The tradition of moon sighting
Following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (on him be peace), Muslims have historically marked the beginning and end of each month in the Islamic calendar by observing the lunar crescent immediately following sunset with the naked eye.
Each Muslim community typically differs in their practice and acceptance of moon sighting, as well as on who is allowed to be an authority. Because of this, many communities celebrate Islamic holidays and seasons, like Dhul Hijjah, on different days from each other.
In the modern age, Muslims have also taken to using astronomical calculations in place of physical moon sighting, though the latter is still seen as more religiously valid.
The importance of Dhul Hijjah
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah mark the yearly Hajj pilgrimage that Muslims make as one of the five pillars of Islam.
During Hajj, Muslims pray and reenact acts of worship committed by the Prophet Abraham and his wife Hajar thousands of years ago, in what is considered the origins of the Abrahamic faiths — Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
As part of Hajj season, whether one makes the Hajj during Dhul Hijjah or not, Muslims also give qurbani, an animal sacrifice that commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his firstborn son, Ishmael, for God’s pleasure.
The meat of the qurbani sacrifice (also called udhiyah) is then given to the poor on Eid al-Adha, at the end of the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, as a means of including them in festivities and promoting their well-being.
The acts of worship during Dhul Hijjah 2024 will again remind Muslims of their commitment to God and their duty to physically and metaphorically sacrifice their Qurbani 2024 for His sake.
The timing of Dhul Hijjah 2024
Dhul Hijjah 2024 is expected to begin during the evening of Thursday, June 6, 2024, and end during the evening of Saturday, June 15, 2024. The first ten nights of the month, from the evening of Thursday, June 6, 2024 until the evening of Saturday, June 11, 2024 are expected to be the 10 holy days of Hajj, with Eid al-Adha expected to be celebrated the day of Sunday, June 12, 2024.