Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 15, 2026.

Use Dhul-Hijjah’s first ten days well

“The reality is you may never reach that far.”

The khateeb, at 25:15

In one sentence

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are an exceptional opportunity for worship, and believers should pursue righteous deeds intentionally and sincerely.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Introduces the virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
  2. Emphasizes conviction and intention rather than habitual worship.
  3. Presents ten practices: prayer, fasting, remembrance, Qur'an, night prayer, du'a, charity, repentance, sacrifice, and Hajj.
  4. Encourages reflection on the Islamic year and sincere tawbah.
  5. Concludes with hope for accepted Hajj, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.
Try this week
Pray every salah on time and make an effort to pray in the masjid, especially Fajr and Isha in congregation.
Fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, or at least the Day of Arafah.
Increase takbir, tahleel, and tahmeed throughout the ten days.
Read Qur'an every day.
Pray two rak'ahs of night prayer before Fajr or before going to bed.
Increase du'a, especially on the Day of Arafah, using the recommended declaration of tawhid.
Give sadaqah, even if the amount is small.
Make sincere tawbah and reflect on the past Islamic year.
If offering udhiyah, make the intention and avoid cutting hair or nails from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah.
Make a concrete plan and begin saving for Hajj if able.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“And to do these deeds, as much of them as we can With conviction and with intention Not just doing them as a force of habit”
Al-Tawheed · Kensington, NY
Play from 8:06
“That the one who ask Allah for forgiveness It's as if the one who made no sin at all Clean slate, clean opportunity”
Al-Tawheed · Kensington, NY
Play from 22:07
“But the reality is You may never reach that far And the reality is I've seen cases Of people who really wanted to go”
Al-Tawheed · Kensington, NY
Play from 25:15
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the year's best opportunities for worship. He encouraged prayer, fasting, remembrance, Qur'an, night prayer, du'a, charity, repentance, sacrifice, and making Hajj a real goal if possible. The heart of all these actions is intention: we should remember why we are doing them and teach that purpose to our families. Even a small step, taken sincerely, can help us return to Allah with hope and discipline.

  1. Which worship practice would you like our family to try together during these ten days?
  2. What helps you remember your intention when you are doing something good?
  3. What is one thing you would like to ask Allah to forgive or help you improve?