Dhu al-Hijjah: The Twelfth Islamic Month

Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth Hijri month, the month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha. See its meaning, the Day of Arafah and its dates this year.

Position
Month 12 of 12
Meaning of the name
The month of pilgrimage
Sacred month
Yes
Length
30 days in 1448 AH

Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic year and the month of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim who is able must make once in a lifetime. It is one of the four sacred months.

Its first ten days are among the best days of the year. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that no good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these ten days. Fasting, charity and remembrance of Allah are all encouraged.

The Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 13th. The 9th is the Day of Arafah, when pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat. For those not on Hajj, fasting that day is strongly recommended. The 10th is Eid al-Adha, when an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the meat is shared with family, neighbours and the poor. The three days after it are the days of Tashriq.

Begins on

YearStartsEndsDays
1448 AH30
1449 AH29

Gregorian dates are based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and may differ by a day where months are fixed by local moon sighting.

Notable days

  • 1-10The first ten days, a time for extra worship and good deeds.
  • 8Yawm at-Tarwiyah, the first day of Hajj.
  • 9The Day of Arafah.
  • 10Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice.
  • 11-13The days of Tashriq.

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