Dhul Hijjah (also spelled Dhu al-Hijjah) marks the twelfth and the last month of the Islamic year. Dhul Hijjah is an Arabic word that means "The Possessor of Pilgrimage" or "The month of Pilgrimage." It is one of the 4 sacred months in Islam, during which war is forbidden. Most importantly, it is the month of Hajj, during which Muslims from around the world congregate at Makkah to visit the Kabah and perform other Hajj rituals. Read about the month of Dhul Hijjah and its importance in the Islamic Calendar.
May29
Thursday, 1 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
Jun05
Thursday, 8 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
Jun06
Friday, 9 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
Jun07
Saturday, 10 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
Jun15
Sunday, 18 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH
Dhul Hijjah holds great spiritual significance in Islam, especially the first ten days, as narrated by a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari by Ibn Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). He narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah)." Then some companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." (Sahih Bukhari 969).
In the first days of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims should fast, pray Tahajjud, give charity, and recite Takbirut Tashreeq, especially from the 9th of Dhul Hijjah till the 13th. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said.
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation: None has the right to be worshipped, but Allah Alone. Who has no partner. His is the dominion, and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3585)
There is great significance in fasting on the day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, as narrated by a Sahih Hadith in Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of 'Arafah. He said, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year." (Riyadh-as-Salihin 1250).
One of the greatest virtues of Dhul Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah, is that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) forgives His servants and frees them from hell fire as narrated by a Hazrat Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) in Sahih Muslim, "There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of 'Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do they want?" (Sahih Muslim 1348). In the light of these Hadiths, Muslims should observe fast, recite Takbirut Tashreeq, and seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in the first days of Dhul Hijjah, particularly the Day of Arafah.
Dhul Hijjah has a history of the following Islamic events:
Dhul Hijjah is a sacred month in Islam known for Hajj, remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and slaughter of animals for the sake of Allah, reviving the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim once in their lifetime, provided they are financially capable. Hajj is performed only during the month of Dhul Hijjah. Muslims from across the world gather at Kaaba in Makkah and worship and pray to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
The Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and continues for four to five days. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafah takes place. The feast of Sacrifice, also known as Eid-al-Adha, begins on the tenth day and ends on the thirteenth day. The rites of pilgrimage are performed over five to six days, extending from the 8th of Dhul Hijjah to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The significance of Hajj can be realized from this Hadith.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew."(Sahih Bukhari 1521).
Fasting in the Month of Dhul Hijjah is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is narrated by Hunaidah Ibn Khalid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on the day of 'Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursdays." (Sunan-an-Nasai 2372).
In another Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins." (Sahih Bukhari 1904)
Eid-al-Adha is the second Islamic festival of the year. In this event, Muslims follow the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and sacrifice animals for the sake of Allah. In Surah Hajj verse 37, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran, "Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Instead, it is your piety that reaches Him. This is how He has subjected them to you so that you may proclaim the greatness of Allah for what He has guided you to and give good news to the good-doers." (22:37).
The essence of Eid-al-Adha is to remember the great Sacrifice of our Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), develop piety, sacrifice our demented heart, and spread the blessings of food with the underprivileged people.
Indeed, Dhul Hijjah is one of the most blessed and sacred months of the Islamic year. Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha in this blessed month on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. Read about the Islamic events in Dhul Hijjah in detail on the Muslim and Quran website and mobile application.