Because of the pandemic, how we celebrate and mark even the most sacred of festivals has been far from normal on the account of social restrictions. Muslim families relied on video calls and other forms of communication to stay connected to mark Eid ul-Adha in 2020 and, while it was great that we could at least see our loved ones in some form at the height of a global pandemic, it just wasn’t the same.
There are a number of auspicious days during the Islamic year, but there is one day that is considered the holiest of them all, and that is the Day of Arafah which falls during Dhul Hijjah, just before Qurbani. Without performing Arafah the Hajj is not complete.
In the lunar calendar, Dhul Hijjah occurs at the end, making it the last month of the Islamic year. This month is extremely important as Allah (SWT) has immensely blessed it. The believers who engage with good practices and avoid sins are eligible in obtaining these many blessings and rewards.
The 12th lunar month is known in Islam as Dhul Hijjah and is the holiest of all the months. Within this month the Hajj takes place, as do Qurbani and Eid al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) designated the 12th month as a time of worship and reflection, and it is during this time that Muslims must fulfil their religious obligation to partake in Hajj – the fifth pillar of Islam.
