dhu ʾl-hijjah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Religious
Quick answer
What does “dhu ʾl-hijjah” mean?
The twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place.
A sacred month in Islam, marked by major religious observances including the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and the Eid al-Adha festival; often referred to as the 'Month of the Pilgrimage'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term in the same Islamic religious context. Spelling variations in transliteration (e.g., 'Dhu al-Hijjah' vs. 'Dhul Hijjah') are not region-specific.
Connotations
Identical religious and cultural connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to discussions of Islam, religious calendars, and multicultural affairs.
Grammar
How to Use “dhu ʾl-hijjah” in a Sentence
[Event] occurs in Dhu ʾl-Hijjah.Dhu ʾl-Hijjah is the month when [Hajj takes place].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dhu ʾl-hijjah” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Dhu ʾl-Hijjah festivities
- the Dhu ʾl-Hijjah moon
American English
- Dhu ʾl-Hijjah rituals
- the Dhu ʾl-Hijjah period
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts related to holiday closures, travel industry (pilgrimage packages), or finance (Islamic banking months).
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and anthropology papers discussing Islamic rituals and calendars.
Everyday
Used by Muslims when discussing religious plans, holidays, and the Islamic calendar. Uncommon in general secular conversation.
Technical
Used in astronomy for lunar calendar calculations and in religious texts for precise dating of events.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dhu ʾl-hijjah”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dhu ʾl-hijjah”
- Misspelling or mis-transliterating (e.g., 'Dhu al-Hijja', 'Zulhijjah').
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a dhu ʾl-hijjah'). It should be capitalized.
- Pronouncing the 'dh' as a standard /d/ instead of the voiced dental fricative /ð/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Dhu ʾl-Hijjah moves approximately 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian calendar year.
The Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is performed from the 8th to the 12th/13th of the month.
Ramadan is the ninth month, focused on fasting (Sawm). Dhu ʾl-Hijjah is the twelfth month, focused on the pilgrimage (Hajj) and the festival of Eid al-Adha.
Yes, it is a proper noun—the name of a specific month—and should always be capitalized.
The twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place.
Dhu ʾl-hijjah is usually formal/religious in register.
Dhu ʾl-hijjah: in British English it is pronounced /ˌðuː əl ˈhɪdʒə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌðu əl ˈhɪdʒə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Dhu ʾl-Hijjah' has 'Hijjah' in it, which sounds like 'Hajj' – the pilgrimage that happens in this month.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (the recurring sacred month); A MONTH IS A CONTAINER (for major religious events).
Practice
Quiz
What is Dhu ʾl-Hijjah?