There are ten days in the entire Islamic year that the Prophet ﷺ described as the greatest days in the sight of Allah — and right now, you are standing at their threshold. Whether you are holding a string of beads that belonged to your grandmother or searching for the first tasbih that truly feels like yours, this sacred window of Dhul Hijjah is an invitation to slow down, come closer, and let your worship mean something deeper than routine.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are widely regarded as the most virtuous days of the Islamic year. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari). This means fasting, giving charity, making takbeer, and above all — keeping your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah — carry extraordinary weight right now. If you have been wondering what to do in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the answer begins with one simple commitment: intentional, consistent dhikr.
Why These Ten Days Are Unlike Any Other Time of Year
Dhul Hijjah 2026 begins around June 27th, with Eid al-Adha falling on approximately July 6th–7th. For Muslims across the UK and around the world, the atmosphere shifts. Millions of pilgrims arrive in Makkah for Hajj. The rest of us — those not making the journey this year — are invited into a parallel spiritual ascent from wherever we are.
The scholars of Islam have long noted that these ten days combine all four acts of worship that bring one closest to Allah: salah, fasting, sadaqah, and dhikr. You do not need to be at the Kaabah to feel the barakah of this time. You simply need to be present, intentional, and consistent.
What Acts of Worship Are Especially Recommended?
- Fasting the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah — July 5th, 2026): The Prophet ﷺ said this fast expiates sins of the previous and coming year. It is one of the most accessible and powerful acts you can perform outside of Ramadan.
- Reciting the Takbeer: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illAllah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd. Keep it on your lips after prayers, during your commute, while cooking — let these days be audibly different.
- Increased dhikr and istighfar: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and Astaghfirullah — these four phrases, repeated with presence and intention, are light that accumulates in your heart.
- Giving to charity: Even a small sadaqah in these days carries immense reward.
- Offering Qurbani / Udhiyah: For those who are able, this sacrifice on Eid al-Adha is a Sunnah of great significance.
What Is the Role of a Tasbih in Deepening Your Dhikr?
A tasbih — also known as misbaha or prayer beads — is not a spiritual shortcut. It is a tool of presence. When you hold a bead between your fingers, you are creating a physical anchor for your mind, something that gently draws you back every time your thoughts wander. The repetition becomes embodied, not merely mental.
This is why the quality and feel of your tasbih genuinely matters. When you love the object in your hand — when the weight of it feels right, when the beads catch the light in a way that stirs something in you — you are more likely to reach for it. You are more likely to sit with it a little longer. That is not vanity. That is wisdom about how we are made.
Explore LRV's full tasbih collection to find the one that calls to you this Dhul Hijjah.
How Do You Choose the Right Tasbih for Your Practice?
The traditional tasbih has 99 beads — corresponding to the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah — or 33 beads, counted three times for the well-known post-prayer dhikr: 33 SubhanAllah, 33 Alhamdulillah, 33 Allahu Akbar. Both are widely used, and neither is more correct than the other.
Beyond count, consider material. At Luxury R Visible, our gemstone tasbih are crafted from ethically sourced natural stones, each chosen not only for beauty but for the contemplative quality they bring to dhikr. This is where intentional choice becomes meaningful.
Which Gemstones Have Significance in Islamic Tradition and Spiritual Practice?
The relationship between gemstones and Islamic spirituality is ancient and well-documented. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have worn a silver ring set with an Abyssinian stone, and many scholars throughout Islamic history have written on the properties and blessings associated with certain gems. While no stone confers spiritual reward in itself, many Muslims find that particular materials enhance the quality of their focus and presence during worship — and that intention is entirely honourable.
Amethyst — In Islamic folk tradition and across many spiritual cultures, amethyst has long been associated with clarity of mind and inner calm. Its deep violet colour, formed when iron interacts with quartz over millions of years beneath the earth, carries a quiet authority. Holding amethyst during dhikr can support a settled, unhurried quality of remembrance — appropriate for the reflective nature of Dhul Hijjah.
