How to perform Hajj?
Fiqh (Islamic law and literature based on the teachings of the holy Quran and the traditions of Prophet Mohammad) describes how to carry out the rites of Hajj in detail. Pilgrims generally follow handbooks and expert guides to successfully fulfil the requirements of Hajj.
It is important to mention that Hajj mostly commemorates events in the life of the Prophet Ibrahim.
Niyyah
Every pilgrim has to be clear about their intent (niyyah) whether for Umrah or Hajj before they start their journey.
Ihram
"Ihram is a sacred state in which every pilgrim must enter before crossing the pilgrimage boundary, known as Mīqāt, both physically and spiritually.
Talbiyah
"Talbiyah is the unique dhikr that is recited while on the journey towards Makkah, as a supplication to attain Ihram. It is the conviction that pilgrims intend to perform Umrah only for Allah. By repeating it over and over, they get themselves ready ...
FIRST DAY
TARWIYAH DAY - 8 DHUL-HIJJAH
This is where the rituals of Hajj in the sacred mosque begins.
Tawaf
This involves circumambulating the holy Kaaba (built by Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH)) in a counterclockwise direction. Pilgrims are required to make seven circuits; the first three rounds should be fast and the remaining four should be slower (in practice ...
Sa'i
Sa’i is the ritual of walking back and forth between two hills known as Safa and Marwa seven times. Pilgrims re-enact the journey by Hagar, the Prophet Ibrahim's wife, as she desperately ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, searching for water ...
Departure to Minah
After praying Fajr (one of the five mandatory daily prayers that begins at dawn and ends at sunrise), pilgrims will head towards Mina. It lies around eight kilometers away from Makkah. Pilgrims will remain in the valley of Mina until the sunrise of t...
SECOND DAY
ARAFAH DAY - 9 DHUL-HIJJAH
Departure to Arafah
Next, the pilgrims will depart from Mina and head towards Arafah, a mountain located around 20km away from Makkah. It is typically an Islamic holiday, and fasting on the day of Arafah for non-pilgrims is considered Sunnah, which carries immense rew...
Departure to Muzdalifah
After the sun sets, pilgrims will head to an open level land located to the southeast of Mina named Muzdalifah where they will stay overnight and pray, jointly Maghrib and Isha. Here, Muslims will collect jamarat (pebbles) for the next phase of the H...
THIRD DAY
FIRST DAY OF EID AL ADHA & RAMY AL JAMARAT - 10 DHUL-HIJJAH
Stoning of the Devil
Near the city of Mina lie three stone walls. Pilgrims will throw the pebbles that they collected from Muzdalifah towards the stone walls symbolizing the “stoning of the devil”. This ends the second day of Hajj. Stoning of the devil is regarded as a ...
Nahr
Pilgrims and Muslims around the world will slaughter an animal as a sacrifice. The origin of this ritual goes back to Prophet Ibrahim, when Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a testament of faith. Ibrahim was willing to execute Alla...
Halq or Taqsir
Every pilgrim performing Hajj must either cut their hair or shave it completely (for women, it’s typically cutting just a single lock of hair) to signify rebirth and purity after their spiritual journey. This act signifies that the pilgrim has exited...
FOURTH DAY / FINAL DAY
THREE DAYS OF TASHREEQ - 11 - 13 DHU AL-HIJJAH
Pilgrims will head back to Makkah and perform Umrah again. Pilgrims must perform tawaf and Sa’i seven times as described above.
Tawaf and Sa’i
Pilgrims will head back to Makkah and perform Umrah again. Pilgrims must perform tawaf and Sa’i seven times as described above.
Stoning of the devil
The last day of Hajj is not mandatory, so on the 12 and 13 of Dhu Al-Hijjah, pilgrims can choose to stay and perform Ramy Al Jamarat again in Mina, which is stoning the three pillars representing the devil. They can leave for Makkah before sunset, an...
Tawaf Al-Ifadha
The last rite of Hajj is vital to complete every pilgrim’s journey successfully. Once they reach Makkah, they will circumambulate the Kaaba seven times as per Prophet Muhammad’s guidance then pray two rakaat in Masjid Al-Haram.
All content related to religious protocols and details on Hajj & Umrah processes, etc, has been compiled from multiple credible resources and is not to be considered an official religious guide.
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