Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Ḥijjah (ذو الحجة) is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.
This is a very sacred month in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the year. It is in this month in which the Hajj (pilgrimage) takes place.
"Dhu al-Hijjah" literally means "Possessor of the Pilgrimage." It is during this month that pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Mecca to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Day of Arafa takes place on the ninth of the month. Eid al-Adha, the "Festival of the Sacrifice", begins on the tenth day and ends on the thirteenth.
Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Dhu al-Hijjah migrates throughout the seasons. Since the month must begin and end when the moon is sighted, the estimated start and end dates for Dhu al-Hijjah are as follows:
- 1427 AH – First day: December 22, 2006; last day: January 19, 2007. Due to sightings in Saudi Arabia, Dhu al-Hijjah officially started on December 21, 2006 in Saudi Arabia. Several countries follow Saudi Arabia regarding the implementation of the Islamic Calendar.
- 1428 AH – First day: December 11, 2007; last day: January 9, 2008. Due to sightings in Saudi Arabia, Dhu al-Hijjah officially started on December 10, 2007 in Saudi Arabia. Several countries follow Saudi Arabia regarding the implementation of the Islamic calendar.
- 1429 AH – First day: November 30, 2008; last day: December 28, 2008
- 1430 AH - First day: November 19, 2009; last day: December 17, 2009
- 1431 AH - First day: November 7, 2010; last day: December 6, 2010
General Islamic Events
- 09 Dhu al-Hijjah, Day of Arafa
- 10-13 Dhu al-Hijjah, Eid al-Adha is observed by Muslims on the hajj and around the world in commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
- 26 Dhu al-Hijjah, death of Caliph Umar
Islamic Events For Shi'ah
- 01 Dhu al-Hijjah, Nikah (marriage) of Ali and Fatimah took place. – (2 years before Hijra)
- 07 Dhu al-Hijjah, death of Shī‘ah Imām, Muhammad al-Bāqir ‐ (114 A.H.)
- 08 Dhu al-Hijjah, Husayn ibn ‘Alī started his journey to Karbalā from Mecca
- 09 Dhu al-Hijjah, martyrdom of Muslim ibn ‘Aqīl and Hani ibn Urwah in Kufa. It is also a day of supererogatory fasting. – (60 A.H.)
- 15 Dhu al-Hijjah, birth of Twelver Imām, ‘Alī al-Naqī - (214 A.H.) [Disputed date]
- 18 Dhu al-Hijjah, Shī‘ah Muslims celebrate the event of Ghadir Khumm
- 19 Dhu al-Hijjah, Fatimah went to Ali's house after their marriage
- 23 Dhu al-Hijjah, martyrdom of Meesam Tammar – friend of Ali – (60 A.H.)
- 23 Dhu al-Hijjah, martyrdom of two sons of Muslim ibn ‘Aqīl in Kufa. (60 A.H.)
- 24 Dhu al-Hijjah, event of al-Mubahalah took place. (Eid al-Mubahila)
- 24 Dhu al-Hijjah, some historians mention that the Hadith, Ahl al-Kisa, event was also on the same day prior to Muhammad setting out for Mubahila
- 24 Dhu al-Hijjah, supplication day and giving of alms with the ring by Ali, In reply verse, "Verily your Walee is Allah; and His Messenger and those who establish Salaat, and pay Zakaat while they be in Rukoo. (Maa-Idah: 55)" was revealed
- 25 Dhu al-Hijjah, sura Al-Insan or Hal Ata, or Dahar, which records the giving of alms to orphan's, the destitute and travellers by Fatima Hassan and Hussain was revealed.
- 25 Dhu al-Hijjah, Ali becomes the Caliph of Islam – (35 A.H.)
External links