Lapis Lazuli — One of the most ancient gemstones in human history, lapis lazuli was used in Islamic art, architecture, and illuminated manuscripts for centuries. Its deep celestial blue, flecked with gold pyrite, is a reminder of divine vastness. Scholars and artisans across the Islamic world held this stone in particular esteem. A lapis lazuli tasbih carries that heritage in your hands.
Black Onyx — The Prophet ﷺ is reported in some narrations to have recommended wearing black onyx as a protection from the evil eye and as an aid to focus. Black onyx tasbih are popular for this reason, and their smooth, grounding weight makes them particularly well-suited to sustained dhikr sessions.
Discover our gemstone jewellery collection to explore these stones in more detail, or browse the full LRV collection for the complete range of spiritual pieces.
Is a Gemstone Tasbih a Meaningful Eid al-Adha Gift?
Eid al-Adha is not simply a celebration — it is the culmination of days spent in sacrifice, prayer, and closeness to Allah. A gift given at this moment carries the weight of that intention. Unlike a generic present, a carefully chosen tasbih says something specific: I thought about your spiritual life. I wanted to give you something that would remain with you in your moments of worship.
That is a rare and beautiful thing to give someone.
A gemstone tasbih from LRV is particularly well-suited as an Eid gift for a mother, a grandmother, a husband or wife, a dear friend beginning a new chapter, or someone you want to encourage in their deen. It is personal without being intrusive. It is beautiful without being extravagant. And it is useful in the most profound sense — it will be used in dhikr, perhaps for years to come.
Because LRV is UK-based, next-day and express delivery options mean you can still find the right gift in time for Eid al-Adha, even if you are only just beginning to think about it now. Browse our spiritual gifts collection for curated ideas across every budget.
A Simple Dhikr Practice for the Ten Days — Starting Tonight
You do not need a detailed programme or a lengthy schedule to make these ten days count. What you need is a small, consistent anchor — something you do every single day without fail. Here is a simple structure you can begin with your tasbih tonight:
Morning (after Fajr)
Sit for five minutes before you reach for your phone. Hold your tasbih. Recite SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 33 times. Seal it with La ilaha illAllah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadeer. This takes less than four minutes and is among the most rewarding morning adhkar.
During the Day
Keep your tasbih accessible — in your pocket, on your desk, in your bag. Let idle moments become moments of remembrance. The scholars say that dhikr of the heart alongside dhikr of the tongue is what transforms habit into worship. Every bead moved with awareness is a deed written.
Evening (after Maghrib or before sleep)
Recite Astaghfirullah 100 times. Istighfar — seeking forgiveness — is particularly emphasised in Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ himself sought forgiveness more than 70 times a day. These are not the days to feel unworthy of turning to Allah. These are the days He invites you most.
On the Day of Arafah (July 5th, 2026)
Fast if you are able. Spend the afternoon in intensive dhikr and du'a. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best du'a is du'a on the Day of Arafah.” Write down what you want to ask for. Ask for it fully, with your whole heart, turning the beads of your tasbih as you do.
Your Practical Takeaway: One Decision That Honours These Days
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah will pass whether we use them well or not. That is the nature of time. But you are reading this, which means something in you already wants to approach these days with intention — and that wanting is itself a gift from Allah.
So here is your one practical takeaway: choose your dhikr anchor for these ten days. It might be a dhikr schedule you commit to. It might be finally finding a tasbih that you truly love holding — one made from a gemstone that speaks to you, crafted with the care that honours the act of worship it will accompany.
Whatever you choose, choose it deliberately. These are the greatest days of the year. You deserve to meet them with something more than good intentions.
Explore the full range of gemstone tasbih, Islamic jewellery, and Eid al-Adha gifts at Luxury R Visible — crafted for those who take their spiritual life seriously, delivered across the UK in time for Eid.
May Allah accept your worship in these blessed days, grant you the best of Eid, and fill your heart with peace that only closeness to Him can bring. Ameen.
