Dhu al-Hijjah: The Crown of the Year, The First 10 Days, Hajj, Day of Arafah & Eid al-Adha
Dhu al-Hijjah stands as the glorious twelfth and culminating month of the Islamic lunar calendar, representing the absolute apex of spiritual devotion in the Islamic year. As the second of the three consecutive sacred months (al-Ashhur al-Hurum), its arrival heralds the most sacred season of monotheistic worship on earth. Within its opening span lie the legendary First Ten Days, sworn by Allah in the Quran and proclaimed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the greatest days of the earthly year. It is the month of the supreme pilgrimage (Hajj), where millions converge upon the plains of Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah; the month of the momentous Day of Arafah, which forgives two full years of sins; and the worldwide celebration of Eid al-Adha, honoring the eternal sacrifice and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). In the tapestry of Islamic history, Dhu al-Hijjah was the setting for the historic Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada’), the completion of divine revelation, and the foundational Pledges of al-Aqabah. This comprehensive guide provides an authoritative, research-based exploration of its theological virtues, linguistic roots, transformative history, step-by-step Hajj jurisprudence, Udhiyah rules, and spiritual blueprints.
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1. Theological Sanctity: The Crown of the Year & The Greatest Days in the World
Dhu al-Hijjah occupies a unique zenith in Islamic theology. While Ramadan contains the most sacred nights of the year (culminating in Laylat al-Qadr), the opening third of Dhu al-Hijjah encompasses the most virtuous daytime hours in existence. Allah Almighty exalted these days by swearing by them in the opening verses of Surah Al-Fajr:
«وَالْفَجْرِ • وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ • وَالشَّفْعِ وَالْوَتْرِ»
“By the dawn; and by ten nights; and by the even and the odd.” (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1-3)
The consensus of classical Quranic exegetes, including Abdullah ibn Abbas, Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, and Al-Tabari, confirms that the “ten nights” sworn by Allah refer specifically to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, while “the odd” (al-Witr) signifies the 9th day (the Day of Arafah) and “the even” (al-Shaf’) signifies the 10th day (Yawm al-Nahr / Eid al-Adha).
The preeminent virtue of these ten days is articulated in the famous narration recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 969) on the authority of Abdullah ibn Abbas, wherein the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared:
«There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.» The companions asked: «O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?» He replied: «Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out risking his life and his wealth, and returns with neither.»
In another authentic narration reported by Jabir ibn Abdillah and recorded by Al-Bazzar and Ibn Hibban, the Prophet ﷺ affirmed:
«The greatest days of this world are the ten days (of Dhu al-Hijjah).»
Classical Scholarly Synthesis: The Nights of Ramadan vs. The Days of Dhu al-Hijjah
To reconcile whether the last ten nights of Ramadan or the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (in Zad al-Ma’ad) formulated the definitive juristic synthesis: The last ten nights of Ramadan are superior as nights because they contain Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree, which is better than a thousand months), whereas the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior as days because their daylight hours encompass the Day of Arafah, the Day of Nahr (Eid al-Adha), and the combined congregation of all five foundational pillars of Islam: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.
2. Linguistic Roots, Classical Philology & Ancient Arabian Fairs
The name Dhu al-Hijjah (ذو الحِجَّة) is an Arabic genitive construction translating to “The Possessor of the Pilgrimage” or “The Month Characterized by Hajj”. It stems from the primary classical root ha-jim-jim (ح-ج-ج), which carries profound multi-layered significations across Arabic lexicography:
«In classical lexicography (Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzur), Al-Hajj originally signifies ‘Al-Qasd’ (intentional heading toward an exalted, venerated destination) and repetitive visitation. An entity is called Mahjuj when people constantly journey toward it out of veneration. It was named Dhu al-Hijjah because the Arabs made pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Makkah during this month.»
Grammatical Vocalization: Dhu al-Hijjah vs. Dhu al-Hajjah
Classical grammarians identify two valid vowelizations:
1. With Kasrah (Dhu al-Hijjah – ذُو الحِجَّة): This is the dominant, standard, and most eloquent vocalization among the majority of Arab tribes and Qur’anic scholars. The pattern fi’lah refers to the season, duration, and institution of pilgrimage.
2. With Fathah (Dhu al-Hajjah – ذُو الحَجَّة): A recognized dialectical variant recorded among the tribes of Najd and Tamim, referring to a singular pilgrimage event (Ism Marrah). While both are grammatically sound, reciting with Kasrah remains the universal scholarly norm.
