What Is Dhul Hijjah?
Dhul Hijjah (Arabic: ذُو الْحِجَّة) is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its name literally means “Possessor of the Pilgrimage” — because this is the sacred month in which Hajj takes place and Eid al-Adha is celebrated.
It is one of the four sacred months (Ash’hur al-Hurum) declared by Allah in the Quran, during which sin carries amplified weight and good deeds bring multiplied reward. The other three sacred months are Dhul Qa’dah, Muharram, and Rajab.
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve — in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth — of which four are sacred.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)
Dhul Hijjah 2026 — When Does It Start?
Based on the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia (1447 AH), the estimated dates are:
| Event | Expected Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| 1st Dhul Hijjah begins | 18 May 2026 |
| Yawm al-Tarwiyah — 8th Dhul Hijjah | 25 May 2026 |
| Yawm al-Arafah — 9th Dhul Hijjah | 26 May 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha — 10th Dhul Hijjah | 27 May 2026 |
| Ayyam al-Tashreeq — 11th–13th | 28–30 May 2026 |
| Dhul Hijjah ends | 15 June 2026 |
⚠️ Dates are subject to moon sighting and may vary by one day depending on your region.
Why Are the First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah So Special?
1. Allah Swore an Oath by These Days
In the Quran, Allah takes an oath by the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah — an act that in Arabic literary tradition signals the supreme importance of what is being sworn upon:
“By the dawn, and by the ten nights.” (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1–2)
The vast majority of scholars of tafsir — including Ibn Abbas, Ibn Kathir, and Ibn Taymiyyah — agree these “ten nights” refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
2. The Most Beloved Days for Righteous Deeds
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 969)
The Companions asked: “Not even Jihad in the path of Allah?” He replied: “Not even Jihad — except for a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and returns with nothing.” (Tirmidhi)
This hadith is profound: even the greatest act of sacrifice in Islam does not surpass the reward of consistent righteous deeds during these ten days.
3. One Day of Fasting Equals One Full Year
“There are no days more beloved to Allah that He be worshipped in them than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting every day of them is equivalent to fasting a year, and standing every night in prayer is equivalent to standing on the Night of Qadr.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 758)
The Night of Qadr — better than a thousand months — is the most blessed night of the year. For the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah to carry equivalent reward is an extraordinary mercy from Allah.
4. Islam Was Completed in Dhul Hijjah
On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah — Yawm al-Arafah — Allah revealed the final landmark verse completing the message of Islam:
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen Islam as your way of life.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali noted that some scholars considered this the last major revelation of the Quran, making Yawm al-Arafah a day of historical and spiritual culmination.
5. The Greatest Acts of Worship Converge
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani wrote in Fath al-Bari:
“The apparent reason for the distinction of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is that the greatest acts of worship assemble in this period — Salah (prayer), Siyam (fasting), Sadaqah (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage). In no other period do these great deeds converge.”
Day-by-Day Guide for Non-Pilgrims
You do not need to be performing Hajj to benefit enormously from these days. Here is a practical, actionable plan:
Day 8 — Yawm al-Tarwiyah (The Day of Reflection)
Yawm al-Tarwiyah is the day pilgrims depart for Mina. Its name comes from the Arabic root meaning “to reflect” or “to water” — as pilgrims historically watered their animals for the journey ahead. Spiritually, it was on this night that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) first received the dream commanding him to sacrifice his son.
What to do (for non-pilgrims):
- Fast this day (highly recommended)
- Reflect on the story of Ibrahim (AS) and the meaning of true submission
- Increase Istighfar and night prayer
- Prepare your heart and household for Yawm al-Arafah
Day 9 — Yawm al-Arafah ✨ The Crown Jewel
Yawm al-Arafah is the most important day of the Islamic year. On this day, pilgrims stand on the plains of Arafat in the central act of Hajj, and every Muslim on earth can tap into its extraordinary mercy.
The Prophet ﷺ said about fasting on Arafah:
“It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.” (Sahih Muslim, 1162)
Allah’s mercy on this day is unmatched. In a Hadith in Sahih Muslim, it is narrated that Allah says about the people of Arafah:
“I do not see a day in which more people are freed from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah.”
The Best Dua for Yawm al-Arafah:
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu’l-mulku wa lahu’l-ḥamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr
“There is no god but Allah, alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3585)
What to do:
- ✅ Fast the entire day — this is the single most recommended act of Dhul Hijjah for non-pilgrims
- ✅ Spend the day in dua, Quran recitation, and dhikr
- ✅ Give charity — the gates of mercy are wide open
- ✅ Seek forgiveness for yourself, family, and the entire Ummah
Day 10 — Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice)
Eid al-Adha commemorates the profound willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah — and Allah’s mercy in replacing the sacrifice with a ram. This legacy of devotion and submission is revived every year through Qurbani.
