Giving Charity During Dhul Hijjah: The First 10 Days
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are described by the Prophet ﷺ as the most blessed period in the Islamic calendar for righteous deeds: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days" (Bukhari). This places Dhul Hijjah alongside Ramadan as a period of multiplied spiritual reward — and for charitable giving specifically, these 10 days represent one of the highest-value windows for sadaqah and sadaqah jariyah. This guide covers the Islamic significance of Dhul Hijjah, why charity during this period carries extraordinary reward, and how to maximise giving during these blessed days.
Why the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah Are Special
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The companions asked: "Not even jihad in the cause of Allah?" He replied: "Not even jihad in the cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth and returns with nothing"
— Bukhari
This exchange establishes that good deeds performed during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are ranked above virtually every other period — including acts that are ordinarily considered the most meritorious.
"By the dawn, and by the ten nights"
— Quran 89:1–2
The majority of scholars interpret "the ten nights" as the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. When Allah swears by something in the Quran, it indicates the exceptional importance of that thing.
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha — the Day of Sacrifice — and the 9th is the Day of Arafah, which the Prophet ﷺ described as the day on which Allah frees the greatest number of people from the Hellfire.
Why Charity During Dhul Hijjah Carries Multiplied Reward
The hadith does not specify which righteous deeds are "more beloved" during these days — it describes all righteous deeds. Sadaqah is explicitly classified as a righteous deed (and one of the most praised in the Quran), meaning that charitable giving during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah falls directly within the scope of this multiplied reward.
The multiplication operates on the same principle as Ramadan giving — the time period amplifies the reward of the act. A sadaqah of £100 given during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah carries greater reward than the same sadaqah given during an ordinary week. When that sadaqah is given in the form of sadaqah jariyah — such as a water pump donation — the multiplied seasonal reward is compounded by the ongoing daily reward for as long as the charitable asset operates.
How to Maximise Giving During Dhul Hijjah
Give sadaqah jariyah during the first 10 days
A hand water pump at £150 donated during Dhul Hijjah combines the seasonal multiplication with 10+ years of ongoing reward. A solar water pump at £1,800 extends this further.
Give on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
The Prophet ﷺ singled out this day as exceptional. Charitable giving on Arafah specifically carries heightened merit.
Give on Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah)
Eid giving combined with sadaqah jariyah reinforces the spirit of sacrifice that Eid al-Adha represents.
Combine with fasting on the Day of Arafah
The Prophet ﷺ said fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous and coming year (Muslim). Adding sadaqah to fasting on this day stacks two of the most rewarded acts within the most rewarded period.
Dedicate to parents or the deceased
The multiplied reward of Dhul Hijjah applies equally to sadaqah given on behalf of others. Giving a water pump in a parent's name or for the deceased during these 10 days sends amplified ongoing reward to them.
Dhul Hijjah vs Ramadan for Charitable Giving
Both periods carry multiplied reward, and the scholarly position is that neither cancels the other — Muslims should give generously during both. The practical distinction:
Ramadan
A 30-day period focused on fasting, reflection, and generosity. Most UK Muslim charitable giving is concentrated in Ramadan, particularly the last 10 nights and Laylat al-Qadr.
Dhul Hijjah
A 10-day period focused on sacrifice, pilgrimage, and worship. Less widely recognised as a peak giving period among UK Muslims — meaning there is both a spiritual opportunity (fewer people are giving during a period of multiplied reward) and a practical opportunity (charities receive less, so donations are more urgently needed).
Both are ideal times for sadaqah jariyah ideas including water pump donations. The rewards of sadaqah apply throughout the year, but these two periods offer the greatest multiplication.
Other Recommended Deeds During Dhul Hijjah
While this guide focuses on charitable giving, the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are equally rewarded for all forms of worship: prayer, fasting (especially on the Day of Arafah), dhikr (remembrance of Allah), recitation of the Quran, and acts of kindness.
"There are no days that are greater before Allah and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase your tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illAllah), takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar), and tahmeed (saying Alhamdulillah)"
— Ahmad
Combining multiple forms of worship — fasting, dhikr, and sadaqah jariyah — during these 10 days creates a concentrated period of devotion that aligns with the prophetic emphasis on maximising righteous deeds when their reward is greatest.
Give During the Most Blessed Days
A hand water pump at £150 or solar pump at £1,800 donated during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah combines the highest seasonal reward with 10–20+ years of sadaqah jariyah.