Hadith: There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days

عن عبدالله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيها أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام» يعني أيام العشر. قالوا: يا رسول الله، ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله؟ قال: «ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله، إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله، فلم يَرْجِعْ من ذلك بشيء»
[صحيح] - [رواه البخاري، وهذا لفظ أبي داود وغيره]

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days." (Meaning: the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah). They (the Companions) said: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: "Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except that of a man who went to Jihad with himself and his property, but did not return with any of them."
Sahih/Authentic. - [Al-Bukhari]

Explanation

"c2">“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days.” Meaning: the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Companions asked: "c2">“O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: "c2">“Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except that of a man who went to Jihad with himself and his property, but did not return with any of those things.” "c2">“Righteous deeds” here include prayer, charity, fasting, remembrance of Allah, saying Takbīr, reciting the Qur'an, dutifulness to parents, maintaining the ties of kinship, kindness to people, good-neighborliness, and other good deeds. So it is recommended to fast in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, as fasting is one of the good deeds, except the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, because fasting on the day of Eid is forbidden. This Hadīth proves that good deeds done in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior to similar deeds done on other days. It also proves that Jihad is one of the most superior good deeds in Islam, which is why the honorable Companions asked: "c2">“O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” The Prophet's answer highlighted the unique case of a person who leaves his home to perform Jihad in the cause of Allah, the Almighty, putting himself and his property (his weapons and mount) in danger, and the enemy kills him and seizes his weapons and mount. This person, who lost his life and property while performing Jihad in the cause of Allah, is one of the best performers of Jihad. This is the only case where good deeds on other days can be superior to good deeds during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. Obviously, if this good deed of Jihad is done during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, its reward will be multiplied.