Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH is expected to begin on Friday, 7 May 2027, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar, with the final date confirmed once the crescent moon is sighted in early May. This is the month of Hajj, and its first 10 days — culminating in the Day of Arafah (expected Saturday, 15 May) and Eid al-Adha (expected Sunday, 16 May) — are considered the most blessed days of the Islamic year.
The previous season, Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, concluded in late May 2026. The dates and guidance below look ahead to the upcoming 1448 AH observance, with the usual reminder that every date stays an estimate until official moon-sighting announcements are made.
When Does Dhul Hijjah 2027 Start? Expected Dates
Astronomers expect 1 Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH to fall on Friday, 7 May 2027. Moon-sighting committees will look for the crescent on the evening of around 6 May; if it is not seen, the month begins a day later. Here are the expected key dates:
| Day of Dhul Hijjah | Expected Date (2027) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Dhul Hijjah | Friday, May 7 | First day of the blessed 10 days; voluntary fasting begins |
| 8th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah) | Friday, May 14 | Hajj pilgrims move to Mina |
| 9th Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) | Saturday, May 15 | Fasting expiates sins of two years (for non-pilgrims) |
| 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) | Sunday, May 16 | Day of Sacrifice; fasting is prohibited |
| 11th–13th Dhul Hijjah (Ayyam al-Tashreeq) | May 17–19 | Days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah; fasting is prohibited |
Zil Hajj Moon Sighting 2027: How the Date Is Set
The start of Dhul Hijjah depends on sighting the new crescent at the end of Dhul Qa’dah. In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court issues the official announcement, which fixes the dates for Hajj and Eid al-Adha at the holy sites. Many other countries follow their own national moon-sighting committees, so the first day — and therefore Eid — can fall a day later in some places.
For 2027, the crescent will be sought in early May. You can follow the announcements as they come in, country by country, in our Zil Hajj 2027 moon sighting tracker.
The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: Why They Matter
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are considered the most virtuous days of the entire Islamic calendar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” When asked whether even jihad could compare, he replied: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 969)
What makes these days unique
These are the only 10 days in the year where all four major acts of worship converge: prayer, fasting, charity, and the Hajj pilgrimage. No other period in the Islamic calendar carries this combination.
Allah swears an oath by these days in the Quran: “By the dawn, by the ten nights” (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1-2). The majority of scholars, including Ibn Abbas, hold that “the ten nights” refers to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.
Recommended acts of worship
- Voluntary fasting on the first 9 days (especially the 9th — the Day of Arafah)
- Frequent Takbir (“Allahu Akbar”), Tahlil (“La ilaha ill-Allah”), and Tahmid (“Alhamdulillah”) throughout the day
- Extra prayers and recitation of the Quran
- Giving charity (sadaqah)
- Sincere repentance (tawbah)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also instructed that anyone intending to offer a Qurbani (sacrifice) should avoid cutting their hair and nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until after the sacrifice is complete (Sahih Muslim 1977a).
Fasting in Dhul Hijjah: The Day of Arafah and the First 9 Days
Fasting on the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah) carries the single greatest fasting reward outside of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Sahih Muslim 1162a)
Who should fast — and who shouldn’t
This fast is specifically for Muslims who are not performing Hajj. All four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence agree it is a confirmed Sunnah for non-pilgrims.
Pilgrims standing at Arafah on the 9th are recommended not to fast, so they have the energy for the long afternoon of supplication — especially given Makkah’s extreme heat in May. This is the position of the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools.
Fasting the first 9 days
Beyond the 9th, it is Sunnah to fast all nine days from 1st to 9th Dhul Hijjah. A hadith narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud states that the Prophet used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Ashura, and three days each month.
Fasting is prohibited on the 10th (Eid al-Adha) and the 11th–13th (Ayyam al-Tashreeq), as these are days designated for celebration and feasting.
Eid al-Adha 2027: Travel Plans and Public Holidays
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Eid al-Adha, is expected to fall on Sunday, 16 May 2027. For many, the Eid break is the best travel window of the year. Expected public-sector holidays vary by country, and the exact dates are confirmed closer to the time:
- Saudi Arabia: multi-day break expected around Arafah Day (15 May) through the Eid days
- UAE: multi-day public-sector holiday expected
- Qatar: Eid holiday expected across the public sector
- Pakistan: multi-day national holiday expected
Planning Eid travel
The Eid al-Adha break is one of the busiest travel windows of the year, and fares to popular destinations climb sharply as the holiday nears, so booking well ahead pays off. Compare fares across airlines on Wego for flights to Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok.
For those combining Eid with a Hajj trip, flights to Jeddah and hotels in Makkah see peak demand around the pilgrimage, so lock in plans early.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is 1 Dhul Hijjah 2027?
Based on the Umm al-Qura calendar, 1 Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH is expected on Friday, 7 May 2027. The date is confirmed once the crescent moon is sighted at the end of Dhul Qa’dah, and may shift by a day in countries that follow local moon sighting.
When is Eid al-Adha expected in 2027?
Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) is expected on Sunday, 16 May 2027, with the Day of Arafah the day before on Saturday, 15 May. These are estimates based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and will be confirmed by the official moon sighting.
Can I fast on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah?
No. Fasting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) is prohibited in Islam. The 11th, 12th, and 13th (Ayyam al-Tashreeq) are also days of eating and celebration — fasting is not permitted on these days either.
Should I fast on the Day of Arafah if I’m performing Hajj?
The majority scholarly position (Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools) is that pilgrims should not fast on the Day of Arafah, so they have the strength for the long afternoon of standing and supplication at Mount Arafat. The two-year sin expiation reward applies specifically to non-pilgrims.
Sources
- Sunnah.com — Sahih al-Bukhari 969 (Virtues of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah)
- Sunnah.com — Sahih Muslim 1162a (Fasting on the Day of Arafah)
- Sunnah.com — Sahih Muslim 1977a (Refraining from cutting hair/nails)
- Sunnah.com — Sunan Abu Dawud 2437 (Fasting the first nine days)
- IslamQA — Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
- Moonsighting.com — Dhul Hijjah Moon Sighting Data
- Time and Date — Saudi Arabia Holidays 2027
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