Dhu al-Hijjah (Dhul Hijjah): Literally means 'Lord of the Pilgrimage'. It is during this month in which the Hajj Pilgrimage takes place and pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Makkah to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj Pilgrimage is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Eid ul-Adha, the 'Festival of the Sacrifice' is held on the tenth day.

First ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah (Dhul Hijjah): Days of virtue and righteous deeds

The sacred month of Dhu al-Hijjah (Dhul Hijjah) is one of the highly blessed months. The pious and upright companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and their first generation followers used to spend this month in prayers and supplications, particularly the first ten noteworthy days which have also been distinguished in Glorious Qur'an.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) had said that supplications made in these 10 days get a positive reply from Allah (SWT).

Ibn Abbas says about the Ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah, "Remember Allah during the well known days," (2:203) that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. [This is related by al-Bukhari]

Allah (SWT) swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allah (SWT) says in Glorious Qur'an: "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1-2]. Ibn Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion." [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]

Praise be to Allah (SWT) Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct ones faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allah (SWT), and some kind of blessing though which Allah (SWT) bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allah (SWT) and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. [Ibn Rajab, al-Lataaif, p.8]