By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Monday, Dhul-Hijjah 01, 1447 AH (May 18, 2026)
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Dear brothers and sisters! Narrated Ibn Abbas (RA), The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Not even Jihad?” He (Peace be upon him) replied: “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) also said:
“There are no days greater or more loved by Allah in which to perform good deeds other than these 10 days, therefore praise and glorify Allah abundantly in these days.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmad]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) also said:
“The best of days is that of Arafah.” [Ibn Hibban]
Respected brothers and sisters! Here are the recommended deeds during these 10 Days:
- Performing Hajj and Ummrah is the best of deeds as supported by numerous Hadiths including that in which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“The performance of Umrah is expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
- Fasting as many days as possible, particular the day of Arafah (for non pilgrims), for fasting is amongst the best of deeds that can be performed as Allah in the Qudsi Hadith says:
“The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Hunaidah Ibn Khalid narrated from his wife on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) who said:
“The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashurah and three days of every month, that is, the first Monday (of the month) and Thursday.” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Nasa’i and graded as Sahih by Shaikh al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud]
Also the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Also, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“The reward for fasting the day of Arafah would cancel the sins committed in the year before and the year after that day.” [Sahih Muslim]
- Takbir (saying ALLAHU AKBAR) and to praise and glorify (remembering) Allah in those days, as Allah says in the noble Qur’an:
“And celebrate the name of Allah through the days appointed.” [Qur’an, 23: 28]
Those days were interpreted as the first 10 days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Thus religious scholars recommend praising and glorifying Allah by saying: “LA ILAHA ILLALLAH, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALHAMDU LILLAH.”
Imam al-Bukhari mentioned that when Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (RA) went out to the markets they used to say aloud: “ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR.” and the people would emulate them. It is also reported that people in early days of Islam the Tabi’in, in the 10 days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, used to say aloud: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar la ilaha illallah” and “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Walillahil-hamd.” It is recommended to raise one’s voice with Takbir when one is out in the markets, streets, mosques and other places for Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And to glorify Him in that He has guided you.” [Qur’an, 2:185]
It is also possible to praise and glorify Allah by various forms of “Takbir”, “Tahmid”, “Tasbih” and other supplications.
- Repentance and refraining from sins and ill deeds, so that one’s deeds would gain him Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Allah can be displeased and His displeasure is in one who commits what Allah forbids.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
- Performing extra optional acts of worship (Nawafil) like optional salah, charity, Jihad, reading Qur’an, Promotion of virtue and prevention of vice and other acts of worship as their reward is multiplied in those 10 days.
- Takbir in general is allowed and recommended in those 10 days, during all hours of days and night up to the time of Eid Prayers. After Eid Prayers Takbir is allowed for non pilgrims after each congregational prayer starting from Fajr (dawn) Prayer on the day of Arafah and for Pilgrims starting from noon time on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah. Takbir for both groups can continue up to time of Asr (mid-afternoon) Prayer of the day of 13th Dhul-Hijjah.
- It is recommended to offer animals for slaughter on the day of 10th – 13th Dhul-Hijjah in commemoration of the very act by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and also because it is a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
- A Muslim who plans to offer an animal for slaughter during the days of 10th – 13th Dhul-Hijjah should refrain from cutting any of his hair and nails starting from the sighing of the crescent of the month of Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. beginning of the month) until the actual slaughtering of the animal. This is according to the Hadith of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) reported by Muslim. Also Allah the Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“And do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice.” [Qur’an, 2:196]
This applies to the person who will be slaughtering but his wife or children are not asked to refrain from doing so unless one of them in particular wishes to sacrifice. A Muslim however can wash and rub his head even if some hair was to fall down.
- A Muslim should endeavour to perform Eid Prayer and attend the sermon (khutbah). He should also understand the wisdom behind the Eid that is a day of expressing gratitude to Allah and of righteousness. Thus, he should not make it a day of ill deeds and sin through forbidden practices by going to nightclubs or consuming intoxicants which by so doing could abolish all the righteous deeds he may have done during those 10 days.
- In addition to the above, a Muslim should utilise those days in worshipping Allah and by glorifying and praising Him and by thanking Allah for enabling him to perform those righteous deeds and abstaining from ill deeds. Also a Muslim should utilise those special occasions, as in the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, to reap Allah’s extra mercy and rewards.
- Be generous, give sadaqah and charity in the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Assist the orphans, poor, widows and needy to celebrate the Eid-al-adha happily.
Eid Al-Adha is the ultimate celebration of sacrifice and charity. It teaches that true submission to Allah means sharing our blessings with others. By parting with our wealth and food to uplift the poor, we purify our hearts, foster community bonds, and embody the true spirit of generosity.
The core of Eid Al-Adha commemorates the absolute obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Isma’il (AS). When Prophet Ibrahim showed his willingness to sacrifice his most beloved possession for the sake of Allah, Allah provided a ram instead. But the lesson doesn’t end with the slaughter. The meat from the sacrifice is meant to be divided into three equal portions: one for the immediate family, one for relatives, and one to be given as charity to the poor and needy. This distribution is the highest form of generosity, ensuring that no impoverished person is denied the chance to partake in the festive joy.
Generosity is an act of spiritual purification. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, especially during sacred times. Once, his beloved wife Aisha (RA) slaughtered a sheep and distributed all of its meat to the poor, keeping only a small shoulder for themselves. When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) returned home, he asked what remained of the sheep. Aisha (RA) replied, “Nothing is left of it except the shoulder.” With a beautiful smile, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) taught a timeless lesson: “All of it is left except its shoulder.” This beautiful teaching reminds us that what we give in charity is what truly remains with us in the sight of Allah. It is not what we hold onto, but what we generously give away, that builds our wealth in the Hereafter.
True generosity goes beyond just sharing meat; it extends to how we interact with our families, neighbours, and the less fortunate.
The Qur’an reminds us that we cannot attain true righteousness until we spend out of that which we love. Give your best, not just your leftovers.
Seek out the orphans, the widows, and the struggling families in your community. Let the joy of Eid reach their homes before it reaches yours.
Generosity is not just financial. Giving your time, offering a warm smile, and forgiving those who have wronged you are profound acts of charity in Islam.
Use this blessed occasion to thank Allah for His endless provisions. When you are generous, you are simply returning a portion of what He has entrusted to you.
Dear Muslim believers! Eid Al-Adha is a call to selflessness. It is a day to conquer our desires and open our hearts in charity. Just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ready to sacrifice what he loved most, we must be ready to share our wealth, our time, and our love for the sake of Allah. Let us reach out to our neighbours, the poor, and the downtrodden. Let us ensure that our celebrations include everyone.
May Allah accept our sacrifices, purify our wealth, and grant us the strength to always give generously in His path. Ameen.
All perfect praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.
