Dhul-Hijjah (The Month of Pilgrimage)
The twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar, in which Hajj and Eid al-Adha take place.
Dhul-Hijjah is the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months (al-ashhur al-hurum). It is in this month that Hajj (pilgrimage) and Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) take place. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered the most blessed days of the entire year.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The companions asked: "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?" He replied: "Not even jihad, except for a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and does not return with any of it" (Sahih al-Bukhari).
Recommended acts during the first ten days include: fasting (especially the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Arafat), abundant dhikr and takbir, extra voluntary prayers, and giving charity. The Prophet fasted on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and said: "Fasting on the Day of Arafat — I hope that Allah will expiate sins for the past year and the coming year" (Sahih Muslim). Takbirat are recited from the 1st to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Related terms
Masjid (Mosque)
The Islamic house of worship, where Muslims gather for congregational prayer.
Jam' bayn al-Salatayn (Combining Prayers)
The Shia practice of praying Dhuhr and Asr together, and Maghrib and Isha together.
Waqt (Prayer Time)
The specific time interval within which a prayer must be performed.
Nisf Sha'ban (Mid-Sha'ban)
The 15th of Sha'ban — the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi and a night of forgiveness.
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Belief in prophethood — the third article of faith in Shia Islam.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Tirmidhi's Hadith Collection)
One of the six canonical hadith collections, known for its classification of narrations by strength.