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:107)
Sunnah acts of Eid al-Adha:
- Perform Ghusl (ritual bath) before Eid prayer
- Eat nothing before the Eid prayer (unlike Eid al-Fitr)
- Perform the Eid prayer in congregation
- Perform Qurbani after the prayer
- Distribute the meat generously
- Recite Takbeer abundantly
Days 11, 12, 13 — Ayyam al-Tashreeq (The Days Competitors Miss)
This is the most overlooked section in virtually every competitor article — yet Ayyam al-Tashreeq are an essential part of Dhul Hijjah that every Muslim should know.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.” (Sahih Muslim)
These three days (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah) are days of celebration and abundant dhikr. Fasting on these days is prohibited — it is one of the few explicitly forbidden fasts in Islam.
Takbeeraat al-Tashreeq — to be recited after every obligatory Salah, from Fajr of the 9th Dhul Hijjah until Asr of the 13th Dhul Hijjah (23 prayers in total):
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illallāh, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhil-ḥamd
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. And all praise belongs to Allah.”
Reciting Takbeeraat al-Tashreeq is Wajib (obligatory) according to the majority of scholars. It is to be said by men audibly and by women softly.
The Complete 10-Day Worship Plan
| Day | Focus | Key Deed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Intention & Renewal | Make sincere tawbah; set your goals for the 10 days |
| Day 2 | Quran | Begin a consistent recitation schedule |
| Day 3 | Fasting + Morning/Evening Adhkar | Observe the sunnah supplications faithfully |
| Day 4 | Dhikr | Fill your day with Tasbih, Tahmeed, Tahleel, Takbeer |
| Day 5 | Charity | Give sadaqah — even a small consistent amount |
| Day 6 | Family & Community | Strengthen ties of kinship; visit relatives |
| Day 7 | Istighfar & Tahajjud | Seek forgiveness intensely; rise before Fajr |
| Day 8 — Tarwiyah | Reflection | Fast + connect to the story of Ibrahim (AS) |
| Day 9 — Arafah | ✨ Peak Worship | Fast + maximum dua + charity + Quran |
| Day 10 — Eid | Gratitude & Sacrifice | Eid prayer + Qurbani + distribute meat |
Recommended Dhikr for the First 10 Days
| Dhikr | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tasbih | سُبْحَانَ اللهِ | Glory be to Allah |
| Tahmeed | اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ | All praise is for Allah |
| Tahleel | لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ | There is no god but Allah |
| Takbeer | اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allah is the Greatest |
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“In no other days are good deeds more dear to Allah or more rewarding than in these ten days. So recite a great deal of Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed during them.” (Musnad Ahmad)
Qurbani — Rules, Requirements & Distribution
Who Must Perform Qurbani?
Qurbani (also called Udhiyah) is Wajib (obligatory) according to the Hanafi school and Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah) according to the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, for every Muslim who is:
- Sane, adult, and free
- Resident (not traveling)
- In possession of the Nisab (the minimum threshold of wealth, approximately equal to the value of 87.48g of gold or 612.36g of silver)
Time of Qurbani
From after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah until sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (end of Ayyam al-Tashreeq). It is best performed on the 10th.
Animal Requirements
| Animal | Minimum Age | Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Goat / Sheep | 1 year | 1 person |
| Cow / Buffalo | 2 years | Up to 7 people |
| Camel | 5 years | Up to 7 people |
The animal must be free from major defects — it should not be blind, lame, severely emaciated, or missing more than a third of an ear or horn.
How to Distribute the Meat
The recommended division (not obligatory in most schools):
- One-third for yourself and your household
- One-third for relatives and friends
- One-third for the poor and those in need
Important Sunnah Before Qurbani
If you intend to perform Qurbani, refrain from cutting your hair, nails, or skin from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after your animal is slaughtered.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the month of Dhul Hijjah begins and any one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not cut his hair or nails.” (Sahih Muslim, 1977)
Hajj and Dhul Hijjah — Understanding the Connection
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Every ritual of Hajj traces back to the actions of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), his wife Hajar (AS), and his son Ismail (AS). Allah commanded Ibrahim (AS):
“And proclaim Hajj to all people. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant pass.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:27)
And to this day, millions respond to that ancient call.