Ancient Pre-Islamic Names & The Grand Commercial Sanctuaries
Prior to the fifth-century calendar unification orchestrated by Kilab ibn Murrah in Makkah, ancient Arabian tribes referred to the twelfth month by evocative archaic names:
- Burak (بُرَك): Used by ancient southern tribes (Himyar and Thamud), denoting the kneeling (Barak) of sacrificial camels before the ancient altars and the peaceful encampment of traveling pilgrims.
- Maymun (مَيْمُون): Denoting the blessed, auspicious, and prosperous month, wherein violence ceased completely and blessings descended upon trade and flocks.
Ancient Arabia structured its commercial and literary life around three consecutive grand trade fairs leading into Dhu al-Hijjah:
- Souq Ukaz (سوق عكاظ): Held during the first twenty days of Dhu al-Qi’dah near Ta’if, serving as the cultural epicenter for poetry competitions, trade, and inter-tribal treaties.
- Souq Majannah (سوق مَجَنَّة): Held during the final ten days of Dhu al-Qi’dah at Marr al-Zahran near Makkah.
- Souq Dhu al-Majaz (سوق ذو المَجاز): Operating during the first eight days of Dhu al-Hijjah immediately adjacent to Mount Arafat. On the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah), the market closed completely, and all merchants and travelers turned exclusively toward worship and ritual sanctification.
3. Monumental Historical Turning Points in Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah has served as the stage for some of the most decisive, emotionally resonant milestones in the history of Islamic civilization:
I. The Farewell Pilgrimage & The Historic Sermon on Arafat (Khutbat al-Wada’)
9th Dhu al-Hijjah, 10 AH (March 632 CE)
In Dhu al-Hijjah of 10 AH, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed his sole and final pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada’), joined by over one hundred and twenty thousand companions. Standing upon his she-camel, Al-Qaswa’, at the valley of Uranah on the plain of Arafat, the Prophet delivered the immortal Farewell Sermon, establishing the foundational charter of universal human rights, spiritual equality, and civil justice:
- The Inviolability of Life, Property, and Honor: “Indeed, your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to you, like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours.”
- Radical Racial and Ethnic Equality: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white person has no superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have any superiority over a white person, except by piety and good action (Taqwa).”
- Abolition of Usury (Riba) and Blood Feuds: All ancestral blood revenge from the pre-Islamic era was irrevocably canceled, beginning with that of the Prophet’s cousin, and all usurious debts were remitted, beginning with the accrued interest of his uncle Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib.
- Protection and Rights of Women: “Fear Allah concerning women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah and made their intimacy lawful to you with the word of Allah.”
- The Eternal Safeguard: “I have left among you that which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.”
The Completion of Revelation: Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3)
As the Prophet concluded his address on that Friday afternoon of Arafat, the archangel Jibril descended with the crowning verse of the Quran:
«الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا»
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
Hearing this verse, Umar ibn al-Khattab wept. When asked why he cried on a day of rejoicing, Umar perceptively answered: “Nothing is ever perfected except that it subsequently begins to diminish.” He recognized that the completion of the divine message portended the approaching departure of the beloved Prophet ﷺ from this worldly life.
II. The Historic Pledges of al-Aqabah: Sowing the Seeds of the Hijrah
Dhu al-Hijjah (621 & 622 CE)
During the Makkan period, the Prophet ﷺ utilized the peaceful assembly of tribal delegations in Dhu al-Hijjah to convey the message of Islam:
- The First Pledge of al-Aqabah (Dhu al-Hijjah, 12th Year of Prophethood / 621 CE): Twelve men from the Aws and Khazraj tribes of Yathrib (Madinah) secretly met the Prophet at Mina, pledging to worship Allah alone, abstain from theft, fornication, infanticide, slander, and disobedience in righteousness. The Prophet sent Mus’ab ibn Umayr with them as the first Islamic teacher, whose missionary work transformed Madinah within a year.
- The Second Pledge of al-Aqabah (Dhu al-Hijjah, 13th Year of Prophethood / 622 CE): Seventy-three men and two women from Yathrib met the Prophet in the dead of night at al-Aqabah. They pledged military protection and steadfast loyalty to defend the Prophet as they would their own wives and children. This momentous covenant paved the path for the Great Migration (Hijrah), establishing the Islamic civilization in Madinah.
