Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim who can afford it, and is physically able, must perform Hajj at least once in their life. Hajj takes place in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, every year in the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a spiritual journey that brings a Muslim closer to Allah. In this guide, you will learn the simple steps to perform Hajj.
1. Before You Go for Hajj
Before starting the journey, a person must do some preparations:
- Intention (Niyyah): You must have a sincere intention to perform Hajj only for the sake of Allah.
- Passport, Visa, and Tickets: Get your passport, Hajj visa, and flight tickets ready.
- Ihram Clothing: Men need two white, unstitched sheets. Women can wear any simple and modest dress that covers the whole body.
- Knowledge: Learn about Hajj rituals, rules, and Duas (supplications) before you go.
2. Entering the State of Ihram
- Before crossing the Miqat (the place where Ihram starts), you must make the intention (Niyyah) for Hajj and wear the Ihram.
- After wearing Ihram, pray two Rakats of Salah and say the Talbiyah:
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal-Hamda Wan-Ni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Lak.” - After this, avoid cutting hair, nails, using perfume, and other restricted things.
3. Tawaf in Masjid al-Haram
When you reach Makkah:
- Go to Masjid al-Haram and perform Tawaf al-Qudum (welcome Tawaf).
- Walk seven times around the Kaaba, starting from the black stone (Hajr-e-Aswad).
- Each round (called Shawt) begins and ends at the black stone.
- Men should walk fast (Ramal) in the first three rounds and normal in the last four. Women walk at normal speed all seven rounds.
- After Tawaf, pray two Rakats behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim if possible.
4. Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- After Tawaf, go to the area of Safa and Marwah.
- Make Niyyah for Sa’i and walk between the two hills seven times, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah.
- Men should run lightly between the green lights; women walk normally.
- After Sa’i, you can rest.
5. Stay at Mina (8th Dhul-Hijjah)
- On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, go to Mina.
- Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr there.
- Stay in tents in Mina and spend the night in worship and remembrance of Allah.
6. Day of Arafat (9th Dhul-Hijjah)
- After Fajr in Mina, go to Arafat.
- At Arafat, listen to the Khutbah and pray Dhuhr and Asr combined at the time of Dhuhr.
- This day is the main part of Hajj. Stand (Wuquf) in Arafat and make lots of Dua, ask for forgiveness, and remember Allah until sunset.
- After sunset, leave for Muzdalifah.
7. Stay at Muzdalifah (Night of 9th Dhul-Hijjah)
- In Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha combined.
- Spend the night under the open sky.
- Collect 49 or 70 small pebbles for Rami (stoning).
- Pray Fajr and leave for Mina after sunrise.
8. Rami (Stoning the Devil) in Mina (10th Dhul-Hijjah)
- In Mina, throw seven pebbles at the Jamrat al-Aqaba (the big stone pillar), saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
- After stoning, perform Qurbani (sacrifice an animal).
- After Qurbani, men should shave (Halq) or trim (Taqsir) their hair. Women cut a small part of their hair.
- Now, you are free from most restrictions of Ihram (except intimate relations).
9. Tawaf al-Ifadah
- Go back to Masjid al-Haram and perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (a compulsory Tawaf of Hajj).
- Do Sa’i again between Safa and Marwah (if you did not do Sa’i after Tawaf al-Qudum).
- After this Tawaf, all Ihram restrictions end.
10. Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, 13th Dhul-Hijjah)
- On these three days, go to Mina every day to stone all three Jamarat (small, medium, large) with seven pebbles each.
- After stoning on the 12th, you may leave Mina if you wish. Otherwise, you can stay and stone again on the 13th.
11. Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
- Before leaving Makkah, perform Tawaf al-Wida.
- This is the last act of Hajj and is a way to say goodbye to the Holy Kaaba.