Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
Step-by-step guide to performing Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, in accordance with the authentic Sunnah.
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8th Dhul-Hijjah
Entering Ihram & Mina (Day of Tarwiyah)
- Purify yourself (perform Ghusl/bath, trim nails, remove unwanted hair).
- Assume the state of Ihram from your place of residence in Makkah. Men wear two white seamless sheets; women wear modest clothing of their choice, keeping their faces and hands uncovered.
- Make the sincere intention for Hajj: recite 'Labbayk Allahumma Hajjah' (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj).
- Travel to the valley of Mina. Recite the Talbiyah frequently along the way.
- Perform Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr (of the 9th day) in Mina. All prayers are shortened (Qasr - 4 Rakahs reduced to 2) but not combined; pray each at its designated time.
- Spend the night in Mina. This is a highly recommended established Sunnah.
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9th Dhul-Hijjah
Arafah & Muzdalifah (Day of Wuquf & Muzdalifah)
- Travel to Arafah after sunrise on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah.
- Wuquf (standing) in Arafah is the grandest pillar of Hajj. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Hajj is Arafah.' Seek forgiveness and make intense dua with hands raised.
- Listen to the Hajj sermon at Masjid Namirah (if possible).
- Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened (2 Rakahs each) in Arafah during the time of Dhuhr (Jam'a Taqdeem) with one Adhan and two Iqamahs.
- Spend the entire afternoon in constant remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) and supplication until sunset.
- Depart for Muzdalifah immediately after sunset without praying Maghrib in Arafah.
- Upon reaching Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib (3 Rakahs) and Isha (shortened to 2 Rakahs) combined at Isha time (Jam'a Ta'kheer) with one Adhan and two Iqamahs.
- Collect pebbles (approx. 49 to 70 small pebbles, size of a chickpea/date-stone) in Muzdalifah for stoning the Jamarat.
- Spend the night resting in Muzdalifah, and pray Fajr at its earliest time.
Best Invocation
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir.
"There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. (The Prophet ﷺ stated this is the best supplication on the Day of Arafah)."
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10th Dhul-Hijjah
Yawm al-Nahr (Day of Sacrifice & Eid Day)
- Pray Fajr in Muzdalifah and stand at Al-Mash'ar al-Haram, supplicating earnestly until just before sunrise.
- Depart Muzdalifah and travel back to Mina before the sun rises.
- Rami (Stoning): Head to Jamarat al-Aqabah (the large pillar) and stone it with 7 pebbles consecutively, proclaiming 'Allahu Akbar' with each throw.
- Qurbani (Sacrifice): Slaughter a sacrificial animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) or verify that your pre-purchased voucher has been executed.
- Halq or Taqsir: Shave the head completely (highly recommended for men) or trim it equally all over. Women cut a fingertip-length from their hair. You now enter 'Tahalul al-Asghar' (first release from Ihram) — all restrictions are lifted except marital relations.
- Tawaf al-Ifadah: Travel to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (7 rounds around the Kaaba) and Sa'i (if performing Hajj Tamattu' or if Sa'i was not done with Qiran/Ifrad).
- Tahalul al-Akbar: Upon completing Tawaf and Sa'i, all Ihram restrictions are fully lifted, including marital relations. Return to Mina for the night.
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11th-13th Dhul-Hijjah
Days of Tashreeq & Farewell
- Spend the nights of the 11th and 12th (and optionally 13th) in Mina.
- Rami (Stoning) each day: After the sun passes its zenith (Zawal/midday), stone all three Jamarats in order, starting with the Small (Jamarat al-Sugra), then the Medium (Jamarat al-Wusta), and finally the Large (Jamarat al-Aqabah). Stone each with 7 pebbles, saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each throw.
- Supplication: After stoning the Small and Medium Jamarats, stand facing the Qiblah and make long, sincere dua. Do not stand for dua after stoning the Large Jamarat.
- Nafar Awwal: You may leave Mina on the 12th before sunset. If sunset catches you in Mina, you must stay for the 13th and stone all three pillars again.
- Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf): Before leaving Makkah to return home, perform Tawaf al-Wida (7 rounds around the Kaaba) as your absolute final act in Makkah. This is mandatory for all pilgrims except menstruating women.
Hajj Mabrur
May Allah accept the Hajj of all pilgrims.