The Hajj Journey at a Glance:
| Date | Location | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Dhul Hijjah | Mina | Yawm al-Tarwiyah — overnight in Mina |
| 9 Dhul Hijjah | Mount Arafat | Wuquf (Standing) — the pillar of Hajj |
| 9 Dhul Hijjah (night) | Muzdalifah | Overnight stay, Fajr prayer |
| 10 Dhul Hijjah | Mina → Makkah | Rami (stoning), sacrifice, Tawaf al-Ifadah |
| 11–13 Dhul Hijjah | Mina | Rami on each of the Ayyam al-Tashreeq |
What to Avoid in Dhul Hijjah
For those intending Qurbani: Do not cut hair, nails, or skin from 1 Dhul Hijjah until after slaughter.
During Ayyam al-Tashreeq (11–13 Dhul Hijjah): Fasting is prohibited. These are days of eating, celebration, and abundant dhikr.
Throughout the sacred month: As one of the Ash’hur al-Hurum (sacred months), wrongdoing carries greater weight. Increase in awareness of sins and seek to purify your conduct.
How to Maximize These Days Even with a Busy Schedule
You do not need long hours free from work to benefit from Dhul Hijjah. Here are ways to integrate worship into your daily routine:
- Commute or drive: Replace music with Quran recitation or dhikr
- Lunch break: Give a small daily sadaqah online
- Morning: Read five minutes of Quran before checking your phone
- Between tasks: Say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar 33 times
- Before sleep: Make a short list of sins to seek forgiveness for and make sincere tawbah
The scholars note that consistency is more beloved to Allah than large, sporadic acts. Small deeds done faithfully across all ten days outweigh a single massive effort.
Dhul Hijjah with Children — Bringing the Next Generation In
- Tell the story of Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) in an age-appropriate way
- Let children participate in choosing the Qurbani animal
- Have them help distribute meat to neighbors and the poor
- Teach them to say the Takbeer together as a family
- Make a simple 10-day chart to track their good deeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is fasting on Yawm al-Arafah obligatory? A: It is not obligatory (Fard) but it is one of the most highly recommended fasts in the Islamic year. The reward of expiation for two years of sins makes it something no Muslim should willingly miss.
Q: Can I fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah? A: Yes — fasting any or all of the first nine days is sunnah. Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. (Abu Dawud, 2437)
Q: Can I fast on Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah)? A: No. Fasting on Eid al-Adha is explicitly prohibited (haram).
Q: Can I fast during Ayyam al-Tashreeq (11–13 Dhul Hijjah)? A: No. Fasting on these days is also prohibited except for Hajj pilgrims in specific circumstances.
Q: When should Takbeeraat al-Tashreeq be recited? A: After every obligatory (Fard) Salah, starting from Fajr of the 9th Dhul Hijjah through Asr of the 13th Dhul Hijjah — 23 prayers in total.
Q: Does the reward of the first 10 days apply to non-pilgrims too? A: Absolutely. The hadith of Bukhari (969) is general — it applies to every Muslim, wherever they are. You do not need to be in Makkah to earn the reward of these sacred days.
Q: What is the significance of the name “Dhul Hijjah”? A: In Arabic, Dhu means “possessor of” and Hijjah means “pilgrimage.” Together: “The Month of Pilgrimage.” It reflects that this month carries the obligation and honor of Hajj.
Summary — Make Every Day Count
Dhul Hijjah is not just a month for pilgrims. It is a universal invitation — extended by Allah to every Muslim on earth — to draw closer, worship more sincerely, give more generously, and emerge spiritually renewed.
The first ten days are the most beloved period of the entire year to Allah. Yawm al-Arafah is the single most mercy-filled day. Eid al-Adha is the celebration of sacrifice and submission. And Ayyam al-Tashreeq are the joyful conclusion — days to eat, be grateful, and keep the tongue busy with His remembrance.
Your commitment for this Dhul Hijjah:
- ✅ Fast on Yawm al-Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
- ✅ Fill your days with Tasbih, Tahmeed, Tahleel, and Takbeer
- ✅ Give sadaqah every single day
- ✅ Perform Qurbani if it is due upon you
- ✅ Recite Takbeeraat al-Tashreeq after every Fard prayer
- ✅ Make sincere tawbah and return to Allah
May Allah accept our fasts, our prayers, our charity, and our sacrifices. May He free us from the Hellfire in the most blessed days of the year.
Ameen.
References: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Musnad Ahmad, Fath al-Bari (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani), Tafsir Ibn Kathir.
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