Pilgrimage

Hajj guide: steps, rules, and duas

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime upon every Muslim able to undertake it. Its rites trace back to Ibrahim عليه السلام and his family, perfected by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Farewell Hajj. The reward of an accepted Hajj is no less than Paradise: 'There is no reward for an accepted Hajj except Paradise.' — Bukhari & Muslim.

• Ihram at the Miqat
  Before entering Makkah — At the appointed miqat, perform ghusl, wear the two unstitched white cloths (men) or modest dress (women), pray two rak'ahs, and declare intention.
• Umrah: Tawaf al-Qudum & Sa'i
  On arrival in Makkah (for Tamattu') — On entering the Sacred Mosque, perform seven circuits of the Ka'bah, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, drink Zamzam, then walk seven trips between Safa and Marwah. Shorten the hair to exit ihram (Tamattu').
• Re-enter Ihram & Travel to Mina
  8 Dhul-Hijjah — Yawm at-Tarwiyah — Enter ihram again from your place of stay with the intention of Hajj (Tamattu' pilgrims). Travel to Mina before zawal and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr there — each at its time, the four-rak'ah prayers shortened.
• Standing at Arafat
  9 Dhul-Hijjah — Yawm al-Arafah — After sunrise, travel from Mina to Arafat. After zawal, pray Dhuhr and Asr together (shortened, at Dhuhr's time) in Masjid Namirah if possible. Then dedicate the time from zawal to sunset to dua and dhikr.
• Muzdalifah
  Night of 9 → 10 Dhul-Hijjah — After sunset, depart Arafat for Muzdalifah. Pray Maghrib (3) and Isha (shortened to 2) combined at Isha's time. Sleep until Fajr. Gather small pebbles for the stoning.
• Mina: Stoning, Sacrifice, Halq, Tawaf
  10 Dhul-Hijjah — Yawm an-Nahr — Return to Mina at dawn. Throw seven pebbles at Jamrat al-'Aqabah (saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each). Offer the sacrifice (hady). Shave (men) or shorten (women) the hair. Then travel to Makkah for Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i (for Tamattu'). After tawaf, all ihram restrictions are lifted.
• Days of Tashriq in Mina
  11–13 Dhul-Hijjah — Ayyam at-Tashriq — Spend the nights in Mina. Each day after zawal, stone all three Jamarat in order (Sughra, Wusta, Aqabah) — seven pebbles at each, saying Allahu Akbar with each throw, with a long pause for dua after Sughra and Wusta. Pilgrims in a hurry may leave after stoning on 12 Dhul-Hijjah; whoever stays does so for greater reward.
• Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf)
  Before leaving Makkah — Non-Makkan pilgrims perform a final tawaf of seven circuits as the last act before departing the city. No sa'i is required after it.

Pillars of Hajj