Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest months on the Islamic calendar. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the Holy Month of Dhul Hijjah and the significance of the first ten days.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!Did you know that nearly 1.7 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2025 alone? Dhul Hijjah is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims worldwide.
In this article, I’ll explain its significance, when it will occur in 2026, and share more about the ten days of Arafah.
Dhul Hijjah is an annual observance that falls in the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims make their way to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Also known as the “month of the pilgrimage,” Dhul Hijjah is considered one of the four holiest months of the year, along with Muharram, Dhul-Qa’dah, and Rajab.
Once Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage – the journey to Mecca – they celebrate Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. Since it is one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims are expected to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime, if they can.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are considered the holiest and most virtuous days of the year – even more so than Ramadan.
In fact, the Holy Quran states that the Prophet Muhammad proclaimed that no righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those performed during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. These ten days are also called the “ten days of Arafah.”
During this time, blessings and rewards are multiplied, and sins are forgiven. It is also considered a second chance for Muslims to seek spiritual renewal and strengthen their relationship with Allah if they feel their efforts were insufficient during Ramadan.
Muslims commit to increased prayer, fasting, sadaqah (charity), reflection, and seeking forgiveness of sins during the ten days of Arafah. Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is also a sign of increased devotion during this time.
But the most virtuous deed of all is to perform the Hajj, and it is encouraged for those who can do so.
Fasting is especially important on the Day of Arafah (the ninth day), as it is said to increase spiritual redemption and the forgiveness of past and future sins.
Muslims who perform the Hajj stand on the plains of Arafah in Mecca on this day. They fast, worship, and seek atonement for sins.
The Day of Arafah is also significant as it is the day that Allah perfected the religion of Islam, which is why it is considered the holiest day of the year.
On the tenth day, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. This day commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s ultimate devotion to Allah through the Qurbani (sacrifice) of his son, Ismail. Eid al-Adha signifies the completion of the Hajj at the time of Qurbani.
This is why Eid al-Adha is a time of profound sacrifice and generosity seen through increased sadaqah toward the less fortunate.
Once Eid prayers – called Eid salaah – have taken place on the morning of Eid, the act of Qurbani takes place.
During Qurbani, an animal is slaughtered to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The Qurbani meat is split equally into three portions for family, friends, and the less fortunate.
Dhul Hijjah is the ideal time to invest greatly in faith and worship. Muslims prepare themselves for spiritual renewal and receive increased blessings through fasting, which teaches patience, tolerance, and sacrifice.
Through increased acts of worship – including repentance, charitable giving, good deeds, and prayer – Muslims are washed clean of their sins and prepare for the eternal reward of entering Jannah (paradise).
Below, I’ll share four ways to show generosity and participate in Dhul Hijjah in 2026.
Offer sadaqah – a voluntary form of charity – through monetary donations, acts of service or kindness, and in-kind donations.
Muslims give sadaqah out of the goodness of their heart, with no expectation of anything in return.
Learn how to make it easy for the ummah (Muslim community) to give sadaqah faithfully as a Muslim charity in this blog post.
All Muslims who are able must offer Qurbani to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim and abide by the wishes of Allah.
Qurbani of a livestock animal must be divided into three equal parts, with one part being donated to the less fortunate.
Give Qurbani donations to the poor after the Eid call to prayer on Eid al-Adha. Alternatively, donate to an Islamic organization that distributes Qurbani amongst the poor.
Qurbani prices vary from country to country, and even city to city. In some places, a Qurbani donation covers the price of a smaller livestock animal, such as a goat or sheep. In others, the donation covers one-seventh of a larger animal, such as a cow.
Do your research on local Qurbani prices to find one that suits your budget. If you opt for a cheaper Qurbani price and can increase your share, you are encouraged to do so to receive multiplied blessings from Allah while feeding more of the needy.
Some Islamic charities also include a Qurbani calculator to help you calculate the amount to give.
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and an obligation of every qualifying Muslim. As a form of sadaqah, zakat assists the less fortunate and purifies the wealth of Muslims who give it.
Zakat and zakat al-fitr differ based on when they are due, who is eligible to pay it, and how they are calculated. For zakat, if your wealth exceeds the nisab threshold (based on the market value of gold) within one lunar year, you must give away 2.5% of your excess wealth to the less fortunate.
