Duas and Deeds for Those Not Performing Ḥajj | The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the holiest and most spiritually significant days in the Islamic calendar. These days fall in the final month of the Islamic year and lead up to the rites of Ḥajj and the day of ʿEid al-Adḥā. During these days, Muslims across the globe—whether performing Ḥajj or not—are encouraged to engage in worship, reflection, and good deeds.
These ten days are so sacred that Allah ﷻ swore by them in the Qur’an. Swearing by something in the Qur’an is a mark of its immense importance:
﴾وَالْفَجْرِ ﴿ ﴾وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ﴿
Translation: “By the dawn, and [by] ten nights.”
— Surah Al-Fajr ﴾89:1-2﴿
🔗 Quran.com – 89:1-2
These days are not only a time of physical rituals such as sacrifice and pilgrimage but also an opportunity for spiritual purification, sincere duʿāʾ, and increased remembrance of Allah ﷻ. Every Muslim—regardless of their location—has the opportunity to connect deeply with their Creator, seek His mercy, and gain multiplied rewards.
From the first of Dhul-Hijjah to the tenth, each day carries tremendous weight. The 9th, known as the Day of ʿArafah, is the most significant day of Ḥajj, and the 10th is ʿEid al-Adḥā. Fasting, praying, giving charity, and making duʿāʾ during these days are all strongly encouraged and bring immense benefit.
Let us explore Duas and Deeds for Those Not Performing Ḥajj : what makes these days so special and how we can maximize our time and deeds in them—even if we are not among those making the pilgrimage this year.
The Importance of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the greatest days in the Islamic calendar. Their significance is rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and they offer a unique opportunity for believers to earn immense rewards. Allah ﷻ swears by these days in the Qur’and the Prophet ﷺ emphasized their greatness:
„مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَالِحُ فِيهِنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ”
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah).”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 969
🔗 Link to Source – Sunnah.com
These are days when acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, charity, and remembrance are magnified in reward. Scholars consider these ten days superior even to the last ten nights of Ramadan—except for Laylat al-Qadr.
What the Prophet ﷺ and His Companions Did During These Days
The Prophet ﷺ and his companions (رضي الله عنهم) would increase their worship and devotion during these ten days. Here are some notable actions:
- Fasting: The Prophet ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially the Day of ʿArafah. This is based on the report of Ḥafṣah (رضي الله عنها):
„كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَصُومُ تِسْعَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast the [first] nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.”
— Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2437
🔗 Sunnah.com
- Takbīr and Dhikr: Ibn ʿUmar and Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنهم) would go out to the marketplace during these days and raise their voices in takbīr, encouraging others to join:
„فَيُكَبِّرَانِ وَيُكَبِّرُ النَّاسُ بِتَكْبِيرِهِمَا”
“They would say takbīr and the people would say takbīr along with them.”
- Sacrifice (Udhiyyah): The Prophet ﷺ personally performed sacrifice during these days and urged the ummah to follow:
„ضَحَّى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِكَبْشَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ”
“The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two white rams with black markings and horns.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 5558
🔗 Sunnah.com
- Night Prayers and Recitation: It was common practice among the companions to increase their qiyām al-layl (night prayers), recitation of the Qur’an, and charity in these days, following the spirit of the Prophet ﷺ.
Their example shows us the importance of maximizing these sacred days with sincere intention and consistent action.
Duas and Deeds for Those Not Performing Ḥajj | What Are the Rewards?
Even if one is not physically present in Makkah, these days are still filled with reward and mercy for all Muslims. These days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the most spiritually potent times of the year. Here are some reasons why they are considered the best days:
- Time Witnessed by Allah ﷻ’s Oath: Allah ﷻ swore by these ten nights in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Fajr), highlighting their magnitude.
- Combined Acts of Worship: These ten days are the only time of the year when all major acts of worship—prayer, fasting, charity, and Ḥajj—can be combined.
- Best Days of the Year: Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه) and many scholars stated these are the best days of the entire year.
- Respected Across Generations: The righteous predecessors (salaf) would increase their efforts in worship during these days more than any other period.
- A Season of Accountability: Like sacred months, sins committed during Dhul-Hijjah are weightier. This prompts heightened God-consciousness (taqwā).
- Greater Reward for Good Deeds: Righteous actions during these days are more beloved to Allah ﷻ and are rewarded more than any other time of the year.
- Opportunity for Forgiveness: Sincere repentance and acts of worship during these days are especially accepted, particularly on the Day of ʿArafah.
- Revival of the Sunnah: Acts such as fasting, sacrificing, and takbīr revive the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhi as-salām) and the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
- Global Season of Worship: Millions are performing Ḥajj, and the entire Ummah is united in collective remembrance and obedience.
- Fasting on ʿArafah: Expiates the sins of the previous and upcoming year.
- Revival of Night Worship: Many increase in nightly prayers, Qur’an recitation, and dhikr.
