Most Muslims know Dhul Hijjah as the month of Hajj. Fewer realize that the first ten days of this month are described by the Prophet ﷺ as the best days of the entire year — including Ramadan.
"There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."
— Sahih al-Bukhari
The Companions asked: "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?" He replied: "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and does not come back with either."
Ten days. The most beloved to Allah. For the vast majority of Muslims who are not performing Hajj, these days offer an extraordinary window — if you know how to use them.
Here is a Quran-centered plan for all ten days.
Why These Days?
The Quran itself swears by them:
وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
"By the dawn. And by the ten nights."
— Quran 89:1–2 (Al-Fajr)
Ibn Abbas, Ibn Kathir, and the majority of scholars interpret "the ten nights" as the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. When Allah swears by something in the Quran, it is to draw attention to its immense significance.
These days are a compressed opportunity — similar in spirit to the last ten nights of Ramadan, but occurring during normal life (not fasting). The barrier to worship is lower. The reward is at its highest.
The 3 Pillars of Dhul Hijjah Worship
Islamic tradition identifies three primary acts for these days:
1. Quran recitation — The most blessed form of dhikr
2. Takbir, tahlil, and tahmid — Saying "Allahu Akbar," "La ilaha illallah," and "Alhamdulillah"
3. Fasting (especially the 9th — Day of Arafah) — Expiates sins of two years
This plan focuses on the Quran, integrated with the other two.
The 10-Day Quran Schedule
Daily structure
Each day contains four reading windows. Choose two minimum; three is better; all four is optimal.
| Window | Time | Reading target |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | After Fajr | 4 pages |
| Mid-morning | Before noon | 3 pages |
| Asr | After Asr prayer | 4 pages |
| Isha/Tahajjud | After Isha | 4–6 pages |
At four sessions, this totals approximately 15–17 pages per day — nearly one full juz. In ten days: close to 10 juz, or one-third of the Quran.
Day-by-day focus
Rather than simply reading sequentially, consider dedicating each day to a thematic focus within your sequential reading:
| Day | Theme | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginning and intention | Al-Baqarah's opening — about guidance |
| 2 | Trust in Allah | Tawakkul passages throughout |
| 3 | Stories of the Prophets | The tests they endured |
| 4 | Ibrahim specifically | The patriarch of Hajj |
| 5 | Provisions and gratitude | What we have been given |
| 6 | The Day of Judgment | Self-accounting (muhasabah) |
| 7 | Repentance | Preparing for Eid al-Adha |
| 8 | Day of Tarwiyah | Pilgrims enter ihram — read with them in spirit |
| 9 | Day of Arafah | The most important day — maximum reading and dua |
| 10 | Eid al-Adha | Celebration — read after Eid prayer |
Day 9: Arafah — The Peak
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) is the day the Prophet ﷺ described:
"Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year."
— Sahih Muslim
This is also the day millions of pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah in the central act of Hajj. For those not performing Hajj, this day is an opportunity to fast and maximize worship in solidarity with the Ummah.
Quran plan for Arafah:
- Fast from Fajr to Maghrib
- Read a minimum of 2 juz throughout the day
- Between Asr and Maghrib: focus entirely on dua and the takbir
- Make specific dua for yourself, your family, the Ummah, and all those on Hajj
The afternoon of Arafah (between Asr and Maghrib) is among the most powerful times for answered dua in the Islamic calendar.
Day 10: Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is not a day off from worship — it is a day of different worship.
After the Eid prayer, maintain your reading. Many Muslims experience post-Eid deflation and stop their Dhul Hijjah momentum. Instead:
- Read one juz after Eid prayer and before the day's activities begin
- Perform your sacrifice (or ensure it is arranged) with full consciousness of its meaning
- Continue the takbir throughout the day
The Takbir of Dhul Hijjah
From the 1st of Dhul Hijjah (or from Fajr on Day 9 according to some scholars) until the last day of Tashreeq (13th Dhul Hijjah), the Takbir al-Tashriq is recited:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Recite this audibly throughout your day — walking, driving, between tasks. It transforms ordinary moments into worship.
For Those Going to Hajj
If you are performing Hajj, this plan is adapted by your rituals. But consider:
- The journey itself is time for Quran listening (during bus/plane travel between sites)
- Waiting periods in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafah are perfect for recitation
- Many pilgrims find that Hajj is the most Quran-rich experience of their lives — use it fully
Making the 10 Days Count
You do not need to be going to Hajj. You do not need to be in a Muslim-majority country. You do not need any special circumstance.
You need ten days. You have them.
The best days of the year are the days most Muslims let pass without intention. Make this year different.
For a year-round Quran habit that carries this intensity into ordinary days, read How to Build a Daily Quran Reading Habit That Actually Sticks.
Download Quran Gate and read through Dhul Hijjah — Free →
