When does 1 Dhulhijjah 1439 AH (2018) Start?

The month of Hajj 2018, islamic hijri month of Dhul-hijjah 1439 AH, is marked by the birth of the moon on Saturday, 11 August 2018 at 09:57 UT. In the evening of this day, the crescent moon (hilaal) of Dhul-hijjah 1439 would not be visible by naked eye from almost everywhere in the world. The crescent moon of Dhul-hijjah 1439 AH would be easily visible on the evening of the next day, Sunday, 12 August 2018. Therefore, 1 Dhul-hijja 1439 AH starts on Monday, 13 August 2018.
Hilaal (Crescent Moon) Visibility Map of Dhul-Hijjah 1439 on Saturday, 11 August 2018. Most part of the world would not be able to see the crescent on this evening with naked eye.
Hilaal (Crescent Moon) Visibility Map of Dhul-Hijjah 1439 on Saturday, 11 August 2018. Most part of the world would not be able to see the crescent on this evening with naked eye.
Hilaal (Crescent Moon) Visibility Map of Dhul-Hijjah 1439 on Sunday, 12 August 2018. The crescent moon of 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 H will be easily visible on this evening from all over the world.
Hilaal (Crescent Moon) Visibility Map of Dhul-Hijjah 1439 on Sunday, 12 August 2018. The crescent moon of 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 H will be easily visible on this evening from all over the world. Thus, 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH will start on Monday, 13 August 2018.
[alert] Update: Saudi Arabia Declares 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH to start on Sunday, 12 August 2018 [/alert] It is also very likely that Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage, Hajj, takes place would also start 1 Dhul-hijjah 1439 AH on Monday, 13 August 2018. This is because Saudi usually rely upon ‘moon sighting’ to start the Dhul-hijja and the chance to see the crescent moon would be almost impossible on Saturday evening. See the “Crescent Moon Visibility Map of Dhul-hijja 1439 AH” above! As a result, the Wukuf in Arafah, the culmination of Hajj ritual, on 9 Dhul-hijja 1439 AH will fall on Tuesday, 21 August 2018 and the Eid-ul-Adha, the Eid of Sacrifice, on 10 Dhul-hijja 1439 AH will be on Wednesday, 22 August 2018.

Habib bin Hilal

Habib bin Hilal is Editor in Chief of this blog and manager of the website: Alhabib - Coloring with Islam.

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