How to Perform Hajj
How to Perform Hajj Step by Step
How to Perform Hajj: A Simple Guide
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, a journey Muslims must perform once in their lifetime if they can afford it and are physically able. It takes place from the 8th to the 12th (or 13th) of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Preparation Before Hajj
- Niyyah (Intention): Have a sincere intention to perform Hajj for the sake of Allah.
- Ihram: Before entering Makkah, put on the special white clothing (Ihram). Men wear two white, unstitched cloths, and women wear modest clothing that covers the body.
- Miqat: Cross the boundary (Miqat) with Ihram while reciting the Talbiyah:
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk La Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal Hamda Wan-Ni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Shareeka Laka.”
2. 8th Dhul-Hijjah (Day 1 of Hajj)
- Travel to Mina:
- Go to Mina, a tent city near Makkah.
- Stay in Mina and perform the five daily prayers.
3. 9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day 2 – Arafat Day)
Go to Arafat:
- After Fajr prayer, travel to the plain of Arafat.
- Spend the day in worship, making dua, seeking forgiveness, and remembering Allah.
- This is the most important day of Hajj.
After Sunset: Leave Arafat without praying Maghrib.
Go to Muzdalifah:
- Pray Maghrib and Isha combined in Muzdalifah.
- Spend the night under the open sky.
- Collect small pebbles (49 or 70) for the stoning ritual.
4. 10th Dhul-Hijjah (Day 3 – Eid al-Adha)
Return to Mina:
- Perform Rami al-Jamarat: Throw seven pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqaba).
- Qurbani (Sacrifice): Offer an animal sacrifice.
- Halq or Taqsir: Men shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair (Taqsir). Women trim a small part of their hair.
- You can now come out of Ihram and wear regular clothes.
Tawaf al-Ifadah (Main Tawaf):
- Go to the Kaaba in Makkah and perform Tawaf (seven rounds around the Kaaba).
- Perform Sa’i (walk between Safa and Marwah).
5. 11th-12th Dhul-Hijjah (Days 4-5)
- Stay in Mina:
- Perform Rami al-Jamarat (stoning): Throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars (small, medium, large) each day.
6. 13th Dhul-Hijjah (Optional)
- You can either leave Mina after stoning on the 12th or stay for one more day and repeat the stoning ritual.
7. Final Step: Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
- Before leaving Makkah, perform a final Tawaf around the Kaaba as a farewell act of worship.
Key Points to Remember:
- Hajj requires patience, humility, and devotion.
- Follow your group leader or scholar for practical guidance during Hajj.
- Make dua at every step, as Hajj is a journey of the heart and soul.
May Allah accept your Hajj!
Quran & Hadith References
Hajj is a Command from Allah
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:196):
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.”
This verse emphasizes completing the Hajj and Umrah as acts of worship solely for Allah.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:196):
Pilgrimage is an Obligation
- Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:97):
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”
This verse makes Hajj obligatory for those who are physically and financially able.
- Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:97):
The Rituals of Hajj
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:158):
“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. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.”
This verse establishes the Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) as part of the Hajj rituals.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:158):
The Day of Arafah and Sacrifice
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:28):
“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.”
This verse refers to the Day of Arafah and the act of sacrifice during Hajj.
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:28):
Unity During Hajj
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:27):
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.”
This verse shows the universality of Hajj and how Muslims from all over the world gather to worship Allah.
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:27):
Hadith References for Hajj
Hajj is One of the Pillars of Islam
- Narrated by Ibn Umar (RA):
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Islam is built upon five: The testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying Zakah, Hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 8; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 16)
- Narrated by Ibn Umar (RA):
Importance of Performing Hajj
- Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1521; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1350)
- Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA):
Reward of an Accepted Hajj
- Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: An Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1773; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1349)
- Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA):
The Best Day During Hajj
- Narrated by Aisha (RA):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1348)
- Narrated by Aisha (RA):
Hajj is a Cleansing of Sins
- Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Alternate between Hajj and Umrah, because they remove poverty and sins as the bellows removes impurities from iron.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2887; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 810)
- Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA):
