Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin on Monday 28 May 2025
This is dependent on the sighting of the moon and so may begin on 28th May if the moon is sighted. The dates suggested here are on the assumption that the moon is sighted and Dhul Hijjah declared for the following day. The day of Arafah will be Thursday 5th June and the day of Eid ul Adha will be Friday 6th June 2025.
The Islamic Calendar consists of twelve months. Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth month. It is determined by the sighting of the new moon.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are considered the most virtuous days of the year.
Allah has chosen certain places and certain times as being more preferable than others. He has chosen Makkah as a more virtuous place than Madina; and Madina more virtuous that Al Quds; and Al Quds more virtuous than elsewhere. He has also chosen the month of Ramadan as more virtuous than other months and has chosen the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah as the most virtuous days, over all other days.
Allah swears by these ten days in the Qur’an.
By the dawn; By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah) [89:1-2]
The ten nights’ refers to the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. This was said by Ibn `Abbas, Ibn Zubayr, Mujahid and others among the Salaf and the latter generations. [Tafseer ibn Katheer]
The prophet (peace be upon him) also explained about the great virtue of these nights.
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.86]
These days are even more virtuous than the last ten days and nights of Ramadan, except that the last ten nights of Ramadan have in them the ‘Night of Power’ which is worth a thousand month.
One of the reasons why these days are special is because the also coincide with the Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj cannot be done at any other time.
The ninth of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah contains the Day of Arafah, which is the day in which the pilgrims make their way up to the mount of mercy and seek forgiveness, supplicating to Allah until sunset. This is a critical part of the Hajj, and whoever misses it has missed the Hajj.
This day is also significant because it was the day in which Allah completed the religion for us.
This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [5:3]
This was revealed on the day of Arafah.
Tariq bin Shihab said, “A Jewish man said to `Umar bin Al-Khattab, `O Leader of the Believers! There is a verse in your Book, which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration.’ `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, `Which is that verse’ The Jew replied, (This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you…) `Umar replied, `By Allah! I know when and where this verse was revealed to Allah’s Messenger. It was the evening on the Day of `Arafah on a Friday.’’’ [Al Jami’ al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3043] (sahih)
The tenth of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha
The tenth day of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha, which is the second Eid festival in the Islamic Calendar.
It is also called the day of sacrifice because it is the day in which a sacrifice is made. This is similar to the sacrifice that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) offered.
Those who are performing the Hajj pilgrimage undertake a variety of rituals including a sacrifice.