III. Blessed Unions & Martyrdoms of the Rightly Guided Caliphs
The Marriage of Ali and Fatimah (Dhu al-Hijjah, 2 AH): Following the decisive victory at Badr, the blessed union between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah al-Zahra (the youngest daughter of the Prophet ﷺ) was consummated in Dhu al-Hijjah, establishing the noble lineage of the Ahl al-Bayt through al-Hasan and al-Husayn.
The Martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab (26th-29th Dhu al-Hijjah, 23 AH): While leading the Muslims in Fajr prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, the second Rightly Guided Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (Al-Faruq), was assassinated by the Persian captive Abu Lu’lu’ah Fayruz. Umar succumbed to his wounds three days later and was buried alongside the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
The Martyrdom of Uthman ibn Affan (18th Dhu al-Hijjah, 35 AH): The third Rightly Guided Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan (Dhu al-Nurayn), was martyred inside his home in Madinah while fasting and reciting the Quran (specifically Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 137), after enduring a forty-day siege by rebel factions.
4. Step-by-Step Fiqh of Hajj Rites (The Manasik)
The pilgrimage of Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, mandatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim possessing financial and physical capability (Istita’ah). The rituals take place between the 8th and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah:
5. Fiqh of Udhiyah (Qurbani) & Fasting the Day of Arafah
For the global community of Muslims not performing the pilgrimage in Makkah, Dhu al-Hijjah offers two supreme devotional acts:
The Virtues of Fasting the Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah)
Fasting the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah is one of the most emphatic voluntary fasts in the Sunnah for non-pilgrims. In Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1162), when asked about the reward of fasting on the Day of Arafah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ responded:
«It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.»
Note on Pilgrims: For those actively performing Hajj on the plains of Arafat, fasting is disliked (Makruh) or omitted according to the Sunnah, so they preserve physical strength for prolonged supplication and Remembrance of Allah.
Juristic Guidelines for Udhiyah (Qurbani)
The sacrifice of livestock on Eid al-Adha commemorates the ultimate submission of Prophet Ibrahim when commanded in a vision to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail, after which Allah ransomed him with a magnificent ram (Surah As-Saffat, 37:107).
1. Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) classify Udhiyah as an emphasized Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) for financially able households. The Hanafi school rules it obligatory (Wajib) upon every sane, resident Muslim possessing the Nisab threshold.
2. Permissible Animals & Minimum Ages
Only grazing livestock (Bahimat al-An’am) are valid:
• Sheep: Minimum 6 months (Jadha’ah) if large, or 1 year. (1 share).
• Goat: Minimum 1 full year. (1 share).
• Cow / Ox / Buffalo: Minimum 2 full years. (Up to 7 shares).
• Camel: Minimum 5 full years. (Up to 7 or 10 shares).
3. Disqualifying Defects
The animal must be healthy and free of major physical defects. As the Prophet ﷺ taught: an animal that is clearly blind in one or both eyes, visibly sick, severely lame unable to walk to the slaughter site, or emaciated with no marrow in its bones is invalid.
4. Restraint on Hair & Nails
In Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1977), Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you see the new crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him refrain from cutting any of his hair or clipping his nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” (Sunnah / Mustahabb across the majority; Haram to cut in the Hanbali school).
6. Practical Spiritual Action Plan for the 10 Days of Dhu al-Hijjah
To maximize the immense divine favor overflowing during these ten blessed days, scholars outline a robust practical program of devotional acts:
Essential Devotional Disciplines:
1. Voluntary Fasting (Days 1 to 9): Fasting all nine days preceding Eid (especially the 9th / Day of Arafah) is an established Sunnah practiced by the Prophet ﷺ and his companions (Sunan Abi Dawud, 2437).
2. Abundant Dhikr (Tahlil, Takbir, Tahmid & Tasbih): In Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 5446), the Prophet commanded: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah nor in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days; so recite frequently during them Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmid (Alhamdulillah).”
3. The Takbir of Tashreeq (Takbir Muqayyad): Beginning from the Fajr prayer of the 9th (Day of Arafah) until the Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah (a total of 23 obligatory prayers), believers recite the Takbir after every congregational prayer:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.”
4. Generous Charity (Sadaqah) & Feeding the Vulnerable: Financial donations during these days carry far greater spiritual weight than the same charitable acts performed during ordinary months.
