Dhu al-Hijjah Quotes and Messages …
The term “Zilhicce” (Dhu al-Hijjah) is a compound noun in Arabic derived from the possessive particle “dhu” (owner of) and the word “huccetun” (Hajj/pilgrimage).
It is derived from the Arabic word ḏū’l-ḥicca(t) (ذوالحجّة), meaning “owner of the Hajj,” referring to the last of the Arab months, the “month of Hajj.” This word, in turn, is derived from the Arabic word ḥajj (حج), meaning “Hajj” or “pilgrimage.”
Since the obligatory Hajj pilgrimage is performed on specific days of this month, the month is named “Shahr al-Zilhicce,” meaning “the month of Hajj.”
In the 28th verse of Surah Al-Hajj, the time for the Hajj is specified as “well-known days,” indirectly referring to the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Surah Al-Hajj (22:28): “That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat from them and feed the miserable and poor.”
The month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of the year according to the lunar calendar, which is based on the movements of the moon. Consequently, after this month, the new Hijri year will begin.
The month preceding Dhu al-Hijjah is Dhul-Qa’dah, and the month following it is Muharram, the first month of the new year.
Throughout this month, Muslim pilgrims from all over the world gather in Mecca to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj pilgrimage is performed on the eighth, ninth, and tenth days of this month. The ninth day of this month is also the Day of Arafah, and on the 10th, after the Fajr prayer, Eid al-Adha begins and ends at the Asr prayer time on the 13th day.
In this article, we have prepared a compilation of verses and hadith related to the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, messages concerning this month, and excerpts from books mentioning Dhu al-Hijjah.
Dhu al-Hijjah Quotes and Messages
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous.”
Quran (Turkish Meaning by Elmalılı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır)
In Surah Al-Fajr of the Holy Quran, the first days of this month are among the days sworn upon, emphasizing the importance of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Surah Al-Fajr (Dhu al-Hijjah Section)
- Vel-fecr(i)
- Ve leyâlin ‘aşr(in)
- Ve-şşef’i vel-vetr(i)
- Velleyli iżâ yesr(i)
- Hel fî żâlike kasemun liżî hicr(in)
English Meanings
- By the dawn;
- And [by] the ten nights [of Dhu al-Hijjah];
- And [by] the even and the odd;
- And [by] the night when it passes.
- Is there not in that an oath [sufficient] for a person of understanding?
(Note: You may see some Hadith with similar meanings. We have included them repeatedly as reinforcement because they come from different sources, even if their meanings are similar.)
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (referring to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah).” (Tirmidhi, Sawm: 52; Darimi, Sawm: 52)
“There are no days in the sight of Allah in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than in these ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. So, increase in Tasbih (Subhanallah), Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), and Takbir (Allahu Akbar) during these days!” (Abd b. Humayd, Musnad, 1-257)
Our Master, the Prophet (peace be upon him), said: “There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah; so increase in Tasbih, Tahmid, Tahlil, and Takbir during these days.” (Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtar, III, 354)
Huneyda ibn Khalid narrated from his wife, who narrated from some of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to fast nine days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Day of Ashura, three days of every month, and the first Monday and Thursday of the month. (Abu Dawud, Sawm: 61)
In a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), our Master (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting each day in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah is equivalent to fasting for a year of voluntary fasting. And performing night prayers throughout these ten nights is equivalent to performing night prayers on Laylat al-Qadr.” (Tafjir al-Tasnim p.170)
“Indeed, time has returned to its [original] form as it was on the Day Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months. Four of them are sacred (forbidding fighting): three are consecutive: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram. (The other is) Rajab of Mudar, which is between Jumada (al-akhirah) and Sha’ban.” (Bukhari, Bad’u al-Khalq, 2)
It was narrated from Abdurrahman b. Abu Bakr that his father (Abu Bakr) said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) sat on his camel (during the Farewell Pilgrimage), and a man was holding its rein. Then he addressed the people: “O people! Just as this day of yours (Arafah) in this month of yours (Dhu al-Hijjah) in this city of yours (Mecca) is sacred, so too are your blood, your property, and your honor (chastity) sacred, protected from all aggression.” (Bukhari, ‘Ilm, 9; Muslim, Qasama, 30, Hadith No. 4384)
Our Master (peace be upon him) advised a Companion who wanted to fast a lot, “Three days from every month!” When the Companion said he could fast more, he replied: “Fast three days in the sacred months (Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram), then leave off; fast three days, then leave off; fast three days, then leave off.” And he showed this physically by joining and releasing three fingers. (Abu Dawud, Sawm 55. See also Ibn Majah, Siyam 43)
“There are no other days – meaning the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah – in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days.” The Companions asked, “Even Jihad in the way of Allah, O Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, “Yes, even Jihad in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out for Jihad with his life and wealth and brings nothing back from his wealth and life.” (This narration from Ibn Abbas)
“There is no deed performed on any other day – meaning the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah – that is more beloved to Allah than a righteous deed performed on these days.”
