"The Virtues and Worship of the Month of Dhul-Qadah. Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchi."

May 3, 2025 09:21 0

Photo: Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchi

Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:

Dhul-Qa'dah is the eleventh month of the Arabic lunar year. It is the second of the three months associated with Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and Dhul-Hijjah) and is paired with Dhul-Hijjah (the month of Hajj). It is also the third of the four sacred (Haram) months. The four sacred months are Muharram (1st month), Rajab (7th month), Dhul-Qa'dah (11th month), and Dhul-Hijjah (12th month). Among the four sacred months, Dhul-Qa'dah marks the beginning of the three consecutive sacred months. Positioned between Eid al-Fitr (Shawwal) and Eid al-Adha (Dhul-Hijjah), this month holds great significance.

A Month of Preparatory Rest for Worship

The actual Arabic name of the month is Dhul-Qa'dah. In Persian, it is called Zilqadah; in Urdu, Zilqad; and in Bengali, it takes the form Zilkad. Dhul-Qa'dah or Zilkad means "to sit" or "to settle," signifying a time of rest. The four months preceding Dhul-Qa'dah (Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal) are intensely busy with continuous acts of worship. For example:

  • Rajab is the month of Allah, a time for cultivating the land of worship and increasing voluntary acts of devotion.

  • Sha'ban is the month of the Prophet (PBUH), a time for sowing the seeds of worship, including the observance of Nisf Sha'ban (Shab-e-Barat) and abundant voluntary fasting and prayers.

  • Ramadan is the month of the Ummah, a time for harvesting spiritual rewards through obligatory fasting, Taraweeh prayers, night prayers (Qiyam al-Layl), and engaging in Quranic recitation.

  • Shawwal is the month of Eid al-Fitr, Sadaqat al-Fitr, and the six recommended Sunnah fasts.

Similarly, the two months following Dhul-Qa'dah (Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram) are also filled with worship:

  • Dhul-Hijjah is the month of Hajj, Eid al-Adha, and sacrifice.

  • Muharram is the month of Ashura.

Thus, just as the four months before Dhul-Qa'dah are filled with worship, the two months after it also demand intense devotion. In between lies Dhul-Qa'dah—a month of rest, allowing believers a brief respite. Hence, its name Dhul-Qa'dah (the month of sitting/rest).

A Historical Month of Avoiding Sin

With Eid al-Fitr (the festival of fasting) having passed and Eid al-Adha (the festival of sacrifice) approaching, Dhul-Qa'dah stands in between as a month with no specific obligatory (Fardh), necessary (Wajib), or highly recommended (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) acts of worship. Thus, it is known as the month of rest. Historically, during this time, Arabs would return from trade and abstain from warfare, making it a period of rest. Due to seasonal changes, locals had little work, and according to Arab tradition, they refrained from conflict and sinful acts (such as drinking alcohol). These factors also contributed to the name Dhul-Qa'dah (Lisan al-Arab, Ibn Manzur).

A Believer’s Gift: Worship in Leisure

Dhul-Qa'dah is Allah’s gift for rest after months of intense worship. It serves as a preparatory break to regain strength for the upcoming two months of devotion. Just as the two months before Ramadan (Rajab and Sha'ban) include voluntary fasts and extra prayers to prepare for Ramadan, Dhul-Qa'dah offers a similar opportunity.

A Hadith states that in the Hereafter, the righteous will regret only the time they spent without worship, wishing they had filled every moment with good deeds to draw closer to Allah. (Surah Inshirah 7-8).

Time: The Capital of Life

Time is the most valuable asset in human life. Wasting it is unwise. Allah says:
"By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, advise one another to truth, and advise one another to patience." (Surah Al-Asr 1-3).

A Hadith advises: "Take advantage of five before five: your youth before old age, your health before sickness, your wealth before poverty, your free time before becoming busy, and your life before death." (Muslim, Tirmidhi).

Another Hadith states: "On the Day of Judgment, no person will move until they answer five questions: How they spent their life, how they utilized their youth, how they earned their wealth, how they spent it, and whether they acted upon their knowledge." (Tirmidhi).

Acts of Worship in Dhul-Qa'dah

Recommended acts for Dhul-Qa'dah include:

  • Observing voluntary fasts on the 1st, 10th, 20th, 29th, and 30th of the month.

  • Fasting on the 13th, 14th, and 15th (Ayyam al-Beed).

  • Fasting every Monday and Thursday (Sunnah of the Prophet).

  • Optional fasting on Fridays.

  • Performing Salat al-Tasbih and additional voluntary prayers (Tahajjud, Ishraq, Duha, Awwabin).

  • Increasing Quran recitation, charity, and preparing for Hajj and Qurbani (sacrifice).

May Allah grant us the ability to act upon these teachings. Ameen.

Author: Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchi, Renowned Islamic Thinker, Writer, and Columnist. Former Imam and Khateeb, Kadamtoli Mazar Jame Masjid, Sylhet.

Daily Bijoy News / Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchi