāhu akbar) – this is for all of the ten days.
5. In these days, it is recommended to read the Qur’ān as much as possible (with reflection) and give charity – this is for all of the ten days.
6. The ninth day is the day of ‘Arafah. The Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said in an authentic narration: “Verily on the day of ‘Arafah there is expiation of sins for the year before and the year after.”[3] So therefore, it is a great day, so it is recommended to fast that day for those not performing Ḥajj. Fasting is only permissible for the first nine days as the tenth day is the day of Eid.
7. Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى) said: “That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Ḥajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the name of Allāh on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Ḥijjah), over the sacrificial animal that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)”[4] Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said: “The appointed days are the days of ‘Arafah (9th), an-Naḥr (10th) and the days of Tashrīq (the 11th, 12th and 13th)”[5]
8. Whoever wishes to slaughter in these days it is not allowed to cut any hair from his body or cut his nails,[6] but this does not apply to his family, only the head of the family who is doing the slaughtering
9. Some rulings regarding the slaughtering of the sacrificial animal:
a. An individual who slaughters the sacrificial animal (camel, cow, sheep..) from his own wealth on behalf of himself and his family – It is not permissible for this individual to shave any hair from his body, remove any part of his skin or cut his nails.
b. An individual who slaughters from his own wealth for others e.g. he wishes to slaughter for his father or his mother – He too must not cut his hair, take from his skin or cut his nails.
c. Somebody who wishes to slaughter with someone else’s wealth on their behalf e.g. Somebody who has been entrusted by someone else to slaughter the sacrificial animal for them – This individual is allowed to cut his hair, nails and take from his skin etc.
10. The days of Eid Al-Adḥaā are four in total; the tenth (the day of the Eid prayer) and the days of Tashrīq (the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth days of Dhil-Ḥijjah). It is impermissible to fast in these days for those not doing Ḥajj. The Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The days of Tashrīq are days for eating and drinking”[7] These days are also for the remembrance of Allāh. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said “And remember Allah during the appointed Days.”[8]
Taken from the works of Al-Allamah bin Baz and Al-Allamah Ibn Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on them both and all the scholars of the Sunnah.
Abu Abdir-Rahman Uways At-Taweel @uwaysT
(23/10/1441H-14/7/2020)
- Al-Majmū’ of An-Nawawī: 6/440 & Al-Istidhkār of ibn ‘Abdil- Barr: 2/383
- At-Tirmidhi: no.757
- Narrated by Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عن), reported in Sahih Muslim: no.1162 and At-Tirmidhi: no.749
- Surah al-Hajj: 28
- Al-Bukhāri: 2/20
- Muslim: no.1977
- Narrated by Abu Nubayshah (رضي الله عنه), reported in Sahih Muslim: 1141.
- Sūrah Al-Baqarah: 203.
