The month of Dhul-Hijjah is the last month of the lunar year, and it is the second of the sacred months. It has been called by this name since the days of ignorance. Because the Arabs used to perform Hajj in it, and calling it (Dhul-Hijjah) is the last name, as it had names before it, so it was called (Mesbla) at Thamud, and it was known to Arab Arabs as (Naas) and (Barak) because the camels used to pool in it on the Day of Sacrifice. And the Arabs used to venerate him, as they used to sit in the market of Okaz in the month of Dhul-Qa’dah, then hold the market (Dhul-Majaz) in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, and they used to prohibit fighting in it, as it is one of the months of the sanctuary.
In the following, we will discuss, through the paragraphs of our article, the Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah, as well as the importance of The first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
What is Dhu al-Hijjah?
Before we get to know the Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah, we must get to know this holy month in detail, as Dhul-Hijjah is the twelfth month of the lunar year or the Hijri calendar, and the second month of the sacred months.
It was named by this name around the year 412 AD during the reign of Kilab bin Marra, the fifth grandfather of the Messenger of Allah, and it was called that because the Hajj takes place in it. It is the last of the information months in which Allah Almighty said: (الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَعْلُومَاتٌ), and these months begin with the first day of Shawwal and end with the end of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. And on the ninth day of this month, it will be the day of Arafat and the standing of Arafat, or what is called the day of the greater pilgrimage, and the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah will be the first day of Eid al-Adha for Muslims.
The month of Dhu al-Hijjah is one of the most sacred months in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims engage in various acts of worship and good deeds, such as fasting, giving charity, and performing the Eid al-Adha prayer.
When is Dhu al-Hijjah?
Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth month of the lunar year or the Hijri calendar, and it is the month that follows Dhu al-Qi’dah.
The Significance of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah
The Month of Dhu al-Hijjah is considered a time of great spiritual significance in Islam, as it is a time for Muslims to come together in worship, renew their commitment to their faith, and seek forgiveness for their sins. The Hajj pilgrimage and the sacrifice of animals are two important acts of worship that are performed during this month and serve as a reminder of the importance of devotion, obedience, and faith in Islam.
The Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah
The month of Dhu al-Hijjah is a time of great spiritual significance for Muslims. It is believed that the rewards for good deeds performed during this month are multiplied. In fact, it is said that the rewards for good deeds performed during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are greater than those performed during any other time of the year. Some of the virtues of this blessed month include:
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The Hajj: The Hajj is the most significant event of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is a time when Muslims from all over the world come together to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is a time of great spiritual significance, as it is an opportunity for Muslims to renew their faith and seek forgiveness for their sins.
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The Day of Arafat: The Day of Arafat is the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is the day when pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat, outside of Mecca, to perform the most important ritual of the Hajj. It is believed that on this day, Allah forgives the sins of those who sincerely repent and seek His forgiveness.
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Eid al-Adha: Eid al-Adha is the festival of sacrifice that takes place on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is a time of celebration and gratitude, as Muslims remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Prophet Ismail (AS). On this day, Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal, typically a sheep or a goat, and distribute the meat to the poor and needy.
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah are the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah according to the Hijri calendar. Muslims believe that these days have a special preference over the rest of the year, so they increase in worship, good deeds, and remembrance. These days coincide with the pilgrimage season for Muslims. Among these days comes the day of Arafah. Which is considered the best day of the year for Muslims, and at the end of it is the day of Eid al-Adha, which is called the “Day of Sacrifice”, due to a large number of sacrifices.
The day of Arafat
The day of Arafah is the ninth day of The first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and it is considered one of the best days for Muslims, as it is one of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. In it, the pilgrims/hajj stand on Mount Arafa, as standing in Arafah is considered the most important pillar of the Hajj.
Mountain of Arafa is located east of Makkah on the road linking it with Taif, about 22 km away, 10 km from Mina, and 6 km from Muzdalifah, and it is the only shrine that is located outside the borders of campus.
Eidul Al-Adha Al-Mubarak
Eidul Al-Adha Al-Mubarak is one of the two festivals for Muslims (and the other festival is Eid al-Fitr).
It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah after the end of the Arafat day pause, the stand in which Muslim pilgrims stand to perform the most important rituals of Hajj, and it ends on the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah. This feast is also a memory of the story of Abraham, peace be upon him when he saw a vision in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail, and after his and his son’s belief in the vision.
Allah then commanded him to sacrifice instead of his son, so Muslims approach Allah on this day by sacrificing one of the cattle (a sheep, a cow, or a camel). And the distribution of the sacrificial meat to relatives, the poor and their household, hence the name Eid al-Adha.
The days of Tashreeq
The days of al-Tashreeq are the three days after the Day of Sacrifice, which are the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. These are the days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah, and with the sunset of the thirteenth day, Eid al-Adha, Hajj, and the slaughter of the sacrifice end.
The virtues of Hajj
In addition to the Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah and the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijja as many worldly fruits result from performing the Hajj, some of which are detailed as follows:
- Achieving acquaintance between Muslims, where Muslims from all countries gather, so that meeting is the assumption of harnessing each other; In a way that achieves the general benefit for them, the Almighty said: (وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ* لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ).
- Exchanging knowledge and experiences between Muslims, in addition to achieving affection and mercy among them.
- strengthening social relations among Muslims; As they check each other’s conditions, their hearts soften for each other.
- Self-training to bear hardships and hardships; Obedience and worship to Allah Almighty and His Messenger, upon him, be peace and blessings.
Qurbani and its rules
After we have finished mentioning the Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah, we will move on to the concept of sacrifice, as that sacrifice in Islam is what draws the servant closer to his Lord, whether it is the sacrifice or something else. It is more specific to the sacrifices, so it is closer to the concept of the sacrifice, and at that time the name of Allah must be mentioned on it at the start of the slaughter.
Sharing the meat of the Qurbani
The sacrifice was prescribed by Allah for His servants, and He made it an offering to draw near to Him on the feast of Sacrifice, in urban areas and in the desert, and He did not specify what the owner takes from it, and what he gives to the poor.
It is legitimate for the believer in his sacrifice to eat and feed, so if he takes out a third and distributes it to the poor and eats two-thirds with his household; There is nothing wrong with that, even if it takes out less than a third. That is enough, even if he also gives to the poor among his neighbors and relatives. It’s okay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the sacred months, as this day was documented by many events, such as Eid Al-Adha and the Day of Arafah, so we mentioned in our article the Virtues of the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah, as well as the virtue of The first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The month of Dhu al-Hijjah FAQs
Why is the month of Dhul Hijjah a sacred month?
The month of Dhu al-Hijjah is one of the forbidden months in which Allah Almighty has forbidden fighting, and Allah singled it out with special laws and rules.
What are the virtues of fasting on the day of Arafah?
The virtue of fasting on the day of Arafah is great, and the status of this day is great and established in Quranic texts, and it is desirable in it to do many good deeds and draw closer to Allah Almighty. It is also one of the ten days that Allah Almighty swore by in Surat Al-Fajr. The Almighty said: (وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ), and this is evidence of its honor and greatness.