Dhul Qadah Month

What Month Is Dhul Qadah?

Dhul Qadah is the eleventh month (11) of the Hijri lunar calendar. It comes after Shawwal and directly before Dhul Hijjah — the month of Hajj.

The four sacred months in Islam and their order in the Hijri calendar:

 Discover all 12 months of the Islamic Hijri calendar →

Dhul Qadah 2026 Dates

Dhul Qadah 1447 AH began on Sunday, 19 April 2026 and ends on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

⚠️ The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia officially announced Sunday 19 April 2026 as the first day of Dhul Qadah 1447 AH, after the crescent was not sighted on Friday evening and Shawwal was completed as 30 days. Dates may differ by one day depending on your country's moon sighting methodology.

What Does "Dhul Qadah" Mean?

The name comes from the Arabic root "Qu'ood" (قعود), meaning rest or sitting still.

It was named so because the ancient Arabs would cease all fighting and travelling during this month — a truce observed even before Islam, to allow safe passage for those heading to Makkah. This tradition was preserved and given deeper spiritual meaning in Islam.

In short: Dhul Qadah is literally "the month of sitting still" — a time to pause, reflect, and prepare spiritually before the sacred season of Hajj.

Why Is Dhul Qadah a Sacred Month?

In the Quran

"Indeed, the number of months with Allāh is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allāh [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong yourselves during them."

Quran.com — Surah At-Tawbah 9:36

"[Battle in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is with those who fear Him."

Quran.com — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:194 — the sacred month referred to here is Dhul Qadah

In the Hadith

The Prophet ﷺ said during his farewell Hajj sermon: "The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: three are in succession — Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram — and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumada and Sha'ban."

Narrated by Abu Bakrah | Sahih Bukhari 3197 | Also narrated in Sahih Muslim (1679) and Sunan Abu Dawud (1947)

This sacred status means two things for every Muslim:

• Good deeds carry greater reward during Dhul Qadah — acts of worship are multiplied in their blessing.
• Sins carry greater weight — making it a time to be especially mindful and to seek forgiveness.

 Read also: The Virtues of Rajab — the standalone sacred month →

Historical Events in Dhul Qadah

The Appointment of Musa (Moses) عليه السلام

Allah says: "And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, 'Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters.'" [Al-A'raf: 142]

The majority of Quranic commentators — including Mujahid, Masruq, and Ibn Jurayj, with a narration attributed to Ibn Abbas — hold that the thirty nights are the month of Dhul Qadah, and the ten that completed forty were the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Battle of Badr al-Maw'id — 4th year after Hijrah

Abu Sufyan had promised the Muslims a rematch after Uhud, set for Dhul Qadah one year later — but he did not come. The Muslims had prepared and set out in full readiness, demonstrating the steadfastness and courage of the believers.

Battle of the Trench & Banu Quraydhah — 5th year after Hijrah

The Battle of Khandaq took place in Dhul Qadah, when a coalition of tribes marched on Madinah with an army of 10,000. The Prophet ﷺ ordered the digging of a defensive trench around the city. The same year saw the campaign against Banu Quraydhah.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah — 6th year after Hijrah

The Prophet ﷺ and his companions set out to perform Umrah in Dhul Qadah. Prevented from entering Makkah by the Quraysh, they negotiated a peace treaty. Though it appeared unfavourable at first, the Quran described it as a "clear victory" (Surah Al-Fath 48:1) — a landmark turning point in Islamic history.

Summary: Dhul Qadah is a month rich in prophetic history — from the appointment of Moses to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. It is a great month that deserves preparation and increased worship.

Recommended Acts of Worship in Dhul Qadah

There are no obligatory acts specific to Dhul Qadah, but several voluntary acts are highly encouraged:

Voluntary Fasting

Especially on the "white days" (13th, 14th, 15th of the lunar month) and on Mondays and Thursdays. Those who did not complete their six days of Shawwal have an opportunity to do so in Dhul Qadah.

Read: Fasting six days of Shawwal — virtues and rulings →

Umrah in Dhul Qadah

The Prophet ﷺ performed three of his four Umrahs during Dhul Qadah: Umrat al-Hudaybiyyah, Umrat al-Qadaa, and Umrat al-Ji'ranah — his fourth was with his Hajj in Dhul Hijjah. Sheikh Ibn Baz (rahimullah) stated that Umrah in Dhul Qadah is second only to Umrah in Ramadan in virtue.

Quran Recitation

Connecting with the words of Allah during the sacred months brings immense blessings.

Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl)

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night." Narrated by Abu Hurayrah | Sahih Muslim

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to offer thirteen rak'ats at night including Witr, plus two voluntary rak'ats of Fajr. [Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]

Charity (Sadaqah)

The reward for giving is multiplied during the sacred months. Qatadah (rahimullah) said: wrongdoing in the sacred months is far graver than in other months — and generosity is equally multiplied.

Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar)

Since sins carry greater weight in this month, repentance and seeking forgiveness are especially important.

Dhikr and Supplication

Increase remembrance of Allah throughout the day. A recommended dua upon seeing the crescent moon: "Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil-amni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-islam, rabbi wa rabbuka Allah, hilalu rushdin wa khayr."

Check prayer times during Dhul Qadah in your city with Masjidbox One →

FAQ — Dhul Qadah Month

What number month is Dhul Qadah?

Dhul Qadah is the 11th month of the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, coming after Shawwal and directly before Dhul Hijjah.

When does Dhul Qadah 2026 start?

Dhul Qadah 1447 AH began on 19 April 2026, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia. Some countries started on 18 April based on local moon sighting. It ends on 17 May 2026.

What is the meaning of Dhul Qadah?

Dhul Qadah means "the month of sitting still" or "the month of rest" — from the Arabic root Qu'ood (قعود). The ancient Arabs ceased all fighting and travel during this month, a truce preserved and given deeper spiritual meaning in Islam.

Is Dhul Qadah a sacred month?

Yes. Dhul Qadah is one of the four sacred months in Islam, explicitly mentioned in the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah 9:36) and confirmed in Sahih Bukhari (3197). Good deeds carry greater reward and sins carry greater weight during this month.

Is fasting obligatory in Dhul Qadah?

No, there are no obligatory fasts specific to Dhul Qadah. However, voluntary fasting — especially on the white days (13th, 14th, 15th) and on Mondays and Thursdays — is highly recommended.

Did the Prophet ﷺ perform Umrah in Dhul Qadah?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ performed three of his four Umrahs during Dhul Qadah: Umrat al-Hudaybiyyah, Umrat al-Qadaa, and Umrat al-Ji'ranah. His fourth Umrah was performed with his Hajj in Dhul Hijjah. Narrated by Anas ibn Malik via Qatadah | Sahih Bukhari 1654 & Sahih Muslim 1253

What should Muslims do during Dhul Qadah?

Increase voluntary worship: fasting on white days and Mondays/Thursdays, night prayers, Quran recitation, charity, and seeking forgiveness. Avoid sins — their weight is greater during the sacred months. Use this month to spiritually prepare for Dhul Hijjah.