Dhul Hijjah 2026 Start Date in Saudi Arabia
Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH began in Saudi Arabia on Monday, May 18, 2026, after the Supreme Court confirmed sighting of the new crescent moon on the evening of Sunday, May 17. Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, and it’s arguably the most consequential one — it’s the month of Hajj, the Day of Arafah, and Eid al-Adha, all packed into its first ten days.
How the start date was confirmed
Like every Hijri month, Dhul Hijjah doesn’t begin on a fixed date — it starts when the crescent moon following Dhul Qa’dah is actually sighted. On the 29th night of Dhul Qa’dah, moon-sighting committees across Saudi Arabia looked for the new crescent. Sighting reports came in on May 17, and the Supreme Court’s ruling body confirmed the month had begun, setting 1 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH as May 18, 2026 on the Gregorian calendar.
Because this relies on an actual sighting rather than a pre-fixed calculation, the exact start date typically isn’t locked in until that final evening, even though astronomers can forecast it closely in advance.
Why the first ten days matter so much
Dhul Hijjah is one of the four sacred months in Islam, and its opening ten days are singled out in the Quran and hadith as among the best days of the year to do good — more valuable, according to a well-known hadith, than even jihad in some circumstances (except for someone who goes out with their life and wealth and returns with neither). Many Muslims mark these days with extra prayer, charity, and — for those not on Hajj — a recommended fast, especially on the 9th day.
Key dates in Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH (2026)
- 1 Dhul Hijjah: Monday, May 18, 2026 — start of the month
- 8 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah): Monday, May 25, 2026 — pilgrims move to Mina
- 9 Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah): Tuesday, May 26, 2026 — the central rite of Hajj, and a recommended fast day for non-pilgrims
- 10 Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha): Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — the Festival of Sacrifice
- 11-13 Dhul Hijjah (Tashreeq): May 28-30, 2026
Frequently asked questions
When did Dhul Hijjah start in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
Monday, May 18, 2026, after the crescent moon was sighted on May 17.
Does Dhul Hijjah always start on the same date each year?
No. Since the Hijri calendar is lunar and roughly 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year, Dhul Hijjah — like every Hijri month — starts about that much earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar.
What’s special about fasting on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah?
Fasting on the Day of Arafah is widely narrated to expiate the sins of the past year and the coming year for those observing it, and it’s one of the most commonly practiced voluntary fasts outside of Ramadan.
