Introduction
The same way Allah (عز وجل) created the months, he chose out of them Ramadan to give extra reward to his servants. By the same token, when he created the days, he chose the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah to be the best days.
This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one's faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Some may have missed the opportunity in Ramadan or after and regret it. Now there is a chance to make up for it. Every one of these special occasions involve some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allah (عز وجل). Likewise, every one of these special occasions have some kind of blessing though which Allah (عز وجل) grants His favor and mercy upon whomever He wills.
The happy and successful believer is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours attempting to draw closer to Allah through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell.
What are the ten days of Dhul Hijjah ?
The ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the first ten days of the 12th Islamic calendar month called Dhul Hijjah. These are the days when most of the pilgrims make a journey to Makkah and perform their tasks of Hajj. Just as they have a special chance to get extra reward, the ones who were not able to go to Hajj are also given a special chance to get extra reward during these days.
What is the significance of these 10 days?
1) Allah (عز و جل ) honored them by mentioning them in the Qur'an.
Allah (عز و جل ) says:
لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ
"That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]
The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father),
"The appointed days are the first ten days (of Dhul Hijjah)."
[This is related by al-Bukhari]
2) Allah (عز و جل ) honored them when he swears an oath by them in the Qur'an as well, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit.
Allah (عز و جل ) says (interpretation of the meaning):
وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
"By the dawn; by the 10 nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]
Ibn Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion."
3) They are considered the most honorable and best days ever.
Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"There is no day more honorable in Allah 's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah : La ilaha illAllah ), takbir (Allah is the greatest : Allahu akbar ) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah : alhumdulillah) a lot [on those days]."
[Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shakir stated it is saheeh]
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul Hijjah), the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said,
"This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul Hijjah)." The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) started saying repeatedly, "O Allah ! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message)." He then bade the people farewell. The people said, "(This is Hajjat-al-Wada)."
[Bukhari 1742]
Ibn 'Umar narrated that at Mina, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"Do you know what is the day today?" The people replied, "Allah and His Messenger know it better." He said, "It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?" They replied, "Allah and His Messenger know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (sacred) town (Mecca). And do you know which month is this?" The people replied, "Allah and His Apostle know it better." He said, "This is the forbidden (sacred) month." The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) added, "No doubt, Allah made your blood, your properties, and your honor sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours."
4) Worshipping in them is better than going to Jihad (the peak of matters of worship that you can do).
There is nothing more of a collection of hadith but on jihad, but these days, worshipping is better than Jihad. The Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said for one to be better than one who worships in these days he must take his wealth and family and go to Jihad and does not come back and looses his wealth.
Ibn 'Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul Hijjah]." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah , not even jihad in the way of Allah ?" He said, "Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allah 's sake] and returns with neither of them."
[This is related by the group except Muslim and an-Nasa'i]
5) It is narrated from some of the sahabah and tabi'een, Saeed ibn Jubair (among others), that when the first ten days arrived they used to take advantage and worship in them as much as they could to the point that he could not do any more.
Why are these days so special?
Ibn Hajar ( رحمه الله) said the apparent reason they are so special is because the mothers of the acts of worship of Allah occur in them which does not happen in any other days (meaning salah (prayer), charity, fasting, and hajj).
Are these days better than the last ten days of Ramadan?
Most scholars adopt the opinion that these days are better than the last ten days of Ramadan. However, what holds the last ten days of Ramadan at a higher status is the night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) which is equivalent to one thousand months (83.33 years).
The following hadith may shed some light in showing that worship during each of these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah with nightly prayer is like worshipping during the night of power (Laylatul Qadr).
Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Laylatul Qadr]."
[This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Bayhaqi]
What do I do in these ten days?
1- Dhikr (praise of Allah (عز وجل))
a) Say tahlil
La ilah illah Allah
b) Takbir
Allahu akbar
c) Tahmid
Alhamdu lillah
d) Tasbeeh
Subhan Allah
Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"There is no day more honorable in Allah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah : La ilaha illAllah ), takbir (Allah is the greatest : Allahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah : alhamdulillah) a lot [on those days]."
[Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shakir stated it is saheeh]
e) Istighfar
"Astaghfer Allah"
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Whoever wants his book given to him on the Judgment Day as he is happy then let him do alot of Istighfar."
Do not only do Istighfar for yourself but rather for the entire Ummah because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught us that when you do Istighfar for the entire Ummah you will get the reward for each one of them.
