My Hajj journey
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Tap a step's circle to tick it off as you go.
Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is obligatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able. Its rites take place from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah in and around Makkah. This guide follows Hajj at-Tamattu', the form most pilgrims from abroad perform, and notes where Qiran and Ifrad differ.
About HajjVirtues, pillars and obligations
“Hajj is a duty owed to Allah by everyone able to make the journey.”
“Whoever performs Hajj without obscenity or sin returns as free of sin as a newborn.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1521“The reward of an accepted Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1773
Pillars & obligations
Pillars, without which Hajj is not valid: ihram (a precondition in the Hanafi school), standing at 'Arafah, Tawaf al-Ifadah and, for most scholars, sa'i (the Hanafi school counts sa'i as obligatory rather than a pillar). Obligations, which are made up with a sacrifice if missed: entering ihram at the miqat, remaining at 'Arafah until sunset, staying at Muzdalifah, stoning the jamarat, shaving or shortening the hair, spending the nights of Tashreeq in Mina, and the farewell tawaf. The schools differ on some of these details.
Before travelling
Choose your type of Hajj
التمتع والقران والإفراد
Hajj can be performed as Tamattu', Qiran or Ifrad; they differ in how 'umrah is combined with Hajj and whether a sacrifice is due.
Before reaching Makkah
Enter ihram at the miqat
الإحرام
The miqat on your route
Put on ihram before passing the miqat, with the intention of 'umrah (Tamattu'), 'umrah and Hajj together (Qiran) or Hajj alone (Ifrad), and begin the talbiyah.
On arrival
Arrival in Makkah: 'umrah or the arrival tawaf
طواف القدوم
Makkah
Tamattu' pilgrims perform their 'umrah and leave ihram; Qiran and Ifrad pilgrims perform the arrival tawaf and remain in ihram.
8 Dhul Hijjah
8 Dhul Hijjah: go to Mina
يوم التروية
Mina
Tamattu' pilgrims enter ihram for Hajj from where they are staying; all pilgrims go to Mina and spend the day and night there.
9 Dhul Hijjah
9 Dhul Hijjah: standing at 'Arafah
الوقوف بعرفة
'Arafah
The greatest rite of Hajj: after sunrise go to 'Arafah and remain there in supplication until sunset.
Night of 10 Dhul Hijjah
Night of the 10th: Muzdalifah
المبيت بمزدلفة
Muzdalifah
After sunset leave 'Arafah calmly for Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and 'Isha' together there, and spend the night.
10 Dhul Hijjah (Day of Sacrifice)
10 Dhul Hijjah: stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah
رمي جمرة العقبة
Mina
On the morning of Eid, throw seven pebbles at the large pillar, Jamrat al-'Aqabah, saying Allahu akbar with each.
10–13 Dhul Hijjah
Offer the sacrifice (hady)
الهدي
Mina or elsewhere in the Haram
Pilgrims performing Tamattu' or Qiran offer a sacrificial animal; those who cannot afford one fast ten days instead.
10 Dhul Hijjah
Shave or shorten the hair
الحلق والتقصير
Mina or Makkah
Men shave the head (preferred) or shorten the hair; women cut a fingertip's length. Most ihram restrictions end after this.
10 Dhul Hijjah or after
Tawaf al-Ifadah and sa'i
طواف الإفاضة
Makkah
The tawaf that is a pillar of Hajj, followed by sa'i for those who have not already done it; this completes the release from ihram.
11–13 Dhul Hijjah
11–13 Dhul Hijjah: Mina and the three jamarat
رمي الجمرات
Mina
Spend the nights in Mina and, each day after midday, stone the three pillars in order with seven pebbles each.
Before leaving Makkah
Farewell tawaf
طواف الوداع
Makkah
The last act before leaving Makkah: seven circuits of the Ka'bah, without sa'i.
Before or after Hajj
Visiting Madinah (optional)
مسجد النبي
Madinah
Not a rite of Hajj, but many pilgrims travel to Madinah to pray in the Prophet's Mosque.
This guide follows mainstream scholarship and notes where the schools differ. Follow your group leader and the authorities' schedules, and ask a scholar about your own situation.