Why the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah matter
“The more that you remember Him, the more that you become closer to Him.”
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah, are an extraordinary season for worship and moral renewal through remembrance, fasting, Hajj reflection, stewardship, and justice grounded in taqwa.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Allah grants differing virtues to people, prophets, places, and times as tests, introducing the special status of Dhul-Hijjah.
- The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have exceptionally virtuous daytime hours, making righteous deeds especially valuable.
- Listeners are urged to conserve water, increase takbir, tahmid, tahlil, and daily remembrance of Allah.
- Hajj is presented as the season’s greatest act and a reminder of death, resurrection, equality, and final gathering.
- The Day of Arafah is emphasized for dua, tawhid, fasting, forgiveness, and reflection on the Farewell Sermon.
- The Farewell Sermon teaches the sanctity of Muslim life, wealth, and honor, with human distinction based on taqwa rather than race or nationality.
In the khateeb's words
“But the daytime of Dhul-Hijjah is more virtuous than the last ten days of Ramadan”
“And the more that you remember Him The more that you become closer to Him And this is a sign of your connection to your Creator”
“And this tells us of the fact that Hajj in many ways is a reminder of us for Yawm Al Qiyamah”
“And it becomes an equalizer for all people Irrespective of their nationality or their race as well”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the most blessed days of the year. We can honor them by remembering Allah often, conserving water, fasting the Day of Arafah, and making sincere dua. Hajj teaches us that every person will return to Allah, and that wealth, race, nationality, and status do not make anyone better. The Farewell Sermon calls us to protect one another’s lives, wealth, dignity, and honor. Our true measure is taqwa: awareness of Allah shown through worship, kindness, and justice.
- What is one way we can remember Allah more often during the day?
- What does it mean to treat every person as equal before Allah?
- What would you ask Allah for on the Day of Arafah?
More on Hajj, Umrah & Eid
SNMC · Nepean, ON · Jun 25, 2026Hajj teaches us to defeat the ego“The best of the few people who are in conflict is the one who initiates the salam.”
OPPC · Orland Park, IL · Jun 3, 2026The journey back to Allah starts at home
Perhaps the real test of Umrah comes after we come home.31:13Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Sep 5, 2026What Ihram teaches after Umrah