Dhul-Hijjah

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What is Dhul-Hijjah?

Dhul-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Hijri calendar and the most sacred of the four sacred months named in the Qur'an. It is the month in which the annual pilgrimage of Hajj takes place, one of the five pillars of Islam and a defining event of the Islamic year.

The name "Dhul-Hijjah" literally means "possessor of the pilgrimage" or "the month of Hajj," from the Arabic word hajj, referring directly to the rites of pilgrimage performed in Makkah during this month. Its name alone signals its unmatched importance in the Islamic calendar.

The central historical and religious event of this month is the Hajj pilgrimage, performed between the 8th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, retracing the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hajar, and his son Isma'il. The story of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and Allah's mercy in ransoming Isma'il with a sacrificial animal, is commemorated on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah as Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice.

Religiously, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered among the most virtuous days of the entire Islamic calendar, with the Prophet ﷺ teaching that no good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those performed during this period. The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Arafah, holds special weight both for pilgrims standing at Mount Arafah and for non-pilgrims, who are encouraged to fast that day.

Recommended acts of worship in Dhul-Hijjah include performing Hajj for those who are able, fasting the first nine days (especially the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims), increasing dhikr and takbir, and offering a sacrificial animal (Udhiyah/Qurbani) on Eid al-Adha and the days following it, sharing the meat with family, neighbors, and those in need.

Significance of Dhul-Hijjah

• Twelfth and final month of the Hijri calendar: Dhul-Hijjah closes the Islamic lunar year and is the most sacred of the four sacred months.
• Home of the Hajj pilgrimage: Muslims from around the world perform Hajj between the 8th and 13th of this month.
• The first ten days are especially virtuous: The Prophet ﷺ taught that no days carry more beloved righteous deeds to Allah than these.
• Site of Eid al-Adha: The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice and is marked by the ritual sacrifice (Udhiyah) and celebration.

References in Qur'an & Hadith

The Prophet ﷺ said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah]." — Sahih al-Bukhari 969

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Fasting the day of Arafah, I anticipate that Allah will expiate for the sins of the year before it and the year after it." — Sahih Muslim 1162

"And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." — Surah As-Saffat 37:107