Month 11 of the Hijri calendar
Dhu al-Qa‘dah: the Sacred Month Before Hajj
Dhu al-Qa‘dah is the eleventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. Its name comes from “qu‘ud”, sitting, because the Arabs stayed home from fighting and prepared for the pilgrimage.
The umrahs of the Prophet ﷺ
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ performed four umrahs, all of them in Dhu al-Qa‘dah except the one he performed with his Hajj (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). This makes the month a favoured time for umrah.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
In Dhu al-Qa‘dah of the year 6 AH the Prophet ﷺ set out for umrah with about 1,400 Companions and concluded the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with Quraysh. The Qur’an calls it “a clear victory” (48:1), because it opened the way to the peaceful spread of Islam.
Preparing for Hajj
Pilgrims travel to Makkah during this month. Those who stay home prepare for the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the best days of the year, by planning their fasting, their sacrifice and their remembrance.
When does Dhu al-Qa‘dah start?
| Hijri year | First day | Last day | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1446 AH | Tuesday 29 April 2025 | 27 May 2025 | 29 |
| 1447 AH | Saturday 18 April 2026 | 17 May 2026 | 30 |
| 1448 AH | Thursday 8 April 2027 | 6 May 2027 | 29 |
| 1449 AH | Monday 27 March 2028 | 25 April 2028 | 30 |
| 1450 AH | Friday 16 March 2029 | 14 April 2029 | 30 |
| 1451 AH | Wednesday 6 March 2030 | 3 April 2030 | 29 |
| 1452 AH | Sunday 23 February 2031 | 23 March 2031 | 29 |
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar. Countries that rely on sighting the crescent may begin a month one day later (or earlier).
Dhu al-Qa‘dah: questions
When does Dhu al-Qa‘dah 1448 start?
On 8 April 2027; it ends on 6 May 2027 after 29 days, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When does Dhu al-Qa‘dah 1449 start?
On 27 March 2028, and it lasts 30 days.
Is Dhu al-Qa‘dah a sacred month?
Yes. Dhu al-Qa‘dah 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-Qa‘dah?
Shawwal comes before it and Dhu al-Hijjah after it.