Importance of the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah.

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Dhu-al-Hijjah is the last month of an Islamic lunar calendar and holds great spiritual significance for Muslims. It’s one of those months that are exceptionally rewarding in terms of their spirituality and possess great religious association. The reason being, the last pillar of the Islamic faith i.e., the Hajj pilgrimage gets observed during this time by millions of Muslims travelling through umrah packages 2023 by Baitullah Travel.

Dhu-al-Hijjah is a word of Arabic origin that literally translates to the meaning "Possessor of the Pilgrimage’ or ‘The Month of the Pilgrimage’. Since the obligatory pilgrimage of Hajj pilgrimage gets performed in this month, that’s why it’s called as Dhu-al-Hijjah.
Here’s a brief description of the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah.
Performance of Hajj.
Hajj is the last yet one of the most significant and essential pillars of Islam. Performance of Hajj remains obligatory for every Muslim, if he/she remains physically, mentally as well as financially capable of it.

Though the days of hajj are only a few, five to be exact, Muslims start gathering in the holy city of Makkah early and offer other Nafal/sunnah Ibadah during that time. The rituals of hajj commence from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah during which pilgrims visit a lot of different places for hajj rituals. The primary
rituals of Hajj include;

• Assuming Ihram and intending the Niyyah for Hajj.
• Traveling and staying in the Mina region.
• Wuqoof at Mount Arafat.
• Offering Prayers in Muzdalifah.
• Rami-al-Jamarat in Mina.
• Nahr/Hady i.e., sacrificing an animal.
• Halq/Taqsir.
• Tawaf of the Holy Kaabah.
• Sayee of Safah and Marwah hills.
• Stoning of the devil i.e., Rami on the 11th and 12th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah, again.
• Observing the Farewell Tawaf.
Celebration of Eid-al-Adha all around the world.
One of the most historically important events that happened in the history of Islam during Dhu-al-Hijjah is when Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), upon the command of Allah Almighty, got ready to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS). It was indeed a test for Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and he succeeded in it.
So, to remember this great sacrifice, Muslims all around the world celebrate Eid-al-Adha with great zeal and passion. As a matter of fact, it's Wajib for an able Muslim to sacrifice an animal i.e., goat, camel, or cow for Eid-al-Adha. Then, distributing its meat among the poor and needy, as well as keeping some for himself (3 equal parts).
For pilgrims observing Hajj, it’s also one of the necessary rituals of Hajj pilgrimage to perform Hady/Nahr (sacrificing an animal). Otherwise, Hajj is incomplete.
Annual changing of Kiswah.
One of the most important events of Islam that happen during the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah is the annual changing of ‘Kiswah’. Kiswah refers to the black-colored protective clothing or robe with which Holy Kaabah remains covered all the year.
Kiswah gets made from pure silk and threads of gold; changed every year during the second day of Hajj i.e., the 9th of Dhu-al-Hijjah.
These are some of the important facts to know about the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah.