What is Dhul Hijjah?
The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest periods of the Islamic year SubhanAllah. During this month, we witness Hajj and Eid ul Adha.
Many people don’t know that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year, the 10 best days with no exception. They are even better than the days of Ramadan, SubhanAllah!
Prophet Muhammadﷺ said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days” (Bukhari), meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
After the holy month of Ramadan, maybe you feel that you could have done more throughout the sacred month? Perhaps you’ve since let go of that Ramadan feeling?
Well, these beloved ten days offer another chance to gain immense rewards, have our sins forgiven and reach great levels of piety, Insha’Allah.
On this day, each and every one of us, who is able, offers Qurbani – just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did – in devotion to Allah (SWT) and to help vulnerable communities in need across the globe.
When is Dhul Hijjah 2024?
The date may vary according to moon sightings in different parts of the world, but Dhul Hijjah 2024 is predicted to begin on June 7 and run for a month until July 7, 2024. The first 10 days begin on June 7 or 8, 2024.
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) will be on June 15 or 16, and 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid al Adha) will be on June 16 or 17. As the celebration lasts for 3 days after the day of Eid, if Eid al-Adha begins on Sunday June 16th, it will end on Wednesday June 19, 2024.
Dhul Hijjah with Islamic Relief
At Islamic Relief, we work all year round to relieve food poverty and help families maintain a healthy, stable livelihood.
Every Eid al-Adha, Islamic Relief is at the forefront of distributing Qurbani meat to some of the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, in over 30 countries.
In 2023, we distributed Qurbani meat to over 4 million people in need!
For many, this is the only time they will be able to eat meat in the entire year.
By donating your Qurbani, you’ll not only bring happiness to those less fortunate than ourselves, but you’ll also enable vulnerable communities across the globe to enjoy Eid without worrying about how and what they will feed their families.
Your Sadaqah and Zakat could provide a food parcel to a family living in poverty, safe water to communities struggling against drought or essential healthcare to those suffering from disease, ill-health or conflict.
By giving in this blessed month, we offer crucial solidarity and hope. Dhul Hijjah is a sacred month loved by Allah.
Give from what you love and reap the rewards of the 10 best days.
Importance of Dhul Hijjah
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are often referred to as the best ten days of the year, and a second chance after Ramadan. For those of us not performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year, this is still a great time of blessing and immense reward.
Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the holy pilgrimage of Hajj during these days. While many of us are unable to make the blessed journey this year, there are still many ways for us to reap the blessings of this month.
In Surat Al-Fajr, Allah says:
“By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights.” (Qur’an 89:1-2)
According to many scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds than usual. These can include anything such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.
It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship by being mindful of our prayers and ensuring we pay our zakat on time.
For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make dua’a that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so soon.
Fasting and remembrance are particularly recommended.
Making the most of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are considered to be the best 10 days of the year, a time of amplified reward and mercy. During these 10 days, Muslims witness the day of Arafah, Hajj, and Eid ul-Adha.
You can make the most of the blessed 10 days of Dhul Hijjah by increasing your worship and remembrance of Allah SWT. You can do this by fasting all day, praying at night, performing other types of worship and good deeds.
Fasting 9 days, especially on the Day of Arafah
It is reported that
“The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” (Abu Dawood, 2/462)
By fasting the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah, and especially on the day of Arafah, you are not only sacrificing food, drink and sleep, but you are truly securing the benefits of these blessed days and distancing yourself from the Hellfire.
The ten days of Dhul-Hijjah include Yawm al-Arafah (the Day of Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion.
The Prophet said:
“Fasting the day of `Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one.” (Muslim).
Perform Dhikr and Takbeer
Increase in remembrance of Allah SWT after acts of prayer and recitation of Quran. This is also the best time to revive the sunnah of Takbeer during the first few days of Dhul Hijjah.
Our Prophetﷺ said:
“There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” (Ahmad)
-
Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)
-
Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)
-
Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God)
While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd.Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise.
The companions would go to the marketplace and recite the takbeer out loud and people would also recite after hearing them. Let us follow their footsteps and encourage others to recite the takbeer as well, as an act of worship and a proclamation of the greatness of Allah.
Recite the Quran
This blessed time should be an opportunity to increase your recitation of the Holy Book and build a relationship with His words. Recite its verses, understand the message, and implement these lessons in your life to earn blessings and open the doors of contentment in life.
Give Qurbani
Eid sacrifice or Qurbani is a sunnah of Islam, following in the footsteps of the beloved Prophet (PBUH) who observed this practice every year. Qurbani takes place after the Eid prayer on Eid ul-Adha, from 10th till before the end of 12th day of Dhul Hijjah.
Islamic Relief ensures your Qurbani sacrifice is made in a timely manner and in accordance with international hygiene standards. We buy a large supply of livestock in preparation for the surge of Qurbani donations following Eid ul-Adha, ensuring that everyone who is willing to donate can perform this sunnah.
Hajj Pilgrimage
Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in order to perform rituals based on those conducted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As the fifth pillar of Islam, Muslims who are in good physical and financial standing have a religious duty to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Hajj takes place within the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, between the eighth and 13th days of the month. Hajj 2024 will be performed from June 14 to June 19, 2024.
The Day of Arafah
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah. One of the most important days for Muslims, it’s the day on which He perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and chosen Islam as a way of life!
The Day of Arafah is considered the most important day of Hajj. Pilgrims leave for the plains of Arafah just after dawn. The pilgrims spend the entire day standing (or sitting) around the Mount of Mercy, asking Allah for forgiveness and making supplications.