It is one of the favors and blessings of Allah The Almighty that He granted His righteous slave seasons during which they exert extra efforts in performing virtuous deeds. It is a favor and blessing from Allah The Almighty when He extends the life of His righteous slave and enables them to perform good deeds. One of the greatest seasons during which one can perform righteous deeds are the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah.
The lifespan of the Muslim nation is short when compared by the lifespan of those nations who came before them, as the Prophet, , said: "The lifespan of the people of my Nation are between sixty and seventy" [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah] However, Allah The Almighty has blessed this nation by compensating them with good deeds which they can offer and thus get more rewards and blessings, and it is as if they live longer lives. One such season is Ramadan, especially the Night of Al-Qadr. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months"} [Quran 97:3]
Imaam Ar-Raazi said, 'Know that the one who worships Allah during this night (Al-Qadr) will get the reward as if he had worshipped Allah for eighty years, and the one who does so every year, will get rewards as if he had lived for very long years.'
One other blessed season and period to get multiple rewards is the period of the first ten days of Thul-HIjjah, about which Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"By the dawn. And [by] ten nights"}[Quran 89:1-2] Commenting on this verse, Imaam Ibn Katheer said, 'This refers to the nights of the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah'.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days"}[Quran 22:28] Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, 'This refers to the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah' [End of Quote].
Ibn `Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, , said: "There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah).''He, , was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?'' He, , replied: "Not even Jihaad in the cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it.'' [Al-Bukhari].
Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "There are no days during which the righteous action is dearer to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah), so exert more efforts during them in mentioning Allah saying Tahleel (saying La Ilaaha Illa Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Al-Hamdu Lillaah)" [At-Tabaraani].
Imaam Ibn Hajar said, 'It appears that the reason for the virtue of these days is that during them one performs all the major acts of worship, prayer, fasting, charity and Hajj. No other days collectively combine these acts of worship' .
Imaam Ibn Rajab said, 'Allah has instilled in the hearts of His slave the longing to visit and see His Sacred House, but not all people can visit it every year. Therefore, He made performing Hajj mandatory once during the lifetime and made the season of the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah a shared season between those who perform Hajj and those who are deprived' .
Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah was asked which is better the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah and the last ten nights of Ramadan, to which he replied, 'The days of the first ten of Thul-Hijjah are better than the days of the last nights of Ramadan. However, the nights of the last ten of Ramadan are better than the nights of the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah'.
Let us take advantage of our times … what is remaining of our lives is priceless and must be utilized to the maximum … let us repent to Allah for having wasted a great deal of our time.
Rushing to perform acts of virtue is a sign of sincerely glorifying Allah The Almighty and honoring the seasons of blessings He has granted us. Allah Says (what means): {"And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is (a sign of ) the piety of hearts"}[Quran 00:32].