Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة) is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is the sacred month in which Muslims from all over the world flock the sacred city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform the fifth pillar of Islam: The Hajj (The Pilgrimage). This why in Arabic, Dhu al-Hijja means "Possessor of the Pilgrimage" or "The Month of the Pilgrimage".
Hajj is obligatory once in lifetime for all able-bodied men and women who can financially afford to undertake the journey to Makkah and bear expenses for their stay during the Hajj rituals. Hajj is performed by men by just wearing two plain sheets of white clothes - hence it removes away any barriers between a billionaire and an ordinary many. Thus, this removes away any distinction of class, superiority of clan and culture as everyone stands equal in the house of Allah.
All pilgrims also visit the holy city of Medinah and visit and offer prayers at the mosque of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Some do it prior to the Hajj, while some do it after the performance of the Hajj as per the schedule of their Hajj plan.
9th of Dhu al Hijja is the actual day of Hajj. On this day, pilgrims gather in Arafat. They also throng the Mount Arafat (جَبَل عَرَفَات, romanized: Jabal ʿArafāt), and by its other Arabic name, Jabal ar-Raḥmah (Arabic: جَبَل ٱلرَّحْمَة, lit. 'Mountain of mercy'). It was the mount on which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his farewell sermon. The mountain is approximately 70 m (230 ft) in height, with its highest point sitting at an elevation of 454 metres (1,490 ft). [Photo]
Although, the intending pilgrims start to arrive Makkah many days before the actual Hajj dates, the Hajj rituals commence on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. The Day of Arafah, the day of Hajj, takes place on the ninth of the month. On this day, the Hajj sermon is given from Masjid-e-Nimrah outside the city of Makkah, to emulate the last sermon given by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which was given in 10th AD by standing on the Mt Arafat (photo above). Eid al-Adha, the "Festival of Sacrifice", begins on the tenth day and ends at sunset on the 13th.
Masjid Al-Namirah (Arabic: مَسْجِد نَمِرَة) - The khutbah (sermon) is delivered from Masjid Al-Namirah and Zuhr and Asr prayers are prayed together in the Arafat valley.
On the termination of Hajj, on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, Eid al-Adha is observed by Muslims on the hajj and around the world in commemoration of the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, علي السلام) to sacrifice his son Isma'il (Ishmael) for Allah. The sacrifice of animals continues till the 13th of the month. On this day, the Hajj rituals finally come to an end.
We have deliberated on the importance of the month of Dhu al Hajja and Q&As about performance of Hajj / animal sacrifice and the famous sermon of Prophet on 9th of Dhu al Hajja in 10th AD. You may click on the following links to know more about Dhu al Hajja and Hajj:
- Hajj: The pilgrimage to Makkah
- What is the significance of the first 10 days of Dhul Hajja
- How to perform Hajj: The Hajj rituals
- How to perform Hajj: Step by step guide
- The last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on 9th of Dhul Hajjah (10 AD)
- The essence of ritual of animal sacrifice on 10th of Dhul Hajja
- What is Talbiyah " ٱلتَّلبِيَة " (in relation to Hajj) (Jami` at-Tirmidhi as Hadith: 825)
- Who will return from Hajj as being born anew (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: Hadith 1521)
- Fasting during the first 10 days of Duh al Hijja (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Hadith 1727)
- The Blessed Ten Days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than any other days (Sunan Ibn Majah: Hadith 1727)
- Fasting on Day of Arafah: Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Hadith 1162b)
- Why do Muslims sacrifice animals on Eid al Adha
We wish the very best of all those pilgrims present in Makkah and pray that Allah accepts their presence and accepts their Hajj. Ameen
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
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