According to the Islamic teachings, the most significant days to worship are the first 10 days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu Anho) reported from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that during these days of this month, fasting of every single day is rewarded as the fasting of the complete Islamic year. Moreover, the worship during every single night of the first Ashra of Dhu’l-Hijjah is awarded equivalent to the worship of Laila-tul-Qadr. (Jamia Trimidhi). This is Allah’s way to bless the Muslims and reveals the importance of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
The good deeds during these 10 days are recognized and awarded. According to the narrators, the good deeds during these 10 days are of high prestige and are much dearer to Allah Almighty. The main thing is to know how to get the maximum benefit from these 10 days of unlimited blessings.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said "There are not any days that are holier than these ten days of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah. Therefore increase in doing good deeds to Allah, and increase in saying LaaIlaha Ill Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), and saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater), and saying Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah)." (Musnad Ahmad)
Intensive Worship with Righteous Deeds
According to the Islamic scholars, the worship and the good deeds are complementary for each other. One must not create an imbalance among these two things. Scholars suggest that the most important thing is to remain busy in the intensive worship during the nights of these days along with the righteous deeds and good conduct towards the people during the day. This concept is highly reasonable and no one can deny this fact that righteous deeds are of high significance and they are awarded same as the worship. Indeed, the righteous acts are a form of worship as these acts show that a person is following the path shown by the Holy Quran and our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH).
"Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on ‘Ashura, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years." (Sahih Muslim)
Above all, making sacrifice (if having enough means to afford) in the name of Allah Almighty on the 10th day of this blessed month to commemorating the great sacrifice of Khalil Ullah Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaih Salam) promises huge rewards from the Sole Creator – Allah Almighty.
Purification of Intentions
There is no doubt that the base for any act is the intention of the person behind the act. It is highly important to purify the intentions behind each and every act during these 10 days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. The intentions should be to submit to Allah and do everything in order to confirm the submission to Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). For instance, if you are showing kindness to anyone, the intention should be that this person is Allah’s creation and Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) have ordered to be kind to the people.
Monitor and Organize Your Prayers and Worship
It is better to schedule the timing of the worship. It helps in the way that people can easily follow the set plan. Scheduling creates a feeling that the task should be completed in the set pattern. In this way, it becomes easy to avoid any kind of negligence. Scheduling and organization of the worship creates a feeling of responsibility and if it is not done properly the person feels that something is missing. This is the perfect way to worship in the proper manner.
Get Rid of Distractions
It is vital to avoid the distractions during the worship. Generally, the people at home find it hard because of the constant activities of the people around. Male Muslims have the facility of the Mosque where they can avoid the distractions. For the females, the best idea is to choose the time when she has nothing else to do and the mid night is the perfect time for worship because at that time there are least distractions.
For sure, these ideas will work to help you to best utilize the first 10 days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Allah Almighty bless you all and guard you while gifting the proper guidance to the right path all the time.
And Only Allah Almighty Knows and Guides Best!
Jazak Allah Khair