You can donate your zakat to a trustworthy Muslim charity, like the one shown below:
Bonus resource: Use this zakat calculator to work out how much you need to give.
Crowdfunding campaigns are a great way to raise the funds needed to perform the Hajj – especially if you face financial constraints.
Collect funds from your community through a customizable crowdfunding campaign hosted for free on fundraising platforms like Donorbox. Include your fundraising story and visuals to inspire generosity – along with a goal meter that showcases what you need to reach your revenue goal.
Use features like a virtual donor wall to provide social proof, acknowledge top supporters, and encourage others to donate.
Supporters can also share your campaign on social media using social sharing buttons to help you reach a wider network.
Learn how to start a crowdfunding campaign in this blog post.
Raise Funds for the Hajj with a Crowdfunding Campaign
Below are four easy ways for Islamic charities to simplify giving for the ummah by accepting donations online or in person.
Make giving easy this Dhul Hijjah with a branded online donation form that allows your supporters to donate using their preferred payment method.
Include designations so donors can give various forms of charity, including zakat and Qurbani. Remember to acknowledge every gift you receive by sending automated receipts to donors.
Include up to four giving intervals on your donation form. Add recurring options to increase sustainable support for your mission – daily giving is especially popular during the Ten Days of Arafah.
See how the MAS Bronx Muslim Center automates daily giving during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah:
Platforms like Donorbox offer plenty of donation interval options: choose from one-time, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, 1st and 15th, monthly, quarterly, or annual.
Provide your supporters with an easy way to repeat their gifts and receive multiplied blessings during Dhul Hijjah.
For example, Donorbox QuickDonate™ lets your donors give again in one click by logging in to their Donor Portal, selecting their last gift, and repeating it. This streamlines the donation experience and helps you raise more funds.
Tip: Donor portals enable supporters to pause, change, or cancel their recurring donations. Educate your donors about how they can update their recurring donation plans at any time so they feel empowered to set up recurring gifts.
Hold an in-person fundraising event to encourage charitable giving during the Holy Month of Dhul Hijjah in 2026. This increases donations to your Islamic organization so the less fortunate can join the Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Use an event ticketing software to promote your event and sell tickets online. Create a brand-aligned online event page containing relevant details, include tax-deductible amounts for tickets, add unlimited ticket tiers, and offer promo codes to increase sales.
Tip: Streamline your planning by collecting donor information during ticket purchases, assigning individual tickets to attendees, and streamlining guest check-in.
Download this free resource for expert tips on how to create a successful event this Dhul Hijjah:
Take your in-person fundraising event or Friday prayers to the next level by including a donation kiosk to accept cashless donations when the ummah feels moved to give.
Donors can give using their credit/debit cards and digital wallets. Place your giving kiosk at the entry and exit points of your mosque to make giving easy and convenient.
In-person fundraising software like Donorbox Live™ turns your tablet or smartphone into a donation kiosk. Include donation designations like Qurbani, sadaqah, and zakat so supporters can indicate where their donation should go.
Watch this video to learn how the Islamic Center of Passaic County used Donorbox Live to raise over $40,000.
Dhul Hijjah is an important time of spiritual renewal and worship. It’s also a time of increased charity and good deeds.
As Muslims partake in Dhul Hijjah in 2026, Islamic organizations should offer convenient online and in-person fundraising solutions.
Donorbox has helped more than 100,000 organizations – including Islamic organizations – raise a collective $3 billion and counting. Explore all the fundraising features that help organizations like yours raise more funds.
Sign up to start fundraising in minutes.
For more helpful articles to grow your Islamic fundraising, head over to the Nonprofit Blog.
The sighting of the moon will determine when Dhul Hijjah starts, but it’s expected to begin on May 18, 2026. Day of Arafah – the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah – is predicted to fall on May 26, 2026, followed by Eid al-Adha, which is expected to fall on May 27, 2026.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are also called the “Ten Days of Arafah” and are considered to be the holiest and most sacred days of the year. Muslims commit to increased prayer, fasting, charitable acts, reflection, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage (if they are able to). Blessings and rewards are multiplied, and sins are forgiven.
Jamy-Lee has over 7 years of experience in copywriting and content marketing. With a background in volunteering, she now uses her passion for writing to help accelerate the all-important missions of nonprofits worldwide.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest blogs, news, and more in your inbox.
