He was also asked: (*)

“Which are more virtuous: the first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah or the last ten days of Ramadan?”

He answered:

The first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah are more virtuous than the last ten days of Ramadan, while the last ten nights of Ramadan are more virtuous than the first ten nights of Dhū al-Hijjah.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“When a learned and discerning person reflects on this answer, he will find it fully satisfying and sufficient. There are no days during which deeds are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah. They include the Day of ‘Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Day of Tarwiyah. As for the last ten nights of Ramadan, these are the nights of vigil that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would spend entirely in worship. Among them is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever answers without making this distinction cannot put forward a sound proof.”