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dhū al-hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah (ذو الحجة) is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, literally meaning "the one with the pilgrimage." This sacred month is significant in Islam as it contains the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and the Eid al-Adha festival. It is a month of great spiritual importance for Muslims worldwide.
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يُؤدّي المسلمون فريضة الحج في شهر ذي الحجة.
Yuʾaddī al-muslimūn farīḍat al-ḥajj fī shahri dhī al-ḥijjah.
Muslims perform the pilgrimage obligation during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
عيد الأضحى يُحتفل به في ذي الحجة.
ʿĪd al-aḍḥā yuḥtafl bihi fī dhī al-ḥijjah.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated during Dhu al-Hijjah.
في ذي الحجة، يجتمع ملايين الحجاج في مكة المكرمة.
Fī dhī al-ḥijjah, yajtami ̒u malayīn al-ḥujjāj fī makkah al-mukarramah.
During Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of pilgrims gather in the holy city of Mecca.
أيام التشريق تأتي في أواخر ذي الحجة.
Ayyām al-tashrīq taʾtī fī awākhir dhī al-ḥijjah.
The Days of Tashriq fall in the latter part of Dhu al-Hijjah.
يبدأ موسم الحج في شهر ذي الحجة من كل سنة هجرية.
Yabdaʾ mawsim al-ḥajj fī shahri dhī al-ḥijjah min kull sanah hijriyyah.
The pilgrimage season begins in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah of every Islamic year.
Dhu al-Hijjah holds supreme significance in Islamic culture as it encompasses both the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha, two of the most important observances in Islam. The month derives its name from the central religious obligation of the Hajj, which Muslims consider one of the Five Pillars of Islam. This month is marked by heightened spirituality, charitable giving, animal sacrifice, and celebration across the Muslim world.
When referring to this month, remember that in Islamic calendars it is written as the 12th month, so it appears at the end of the year. Always pair it with the Islamic calendar context (Hijri calendar) when distinguishing from the Gregorian calendar, as the Islamic months shift approximately 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. You may encounter both the full form "ذو الحجة" and the abbreviated form "الحجة" in Arabic texts.
Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar. The name itself carries profound significance in Islamic tradition, as it literally translates to "the one with the pilgrimage" or "the possessor of the pilgrimage." This month is undoubtedly one of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, marked by spiritual significance, religious obligation, and celebration.
The word "ذو" (dhū) means "possessor of" or "the one with," while "الحجة" (al-ḥijjah) refers to "the pilgrimage" specifically the Hajj. Together, Dhu al-Hijjah literally means "the month of the pilgrimage." The month received this name because it is the designated time for Muslims to perform the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a fundamental religious duty for able-bodied Muslims.
Dhu al-Hijjah is considered a sacred month in Islamic tradition. During this month, hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world journey to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj rituals occur between the 8th and 13th days of Dhu al-Hijjah, with the main event (Yawm al-Arafah) falling on the 9th day. This makes Dhu al-Hijjah the most spiritually charged month of the Islamic calendar.
One of the most important celebrations in Islam, Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice), takes place on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. This festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. On this day, Muslims worldwide celebrate by sacrificing animals, distributing meat to family, friends, and the poor, and exchanging greetings of "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Festival).
Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic year. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar-based (approximately 354 days per year), Dhu al-Hijjah shifts about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. This means the month can fall during different seasons in the Gregorian calendar. Understanding this difference is crucial when discussing Islamic dates with Arabic speakers.
Several important days occur within Dhu al-Hijjah:
Dhu al-Hijjah holds immense cultural significance across the Muslim world. During this month, Muslim communities prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations, arrange family gatherings, and often take time off work to observe the festival. Markets in Muslim countries are bustling with preparations, special foods are prepared, and new clothes are purchased for the celebration.
When learning Arabic, understanding Dhu al-Hijjah in context helps learners grasp Islamic cultural references and the lunar calendar system. The month is frequently mentioned in Islamic texts, news media discussing Islamic affairs, and everyday conversations among Muslims planning for Hajj or Eid preparations. Familiarity with this term and related vocabulary enhances comprehensive understanding of Arabic language and Islamic culture.