"Allahuma 'ghfir lilmu'mineen walmu'minat."
f) Making salah and salam on the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Every time you make salah and salam on the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) a angel goes to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and tells him that son of so and so did salam on you. Every time you do salah and salam on the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) the angel do salah and salam upon you, their salah and salam on you is asking Allah (عز وجل) to forgive you.
g) General tasbeeh that we know of in the authentic Sunnah
These should always be on our minds and tongues, but more importantly in these days.
For instance, when one drives to work in the morning or leaves in the afternoon, or waits in a lobby for a turn, or just generally having spare time, and one does not know what to do, then one should praise Allah (عز وجل).
Abu Hamzah al-Baghdadi said,
"It's impossible for you to claim you love Allah and not praise him continuously, and it's impossible that you praise Allah continuously and not see the sweetness of that in this life; and it's impossible you see the sweetness of praising Allah and then be preoccupied with other than him."
Not praising Allah (عز وجل) cotinuously is a sign of a hypocrite. This is a danger in itself.
Allah (عز وجل) said,
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little." [ an-Nisa 4:142]
Allah (عز وجل) said they praise Him but they do not do so but a little.
Ibn Abbas said,
"There is no fard except that Allah put limits to it and excused you with excuses one may have except the Dhikr/praise of Allah its has no limited time span, no limited amount, and no excuse."
Allah (عز وجل) said,
فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ
"Remember Allah , standing, sitting and reclining." [an-Nisa 4:103]
*Important note on Takbeer should be loud for men during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah: Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah ") and Tasbeeh ("Subhan Allah ") during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah (عز و جل ) and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah (عز و جل ).
Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.
Proof for saying it loud - the verse previously mentioned Allah (عز وجل) says:
وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ
"And mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]
The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The Takbeer may include the words:
"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah ; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahil-hamd"
(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent.
Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (radhi Allahu anhum) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee'ah for doing this.
2- Fast in these days what you can:
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"Whomever fasts for the sake Allah will get for each day will be farther from hell by a trench the distance the sky is from hell."
Imagine if you fast these ten days, how far your distance will be from hell.
Rewards for fasting Sunnah is what Allah (عز وجل) says to the people in heaven,
كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا أَسْلَفْتُمْ فِي الْأَيَّامِ الْخَالِيَةِ
"(And it will be said unto those therein): Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in past days." [al-Haaqah 69:24]
A fasting person gets the reward of an accepted dua'a before he breaks his fast.
Allah (عز و جل ) gives those who do rewards seven times as much reward, up to seven hundred, except fasting. Allah (عز وجل) said that is for Him and only for Him. We know that fasting is for Allah (عز و جل), prayer is for Allah (عز و جل ) , and Dhikr is for Allah (عز وجل). But why do you think Allah (عز و جل ) specify fasting as being for Him? It is because it is a secret worship where no one knows about it, no one knows if you really fasted or pretended but you so the reward of that is so large Allah (عز و جل ) will compensate dearly for it.
Ibrahim bin Hani' was fasting and thirsty on his death bed. So, his son brought him some water and told him to drink. He asked "Is it maghrib?" The son said "No." The father said "For a day like this, people shall work." He died fasting.
Nafeesah bint Hasan bin Zaid was on her death bed fasting. Her son tried to force her to eat, she said "Subhan Allah I been asking Allah to die fasting for 30 years. Do you want me break my fast now?" She died reciting the verse,
قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ قُل لِّلَّهِ ۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
"Say: Unto whom belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth? Say: Unto Allah . He hath prescribed for Himself mercy, that He may bring you all together to the Day of Resurrection whereof there is no doubt." [al-An'aam 6:12]
3- Give charity:
These are things we should all do throughout the year more so during these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Allah (عز وجل) said,
وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ
"And whatsoever you spend (for good) He replaces it. And He is the Best of Providers." [Saba 34:39]
Ibn Katheer said Allah will replace the charity given in this life by giving the charitable believer the same back or more and in the life after with reward.
Ibn Umar heard the verse "You will not attain piety until you spend of that which you love. And whatsoever you spend, Allah is Aware thereof." He looked around and could not find anything he loved more than a female slave he owned so he freed her for the sake of Allah (عز وجل).
Saeed bin Ubadah used to take 80 of the poor Muslims in the masjid per day to his family to feed them. His son inherited the generosity and spending for the sake of Allah (عز وجل). His name was Qais bin Saeed bin Ubadah. When he was wealthy he loaned money to people. When he got sick many people refrained from visiting him because most had borrowed from him and were thinking he may ask about the debt they did not have to pay with. When he found out why many did not visit him he said "Let any wealth that will get in the way of the brothers be demolished - I forgive them all."
4- Recitation of Qur'an :
This should be a daily habit more so during these days.
