The Best Days for Worship: Unlocking the Virtues of Dhul-Hijjah
In this powerful lecture, Dr. Kahled Jassem AlHouli highlights the spiritual weight of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. He draws on hadith and scholarly insights to show how good deeds in these days can surpass even the reward of jihad. The Prophet ﷺ said that no deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these days, a statement that stunned the companions.
Why These Days Are So Special
Dr. AlHouli emphasizes that Allah Himself chose these days as uniquely sacred. They are ideal for prayer, charity, dhikr, fasting, and Qur’an recitation. Early scholars like Al-Awza’i described worship during these days as spiritually equal to military expeditions in devotion and reward.
Dhikr and the Day of Arafah
The Prophet ﷺ taught that the best supplication is the one made on the Day of Arafah. He and other prophets praised Allah using the powerful phrase: “La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.” Dr. AlHouli quotes the story of Musa (peace be upon him) and the scale, showing how this phrase outweighs the entire heavens. This is the very essence of Tawheed.
Fasting on the Day of Arafah
Fasting on this day expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming one. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions took this day seriously, even encouraging children to fast. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said fasting one of the ten days equals two months of fasting. It is a day filled with mercy, forgiveness, and reward.
The Virtue of Sacrifice
As the ten days end with Eid Al Adha, Dr. AlHouli discusses the tradition of Qurbani. The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two rams and promised reward for every hair on the animal. This act revives the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim and shows complete submission to Allah’s will.
Consistency in Worship
Dr. AlHouli ends by urging Muslims not to let the nights of Dhul Hijjah pass without worship. He quotes Sa’id ibn Jubayr: “Do not put out your lamps,” encouraging prayer and Qur’an recitation. He suggests reading one juz after each prayer to complete multiple readings of the Qur’an over ten days.
Your Action Plan for Dhul Hijjah
| Action | Purpose | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Dhikr | Remembrance of Allah | Say the phrases of Tawheed frequently |
| Fast on Arafah | Forgiveness and reward | Expiates sins of past and future year |
| Offer Qurbani | Submission to Allah | Sacrifice with sincerity and share with others |
| Pray at Night | Spiritual connection | Preserve the light of worship through tahajjud |
| Read Qur’an | Discipline and devotion | One juz after each prayer equals five daily |
📽️ Listen to Dr. AlHouli’s full lecture and ignite your worship this Dhul Hijjah.