As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Hajj is a major spiritual journey that every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able is required to undertake at least once in their lifetime. It takes place annually during the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, and draws millions of Muslims from every corner of the globe to the holy city of Makkah. At its heart, Hajj represents the brotherhood and sisterhood of the Muslim ummah, sincere worship and submission to Allah, and the eradication of worldly distinctions such as wealth, race, and status.
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find thereto a way.”
— Surah Aali ‘Imran 3:97
This verse establishes Hajj as a duty owed to Allah, and it is this sense of duty — combined with hope, humility, and longing for forgiveness — that pilgrims carry with them throughout the journey. The following guide walks through Hajj in chronological order, from the preparations made before departure to the final rites performed before leaving Makkah, so that you can approach each stage with a clear understanding of what it involves and why it matters.
Table of Contents
1. Preparing for Hajj
Preparation plays a very significant role in ensuring that those who intend to perform Hajj benefit from it in the fullest and most meaningful way possible. Hajj is not simply a physical journey; it is above all a journey of the heart, and the weeks before departure are an opportunity to set things right, both spiritually and practically. Here is what you need to attend to before leaving for Makkah:
- Spiritual Preparation: Purify your heart and your intentions before anything else. Repent sincerely for past sins, settle any outstanding debts, and reconcile with family members or friends from whom you may be estranged. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that actions are judged by intentions, so renew your niyyah (intention) to perform Hajj purely for the sake of Allah, seeking nothing from it but His pleasure and the reward of the Hereafter.
- Financial Readiness: Ensure you have enough money to cover the cost of the journey using lawful (halal) earnings, as well as sufficient funds set aside for the needs of your family while you are away. Hajj should never be funded through interest-based loans or unpaid debts to others.
- Physical Fitness: Hajj involves several days of walking, standing, and enduring heat, so it helps a great deal to build up general fitness and stamina beforehand, especially if you are elderly or have a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you take regular medication, and carry a supply that will last the whole trip.
- Documentation: Make sure your passport, Hajj visa, vaccination certificates, and any other required travel documents are in order well in advance, and keep copies of them, along with your Hajj group’s contact details, on your person at all times.
- Knowledge: Learn the rites of Hajj and their meanings before you travel, ideally by attending a Hajj preparation course or reading a reliable guide, so that you are oriented and confident at each stage rather than simply following the crowd.
It is also worth knowing that Hajj can be performed in one of three forms: Tamattu, Ifraad, and Qiran. Tamattu, in which a pilgrim performs Umrah first and then enters Ihram again for Hajj a few days later, is the form most commonly recommended, as it is the one the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged his companions to adopt. This guide follows the Tamattu sequence.
2. Entering the State of Ihram
Ihram is the sacred, purified state a pilgrim must enter before beginning the rites of Hajj, and it outwardly signals that a person has come with the single purpose of worship. Men wear two simple, unstitched white pieces of cloth, while women wear ordinary, modest clothing that covers the body from neck to wrist to ankle, leaving only the face and hands uncovered. When more than a million pilgrims stand shoulder to shoulder in the same plain garments, there is no outward distinction between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless — everyone stands equal before Allah.
- Perform Ghusl: Take a full ritual bath to purify yourself physically before putting on the Ihram garments.
- State Your Intention (Niyyah): Declare your intention to perform Hajj, and begin reciting the talbiyah, the invocation that marks the true beginning of the pilgrim’s journey.
- Avoid Prohibited Actions: While in Ihram you must not trim your hair or nails, apply perfume or scented products, hunt or kill animals, engage in marital relations (sexual intimacy), argue or fight, or cover your head (for men) or your face (for women).
When the pilgrims enter Ihram, they start reciting the Talbiyah, which they repeat frequently during the journey, as a sign of total submission and readiness to respond to Allah’s call:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَك
Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamda wa n-ni’mata laka wal mulk, la shareeka lak.
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, blessing and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
— The Talbiyah
3. Performing Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)
After pilgrims have arrived at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the first act of worship is Tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, starting and finishing each circuit at the corner of the Black Stone. Tawaf is one of the oldest rites of the Hajj, which dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he was commanded to cleanse the House for those who would go around it, stand, bow and prostrate before Allah.
