ذُو الْحِجَّة
The Sacred Month of
Zulhijjah
The Season of Devotion & Sacrifice
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What is Zulhijjah?
Zulhijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar — one of the four sacred months in which Allah has multiplied rewards and elevated the sanctity of time itself. Its name means “The Month of Hajj”, for it is in these blessed days that pilgrims from across the earth gather at Makkah to fulfil one of Islam’s greatest pillars.
The First Ten Days
The Prophet ﷺ declared these among the most beloved days to Allah in all of creation:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
— Hadith, Sahih Bukhari
Allah swears by these days in the Qur’an — Surah Al-Fajr (89:1-2) — “By the dawn, and by the ten nights.” Scholars of tafsir unanimously agree these refer to the first ten nights of Zulhijjah — an oath that signals their immense spiritual weight.
9th
Yawm Arafah
The greatest day — fasting expiates sins of two years
10th
Eid al-Adha
Feast of Sacrifice — Qurban & global celebration
11–13
Ayyam Tashreeq
Days of eating, drinking & remembrance of Allah
8–12
Days of Hajj
The great pilgrimage — peak of a Muslim’s life
The first ten days of Zulhijjah are so sacred that even the most devout worship in Ramadan cannot exceed the reward of worship during these days combined with good deeds — according to many scholars.
Ibrahim & Ismail ﷺ — The Ultimate Test
The story at the heart of Zulhijjah is one of the most profound in all of human history — a father’s unshakeable love for Allah, a son’s luminous obedience, and a moment that echoes through every Eid al-Adha to this day.
The Dream
Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ received a vision — a divine command in his sleep to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail ﷺ. In Islam, the dreams of Prophets carry the weight of revelation. This was not imagination. It was the will of Allah.
“And when he reached the age of running with him, he said: O my son, I have seen in a dream that I sacrifice you. So look, what do you think?”
— Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat (37:102)
The Son’s Answer
Ismail ﷺ, a young man still, heard words no child should ever hear from their father. Yet his response was not fear, not protest — it was a declaration of perfect faith that stunned the heavens:
“O my father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.”
— Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat (37:102)
These words — “do what you have been commanded” — are perhaps the most perfect expression of tawakkul (trust in Allah) in the entire Qur’an. He did not ask why. He asked only to be made steadfast.
Shaytaan’s Interference
As they walked toward Mina, Shaytaan appeared three times — first to Ibrahim ﷺ, then to Hajar, then to Ismail ﷺ — whispering doubts and temptation. Each time, they repelled him with stones. This act is commemorated in Hajj to this day as the Rami al-Jamarat — the stoning of the pillars.
The Moment of Submission
Father and son arrived at the place of sacrifice. Ibrahim ﷺ laid his son down. He turned Ismail’s face away — some narrations say so the father would not lose his resolve seeing his child’s face. He placed the knife to his son’s throat. He aslama — he surrendered, completely, to Allah.
“And when they had both submitted (to Allah’s will), and he had laid him down upon his forehead…”
— Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat (37:103)
Allah’s Response
At the decisive moment, a call descended from the heavens. Allah had witnessed all He needed to witness — not a slaughter of flesh, but the complete surrender of two hearts. Ibrahim ﷺ had already fulfilled the dream in spirit.
“We called to him: O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.”
— Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat (37:104–107)
A ram was sent from Jannah — described by some scholars as the very ram that Habil (Abel) had once offered to Allah. It was sacrificed in Ismail’s stead. And from this divine exchange was born the tradition of Qurban — the sacrifice we perform on every Eid al-Adha.
The Legacy
Allah bestowed upon Ibrahim ﷺ the title Khalilullah — the Intimate Friend of God. He was also named Abul Anbiya — Father of Prophets. His lineage through Ismail ﷺ led to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the seal of all prophets.
“And We left for him (favourable mention) among later generations: Peace upon Ibrahim.”
— Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat (37:108–109)
Virtuous Deeds in Zulhijjah
These are the deeds the scholars and sunnah most emphasise in the blessed first ten days and beyond.
1
Fast the first 9 days — especially the 9th (Day of Arafah). Fasting on Arafah expiates the sins of two years — the previous and the coming.
2
Increase Takbeer, Tahmeed & Tahleel — reciting Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah, and La ilaha illa Allah abundantly from the 1st to the 13th of Zulhijjah.
3
Perform Qurban (Udhiyyah) — the sacrifice of an animal on Eid al-Adha. Its blood reaches Allah before it even touches the ground.
4
Offer extra voluntary prayers — Tahajjud, Duha, and Nawafil salah during these sacred nights and days carry amplified reward.
5
Read & reflect on Quran — especially Surah As-Saffat (the chapter of Ibrahim & Ismail’s story) and Surah Al-Hajj.
6
Give Sadaqah generously — charity in these days multiplies in ways we cannot fathom. Feed the poor, sponsor an orphan, fund a sacrifice for someone who cannot afford it.
7
Refrain from cutting hair & nails — those intending Qurban should abstain from the 1st of Zulhijjah until after the sacrifice, emulating the state of a pilgrim in Hajj.
اَللهُ أَكْبَر، اَللهُ أَكْبَر، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَر، اَللهُ أَكْبَر، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.”
The Deeper Meaning
The sacrifice is not about the animal — it never was. Allah says clearly in the Qur’an:
“Their flesh will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but your piety will reach Him.”
— Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj (22:37)
What Allah seeks is the sincerity of the act — are we willing to give up what we love most for His sake? That is the question Zulhijjah asks each one of us, every year.
Reflect & Remember
Test what you’ve learned and deepen your understanding of this blessed month.
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