Month 12 of the Hijri calendar
Dhu al-Hijjah: the Month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha
Dhu al-Hijjah, “the month of the pilgrimage”, closes the Islamic year. Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is performed between the 8th and the 13th of the month, and its first ten days are the best days of the year.
The first ten days
The Prophet ﷺ said that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Sahih al-Bukhari). Muslims increase their dhikr (takbir, tahmid, tahlil), fasting, charity and recitation. Those who intend to sacrifice do not cut their hair or nails from the start of the month until they sacrifice (Sahih Muslim).
Arafah, Eid and Tashriq
The 9th is the Day of Arafah, when the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat; fasting it, for those not on Hajj, expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim). The 10th is Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, followed by the three days of Tashriq (11th to 13th), days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah, in which fasting is not allowed.
When does Dhu al-Hijjah start?
| Hijri year | First day | Last day | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1446 AH | Wednesday 28 May 2025 | 25 June 2025 | 29 |
| 1447 AH | Monday 18 May 2026 | 15 June 2026 | 29 |
| 1448 AH | Friday 7 May 2027 | 5 June 2027 | 30 |
| 1449 AH | Wednesday 26 April 2028 | 24 May 2028 | 29 |
| 1450 AH | Sunday 15 April 2029 | 13 May 2029 | 29 |
| 1451 AH | Thursday 4 April 2030 | 3 May 2030 | 30 |
| 1452 AH | Monday 24 March 2031 | 22 April 2031 | 30 |
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar. Countries that rely on sighting the crescent may begin a month one day later (or earlier).
Occasions in Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah: questions
When does Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 start?
On 7 May 2027; it ends on 5 June 2027 after 30 days, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When does Dhu al-Hijjah 1449 start?
On 26 April 2028, and it lasts 29 days.
Is Dhu al-Hijjah a sacred month?
Yes. Dhu al-Hijjah is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur’an (9:36), in which wrongdoing is especially serious.
Which months come before and after Dhu al-Hijjah?
Dhu al-Qa‘dah comes before it and Muharram after it.