Overview

Zul Hijjah is the last month in the Islamic Calendar, and the month in which Hajj is performed .It is also the month in which Eid-ul-Adha takes place, and is the month in which we make a sacrifice to Allah (Qurbani).

The First Ten Days of Zul Hijjah

• One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of complete year.
• One night of worship during this period is equal to the worship during Lailatul Qadr.

Youmul 'Arafah

This is the date when the Hujjaj assemble on the plain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al Mukkaramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of Hajj, namely the 'Wuqoof of 'Arafat (Stay in 'Arafat).

• For those not performing Hajj, it is Mustahabb (advisable) to fast on this day.
• The fast of this day becomes a cause of forgiveness for sins committed in one year.

Takbir-ut-Tashriq

From Fajr of the 9th of Zul Hijjah to Asr of the 13 of Zul Hijjah it is obligatory to recite this Takbir: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa Lillahilhamd" اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

• It is obligatory to recite this takbir after every obligatory salah.
• It is commendable, but not obligatory on women.
• Whether performing salah individually or with Jamaat, this Takbir is obligatory.
• Males should recite it in a loud voice, and females in a low voice.

Qurbani

• Qurbani is only permissible during the three days of Eid, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th of the month of Zul Hijjah.
• It is preferable to perform it on the first day of Eid-ul-Adha
• No Qurbani is allowed before the Eid prayer, except in small villages where the Eid prayer is not performed.
• Every adult Muslim, male or female, who owns 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent in money, personal ornaments, stocks, or any other form of wealth which is surplus to his/her basic needs is obligated to perform Qurbani.
• Every adult member of a household who themselves owns the above amount must perform Qurbani separately.
• There is no alternate for Qurbani, just as it is not permissible to perform salah instead of fasting in the month of Ramadan, so too is Qurbani an independent form of worship whose obligation cannot be discharged by spending it's equivalent amount in charity.
• Only eligible animals are permissible for Qurbani.

Hajj

The most important way of worship performed in this month is Hajj. Hajj is one of the four pillars of Islam. Muslims from all parts of the world assemble in Arabia to perform this unique way of worship.

• Hajj is obligatory on every adult Muslim who can afford to go to Makkah during hajj season.
• If a person can travel to Makkah but not Madinah, Hajj is still obligatory on him. He can perform Hajj without visiting Madinah
• A Muslim woman cannot travel for hajj unless she is accompanied by a mahram. If she cannot find a mahram, Hajj is not obligatory for her until she finds a mahram.
• Hajj is only obligatory once in one's life. After performing obligatory hajj; all other hajj performed are nafl hajj.