What are the Eid al-Adha and Hajj 2027 dates?
Islamic days begin at sunset, so the night before a date already belongs to it. The fast of Arafah is kept in the daytime of 9 Dhul Hijjah.
| Date | Umm al-Qura | India, usually |
|---|---|---|
| Dhul Hijjah begins1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 | Friday 7 May | Saturday 8 May |
| Hajj begins8 Dhu al-Hijjah | Friday 14 May | Hajj is in Makkah |
| Day of Arafah9 Dhu al-Hijjah | Saturday 15 May | Sunday 16 May |
| Eid al-Adha10 Dhu al-Hijjah | Sunday 16 May | Monday 17 May |
| Last day for qurbani12 Dhu al-Hijjah, before sunset | Tuesday 18 May | Wednesday 19 May |
| Takbirat at-Tashriq end13 Dhu al-Hijjah, after Asr | Wednesday 19 May | Thursday 20 May |
All dates are expected dates. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon, so any of them can move by a day.
Why is India often a day later?
Dhul Hijjah, like every Islamic month, begins when the new crescent is seen after sunset. Saudi Arabia's dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar and its own moon-sighting announcement, and they decide the days of Hajj in Makkah. India waits for a sighting in India itself, and because the young moon is often first visible a day later there, the month, and so Eid, usually begins a day later too.
Follow the announcement of your local masjid or moon-sighting committee for Eid, the fast of Arafah and qurbani.
Why are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah so special?
Allah swears by them in the Qur'an: "By the dawn, and the ten nights" (Surah Al-Fajr 89:1–2), which many of the early commentators explained as the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ said that no righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these ten days (reported by al-Bukhari).
In 2027 they begin at sunset on Thursday 6 May by the Umm al-Qura calendar, so 1 Dhul Hijjah is Friday 7 May. In India they usually begin a day later. Good ways to use them:
- More dhikr: saying Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah and alhamdulillah through the day.
- Voluntary fasting, above all on the Day of Arafah.
- If you are giving qurbani, it is recommended not to cut your hair or nails from 1 Dhul Hijjah until your animal is sacrificed (reported by Muslim).
- Extra Qur'an, charity and du'a, a little more each day.
What is the Day of Arafah?
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the day the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah, the central rite of Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ said there is no day on which Allah frees more of His servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah (reported by Muslim).
For those not on Hajj, the Sunnah is to fast it. The Prophet ﷺ said he hoped from Allah that fasting the Day of Arafah would wipe away the sins of the year before it and the year after it (reported by Muslim). In 2027 the Day of Arafah is expected on Saturday 15 May by the Umm al-Qura calendar, and usually on Sunday 16 May in India.
What should you do on Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha remembers the Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son at Allah's command, and how Allah ransomed him with a great sacrifice (Surah As-Saffat 37:102–107). Three acts mark the day in the Hanafi school:
- Eid Salah: two rak'ahs in congregation in the morning, wajib in the Hanafi school, with six extra takbirs. On Eid al-Adha the Sunnah is to eat only after the Salah. Our step-by-step Eid Salah guide shows both rak'ahs.
- Qurbani: wajib on every adult, sane Muslim who is not travelling and owns the nisab. It is done after the Eid Salah, on any of the three days from 10 to 12 Dhul Hijjah. See our free Qurbani guide for the animals, shares and the meat.
- Takbirat at-Tashriq: said after every fard prayer from Fajr on the Day of Arafah to Asr on 13 Dhul Hijjah.
When is Eid al-Adha 2028?
The Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so Eid al-Adha comes about 11 days earlier each year. Eid al-Adha 2028 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1449) is expected on or around Friday 5 May 2028, with the Day of Arafah on Thursday 4 May.
For Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, see Ramadan 2027 dates. The new Islamic year follows three weeks after Eid: see Islamic New Year 2027. You can also check today's Islamic date, or convert any date with our Hijri date converter.
Sources
- Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, for the expected dates (computed 22 October 2026).
- The Qur'an, Surah Al-Fajr 89:1–2 and Surah As-Saffat 37:102–107.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 969: righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
- Sahih Muslim, hadith 1162a: fasting the Day of Arafah.
- Sahih Muslim, hadith 1348: the Day of Arafah and freeing from the Fire.
- Sahih Muslim, hadith 1977c: not cutting hair and nails before qurbani.