5. Night Vigils (Qiyam al-Layl) & Quranic Recitation: Dedicate the quiet hours before dawn to sincere repentance (Tawbah), Tahajjud prayers, and meditating upon the verses describing the tests of Ibrahim and the assembly of Arafat.
7. Moonsighting Protocols & Determining the Start of Dhu al-Hijjah
The timing of Hajj and Eid al-Adha requires global astronomical vigilance and judicial coordination:
Global Coordination & Sighting Standards:
- Evening of the 29th of Dhu al-Qi’dah: Judicial authorities in Saudi Arabia (which oversees the logistical administration of Hajj) alongside regional moonsighting committees worldwide scan the western horizon immediately after sunset for the new crescent moon (Hilal).
- Confirmation of Sighting: If the crescent is verified, Dhu al-Qi’dah ends at 29 days, and the 1st of Dhu al-Hijjah begins that evening. The Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah) and Eid al-Adha (10th Dhu al-Hijjah) are established accordingly.
- Obscuration or Negative Sighting: If the crescent is not visible due to cloud cover or astronomical birth parameters, Dhu al-Qi’dah completes 30 full days, and Dhu al-Hijjah begins thirty-six hours later.
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Dhu al-Hijjah (FAQ)
Why are the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah considered the best days of the year?
They are considered the greatest days because Allah swore by them in Surah Al-Fajr (89:2), and the Prophet ﷺ taught that no righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those performed during these days. Furthermore, they are the only days of the year that unite all five foundational pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.
What is the spiritual reward of fasting on the Day of Arafah?
According to Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1162), fasting on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah) expiates all minor sins for the previous year and the coming year for non-pilgrims.
Can a person offering Udhiyah cut their hair or clip their nails?
Based on the authentic hadith in Sahih Muslim from Umm Salamah, it is recommended (Mustahabb) according to the majority of scholars, and obligatory (Wajib) according to the Hanbali school, to abstain from cutting hair and clipping nails from the 1st of Dhu al-Hijjah until the sacrificial animal is slaughtered.
What are the Days of Tashreeq and can someone fast on them?
The Days of Tashreeq are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Fasting on these days is strictly prohibited in Islamic law, as the Prophet ﷺ declared in Sahih Muslim: “The days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
What are the core pillars of Hajj without which the pilgrimage is invalid?
The four indispensable pillars (Arkan al-Hajj) across the majority of jurists are: 1) Ihram (the sacred intention); 2) Standing at Arafat (Wuquf bi-Arafah); 3) Tawaf al-Ifadah (the principal circumambulation around the Ka’bah); and 4) Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
How many people can share in a single sacrificial cow or camel?
In Islamic jurisprudence, a single sheep or goat suffices for one person (or one household), while a cow, ox, or camel can be legally shared by up to seven independent families (and up to ten for camels in certain narrations).
What is the significance of the Takbir of Tashreeq?
The Takbir of Tashreeq is an emphatic collective Sunnah chanted immediately after all five daily obligatory prayers from the Fajr of the Day of Arafah (9th) until the Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, proclaiming the supreme greatness of Allah across homes and mosques.
Which Caliphs were martyred in Dhu al-Hijjah?
Both the second Rightly Guided Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (martyred in late Dhu al-Hijjah, 23 AH), and the third Rightly Guided Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan (martyred on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 35 AH), attained martyrdom during this sacred month.
Conclusion & Classical Scholarly References
Dhu al-Hijjah brings the Islamic year to a glorious crescendo of surrender, devotion, and unity. From the quiet deserts of Madinah to the crowded valleys of Mina and Arafat, it reminds believers that the essence of Islam is total submission to Allah, genuine human brotherhood, and selfless sacrifice. By seizing its golden ten days, remembering our Creator, and purifying our intentions, we conclude our lunar year in divine favor and step toward eternity with renewed faith.
Sahih al-Bukhari (Kitab al-Hajj, Kitab al-Idayn & Kitab al-Maghazi) • Sahih Muslim (Kitab al-Hajj & Kitab al-Adahi) • Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Azim (Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Fajr & Surah Al-Ma’idah) • Zad al-Ma’ad fi Hady Khayr al-‘Ibad (Ibn al-Qayyim) • Lata’if al-Ma’arif fima li-Mawasim al-Am min al-Waza’if (Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali) • Al-Majmu’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab (Imam al-Nawawi) • Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani) • Lisan al-Arab (Ibn Manzur) • Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (Ibn Kathir).