Dhul Qadah 2025: Dhul Qadah is the eleventh month of the Arabic lunar calendar. It is the second of the three months of Hajj (Shawwal, Zilqad, Zil-Hajj) and the paired month of Zil-Hajj (the month of Hajj). This month is the third of the four Haram or forbidden months. The four Haram months are Muharram (1st month), Rajab (7th month), Zilqad (11th month), and Zil-Hajj (12th month). Zilqad is the starting month of the three consecutive Haram months. This month is very significant as it falls in the middle of Eid-ul-Fitr (Shawwal) and Eid-ul-Adha (Zil-Hajj).
When is Dhul Qadah 2025?
In 2025, Dhul Qadah is expected to begin on April 29, 2025, subject to the sighting of the moon, following the month of Shawwal.
Dhul Qadah 2025: Preparatory Rest for Worship
The actual Arabic name for the month of Zilqad is ‘Dhul-Qa’dah’. It has taken the forms ‘Zilkaada’ in Persian, ‘Zilqaad’ in Urdu, and ‘Zilqad’ in Bengali. ‘Dhul-Qa’dah’ or ‘Zilqad’ means to sit or stay, to rest. The four months preceding Zilqad (Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal) are the busiest months for continuous prescribed worship. For example, Ramadan is the month of Allah, the month for cultivating the land of worship, and a month for abundant voluntary worship.
Sha’ban is the month of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the month for sowing the seeds of worship; it includes Nisfe Sha’ban or Shab-e-Barat and the most voluntary fasting and voluntary worship. Ramadan is the month of the Ummah, the month of harvesting, with obligatory fasting, Taraweeh prayers, Qiyamul-Layl (night prayers); it is the month of the revelation of the Quran and being engrossed in worship and recitation.
Shawwal is the month of Eid-ul-Fitr, Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (charity after Ramadan), and the prescribed six days of Sunnah fasting. Similarly, the two months following Zilqad (Zil-Hajj and Muharram) are also busier months for worship. For example, Zil-Hajj is the month of Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha, and sacrifice; Muharram is the month of Ashura. That is, just as one has to be busy with worship in the four months preceding Zilqad, similarly, one has to be eager for worship in the two months following Zilqad. The month of Zilqad in between is a month when believers get a little respite, hence the name Dhul-Qa’dah (Zilqad) or the month of rest.
Historical Month of Abstaining from Sin
Eid-ul-Fitr (the Eid of Fasting) has passed, and Eid-ul-Adha (the Eid of Sacrifice) is approaching. Since there are no specific obligatory, Wajib (necessary), or Sunnat-e-Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah) acts of worship in this month of Zilqad, it is the month of Zilqad or the month of rest. During this time, the people of Arabia used to return from trade and war, so this month was a month of rest. Due to the change of seasons, the local Arabs did not have much work during this time. According to Arab culture, they refrained from warfare and immoral acts (drinking alcohol) during this month. For these reasons, too, this month is named Zilqad. (Lisan al-Arab, Ibn Manzur).
A Believer’s Gift: Worship in Leisure
The month of Zilqad is Allah’s gift for rest after the busyness of worship. Zilqad is a preparatory rest to gain strength for the worship of the following two months after the fatigue of four months of worship. Just as there are ten and twenty days of voluntary fasting in the two months preceding Ramadan (Rajab and Sha’ban) to gain strength for fasting the entire month of Ramadan, and more voluntary prayers in the two preceding months (Rajab and Sha’ban) as preparation for the twenty Rak’ahs of Taraweeh in Ramadan, similarly, after the month of Zilqad, there are nine days of voluntary fasting and voluntary worship in Zil-Hajj, and then ten days of voluntary fasting and voluntary worship in Muharram.
Therefore, along with rest in the month of Zilqad, it is desirable and better to engage in some voluntary worship. There is a Hadith Sharif that in the Hereafter, righteous, pious, and religious people will have no regrets except for one thing: they will regret the time they spent without worship, wondering why they did not fill that time with good deeds so that they could have attained even greater nearness to Allah. If one can engage in worship in this one month, then eight months from Rajab to Muharram in the twelve months of the year are continuously involved in worship, which is a matter of great fortune. Allah the Almighty says:
“So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.” (Surah Al-Inshirah, verses 7-8).
Read more: Health Tips for Hajj | How to Stay Healthy During Hajj 2025
Time is the Capital of Life
Time is the capital of human life. Squandering this precious asset carelessly cannot be the act of a wise person. Allah the Almighty says:
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ ٧ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب ٨
“By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other 1 to patience.” (Surah Al-Asr, verses 1-3).
There is a Hadith Sharif: “Take advantage of five things before five others: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your 2 free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your 3 death.” (Muslim Sharif and Tirmidhi Sharif). That is, utilize your leisure (through voluntary worship) before you become busy, utilize your health (by obeying Allah’s commands) before you become sick, utilize your wealth (by giving charity) before you become poor, utilize your youth (through abundant good deeds) before you become old, and utilize your life (through helping others) before death comes. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
There is a Hadith Sharif: “On the Day of Resurrection, no son of Adam will be able to move a single step from his place until he is questioned about five things: how he spent his life, how he utilized his youth, from where he earned his wealth and how he spent it, and whether he acted according to his knowledge.” (Tirmidhi, 2/67; Arba’in Nawawi: 19, 20 & 21). That is, What was the aim and purpose of life? How was youth, the most important time of life, spent or utilized? How was wealth and honor acquired and earned? In what ways was wealth and influence spent? (How was it enjoyed?). The last question will be whether one followed knowledge and reason or obeyed one’s desires and evil inclinations. There is another Hadith Sharif:
“Wisdom is the lost property of the believer.” (Tirmidhi, 5/51; Ibn Majah, 2/1395).
Time or lifespan is the bestowment of the Great Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. On the difficult Day of Resurrection, in the court of Allah, every blessing will be questioned. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ٨
“Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.” (Surah At-Takathur, verse 8).
Acts of Worship in the Month of Zilqad
The acts of worship in the month of Zilqad are: observing voluntary fasts on the 1st, 10th, 20th, 29th, and 30th of this month, just like every month. Keeping the Sunnah fasts of Ayyam-e-Beed (the white days) on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month is the tradition of our first father, the first Prophet Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him). Observing the Sunnat-e-Nabawi fasts every Monday and Thursday of the week.
Keeping voluntary fasts every Friday. Performing Salatut Tasbih (the prayer of glorification) and offering five daily voluntary prayers (Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chasht or Duha, Zawal, and Awwabin). Reciting the Holy Quran abundantly and offering more voluntary prayers. Giving more charity. Observing some voluntary fasts this month as preparation for the nine Sunnah fasts of Zil-Hajj and the ten fasts of Muharram. Preparing for Hajj and making arrangements.
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