THE LUNAR MONTH OF DHUL HIJJAH

All Islamic activities are performed following the Lunar Calendar, whose first month is Muharram and the last month is Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth month. As everyone knows that Lunar Calendar month is either of 29 days or 30 days.

The important events which occurred during this month are:

The Nikah of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) with Imam Ali (a.s.)                                        1 Dhul Hijjah

Martyrdom of the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.)                                          7 Dhul Hijjah

The Infallible Imam al-Husayn (a.s.), the King of Martyrs, left Makkah for Karbala       8 Dhul Hijjah

Day of Arafah                                                                                                                     9 Dhul Hijjah

Martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim Ibne Aqil (a.s.), the ambassador of Imam Husayn (a.s.)  10 Dhul Hijjah

Eid-ul-Adha                                                                                                                       10 Dhul Hijjah

Birth Day of the Infallible Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.)                                                           15 Dhul Hijjah

Eid-al-Ghadeer, the Day of Coronation of Imam Ali                                                        18 Dhul Hijjah

Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.) went to the house of Imam Ali                                           19 Dhul Hijjah

Eid-al-Mubahila                                                                                                                25 Dhul Hijjah

In Islam, the birth days of the twelve Infallible Imams are celebrated as Eid which is a joyous occasion.

Similarly, the Martyrdom of the Twelve Infallible Imams is commemorated as the Days of Mourning as they were martyred in the Path of Allah (s.w.)

The Day of Arafat and the Eid-al-Adha form the Days of Hajj, which needs a detailed discussion.

EID-E-GHADEER: On 17 Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H., The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was returning from Makkah along with over 120,000 Muslims after performing last Hajj, when Allah (s.w.t.)’s messenger Jib’raeel descended with Ayah 67 of Surah al-Ma’idah saying: “O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people.” The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had already delivered almost the entire Glorious Qur’an, all commands of Islam like salaat, fasting, poor tax, Hajj etc. He (s.a.w.a.s.) died after 70 days of his memorable sermon at Ghadeer which means nothing more was to be delivered to the Muslims. He (s.a.w.a.s.) spoke for 3 hours in the scorching heat of the desert and ultimately delivered the message reminded by Allah (s.w.t.). He (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Man kuntu Maula fahaza Aliun Maula-For whomever, I am his leader, Ali is also his leader.” Immediately Ayah 3 of Surah al-Ma’idah was revealed saying: “Today, I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” It is abundantly clear like crystal that Islam was incomplete without the confirmation of the successor of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered everyone present to pay allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.) among whom the second caliph Omar bin al-Khattab also congratulated Imam Ali (a.s.). The details may be seen in my article “Eid-e-Ghadeer”

EID-E-MUBAHILAH: The Christians of Najran, a city in Arabia, visited the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and argued at length with him but did not respond to his arguments which were supplemented by Ayah 59 of Surah Ale Imran saying: “Surely, the example of I’sa to Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust and then said to him “Be” and he was.” It means that if I’sa was called son of God because he was born without a father, then Adam deserved to be called a son of God because he was born without a father and a mother. When the arguments failed then Ayah 61 of Surah Ale Imran was revealed saying: “And whosoever argue with you in this matter after what has come to you as knowledge then say, come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, ourselves and your selves, then let us humbly pray (to our Lord) and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.” For details, please see my article “Eid-e-Mubahila” The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) brought Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn as his sons (he could have brought 3 or more), Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.) to represent “women” (he could have brought 3 or more) and brought Imam Ali (a.s.) as his “Nafs”. The priests from Najran did not do Mubahilah.

Also please see my article “The wedding of Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.) with Imam Ali (a.s.)

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, Al-Ghadeer by Allama Abdul Husayn al-Amini, WIKIPEDIA