The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Zul Hijjah) are the most sacred days in the Islamic year, more blessed even than the days of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized their greatness:
The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘For every hair of the Qurbani, you receive a reward from Allah.’
(Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1498)
During these blessed days, every act of worship, including fasting, prayer, recitation of the Qur'an, charity, and remembrance (dhikr), carries multiplied rewards.
Special Virtues of These Days
Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah (zul hijjah)): Fasting on this day expiates sins of the past and coming year
Eid ul Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah (zul hijjah)): A day for performing Qurbani and sharing blessings with those in need
Recommended Practices: Avoid cutting hair and nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until after Qurbani.
Recommended Sunnah:
Refrain from cutting hair or nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until after your Qurbani is performed.
Recommended Du'a for These Days:
"Rabbana taqabba! minna innaka Antas-Sami'ul-'Aleem"
(Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.)
Perform Qurbani:
Share your sacrifice with struggling families in Pakistan, Gaza, and beyond.
● Sponsor Orphans: Give joy and long-term support to a child in need this Eid.
● Emergency Appeals: Aid families in crisis zones, including war-torn Gaza.
● Contribute to Welfare Programs: Help fund clean water, healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods.
Essential Rules of Qurbani (Eid Sacrifice)
Eligibility: Qurbani is wajib (obligatory) for every adult Muslim who meets the Nisab threshold on Eid day.
Permissible Days: It must be performed after Eid prayer on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
Animal Requirements: The animal must be healthy, of proper age (e.g., goat/sheep: 1 year, cow: 2 years), and free from major defects.
Why Choose Alkhidmat?
● Transparency: Track your donations and witness your impact
● Shariah Compliance: All operations are supervised by trusted Islamic scholars.
● Direct Impact: Your donations reach the most deserving communities, providing immediate and lasting
Make these sacred days count. Donate generously and help transform lives today.
Fasting in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah holds immense spiritual value for Muslims, as this period is filled with divine mercy and countless blessings from Allah (SWT).
It is also a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who regularly observed fasting during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, including the White Days. Following his example, many Muslims fast during this sacred time to increase their rewards and draw closer to Allah.
Muslims who are not performing Hajj are encouraged to fast during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. However, fasting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah — the day of Eid al-Adha — is prohibited.
In fact, it is haram (forbidden) to fast on Eid, as stated in the following hadith:
“The Prophet (PBUH) forbade fasting on the day of Eid al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (Eid al-Adha).”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Eid al-Adha, is a blessed day of celebration. While fasting is not allowed, Muslims are encouraged to increase their dhikr, read more Qur’an, and send salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet (PBUH) — especially during the night preceding Eid.
Fasting is a powerful way to discipline our nafs (desires) and develop patience, obedience, and submission to Allah Almighty.
Just as Qurbani reflects Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) unwavering willingness to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah, fasting during the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah—though not obligatory—allows us to embody that same spirit of sacrifice. It is a means of drawing closer to Allah by willingly abstaining from food and drink during the day.
Moreover, the supplication of a fasting person holds special weight in the sight of Allah:
“There are three whose du’as are not rejected: a just ruler, a fasting person at the time of breaking their fast, and the prayer of the oppressed. It rises above the clouds, the gates of heaven are opened for it, and Allah says: ‘By My Glory, I will surely answer you, even if after some time.’”
Hadith | Tirmidhi
Use this sacred time to fast, reflect, and make heartfelt du’as—especially as Allah promises to respond.
Fasting during the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah isn’t obligatory like the fasts of Ramadan, but it is strongly encouraged. These days are considered among the most sacred in the Islamic calendar.
It was the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to fast during these days, and following this Sunnah brings great spiritual reward. The blessings earned during this period can bring us closer to Allah and positively impact the rest of our year.
The best days to fast during Dhul Hijjah are the first nine, as they are among the most blessed days of the Islamic year. Fasting on these days is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and a means of drawing closer to Allah.
It is prohibited (haram) to fast on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, as it is the day of Eid al-Adha—a day of celebration and feasting. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"He forbade fasting on the day of Eid al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr "
(Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
If you are unable to fast all nine days, it is highly recommended to fast on at least the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafah. This day holds immense significance, as Allah revealed in the Qur’an:
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion."
(Qur’an | 5:3)
Fasting on the Day of Arafah carries great reward. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year."
(Hadith | Muslim)
However, those performing Hajj do not fast on this day, as they are considered travelers and are engaged in physically demanding rituals. Instead, their focus should be on du’a and remembrance of Allah.
Outside of Dhul Hijjah, it is also virtuous to fast regularly on Mondays and Thursdays, and during the White Days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each Islamic month), following the example of the Prophet (PBUH).