Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam is the month of mercy, blessings and virtues. The reward for worship is increased many times during the first ten days of this month. We have been persuaded to perform righteous deeds during these days in blessed Ahadees. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: Amongst the days on which the worship of Allah Almighty is performed, there are no days more beloved to Allah Almighty that He عَزَّوَجَلَّ be worshipped in them than the ten days of Zul-Hijjah; the Sawm (fasting) of every day out of these days is equal to the Siyam of one year and the Qiyam (standing in prayers) of every night is equal to the Qiyam of Layla-tul-Qadr. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 2, pp. 192, Hadees 758)

Few virtuous acts, which are performed during this blessed month, are being mentioned below, we can earn abundant rewards by acting upon them:

1. Observe Sawm on the day of ‘Arafah

If possible observe Sawm on the day of ‘Arafah (9^th Zul-Hijjah) as by observing Sawm on this day gets the sins forgiven. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: I expect from Allah Almighty that Sawm (fasting) on the day of ‘Arafah may remove the sins of the preceding and the coming year (1 year before and 1 year after). (Sahih Muslim, pp. 454, Hadees 2746)

2. Perform worship on Eid-ul-Adha night

Many people spend the nights of Eids playing sports and doing frolics though there are glad tidings of reward for performing worship during these nights. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: Allah Almighty opens the door of goodness during four nights; one of them is also the night of Eid-ul-Adha. (Durr-e-Mansoor, vol. 7, pp. 402; summarized)

It is stated in another narration: There are five such nights in which Du’a is not rejected; one of them is the night of Eid-ul-Adha. (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, pp. 342, Hadees 3713; summarized)

In Ghunya-tut-Talibeen, it is stated: There are five such nights throughout the year which if someone testifies and spends them in worshipping with the intention to earn reward, Allah Almighty will make him enter Paradise. These nights include the nights of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha; one should worship during these nights and should not observe Sawm during its days (as observing Sawm on both Eids is not permissible). (Ghunya-tut-Talibeen, vol. 1, pp. 327; summarized)

3. A Sunnah before Eid Salah

One blessed practice of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم on the day of Eid was that he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would go to offer Salah of Eid-ul-Fitr after eating something, whereas he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not eat anything on the day of Eid-ul-Adha until he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would complete (Eid) Salah. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 2, pp. 70, Hadees 542)

Hakeem-ul-Ummat, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said: It has been learnt that going [to offer Salah] after eating something on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr and eating something after coming back [from offering Salah] on the day of Eid-ul-Adha are Sunnahs. It is better to eat the meat of sacrificial animal first. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 2, pp. 361)

4. Also act upon it on the day of Eid

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would go to the Masjid to offer Eid Salah taking one way and would return taking another way. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 2, pp. 69, Hadees 541)

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said: (It is for the reason that) there should be less crowd on the way, charity be given to the Fuqara (poor people) of both ways, the graves of Ahl-e-Qurabat (close relatives) which are situated on these ways be visited and both ways become the witness of our Salah and faith. He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would take a long way at the time of going, but when returning he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would take a short way, so that more steps be taken at the time of going and more reward be earned. It has been learnt that going to Eid-Gah [the place where Eid Salah is offered] on foot and changing the way at the time of going and coming from Eid-Gah are Sunnahs. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 2, pp. 359)