- If you can reach the Black Stone, start each circuit with Istilam (touch or point towards the Black Stone) saying Allahu Akbar (God is great) as you do.
- Recite Prayers: Make personal prayers throughout and repeat phrases like “Subhan Allah,” “Alhamdulillah,” and “Allahu Akbar” as you circle the Kaaba.
- Maintain Focus: Keep your heart present. Keep in mind that you are carrying out a ritual that has brought people together for 1400 years, and that it will purify your soul.
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant pass — that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah.”
— Surah Al-Hajj 22:27–28 (meaning)
4. Sa’i – The Seven Circuits between Safa and Marwah
Following Tawaf, the pilgrims do Sa’i, which involves walking and running between the two small hills of Safa and Marwah, seven times. This ritual is a remembrance of the search for water by Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, for her son Ismael in the hot desert, which was answered by the miraculous spring of Zamzam.
- Begin at Safa: Start at Safa, with your face towards the Kaaba, and pray before you go towards Marwah.
- Between two green markers along the path, men are asked to walk briskly, as Hajar was in a hurry to find water.
- The ritual ends at Marwah after completing seven laps between the two hills, stopping at Safa or Marwah is considered as one lap.
Allah refers to these two hills directly in the Quran, affirming Sa’i as an act pleasing to Him:
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah — there is no blame upon him for walking between them.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158 (meaning)
It is customary to drink Zamzam water, which is freely available along the Sa’i route, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described it as blessed water that satisfies both hunger and thirst.
5. Staying in Mina
The eighth day of Dhul Hijjah, known as Yawm al-Tarwiyah, marks the beginning of the days of Hajj. Pilgrims re-enter Ihram if they had left it after Umrah, and travel to Mina, a vast tent city roughly eight kilometres from Makkah. This day is far quieter than the rites that follow, and is intended as a period of prayer, reflection, and mental preparation.
- Perform Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr Prayers: Each of the four-unit prayers is shortened to two units, following the sunnah of the Prophet during Hajj, though the prayers are not combined at this stage.
- Reflect and Rest: Use this time to focus your mind and heart on the more demanding rites that lie ahead, particularly the Day of Arafah.
6. Standing at Arafat (Wuquf)
On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims travel from Mina to the plains of Arafat for what is widely regarded as the single most important rite of Hajj — so central, in fact, that a Hajj without standing at Arafat is not considered valid. The day symbolizes the gathering of humanity on the Day of Judgment, when every soul will stand before Allah to account for its deeds.
- Dhuhr and Asr Prayers Combined: The two prayers are combined and shortened, performed together at the time of Dhuhr.
- Supplication and Reflection: Spend the remaining hours in heartfelt du’a, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for yourself, your family, and the wider Muslim community.
- Stay until Sunset: Remain within the boundaries of Arafat until after sunset, as this is considered one of the most blessed times to draw close to Allah.
The significance of this day is affirmed both in the Quran and in the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It was on this day that the final verses regarding the completion of the religion were revealed:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
— Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3 (meaning)
“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.”
— Sahih Muslim
7. Muzdalifah: Collecting Pebbles
After sunset, pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, an open plain between Arafat and Mina, where they pray Maghrib and Isha together, shortening Isha to two units. Pilgrims spend the night here under the open sky, without tents, a simple and humbling experience that reflects the equality at the heart of Hajj.
- Rest and Gather Pebbles: Collect small pebbles, roughly the size of a chickpea, for the stoning rites that follow over the next few days. Most scholars advise gathering around 49 pebbles at minimum, though many pilgrims collect closer to 70 as a precaution in case some are dropped or missed.
- Spend the Night in Worship: Rest, pray, and recite the Quran as you prepare for the demanding day ahead, following the example of the Prophet, who rested for most of the night rather than staying up in extended worship.
8. Stoning of the Devil – Ramy al-Jamarat
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Eid al-Adha, pilgrims return to Mina to perform Ramy al-Jamarat, throwing seven pebbles at Jamarat al-Aqabah, the largest of the three stone pillars. This ritual is a reminder of the test of Prophet Ibrahim when Shaytan tried to persuade him to disobey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son, Ismael. Whenever Shaytan came, Ibrahim would chase him away with stones, and pilgrims would repeat this act of resisting temptation and sin.
- Throw the Pebbles: Say “Allahu Akbar” with each of the seven pebbles thrown at the pillar.
