The sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur'an, a time divinely designated for heightened devotion, multiplied reward, and deep reflection.
These are the days when the believer is called to remember Allah more, sacrifice more sincerely, and submit more completely. From the first ten days -described by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the most beloved days for righteous deeds -to the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha, each moment holds the potential to transform your heart and elevate your Hereafter.
The Qur'an calls you, wherever you are, to realign, reconnect, and return to your Lord. Whether you're standing on the plains of Arafat or sitting quietly at home, these days are a gateway to nearness.
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve -in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth -of which four are sacred” At-Tawbah 9:36 Among these, Dhul-Hijjah holds unique weight, as it combines sacred time with sacred acts. Just as Makkah is a sacred place where both good and bad deeds carry amplified consequences, these sacred months demand heightened awareness and reverence. Dhul-Hijjah calls us to elevate our consciousness, avoid wrongdoing, and fill our days with acts of devotion and justice.
The Quran emphasizes the importance of remembering Allah during these sacred days:
"And remember Allah during ˹these˺ appointed days." Al-Baqarah 2:203
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are especially blessed—so much so that Allah swears by them in the Qur'an: "By the dawn. And [by] the ten nights" Al-Fajr 89:1-2. Most scholars agree that these refer to the first ten days of this sacred month.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized their significance, saying, "There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days" (Sahih al-Bukhari 969).
Whether one is undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage or not, these are days to engage in fasting, extra prayers, charity, Quran recitation, and heartfelt reflection. The 9th day, the Day of Arafah, is particularly exalted. On this day, a verse was revealed declaring the perfection of Islam, "Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way. But whoever is compelled by extreme hunger—not intending to sin—then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Al-Ma'idah 5:3.
The Prophet (peace be upon him), when asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafa (9th of Dhu'I-Hijja), he said:" It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year" (Sahih Muslim 1162b). It is a day of unmatched mercy and answered prayers.
A recommended invocation as highlighted in the following hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
"The most excellent dua is the dua on the Day of Arafa, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said, "'There is no god but Allah, alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is all praise and He is Able to do all things. " Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3585/similar Hadith in Muwatta' 726
At the heart of Dhul-Hijjah is the legacy of Hajj - a journey rooted in the submission of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Allah commanded Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saying to him: "Proclaim the Pilgrimage to all people." Al-Hajj 22:27, and to this day, millions respond to that ancient call.
Eid al-Adha, on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, and Allah's mercy in replacing it with a ram As-Saffat 37:107. This legacy of sacrifice and obedience is revived annually through the Qurbani (ritual sacrifice), symbolizing sincere submission and trust in Allah. The following Days of Tashreeq (11th-13th) are marked by joy, remembrance, and the continual praise of Allah, as believers declare "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greater) after each prayer, carrying forward the spirit of devotion and gratitude.
This Dhul-Hijjah, the theme on QuranReflect.com is The Season of Sacrifice.
We've designed tools to help you stay consistent and deepen your understanding of the Quran year round:
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days..." -Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (Bukhari)
So recite. Learn. Reflect. Give. Sacrifice. Submit.
May this Dhul-Hijjah be the beginning of a deeper, lasting connection with Allah and His words.
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