Sadaqah in Dhul Hijjah carries a weight that no other time of year can match. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these,” meaning the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Sahih al Bukhari 969). Charity is among the greatest of good deeds, so a donation given in these days is more beloved to Allah (SWT) than the same donation given at any other time.
This makes the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah the best window of the year for voluntary charity. The days are few and they pass quickly. This guide explains the evidence behind their virtue, the forms of Sadaqah that matter most, and a simple plan to give on every one of the ten days.
Why Dhul Hijjah Is the Best Time for Sadaqah
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months named in the Quran (9:36). It holds the Hajj, the Day of Arafah and Eid al Adha. Allah (SWT) swears by its opening days: “By the dawn, and by the ten nights” (Quran 89:1 to 89:2). Ibn Abbas (RA) and most classical commentators explain these ten nights as the first ten of Dhul Hijjah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) then made their rank explicit. “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The Companions asked whether even striving in the path of Allah could equal them. He replied that it could not, except for a person who goes out with his life and wealth and returns with neither (Sahih al Bukhari 969, Sunan Abi Dawud 2438, Jami at Tirmidhi 757).
The hadith speaks of righteous deeds in general. It does not single out one act. Prayer, fasting, remembrance, Quran and charity all rise in value together. Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) observed that these days are distinguished because the main acts of worship meet in them: prayer, fasting, charity and Hajj. No other period of the year brings all of them together.
| Evidence | What it establishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Allah swears by the ten nights | The days themselves are honored | Quran 89:1 to 89:2 |
| Deeds in these days are the most beloved to Allah | Every good deed, including Sadaqah, gains in rank | Sahih al Bukhari 969 |
| Remember Allah on the appointed days | Dhikr is a defining act of the ten days | Quran 22:28 |
| Increase in tahlil, takbir and tahmid | Worship should visibly increase | Musnad Ahmad |
| Fasting Arafah expiates two years of sins | The 9th is the peak day for those not on Hajj | Sahih Muslim 1162 |
| More people are freed from the Fire on Arafah than on any other day | The 9th is a day of mercy and acceptance | Sahih Muslim 1348 |
| The greatest day with Allah is the Day of Sacrifice | The 10th crowns the ten days | Sunan Abi Dawud 1765 |
Is Sadaqah in Dhul Hijjah Better Than in Ramadan?
Both seasons are exceptional, and scholars have compared them carefully. Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) gave a well known answer. The days of the first ten of Dhul Hijjah are better than the days of the last ten of Ramadan. The nights of the last ten of Ramadan are better, because they contain Laylat al Qadr.
For a donor, the practical lesson is clear. Ramadan is not the only season for serious giving. Many Muslims give most of their yearly charity in Ramadan and then give very little in Dhul Hijjah. The Sunnah points to a second peak, about two months later, that deserves the same attention.
Is the Reward of Charity Multiplied in These Days?
The authentic texts say that deeds in these days are more beloved to Allah and greater in reward. They do not give a fixed multiplier. Narrations that assign a specific figure, such as one day of fasting equaling a year, are graded weak by hadith scholars. It is more accurate to say that your Sadaqah is at its most beloved in these ten days, and that Allah multiplies reward for whom He wills (Quran 2:261).
When Is Dhul Hijjah 2027?
Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH is expected to begin on Friday, May 7, 2027. The Day of Arafah is expected on Saturday, May 15, and Eid al Adha on Sunday, May 16. These dates follow the Umm al Qura calendar and depend on the sighting of the new moon. Your local date may fall one day later, so confirm with your mosque.
| Day of Dhul Hijjah | Expected date in 2027 | Significance | A fitting act of charity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st to 7th | May 7 to May 13 | Opening days of the ten. Fasting, dhikr and charity are recommended | Daily Sadaqah, food aid, support for an orphan |
| 8th, Day of Tarwiyah | May 14 | Pilgrims travel to Mina and Hajj begins | Give in secret and make a private dua |
| 9th, Day of Arafah | May 15 | The greatest day of dua. Fasting expiates two years of sins | Your largest gift of the season, or a Sadaqah Jariyah project |
| 10th, Eid al Adha | May 16 | Day of Sacrifice | Qurbani, Eid gifts and meals for families in need |
| 11th to 13th, Days of Tashreeq | May 17 to May 19 | Days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah | Share Qurbani meat and continue giving |
The Day of Arafah deserves particular planning. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said the best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah (Jami at Tirmidhi 3585). Giving charity before you raise your hands is a means of seeking acceptance. If you can only give once in the ten days, give on the 9th.
Best Forms of Sadaqah in Dhul Hijjah
Any sincere charity counts. Some forms are singled out in the Sunnah, and they pair well with the best days of the year.
Giving water
Sa’d ibn Ubadah (RA) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) which charity is best. He answered, “Giving water” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1681, Sunan Ibn Majah 3684). A well serves a village every day for years. It is Sadaqah Jariyah in its clearest form.
Feeding people
A man asked which Islam is best. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “To feed people and to greet those you know and those you do not know” (Sahih al Bukhari 12). Food parcels, hot meals and Qurbani meat all answer this hadith. For many families, Eid al Adha is one of the few times in the year they eat meat.
Sadaqah Jariyah
Ongoing charity continues to benefit you after death (Sahih Muslim 1631). Wells, schools, mosques, Quran copies and wheelchairs keep serving people long after the ten days have passed. Starting such a project in the most beloved days joins the best time to the longest lasting deed.
Caring for orphans
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that he and the one who cares for an orphan will be together in Paradise, and he held two fingers close together (Sahih al Bukhari 6005).
