Dhul Hijjah: The Twelfth Islamic Month
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Dhul Hijjah (ذو الحجة) is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, one of the four sacred months, and the month in which Hajj is performed. It contains the greatest days of the entire year.
The First Ten Days
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year. The Prophet said: 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' They said: 'Not even jihad in the cause of Allah?' He said: 'Not even jihad in the cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out with his self and his wealth and does not return with anything' (Sahih al-Bukhari 969). Allah swears by these days in the Quran: 'By the dawn, and by the ten nights' (Quran 89:1-2).
Day of Arafah
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, the greatest day of the year. For non-pilgrims, fasting on this day expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim 1162). For pilgrims at Arafat, standing in supplication from after Dhuhr until sunset is the central pillar of Hajj.
Eid al-Adha and the Days of Tashriq
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and distribute the meat. The days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, and 13th) are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah. It is prohibited to fast on Eid day and the days of Tashriq.