Dhul Hijjah 2018 is due to begin on either Sunday the 12th August or Monday the 13th of August.

Dhul Hijjah 2018 will be officially determined by the sighting of the new moon. The Islamic month encompasses significant religious reverence. During the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims are advised to increase their acts of goodness and spirituality to reap the rewards of this exalted period.

A Background to Dhul Hijjah

The word “Dhul Hijjah” can be translated to “Month of Pilgrimage”. During the month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims perform the Hajj.

In  Surat Al-Fajr, Allah says:

“By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights.” (Qur’an 89:1-2)

According to many scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

During this month, Muslims around the world are excited and happy. Millions of Muslims will be travel to Makkah to pursue Hajj. 

The Ten Days serve a reminder to worship and reflect upon the value of life. Islam has emphasised upon the virtue of these days. They are special because they contain significant Islamic events. Such as the history of the prophet Ibrahim, the pilgrimage to Makkah  and the celebratory days of Eid.

Whoever is not able to go to Hajj during Dhul Hijjah should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds. These can include anything. Such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. It is also important to enhance our obligatory acts of worship.

For those of us who have not yet completed the pilgrimage of Hajj, this is an ideal time to make duaa that Allah grants us the opportunity to do so.

The Virtue of Istighfaar During The 10 Days

Our Prophet  said: “There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days. So recite a great deal of tahleel,  takbeer  and tahmeed during them.” (Ahmad)

• Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)

• Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)

• Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God).

Do not forget to send your Qurban this year.  Islamic Relief aims to distribute Qurban in 34 countries to over 3 million people in the month of Dhul Hijjah 2018.

On the behalf of the Islamic Relief Team, we pray your 10 days of Dhul Hijjah will be full of prayers, prosperity and blessings.