Dhul-Hijjah 2021: Key Dates and Events

Dhul-Hijjah is the final month in the Islamic calendar, the month in which Muslims all over the globe embark on the holy pilgrimage, known as Hajj and offer their Qurbani sacrifices as a showcase of their devotion. The first ten days of this month are very important to worshippers. It’s a time of increased spirituality and an opportunity to earn a lot of rewards through good deeds such as fasting, giving charity, and prayer.

The Dhul-Hijjah 2021 dates are expected to be from July 11 –  August 8, but with the Islamic calendar following a lunar cycle, these dates could be subject to change. The Dhul-Hijjah 2021 dates need to be properly confirmed by the sighting of the new moon, but when they do come around we are truly in for a blessed month.

What Day of Dhul-Hijjah is Hajj?

What day of Dhul-Hijjah is Hajj? Multiple days! This holy pilgrimage starts during the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, and as Hajj begins millions of Muslims from around the world would usually be traveling to Mecca but regrettably, due to COVID-19, only a limited number of people will be allowed to travel.

Despite this, you can still celebrate Dhul-Hijjah at home by participating in good deeds such as giving back to the community, fasting, or volunteering. We will also be participating in this blessed month and sharing facts, figures, and more on our social media, so you can still experience blessings and joy from home!

Dhul-Hijjah and Hajj itself are all about showing our devotion, so even though many of us will be missing out on our pilgrimages for a second year, we can still enjoy this blessed month and the other special days that come along with it like the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha.

When is the Day of Arafah?

The Day of Arafah takes place on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah and is a day filled with fasting and worship. On the Day of Arafah, people who have made the journey to Mecca will gather on Mount Arafat to pray and ask for forgiveness. This is one of the most special events of Hajj and is the final destination for all pilgrims. It is so special in fact, that Hajj without visiting Mount Arafat is considered incomplete.

Although we cannot make the trip to Mecca this year, there are still ways of observing the Day of Arafah from home, such as fasting for the day and other great deeds. “Fasting on the day of Arafah erases the sins from the past and coming years” [Muslim], so it’s important that we know when the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah is to make sure we can fast on the Day of Arafah. In 2021 the Day of Arafah will be celebrated on Thursday July 19!

Dhul-Hijjah, a Time for Qurbani

During the first 10 blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah, we prepare to make our Qurbani sacrifices on the days of Eid al-Adha to show our devotion. The sacrifices Muslims make each Dhul-Hijjah show that they put their faith before everything else and that earthly attachments are trivial in comparison.

Qurbani needs to be carried out according to strict Islamic guidelines, and the animals used need to be healthy and well cared for. As a faith-based organization, we understand the importance of this blessed act and take your Qurbani obligations to heart. Penny Appeal USA have been doing Qurbani around the world for 5 years now, and we take every care when choosing your animal and delivering on your sacrifice.

Make your sacrifice with Penny Appeal USA this Dhul-Hijjah and celebrate Eid al-Adha knowing that your Qurbani is being enjoyed by families in need throughout the world, including right here at home in the US.