Dhu al-Hijjah (ذو الحجة) is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic Calendar. It is also known as Thou al-Hijja.

This is a very sacred month in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the year. It is in this month in which the Hajj Pilgrimage takes place.

"Dhu al-Hijjah" literally means ‘Possesor of the Pilgrimage.’ It is during this month that pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Mecca to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Day of Arafat takes place on the ninth of the month. Eid ul-Adha, the ‘Festival of the Sacrifice,’ begins on the tenth day and ends on the 13th.

[edit] Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Dhu al-Hijjah migrates throughout the seasons. Since the month must begin and end when the moon is sighted, the estimated start and end dates for Dhu al-Hijjah are as follows:

• 1426 AH – First day: January 1, 2006; last day: January 30, 2006
• 1427 AH – First day: December 22, 2006; last day: January 19, 2007 (Due to sightings in Saudi Arabia, Dhu al-Hijjah officially started on December 21, 2006 in Saudi Arabia. Several countries follow Saudi Arabia regarding the implementation of the Islamic Calendar.)
• 1428 AH – First day: December 11, 2007; last day: January 9, 2008 (Due to sightings in Saudi Arabia, Dhu al-Hijjah officially started on December 10, 2007 in Saudi Arabia. Several countries follow Saudi Arabia regarding the implementation of the Islamic Calendar.)
• 1429 AH – First day: November 30, 2008; last day: December 28, 2008

[edit] General Islamic Events

• 09 Dhu al-Hijjah, Day of Arafat
• 10-13 Dhu al-Hijjah, Eid ul-Adha is observed by Muslims on the hajj and around the world in commemoration of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
• 26 Dhu al-Hijjah, death of Caliph Umar

[edit] Islamic Events For Shiites

• 01 Dhu al-Hijjah, Nikah of Ali and Fatimah took place. – (2 years before Hirja)
• 07 Dhu al-Hijjah, death of Shī‘ah Imām, Muhammad al-Bāqir ‐ (114 A.H.)
• 08 Dhu al-Hijjah, Husayn ibn ‘Alī started his journey to Karbalā from Makkah
• 09 Dhu al-Hijjah, death of Muslim ibn ‘Aqīl & Hazrat Hani ibn Urwah(a.s.) in Kufa. It is also a day of supererogatory fasting. – (60 A.H.)
• 15 Dhu al-Hijjah, birth of Twelver Imām, ‘Alī al-Naqī ‐ (214 A.H.) [Disputed date]
• 18 Dhu al-Hijjah, Shī‘ah Muslims celebrate the event of Ghadir Khumm
• 19 Dhu al-Hijjah, Fatimah went to Ali's house after their marriage
• 23 Dhu al-Hijjah, Martyrdom of Hazrat Meesam al‐Tammar(a.r.) – friend of Imam Ali(a.s.) – ( 60 A.H.)
• 24 Dhu al-Hijjah, event of al-Mubahalah took place. (Eid-e-Mubahila)
• 24 Dhu al-Hijjah, Supplication Day and giving of alms with the ring by Imam Ali(a.s.)
• 25 Dhu al-Hijjah, Imam Ali(A.S) accepts to become the Caliph of Islam – (35 A.H.)

[edit] External links

• Islamic-Western Calendar Converter (Based on the Arithmetical or Tabular Calendar)