Dhul Qidah

Dhul Qidah (also spelled Dhu al-Qi'dah, Dhu al-Qadahand Dhu'l Qa'dah) is one of the most sacred Islamic months. It is the 11th month in the Islamic calendar. This year, in 2024, following the month of Shawwal, Dhul Qidah is set to begin on 9th May 2024 or 10th May 2024. The expected start of this sacred month, as per the Georgian calendar, depends on your location and sighting of the moon. 

Dhul Qidah: A Sacred Month of Peace!

Among the four months that are ordained as holy and sacred, Dhul Qidah is one of them. 

"The number of months with God is twelve per God's law since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are holy. This is the straight reckoning. So do not exceed yourselves during them" At-Tawba: 36

This month has a lot of significance for Muslims all around the world, especially for the people going for Hajj. 

What is the Meaning of Dhul Qidah?

Dhul Qidah is derived from an Arabic word meaning "the master of peace" or "the possessor of calm." This is the reason this month is known as the month of peaceful sitting. Fighting is strictly prohibited in this month along with the other three sacred months including Rajab, Dhu al Hijjah, and Muharram. 

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ in Surah Al-Baqra: 217 says, "They ask you (O Prophet) of war in the holy month. Tell them: "To fight in that month is a great sin." 

The tribe of Arabs used to halt fighting and cease warfare to offer the pilgrimage to the Holy Mecca. 

Significance of Dhul Qidah

Dhul Qidah holds significant importance for Muslims because this is a sacred month that is chosen by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It is believed that in this month, blessings and rewards are multiplied. Many Muslims all around the globe choose to fast and do as many good deeds as they can to proliferate the rewards. 

Just like that, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has warned human beings multiple times not to do any harm or sin in this sacred month as the reward of sin will be higher. During this month, the punishment for every sin that you do is multiplied, and the reward for every good deed that you perform is greater than the other months. 

In the tafseer by Jalāl al-Dīn al-Maḥallī for verse no 36 of Surah At-Tawba, it is explained:

"Verily the number of months, used to reckon the year, with God is twelve months in the book of God, the preserved tablet (al-lawh al-mahfūz), from the day that he created the heavens and the earth; four of them, that is, the months, are sacred, inviolable: dhū'l-qa'da, dhū’l-hijja, muharram and rajab. That, making them sacred, is the right, the upright religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them, during these sacred months, with acts of disobedience, for their burden [of sin] is greater therein." 

Importance Dates to Remember in Dhul Qidah

In Islamic history, many notable and significant events took place in the month of Dhul Qidah. These historic events make Dhul Qidah even more meaningful. These are some of the key dates that you need to remember this month.

The Battle of the Trench

The infamous Battle of Trench, also known as the Battle of Khandaq, was initiated in 626 A.D. during Dhul Qidah. This battle was planned by various tribes in Mecca to defeat Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions. Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) narrates, "As regards the following Qur'anic Verse:-- "When they came on you from above and from below you (from east and west of the valley) and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached up to the throats....." (33.10) That happened on the day of Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench)." Sahih al-Bukhari 4103

Peace Treaty of Huddabiya

In 628 A.D., the Peace Treaty of Huddabiya was signed between Quraysh and Muslims. This treaty holds significant value in history as it paved the way for the peaceful return of Muslims to their homes in Mecca without any violence from Quraysh.

The First Pilgrimage (Umrah al-Qada)

Following the year of treaty of Huddabiya in 629 A.D., Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, along with his companions, completed the first pilgrimage, also known as Umrah al-Qada. In Sahih al-Bukhari 1694, narrated by Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and Marwan:

"The Prophet (ﷺ) set out from Medina with over one thousand of his companions (at the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiya), and when they reached Dhul-Hulaifa, the Prophet (ﷺ) garlanded his Hadi and marked it and assumed Ihram for `Umra."

This hadith pours light upon the event of the Umrah al-Qada that left a great mark on Qurayesh. That's why, after this pilgrimage, many non-Muslims converted to Islam.

Obligation of Hajj

After the treaty of Huddabiya in Dhu ul-Qi'dah, Hajj was made obligatory by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and it was included in the five pillars of Islam. Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) addressed us and said: O people, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has made Hajj obligatory for you; so perform Hajj. Thereupon a person said: Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah, (is it to be performed) every year? He (the Holy Prophet) kept quiet, and he repeated (these words) thrice, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: If I were to say" Yes," it would become obligatory (for you to perform it every year) and you would not be able to do it." Sahih Muslim 1337. 

You can dive deeper into the history of these events by reading about them on the MuslimandQuran website. 

Special Ibadah to Increase Reward in Dhul Qidah

As Dhul Qidah is considered the month of sacredness, any good deeds that may be done in this month will be rewarded manifold. Below are a few ways you can earn the reward:

• Don't treat anyone badly. Prioritize peace over fighting or harming others.
• Pray nawafils, especially the prayer of Ishraq as its value increases in this month. Anas bin Malik narrated that "the Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah said: "Whoever prays Fajr in the congregation, then sits remembering Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) until the sun has risen, then he prays two Rak'ah, then for him is the reward like that of a Hajj and Umrah." He said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Complete, complete, complete.'" Jami` at-Tirmidhi 586.
• The reward of reading the Quran is unimaginable, and it is amplified in this month so read as much Quran as you can.
• Keep Sunnah fast on Monday and Thursday.
• Give charity in this blessed month as charity clears sins.
• Recite duas and tasbeehs.

Embrace the Blessings of the Holy Month of Dhul Qidah

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has filled the holy month of Dhu al-Qid'ah with blessings and prosperity that come with peace. It is better to take full advantage of this sacred month and perform deeds that will help us in worldly life as well as life after death. In this month, inspect and reflect upon yourself and ask for forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Whether you decide to do charity or recite the Quran, any deed that you do in the way of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), will be multiplied. If you want to read the Quran or recite Tasbeeh, you can head over to the Muslim and Quran app. It is one of the easiest and most friendly apps made just for you so that you can increase your knowledge of Islam with just a few simple clicks. Download the app right away and gain hefty rewards set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) on His remembrance in Dhul Qidah.