The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah 2026: A Second Chance After Ramadan

SubhanAllah, few seasons in the Islamic year carry the weight, the mercy and the opportunity of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. For those of us who felt we did not make the most of Ramadan, Allah in His infinite generosity opens another door. A door of deeds that are more beloved to Him than any other days of the year.

In 2026, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are expected to begin on Sunday 17 May or Monday 18 May, subject to the sighting of the moon, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday 26 May and Eid al-Adha on Wednesday 27 May 2026, insha’Allah.

Whether you are performing Hajj 2026 or watching the pilgrims from afar, these ten days belong to every believer. Here is how to make them count.

Why the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah Are So Sacred

Allah has chosen certain times and places to be closer to His mercy than others. These ten days are at the very top of that list. In Surah Al-Fajr, Allah Himself takes an oath by them:

“By the dawn, and by the ten nights.” Qur’an 89:1 to 2

The majority of the classical scholars of tafsir, including Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), explain that “the ten nights” refers to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. When Allah swears by something, He is pointing our hearts directly to it. He is telling us: do not let these days pass unnoticed.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reinforced this powerfully:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” Sahih al-Bukhari 969

The companions asked: “Not even jihad in the path of Allah?” He ﷺ replied: “Not even jihad, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth, and returns with none of it.”

Let that sink in. A simple act of worship, a prayer, a fast, a moment of dhikr, a pound given in charity, becomes something extraordinary in these days.

A True Second Chance After Ramadan

Ramadan is often described as the spiritual Olympics of the year. But if you feel you missed the medal, Dhul Hijjah is your chance to reset. Many scholars have called the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah the second great spiritual season of the year, pairing with Ramadan to bookend the Muslim’s calendar.

The difference is subtle but important. In Ramadan, the nights are the most beloved to Allah. In Dhul Hijjah, it is the days that are most beloved. The formula for both, however, is the same: sincerity, consistency, and a heart turning back to its Lord.

Allah reminds us of what our entire existence is ultimately for:

“Say, indeed my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Qur’an 6:162

For Those Not Performing Hajj in 2026

Our hearts and duas are with every pilgrim making their way to Makkah this year. For those of us at home, there is no reason to feel left out. The Prophet ﷺ gave us a clear programme of worship that carries immense reward without leaving our cities.

Use these ten days to:

• Fast as many days as you are able, especially the Day of Arafah
• Increase in dhikr, recited aloud and in the heart
• Pray all five salah on time, ideally in congregation
• Give daily sadaqah, even if small and consistent
• Recite and reflect on the Qur’an, aiming for a juz a day if possible
• Honour your parents with visits, calls and acts of service
• Uphold the ties of kinship, reaching out to relatives you have drifted from
• Make sincere tawbah and plan meaningful change
• Make heartfelt dua that Allah allows you to perform Hajj soon

If Hajj is on your heart, let these ten days be a down-payment on that intention.

Fasting the First 9 Days of Dhul Hijjah

It is a confirmed sunnah to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. In a hadith qudsi, Allah says:

“Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is for Me, and I shall reward for it.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1904

It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ would fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashura, and three days each month (Sunan Abi Dawud 2437).

If fasting all nine feels daunting, start small:

• Fast the days you already fast (e.g. Mondays and Thursdays)
• Add two or three extra days across the ten
• At the very least, aim to fast the Day of Arafah

Each fast is a private conversation between you and Allah. No one sees it. No one else rewards it. It is purely His.

The Day of Arafah, Tuesday 26 May 2026

Of all the fasts in Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafah stands alone. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Fasting the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the year before it and the year after it.” Sahih Muslim 1162

Two full years of sins wiped clean, in exchange for a single day of sincere fasting. There is no comparable offer anywhere else in the year.

It was also on this day that the final verse of the Qur’an was revealed, completing the message of Islam:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you, and have approved for you Islam as a religion.” Qur’an 5:3

Mark Tuesday 26 May 2026 in your calendar now.

The Power of Dhikr in Dhul Hijjah

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor in which deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in them of tahlil, takbir and tahmid.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Keep these three phrases on your tongue throughout the ten days:

• Tahmid: Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)
• Tahlil: La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah)
• Takbir: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
• Tasbih: SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)

A longer form of the takbir often recited in these days is:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illa Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillahil-hamd

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.

The companions of the Prophet ﷺ would walk into the marketplaces of Madinah and recite the takbir aloud, so that the whole city would raise its voice in remembrance with them. Revive this beautiful sunnah in your own home, workplace and family group chats. Say it aloud. Teach it to your children. Let your heart be full of Allah.

Qurbani: Your Sacrifice for Allah

On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims across the world offer Qurbani (Udhiya), following the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The meat is traditionally divided into three portions: one for your family, one for friends and neighbours, and one for those in need.

In the UK, personal slaughter is not permitted, so your Qurbani is arranged through trusted partners who deliver the meat to vulnerable communities overseas. This Qurbani 2026, your sacrifice can reach families facing hunger, displacement and crisis.

Small, Consistent Habits to Try This Dhul Hijjah

You don’t need to overhaul your life in ten days. Pick two or three of these and commit:

• Pray your five daily salah on time, every day
• Read one page of Qur’an after Fajr and one after Maghrib
• Automate your daily Dhul Hijjah giving
• Recite the takbir ten times after every salah
• Call one family member you haven’t spoken to in a while
• Fast the Day of Arafah with intention

Consistency is loved by Allah, even if it is small. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if small.” Sahih al-Bukhari 6464

Join the GLMCC Community This Dhul Hijjah 2026

At Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre, we are preparing a full programme of lectures, classes, nightly reminders and Eid events to help you make the most of these blessed days.

• Check daily prayer times and events on our activities page
• Find confirmed Eid al-Adha prayer details on our website
• Donate your Qurbani, Zakat or Sadaqah and multiply your reward
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and YouTube for daily Dhul Hijjah reminders

Make This Your Season

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah 2026 will pass quickly. Thirteen days, a handful of fasts, a few whispered words of dhikr, and suddenly it will be Eid.

Don’t wait. Make your plan now. Start your fasts. Open your Qur’an. Give that sadaqah. Offer your Qurbani. Let this be the Dhul Hijjah you remember for years to come.

This is your second chance. Take it.

Donate your Qurbani today and support a family in need, just as Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did.

May Allah accept from us all. Ameen.

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