The recitors of the Qur'an are the special ones to Allah (عز وجل). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered recitation of the Qur'an and said alif lam meem is not one letter but rather alif is letter and lam is letter and meem is a letter and for each letter is ten hasanat. So you get thirty hasanat just for Alif - lam - meem.
Asma' was asked how the Prophet's sahabah was whenever Qur'an was recited. She said their eyes would tear and creep the flesh. Just as Allah (عز وجل) said,
اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
"Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent, (wherein promises of reward are) paired (with threats of punishment), wherein it creeps the flesh of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah 's reminder. Such is Allah 's guidance, where He guides whom He wills. And him whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide." [az-Zumar 39:23]
Ibn Mas'ood said,
"For us it was hard to memorize but easy to abide by it, but there will come a time where its easy for them to memorize but not easy to abide by it."
Now, we are at time of both the absence of memorization and the absence of abiding by it.
Mujahid was asked about two people; One who recited al-Baqarah and ali-Imran and in the same duration someone recited al-Baqarah alone, which is better? He told them the one who recited Al Baqarah because he got more time to comprehend.
We all love the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and wish to see him on the judgment day, but imagine if he makes a complain to Allah (عز وجل) about you saying,
وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا
"And the messenger say: O my Lord! Lo! My own people make this Qur'an of no account." [al-Furqan 25:30]
Ibn al-Qayyim said abandoning the Qur'an is of 5 kinds:
a- Abandoning the listening recitation of the Qur'an .
(Some people even ask when they hear the Qur'an is there a dead person?)
b- Abandoning the halal/haram (prohibition/commands)
c- Abandoning the returning to Qur'an in our major and minor disputes.
d- Abandoning the comprehension and understanding of Qur'an
e- Abandoning the usage of Qur'an as a cure for our hearts.
(Instead of using Qur'an to cure our depression and ill feelings we use other
means.)
5- Making Continuous and Consistent Dua'a:
One who does not make dua'a may fall under the wrath of Allah (عز وجل) because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"Whomever does not ask Allah, Allah will put his wrath on him."
When you make dua'a desperately facing Allah (عز وجل) then know that Allah (عز وجل) will accept from you inshAllah. When scholars were asked how do we knew when Allah (عز وجل) would accept our dua'a? The response was when you become like a person who is drowning and seeks help from another desperately.
Seek the times dua'a is more likely accepted and among them are:
1- 1/3 end of night
2- before salah between Adhan and Iqamah
3- when the Imam is on the mimbar during Jumu'ah Friday
4- during the rain
5- in sujood
Start your dua'a in praising Allah (عز وجل) and the prophet Muhammad. Repent and ask for forgiveness, keep these things in mind when making dua:
1- Be persistent and cotinuously ask Allah (عز وجل) .
2- Have your heart there when you make dua'a.
3- Have wudu.
4- Give charity prior to dua'a.
5- Make dua'a in the times most likely accepted.
Imam Shawkani ( رحمه الله) said,
"To know your dua'a is accepted is to have your heart ready, cry and shed tears to Allah, being persistent, and after that feeling, a burden taken off your shoulders."
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"There is no one who sleeps on taharah and gets up and makes dua'a except that Allah will accept his dua'a as long as its in good."
6- Prayer of the night time:
There are special see-through rooms in heaven for those who pray at night. Allah (عز وجل) laughs to those who pray at night. If Allah (عز وجل) laughs to someone he is in good shape. It's the path of the righteous people, and keeper-away from sins.
Allah (عز وجل) said:
فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
"No soul knows what is kept hidden for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do." [as-Sajdah 32:17]
Hassan Albasri (رحمه الله) said,
"No one leaves prayer of the night except because of a sin he commited."
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said,
"Wallahi the Prophet never left the prayer of the night time."
7- Fasting and specialty of the day of Arafah (9th day of Dhul Hijjah):
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"There is no day that Allah will free people more than the day of Arafah."
There is no day that shaytan is seen more miserable than that day. This is because it is a day that all his prior work goes in vain. People on Arafat are repenting and those not in Hajj are fasting and asking Allah (عز وجل) for forgiveness.
Fasting this day will forgive a year prior to it and and a year after it.
Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
"Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of 'Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it."
[This is related by "the group," except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]
Hafsah reported,
"There are five things that the Messenger never abandoned: fasting the day of 'Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak'ah before the dawn prayer."
[This is related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i]
For those going to hajj it is better for them not to fast:
Abu Hurairah stated,
"The Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on the day of 'Arafah for one who is actually at 'Arafah."
[This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah]
At-Tirmidhi comments:
"The scholars prefer that the day of 'Arafah be fasted unless one is actually at 'Arafah."
