Sayyiduna SaꜤīd bin Jubayr رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ would exert himself in worship during the first ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. He would then say, لَا تُطْفِئُوا سُرُجَكُمْ لَيَالِي الْعَشْر - “Do not extinguish your lamps during these ten nights.”^[1]

Generally speaking, lights are turned off before sleeping. Sayyiduna SaꜤīd bin Jubair رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ advised us not to turn off our lights during the first ten nights of Dhū al-Ḥijjah; in other words, he advises us to stay awake into the night and perform abundant acts of worship.

The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and nafl fasts

Umm al-Muʿminīn, Sayyidatuna Ḥafṣah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا explained, “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would consistently fast during the first ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah.”^[2]

A point to remember: the ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah mentioned here, refer to fasting on the first nine days. This is because fasting on the 10^th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (Eid al-Aḍḥā) is impermissible.

O those who love Allah’s Messenger! If only we were passionate about performing good deeds! Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم used to fast during the first ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. If only we could follow this example and keep nafl fasts, offer salah and perform acts of worship in this time. This is what will truly be of benefit in the grave and the Hereafter. Everything else will be left behind. Let’s work on being passionate about doing deeds. Let’s increase our desire to perform them. A single good deed in the first ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, is multiplied by seven hundred. We must try our absolute best to make the most of this opportunity and do as many good deeds as we can.