The blessed days of Zul-Hijjah are upon us. These days are not only special for those who the immeasurable blessing of being able to perform Hajj this year. The first 10 days of Zul-Hijjah are an opportunity for the rest us to gain multiplied rewards. It is a time that we should double our efforts to gain the favour and blessing of Allah.

• The days of Zul-Hijjah are so sacred that Allah s.w.t. makes an oath by them in the Quran when He says,

“By the dawn. And [by] ten nights.”  (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1–2)

• The Prophet (SAW) said;
  “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Zulhijjah).” Then, some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who risks himself and his property (for Allah’s sake) and does not bring anything back.”
  (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
  
  Another virtue is that the religion of Islam was perfected in the blessed month of Zul-Hijjah, specifically on the day of Arafah, the ninth day of the month.

It was narrated that a Jew said to Umar, “O Chief of the Believers, if this verse: ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favours upon you, and have chosen for you, Islam as your religion.’ (5: 3) had been revealed upon us, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival) day.” Umar said, “I know definitely on what day this Verse was revealed; it was revealed on the day of Arafat, on a Friday.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Therefore, what can we do to ensure we win the maximum benefit from these 10 days?

• Fasting

One of the deeds that entails a huge reward during these nine days is fasting. Those who fast on the 9th of Zul-Hijjah, also known as the day of Arafah, may get the rewards of having their sins being forgiven. The Prophet s.a.w. said, 

“It (fasting on the Day of Arafah) expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year (i.e. those sins will be forgiven).”
(Sahih Muslim)

It is reported that “The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” (Abu Dawood, 2/462)

• Sincere repentance.

 “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [al-Qasas 28:67]

• Prayer
  Let’s try to increase the number of nafl or sunnah prayers. The Dhuha prayer and the Tahajjud prayer is filled with blessings and forgiveness from Allah.

“You should prostrate a lot to Allah as with every prostration you make, He raises your rank for one degree and drops one of your sins.”
[Reported by Muslim]

• Zikr

“I met Ibrahim a.s. on the Night of Ascension (Al-Mi’raj), and he said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La Ilaha Illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest).” 
(Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (SAW) said,
“There is no day more honorable in Allaah’s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days].”
[Ahmad]

• Read Quran
  Strive to read a portion of the Quran each day

• The practice of Udhiyyah or Korban,

The ritual sacrifice of livestock on Eid, which is the tenth day of Zul-Hijjah

• Sadaqah

Make a donation or Sadaqah each of the first 10 days. The amount does not need to be big. The consistency is more important. Allah accepts and multiplies the reward for sincere Sadaqah.

“Let the man of wealth provide according to his means. As for the one with limited resources, let him provide according to whatever Allah has given him. Allah does not require of any soul beyond what He has given it. After hardship, Allah will bring about ease.”  (Quran 65:7)

In order to motivate our brethren to increase their efforts in these blessed 10 days of Zul-Hijjah, we have made a free template to set targets and keep ourselves accountable.