- Think about Obedience: Think about Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah even when it was the hardest thing to do, and make a decision to resist temptation in everyday life.
9. Animal Sacrifice (Qurbani)
After the stoning, the pilgrims offer Qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal as a reminder of Allah’s mercy in providing a ram for Ibrahim instead of his son. This sacrifice may be done by the individual or, more frequently nowadays, by an accredited Hajj authority or charitable organization that performs the sacrifice on the pilgrim’s behalf.
- Arrange the Sacrifice: The Sacrifice is now arranged by most pilgrims who pay in advance to have the sacrifice performed and processed on their behalf by an authorized body, which ensures the meat is handled and distributed properly.
- Distribute the Meat: Traditionally the meat is divided into three portions: one for the pilgrim’s own family, one for friends and neighbors, and one for the poor and needy.
The Quran is very clear that the physical sacrifice is not what Allah values, but the sincerity and God-consciousness behind it.
“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.”
— Surah Al-Hajj 22:37 (meaning)
10. Shaving or Trimming Hair (Taqsir or Halq)
Men shave their heads (Halq) or cut their hair (Taqsir) after the sacrifice, and women cut a small amount of hair, about the length of a finger, from the ends of their hair. This act is a release from Ihram and represents humility, renewal and the casting off of one’s old identity.
- For men: It is best to have a completely shaved head, but it is also acceptable to have a trimmed one. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed for mercy on those who shaved their heads three times and once for those who only trimmed.
- Women: Trim a small portion, about a finger’s length, from the tips of the hair.
After this rite, pilgrims can perform most of the acts that were not allowed during Ihram, except for marital relations (sexual intimacy) until Tawaf al-Ifadah is completed.
11. Tawaf al-Ifadah
Then pilgrims go back to Makkah and make Tawaf al-Ifadah (seven circles around the Kaaba), and Sa’i (walking between the two hills) for those who are performing Hajj Tamattu. This Tawaf is one of the pillars (rukn) of Hajj, and it is not performed without it, and it can be performed any time between the 10th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
- Repeat the Tawaf and Sa’i: repeat the same rites as in Umrah, but this time as a way of thanking Allah and renewing devotion to Him after the central rites of the Day of Eid.
After Tawaf al-Ifadah, pilgrims are no longer under any obligation of Ihram, except that they go back to their tents in Mina to perform the Tashreeq days.
12. Stoning of Jamarat (Days of Tashreeq)
On the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah (and the 13th if desired) pilgrims return each afternoon to throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars of Jamarat, reciting the takbeer at each one.
- Perform After Dhuhr: The stoning is carried out any time after the Dhuhr prayer and before nightfall on each of these days.
- Remember the Significance: These days are called Ayyam al-Tashreeq, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that these days are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah, a time of joy and gratitude after the completion of the major rites.
“The days of Tashreeq are days of eating and drinking.”
— Sahih Muslim
13. Final Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada)
Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform one last Tawaf, known as Tawaf al-Wada or the Farewell Tawaf, marking the formal conclusion of Hajj. Unlike the other rites, this Tawaf is obligatory on everyone except menstruating women, and a pilgrim should not leave the boundaries of Makkah without completing it, except for a valid reason.
- Seven Final Circuits: Complete the same seven circuits around the Kaaba as in earlier Tawafs, followed by two units of voluntary prayer.
- Bid Farewell to Makkah: This is a deeply emotional moment of gratitude, reflection, and heartfelt du’a, asking Allah to accept the Hajj and to grant the opportunity to return.
“The people were ordered to perform Tawaf al-Wada as the last thing before leaving Makkah, except that this was made lighter for the menstruating woman.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
The Bottom Line
Hajj is a profoundly spiritual journey, and its successful completion is one of the most fulfilling achievements a Muslim can experience in this life. It is, at its core, a process of seeking Allah’s guidance, His forgiveness, and the alignment of one’s entire life with His will. Those who perform Hajj sincerely and diligently return home purified, renewed, and spiritually closer to their Lord than ever before.
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed will return as pure and free from sin as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
May Allah accept the Hajj of every pilgrim, forgive our shortcomings, and grant those of us who have not yet been able to go the means and opportunity to answer this sacred call soon.