How to Perform Hajj?
The Pilgrimage of Hajj is one of the most important parts of a Muslims life, and takes places during the five days between the 8th and the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar, with rituals taking place on each day.
Most Muslims will only make this pilgrimage once in their lives so it’s important to prepare in advance to make it as meaningful as possible to you. The five days of Hajj will be explained in this blog to give you a good understanding of what to expect when you’re on your pilgrimage.
First day of Hajj (8th Dhu al-Hijjah)
- Ghusal – Take Bath
- Put on Ihram
- Confirm Intentions to perform Hajj
- Pray Two Rak’at Nafl
- Go to Masjid Al Haram
- Make Tawaf Kaaba 7 Circles
- Pray Two Rak’at Near Maqam-i-Ibrahim
- Drink Zamzam Water
- Sa’iy – 7 runs between Safa & Marwa
- Recite Talbiyah frequently
- Go to Mina before Zuhr
- Offer Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha in Mina
- Stay overnight in Mina
Putting up Ihram and Intention
Hajj starts on the 8th Dhu al-Hijjah, with pilgrims being reminded of their duties and the prohibitions of ihram starting. Pilgrims must don the ihram garments and confirm their intentions to make the pilgrimage.
Sa’iy – 7 runs between Safa & Marwa
Sa’iy or Sa’yee is walking the distance between al-Safa and al-Marwa for 7 times with the intention of performing Hajj.
Talbiyah
Mina
After morning prayers, Hajj pilgrims make their way to the first location: Mina. The pilgrims stay here for the whole day and carry out noon, afternoon, evening and night prayers.
Second day of Hajj (9th Dhu al-Hijjah)
- Pray Fajr in Mina
- Leave for Arafat
- Offer Zuhr, Asr in Arafat
- Stay in Arafat till Sunset, Do not pray Maghrib
- Go to Muzdalifah after Sunset
- Pray Maghrib, Isha at Muzdalifah
- Stay overnight in Muzdalifah
- Pickup 49 Pebbles (Very Small Stones)
Arafat
After morning prayers, pilgrims make their way from Mina to Arafat, which is a plain 20 km from Mecca. In Arafat, pilgrims must stand in contemplative vigil, repenting on and atoning for past sins.
Seeking the mercy of Allah and listening to sermons from scholars near the Jabal al-Rahmah (The Mount of Mercy). This is often known as ‘standing before Allah’ (Wuquf) and lasts from noon to sunset.
Muzdalifah
After sunset, pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, without performing evening prayers until they reach the destination. In Muzdalifah, pilgrims spend the night praying, sleeping on the ground beneath the open sky and gathering pebbles for the next day’s ritual of stoning the Devil.
Third day of Hajj – (10th Dhu al-Hijjah)
- After Fajr Pray go to Mina
- Go to Jamarat ul Aqabah (Last Pillar) and Stone the Pillar
- Sacrifice Animal
- Haircut / Shave / Clip
- Remove Ihram and Put on usual Dresses
- Go to Masjid Al Haram
- Make Tawaf Al Ifadah
- Pray Two Rak’at Near Maqam-i-Ibrahim
- Drink Zamzam Water
- Go Back to Mina
- Stay Overnight in Mina
Jamratul Aqabah
On the Third day of Hajj, pilgrims stone to the Jamratul Aqabah the Devil by throwing seven stones at the last wall in Mina. This is carried out at noon on each day, with the pilgrims being required to leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th.
Sacrifice
To commemorate the story of Abraham and Ishmael animals are often slaughtered.
Traditionally pilgrims slaughtered the animals themselves, however today pilgrims only buy vouchers which allows an animal to be slaughtered in their name, without being present. The meat is then processed and sent to poor people around the world.
Head Shave
The third day of Hajj is Eid al Adha and starts with the pilgrims returning to Mina to conduct Ramy al-Jamarat (the stoning of the Devil) by throwing stones at the largest of the walls (formerly pillars). Following the stoning, male pilgrims must shave or trim their hair and women must cut the tips of their hair.
The pilgrims then revisit the Masjid al-Haram mosque for the Tawaf al-Ifadah, before returning to Mina to spend the night.
Zamzam Water
Fourth day of Hajj (11th Dhu al-Hijjah)
- After Zuhr go to all 3 Jamarats
- Go to Jamratul Ula and throw 7 pebbles
- Go to Jamratul Wusta and throw 7 pebbles
- Go to Jamaratul Aqabah and throw 7 pebbles
- Must stay in Mina
Jamarat – Stoning of the Devil
On the fourth and fifth days of Hajj, pilgrims complete the stoning of the Devil by throwing seven stones at each of the three walls in Mina. This is carried out at noon on each day, with the pilgrims being required to leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th.
If pilgrims are unable to leave Mina before sunset on the 12th, they must again perform the stoning of the Devil ritual before returning to Mecca on the 13th, which is called the conditional sixth day.
Fifth day of Hajj (12th Dhu al-Hijjah)
- After Zuhr go to all 3 Jamarats
- Go to Jamratul Ula and throw 7 pebbles
- Go to Jamratul Wusta and throw 7 pebbles
- Go to Jamaratul Aqabah and throw 7 pebbles
- Before Sunset Must go to Makkah Or stay in Mina
- Before leaving Makkah Must perform Tawaf-ul-Widah
- Your Hajj is Completed
- Now you can go to Madinah or visit Historical Places
Tawaf e Wida – Farewell Tawaf
Before leaving Mecca, pilgrims must perform a farewell tawaf, circling the ka’ba anti-clockwise seven times and touching or kissing the ka’ba if they can.
If you are embarking on your Hajj and are looking for a package to make organising your pilgrimage easier then here at Hajj and Umrah Express we can certainly help.
We have designed Luxury 5 Star and Affordable Hajj packages for 2020 that will suit your needs and requirements. For more information, contact us on 08000 141 419.
