| Arabic | ذُو الحِجَّة |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | THOO al-HIJ-jah |
| Etymology | Dhul (ذو) means 'possessor of' or 'the one with.' Hijjah (حجة) derives from Hajj (حج), meaning 'pilgrimage.' Thus, Dhul Hijjah means 'the month of Hajj' or 'the possessor of the pilgrimage,' named because the Hajj occurs during it. |
Dhul Hijjah(ذُو الحِجَّة) Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. It is one of the four sacred months and the month during which the Hajj pilgrimage is performed.
ذُو الحِجَّة
Dhul Hijjah holds unparalleled significance in the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months (along with Dhul Qa'dah, Muharram, and Rajab) during which fighting is prohibited. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are described by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the best days in the world, during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than at any other time. The Prophet said: 'There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days' (Bukhari). Key dates include: the 8th (Yawm al-Tarwiyah, departure to Mina), the 9th (Yawm Arafat, the central pillar of Hajj), the 10th (Yawm al-Nahr/Eid al-Adha, the Day of Sacrifice), and the 11th-13th (Ayyam al-Tashreeq, days of stoning in Mina). For non-pilgrims, fasting the first nine days (especially the Day of Arafat), increasing dhikr, giving charity, and offering Qurbani on Eid are strongly encouraged. The entire Hajj season — from entering Ihram to the farewell Tawaf — takes place within this blessed month.
Dhul (ذو) means 'possessor of' or 'the one with.' Hijjah (حجة) derives from Hajj (حج), meaning 'pilgrimage.' Thus, Dhul Hijjah means 'the month of Hajj' or 'the possessor of the pilgrimage,' named because the Hajj occurs during it.
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