8- Sacrificing and slaughter of an animal on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah:
Allah (عز وجل) the creator of the sky and earth the day and night has chosen some days over others to gather deeds. Sacrifice is one of these deeds.
Sacrifice on the 10th day has very great reward for those in Hajj and those not in Hajj as well. The timing for sacrifice is in the 10th day and 3 days following (11th, 12th, and 13th) It is to declare one Allah and to thank him and follow Ibrahim (alayhi salam)
Allah (عز وجل) said:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
"So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice." [al-Kawthar 108:2]
Allah (عز وجل) said :
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
"Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah , Lord of the Worlds." [al-An'aam 6:162]
Some scholars say this is Wajib, but the jimhoor (vast majority) say it is Sunnah Mu'akadah (important sunnah). Either opinion on the importance of sacrifice to those who can afford it is apparent in the Prophet's saying "Whomever plans not to sacrifice let him not come to our prayer area."
When you sacrifice you say "bismillah Allahu akbar Allahuma 3any wa3an ahl baity"
Translation "In the name of Allah - Allahu akbar - oh Allah this is for me and my family."
Reputable scholars all agree that doing the sacrifice is better than giving its equivalent, because sacrifice is a worship in and of itself.
Seven people may participate or share in sacrificing a Cow or Camel.
A leader of the household can sacrifice for himself and for his dependants such as children, women and men like the sahabah and salaf used to do. One planning on sacrificing should not cut his hair or nails until sacrifice is complete. This only applies to the head of the house who is paying for the sacrifice and not his dependants.
One should eat a portion of his sacrifice and give a portion to the poor and relatives.
It is not requested that you do it by hand however that is the best, you may oversee the sacrifice as well or if unable give the power to someone to do this for you.
The sacrifice should be done after 'Eid prayer and you have until three days after, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered those who sacrificed before prayer to do it again.
9- Repentance:
This should be done daily like the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) .
Allah (عز وجل) said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
"Truly Allah loves those who turn unto Him, and loves those who have a care for cleanness." [al-Baqarah 2:222]
One hadith is saying about Prophet Moses, when he prayed with his people for rain. Allah (عز وجل) answered Moses that there is one man among them, which has been sinful for 40 years and is against Allah (عز وجل) . Moses turned to his people and said that that man must go out, because he is the reason why their prayer was not accepted. The sinful man turned to Allah (عز وجل) and asked Him to cover his sins, after He has covered it for 40 years, and asked Him for forgiveness. Allah (عز وجل) saw that man's repentance was sincere. Allah (عز وجل) accepted it and sent rain. Moses asked, why is it raining, before anyone of his people left. Allah (عز وجل) answered him that the man's repentance was accepted and his sins forgiven.
Another hadith says:
"Every man has mistakes, but the best among them are those, who make repentance."
Allah (عز وجل) can change sins to good deeds as well, if He wants. He says:
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
"Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [al-Furqan 25:70]
Allah (عز وجل) can accept repentance for all kinds of sins and forgive them. He says:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
"Say: 'O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah : verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." [az-Zumar 39:53]
But we should not postpone our repentance, because we do not know when we will die.
There are several things, which are helpful to do good repentance:
a) conviction that Allah (عز وجل) can forgive,
b) good behavior to the Muslims,
c) prayer which is relation between man and Allah (عز وجل)
d) good friendship
e) to remind Allah 's mercy always
f) to remind the death
g) patience which has two sides. Patience to be far from the sins and patience to do good deeds.
h) Man's sincerity to himself,
i) to realize, that every man has his mission, as Allah (عز وجل) says:
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better." [an-Nahl 16:125]
There are other things which obstruct repentance. They are opposite of things named above.
Rules for repenting:
a) Regret and show remorse for what you did asking Allah (عز وجل) to forgive you.
b) Plan on never going back to what you did.
c) Do good deeds to cover up for the bad sins.
d) If the sins concerns a person you must settle the dispute with him.
(ie. If you backbit a Muslim or stole money you must ask for forgiveness and return the wealth. If you know that doing so will cause more problems then seek a way to mention the person you mentioned in evil in good in a similar setting. Or if you indirectly return the wealth then that's good as well.)
10- Salah in general:
Every twelve raka'at per day you do, you get a palace in heaven.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) recommended extra prayers for us because everytime we prostrate Allah (عز وجل) , it takes away a sin, and everytime you get up, Allah (عز وجل) adds a deed.
I ask Allah (عز وجل) that He forgive us for our shortcomings and the we take advantage of these sacred days getting the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Ameen.