- “Is not even Jihad in the cause of Allah superior, O Messenger of Allah?” they asked.
- “(Yes) even Jihad in the cause of Allah. However, the Jihad of a person who goes out for Jihad risking his property and life, and is martyred and does not return, is different (it is superior to this).” (Bukhari, ‘Idayn 11. See also Abu Dawud, Sawm 61; Tirmidhi, Sawm 52; Ibn Majah, Siyam 39)
Messages for Dhu al-Hijjah
May your month of Dhu al-Hijjah be blessed…
I wish all Muslims blessings, health, and peace from Allah in the blessed month of Hajj. May our Hajj month, Dhu al-Hijjah, be blessed.
May Dhu al-Hijjah, the most blessed month after Ramadan, bring goodness to the entire Islamic world. May Allah accept the sacrifices, fasts, and pilgrimages performed. Amen.
O Allah, grant us the ability to fast the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah, when sacrifices will be offered and thousands will perform Hajj… May the Hajj month of Dhu al-Hijjah be blessed for all of us.
With prayers for all my brothers and sisters who are able to participate in the Qurbani worship during the Hajj month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and to remember the method of distributing the Qurbani while performing this worship… Have blessed days…
All praise be to our Lord, who allowed us to experience the tranquility of seeing Dhu al-Hijjah once more in our lives. Insha’Allah, may all my Muslim brothers and sisters who wish to do so perform the Hajj worship one day during the Hajj month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Have blessed days…
Excerpts from Books on Dhu al-Hijjah
Then the month of Dhu al-Hijjah arrived. Clouds began to appear in the sky, and the nights grew cooler… Leo Africanus/ Amin Maalouf
Perform much worship during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the first 10 days of Muharram.
Book of Councils
Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi
The Day of Arafah falls on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is Sunnah for those who are not engaged in the Hajj pilgrimage to fast on the Day of Arafah.
A Muslim Life
Imam Ghazali
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) considered these three sets of ten days virtuous: the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the first ten days of Muharram, and the last ten days of Ramadan.
Minhāj al-Qāsidīn wa Mufīd al-Sādiqīn
Ibn al-Jawzi
After Ramadan, it is considered virtuous to fast on the Day of Arafah before Eid al-Adha, the Day of Ashura, the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and Muharram, and in all sacred months. Because these are virtuous times.
Fasting / Its Secrets and Virtues
Imam Ghazali
Our Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed the importance of these days as follows: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those performed on these ten days! The fast of each day therein is equivalent to a year’s voluntary fasting. The night prayer (qiyam) therein is equivalent to the night prayer of Laylat al-Qadr.” Musnad
Imam-i Azam Abu Hanifa
The day before Eid al-Adha is called ‘Arafah Day’. According to the lunar calendar, Arafah Day is the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. There is no Arafah Day in Eid al-Fitr. From the Fajr prayer of Arafah Day until the Asr prayer of the fourth day of Eid, the ‘Takbir al-Tashreeq’ is recited once after each of the twenty-three obligatory prayers.
