The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah Checklist

A practical day-by-day checklist for the most blessed ten days of the year so you do not miss a single recommended act.

Daily core practices (apply every day, 1 to 10 Dhul Hijjah)

1. Refrain from cutting hair and nails (if you intend Qurbani), from sunset on 30 Dhul Qa'dah (Sun 17 May 2026) until after slaughter 2. Recite Takbir (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd) abundantly 3. Pray at least 1 Sunnah Ratibah with each fard prayer 4. Recite at least 1 juz of Quran (more if you can) 5. Give some Sadaqah every day (even £1) 6. Make istighfar at least 100 times per day 7. Send salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him) at least 100 times per day

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Day-by-day checklist

Day 1: Mon 18 May 2026 (1 Dhul Hijjah)

Begin refraining from cutting hair and nails (if giving Qurbani)
Make niyyah for the 10 days
Pay your Qurbani if not yet paid
Set a daily Quran target for the 10 days

Day 2: Tue 19 May 2026 (2 Dhul Hijjah)

Establish your nightly Qiyam routine (even just 2 rakats Tahajjud)
Audit Sadaqah goals for the next 8 days
Reach out to a deceased loved one in dua

Day 3: Wed 20 May 2026 (3 Dhul Hijjah)

Fast (recommended)
Increase recitation of Surah Al-Kahf in preparation for Friday
Visit a sick or elderly Muslim

Day 4: Thu 21 May 2026 (4 Dhul Hijjah)

Fast (recommended)
Begin reciting Surah Al-Mulk before sleep
Plan a family Iftar around the Sunnah of breaking fast at sunset

Day 5: Fri 22 May 2026 (5 Dhul Hijjah)

Pray Jumuah with full attention
Recite Surah Al-Kahf before Asr
Send abundant salawat (a thousand if possible)
Give Sadaqah at the mosque

Day 6: Sat 23 May 2026 (6 Dhul Hijjah)

Fast (recommended)
Make a list of duas for self, family, ummah
Reach out to a relative you have lost contact with

Day 7: Sun 24 May 2026 (7 Dhul Hijjah)

Fast (recommended)
Increase Quran recitation
Spend at least 30 minutes in dhikr
Give an additional Sadaqah for a deceased loved one

Day 8: Mon 25 May 2026 (8 Dhul Hijjah, Day of Tarwiyah)

Fast (highly recommended)
Hajj pilgrims travel to Mina today
Pray for the pilgrims by name
Spend the night in extra ibadah

Day 9: Tue 26 May 2026 (9 Dhul Hijjah, DAY OF ARAFAH)

Fast, expiates the sins of the previous and coming year (Sahih Muslim 1162)
Hajj pilgrims stand at Arafat
The greatest day of the year for dua
Spend the day in dhikr, Quran, dua and reflection
Begin Takbir e Tashreeq after Fajr (continues until Asr on 13 Dhul Hijjah)

Day 10: Wed 27 May 2026 (10 Dhul Hijjah, EID AL-ADHA)

Pray Fajr and ghusl
Wear best clothes, perfume (men only)
Eat after Eid prayer (Sunnah for Eid al-Adha)
Pray Eid al-Adha at the mosque or open prayer ground
Slaughter your Qurbani (or it is slaughtered by your charity in country of distribution)
Recite Takbir on the way to Eid prayer
Make takbir, tahmid and tasbih throughout the day

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After Eid: 11, 12 and 13 Dhul Hijjah (Days of Tashreeq)

Continue reciting Takbir e Tashreeq after each fard prayer until Asr on 13 Dhul Hijjah
Qurbani slaughter remains valid throughout these days
It is forbidden to fast on these days (they are days of celebration)
Continue increased dhikr, sadaqah and dua

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Action

Pay your 2026 Qurbani before Dhul Hijjah begins (Mon 18 May 2026) so you can focus on ibadah from day one.

Pay Qurbani Online →

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