Sadaqah that is not money
A smile, a visit to the sick, help for a neighbor and time spent volunteering are all charity (Sahih Muslim 1005). Those with little to spare are not shut out of these days. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date” (Sahih al Bukhari 1417).
A Ten Day Sadaqah Plan for Dhul Hijjah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the deeds most beloved to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small (Sahih al Bukhari 6464). A modest gift on each of the ten days is better than one large gift you nearly forget. Use this plan as a starting point and adjust the amounts to your means.
| Day | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set your intention and automate | Schedule a fixed daily donation for all ten days |
| 2 | Water | Contribute to a tube well or community well |
| 3 | Food | Sponsor meals or a food parcel for a family |
| 4 | Family | Give to a relative in need. Charity to kin earns two rewards (Jami at Tirmidhi 658) |
| 5 | Orphans | Support the food, clothing or schooling of an orphan |
| 6 | Knowledge | Sponsor Quran copies or school supplies |
| 7 | Health and mobility | Fund a wheelchair or medical aid |
| 8 | Secret charity | Give where no one but Allah knows |
| 9 | Day of Arafah | Give your largest gift and start a Sadaqah Jariyah project |
| 10 | Eid al Adha | Offer your Qurbani and share the meat and the joy of Eid |
Automating the plan on the first day removes the risk of missing a day. Busy schedules, travel and Eid preparation are the usual reasons people fall behind.
Sadaqah, Zakat and Qurbani in Dhul Hijjah
Three kinds of giving meet in this month, and each keeps its own rules.
| Type | Ruling | Role in Dhul Hijjah |
|---|---|---|
| Sadaqah | Voluntary | Give on any or all of the ten days, in any amount |
| Zakat | Obligatory at 2.5% once wealth above the nisab is held for a lunar year | Pay it now if your Zakat date falls in this month. Most scholars also allow paying it early |
| Qurbani | Wajib in the Hanafi school, confirmed Sunnah in the other three | Offered from the 10th after the Eid prayer until the 12th or 13th |
Sadaqah does not replace Zakat, and neither one replaces Qurbani. If you intend to offer Qurbani, it is also Sunnah to leave your hair and nails uncut from the first of Dhul Hijjah until your sacrifice is done (Sahih Muslim 1977).
Benefits of Giving Sadaqah
The rewards of charity apply all year. In Dhul Hijjah they are earned on the most beloved days.
- It removes sins. “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire” (Jami at Tirmidhi 2616).
- It does not reduce wealth. “Charity does not decrease wealth” (Sahih Muslim 2588).
- It shades the giver. Among the seven whom Allah will shade on the Day of Judgment is a person who gives so secretly that the left hand does not know what the right hand has given (Sahih al Bukhari 1423).
- It is repaid. “Whatever you spend, He will replace it” (Quran 34:39).
Etiquette of Giving in These Days
- Purify your intention. Give for the sake of Allah alone, not for recognition.
- Give from lawful and good wealth (Quran 2:267).
- Give while you are healthy and still hope for wealth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) called this the best charity (Sahih al Bukhari 1419).
- Prefer secrecy where you can, and give openly when it encourages others (Quran 2:271).
- Do not follow charity with reminders or hurt (Quran 2:264).
- Verify where the money goes. Choose a registered charity that shows proof of delivery.
Give Your Dhul Hijjah Sadaqah Through MWA Charity
Muslim Welfare Association (MWA Charity) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit based in the Chicago area, serving humanity since 2012 (EIN 83-0841269). We work with underprivileged communities in Africa, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Every project is documented, and donors receive photo and video proof of what their gift built.
- Daily donations: give a fixed amount on each of the ten days.
- Build a water well: a tube well or community well in your name or the name of a loved one.
- Give mobility: a wheelchair and daily essentials for a disabled child for $350.
- Sponsor Qurans: Quran copies and Arabic books for mosques in Uganda.
- Build a school in Uganda: safe classrooms for children who have none.
- Pay your Zakat: food, shelter and medical aid for those eligible to receive it.
The ten days come once a year and none of us is promised the next. Decide your amount today, set it up before the month begins and let each day of Dhul Hijjah carry a deed that outlives it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sadaqah in Dhul Hijjah so rewarding?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that no good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Sahih al Bukhari 969). Charity is a righteous deed, so it shares in that virtue.
Which day of Dhul Hijjah is best for giving charity?
All ten days are virtuous. The Day of Arafah on the 9th and the Day of Sacrifice on the 10th are the greatest of them. Giving a little on every day is the safest way to catch them all.
Is charity in Dhul Hijjah better than charity in Ramadan?
Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah held that the days of the first ten of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year, while the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best nights. Both are seasons for generous giving.
How much Sadaqah should I give in Dhul Hijjah?
There is no minimum. Give an amount you can sustain across all ten days. Consistent small deeds are the most beloved to Allah (Sahih al Bukhari 6464).
Can I pay Zakat in Dhul Hijjah?
Yes. If your Zakat falls due in Dhul Hijjah, pay it then. Most scholars also permit paying Zakat before its due date. Keep it separate from your Sadaqah and make the intention of Zakat.
Does Sadaqah replace Qurbani?
No. Qurbani is a separate act of worship that requires the sacrifice of an animal during the days of Eid al Adha. Sadaqah is given in addition to it.
Can I give Sadaqah on behalf of a deceased parent?
Yes. A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) whether his late mother would be rewarded if he gave charity for her, and he said yes (Sahih al Bukhari 1388, Sahih Muslim 1004).
When do the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah start in 2027?
They are expected to begin on Friday, May 7, 2027, with Eid al Adha on Sunday, May 16, subject to moon sighting.
Is my donation to MWA Charity tax deductible?
MWA Charity is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit registered in the United States (EIN 83-0841269). Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