My Worship
Kolektif
The ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah is “Arafah.” Do you know what Arafah Day is? This day is the day when Allah frees His servants from Hell the most. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says: “There is no day on which Allah frees more of His servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. On that day, Allah draws near to His servants and boasts about them to His angels, saying, ‘What do these want (that they have left their affairs and gathered here)?'” (Muslim)
Risale on Dhu al-Hijjah
Ibrahim Gadban
Farewell Sermon
O people! Listen well to my words. I do not know, perhaps after this year, I will not meet you here again. O people! Just as this day of yours (Arafah) is a sacred day, as this month of yours (Dhu al-Hijjah) is a sacred month, as this city of yours (Mecca) is a blessed city, so too are your lives, your properties, and your honor (chastity) sacred, protected from all aggression.
Life of Prophet Muhammad
Mevlâna İdris
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “If people only knew the importance of reading the Quran reflectively and thoroughly, they would abandon everything else and only engage with it, reading it contemplatively. And when an verse that heals the heart comes to them, they would repeat it hundreds of times. Therefore, reading an verse reflectively and with understanding is better, more beneficial for the heart, and more effective in attaining faith and tasting the Quran than completing the recitation of the entire Quran without reflection and understanding.”
Risale on Dhu al-Hijjah
Ibrahim Gadban
It is recommended to spend the following days in individual worship, dhikr, and Quran recitation, in short, in worship:
- Day of Arafah
- Day of Ashura
- 15th of Sha’ban
- Friday
- Days of Eid al-Fitr
- Days of Eid al-Adha
- Ayyam al-Ma’lumat (the 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah)
- Ayyam al-Ma’dudat (the Days of Tashreeq) The most virtuous of these days are Friday and the month of Ramadan.
Three Holy Months and Their Virtues
Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
Ibrahim was born in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the 8th year of Hijrah. He died before completing two years. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to kiss and smell Ibrahim. When he died, his eyes welled up with tears. Abdurrahman, son of Awf, said: “O Messenger of Allah, do you also weep? (Whereas you had forbidden weeping over the dead),” he said. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: “I have forbidden wailing and tearing clothes. This (weeping) is compassion that Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants. The eye weeps, and the heart grieves. We do not utter words that are not pleasing to our Lord. O Ibrahim, we are sorrowful because of your loss,” he said.
Life of Our Prophet
İrfan Yücel
In Indian culture, the beloved twelve-month poems [baritmasa poems] describe the longing felt by a love-sick girl for her distant beloved [Muhammad]. In reality, the sick girl implies the human soul. If these poems were written according to the lunar calendar rather than the Indian calendar, in Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the year, the girl’s soul would draw closer to Allah in Mecca and to the Prophet in Medina. Sindhi and Punjabi folk poets address women as a woman would talk to her friends, and in the poems, the Prophet is depicted as the longed-for groom:
Hazrat Muhammad
Annemarie Schimmel
“The chosen months are Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram.” As for the chosen women, they are Mary, daughter of Imran; Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid, the first among women to believe in Allah and His Messenger; Asiyah, wife of Pharaoh; and Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad (PBUH), the chief lady of the women of Paradise. As for the four individuals who will be the first to enter Paradise, they are the first Muslims of every nation. Our Prophet is the first Muslim of the Arabs; Salman is the first Muslim of the Persians; Suhayb is the first Muslim of the Romans; and Bilal is the first Muslim of the Abyssinians.
The Revival of the Religious Sciences (Hearts’ Revelation)
Imam Ghazali
Dhu al-Hijjah contains very valuable acts of worship such as Hajj and Qurbani. During this month, all kinds of evil, forbidden acts, and warfare are prohibited, and people are encouraged to draw closer to Allah. During this month, all evil should be set aside, and people should draw even closer to Allah.
High rewards are recorded for all good deeds performed during this month. People’s worldly and afterlife are enlightened, and they are enabled to live better lives. For this reason, people should turn to good deeds frequently and help others during this month.
MAY YOUR MONTH OF DHU AL-HIJJAH BE BLESSED…
İnsallah we will be a haji someday