- Magnified Sin and Accountability: Just as rewards are multiplied, so too are sins taken more seriously during sacred times. This motivates the believer to be especially careful with their behavior and intentions.
Duaa for This Special Time
1. Duʿāʾ for Accepting Good Deeds
‟اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ”
“O Allah, accept (good deeds) from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
This is a duʿāʾ taken from the duʿāʾ of Prophet Ibrāhīm and Ismāʿīl (ʿalayhim as-salām)
— Surah al-Baqarah ﴾2:127﴿
Quran.com – 2:127
2. Duʿāʾ of Seeking Forgiveness and Mercy
‟اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي”
“O Allah, You are the Pardoning One who loves to pardon, so pardon me.”
While often associated with Laylat al-Qadr, this duʿāʾ is a beautiful way to seek Allah’s ﷻ mercy and pardon at any time — and especially in the days of forgiveness and mercy like ʿArafah.
3. Duʿāʾ for Jannah and Protection from Hellfire
‟اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ”
“O Allah, I ask You for Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from the Fire.”
— Sunan Abī Dāwūd 792
Link to Source – Sunnah.com
4. Duʿāʾ of Yawm ʿArafah (Best Duʿāʾ)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‟خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ”
‟لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ”
“The best duʿāʾ is the duʿāʾ of the Day of ʿArafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me have said is:
‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr.’”
— Muwattaʾ Mālik 500
Link to Source – Sunnah.com
5. Duʿāʾ for a Blessed Life and End
‟اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ خَيْرَ أَعْمَالِنَا خَوَاتِمَهَا، وَخَيْرَ أَيَّامِنَا يَوْمَ نَلْقَاكَ”
“O Allah, make the best of our deeds the last of them, and the best of our days the day we meet You.”
Additional Good Deeds for These Blessed Days
• Fasting on the Day of ʿArafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‟صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ”
“Fasting on the Day of ʿArafah expiates for the previous year and the coming year.”
— Sahih Muslim 1162
Link to Source – Sunnah.com
• Takbīrāt (Tahlīl, Takbīr, Tahmīd)
From the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah until the end of ʿAyyām at-Tashrīq (13th Dhul-Hijjah), recite often:
‟اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ”
This is the Sunnah Takbīr during this period, especially after prayers, in the marketplace, and at home.
• Increase in Qur’an, Charity, Dhikr, and Good Deeds
Just because one is not on Hajj does not mean they cannot gain immense reward. Every act of obedience in these days holds multiplied reward.
Though you may not be standing on the plains of ʿArafah or walking between Ṣafā and Marwah, Allah ﷻ’s mercy is not limited by geography. Through duʿāʾ, fasting, remembrance, and righteous deeds, you can still earn closeness to Him, forgiveness, and reward.
Make duʿāʾ with a heart full of hope, for these are days where mercy descends and prayers are answered.
FAQs About Deeds in Dhul Hijjah
Which deeds in Dhul Hijjah are most emphasized for earning Allah’s ﷻ pleasure?
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most sacred in the Islamic calendar. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari)
The most emphasized deeds include:
- Fasting, especially on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
- Prayer, with extra focus on Sunnah and voluntary prayers
- Dhikr, including Takbeer, Tahmeed, and Tahleel
- Charity and helping those in need
- Offering the Udhiyah (Qurbani) for those who can afford it
- Hajj, for those who are able
How can I create an effective plan to perform the best deeds during Dhul Hijjah?
To make the most of these blessed days:
- Set daily spiritual goals (e.g., fasting, Qur’an recitation, daily takbir)
- Prepare early, know when Dhul Hijjah begins
- Track your deeds using a simple checklist or journal
- Make sincere intentions each day for specific actions
- Plan your charity in advance — local and global giving
- Include family in your goals for collective reward
What are the common mistakes to avoid when trying to do good in Dhul Hijjah?
Avoid:
- Neglecting the Day of Arafah – even for those not performing Hajj
- Not increasing in Dhikr – simple phrases like Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah carry immense reward
- Focusing only on outward actions without sincerity
- Overlooking small deeds, such as smiling, kind words, or forgiving others
- Delaying Qurbani planning or missing the window due to poor preparation
How does performing specific acts in Dhul Hijjah impact my spiritual growth?
Dhul Hijjah offers a unique spiritual reset. When you engage consistently in acts like fasting, dhikr, and prayer:
- Your heart becomes more connected to Allah ﷻ
- You build discipline and a routine of worship
- You develop greater empathy and humility
- You attain increased sincerity and mindfulness in everyday actions
These days are a divine opportunity to purify the soul and prepare spiritually for the rest of the year.
Why is it important to prioritize certain deeds over others during these blessed days?
Not all deeds carry equal weight. Some, like fasting on Arafah or giving Qurbani, are highly rewarded during Dhul Hijjah. Prioritizing them ensures:
- Maximum reward in limited time
- Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
- Strengthening key pillars of faith (prayer, charity, remembrance)
Neglecting these in favor of random or routine deeds may lead to missing out on the immense blessings reserved for these special days.