Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah (Arabic: ذو الحجة; properly transliterated Dhū l-Hijjah/Ḏū l-Ḥiǧǧah, IPA: [ðʊl.ˈħɪʒ.ʒa]) 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 sunset of the twelfth.
Virtues of the month
According to Islamic traditions, the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the most blessed days in which to do good deeds:
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." (Reported by Tirmidhi)
The Prophet used to fast the first 9 days of this month, owing to their virtue:
One of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah's Messenger used to fast the [first] nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of 'Ashurah, and three days of each month." (Reported by Abu Dawud)[1]
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
- 1432 AH - First day: October 28, 2011; last day: November 25, 2011
- 1433 AH - First day: ~October 17, 2012; last day: ~November 14, 2012
- 1434 AH - First day: ~October 6, 2013; last day: ~November 4, 2013
- 1435 AH - First day: ~September 26, 2014; last day: ~October 24, 2014
- 1436 AH - First day: ~September 15, 2015; last day: ~October 14, 2015
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, martyrdom 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.)
References
- ↑ "Ten Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah | Soul". Central-mosque.com. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
External links
- Dhul-Hijjah 2013
- Islamic-Western Calendar Converter (based on the Arithmetical or Tabular Calendar).
- Hadith on Dhul-Hijjah
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