Hajj and Umrah

How to Perform Hajj: the Rites Day by Day

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is able: “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to undertake it” (Qur’an 3:97). Whoever performs it properly returns “like the day his mother gave birth to him” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

The three types of Hajj

Tamattu‘: Umrah in the months of Hajj, leaving ihram, then a new ihram for Hajj on the 8th; a sacrifice is required. It is the most common for pilgrims from abroad.
Qiran: Umrah and Hajj together in one ihram, with a sacrifice.
Ifrad: Hajj alone, without a sacrifice.

Day by day (Hajj tamattu‘)

Before the 8th: enter ihram at the miqat for Umrah, perform tawaf, sa‘i and shorten the hair.
8th Dhu al-Hijjah (yawm at-tarwiyah): ihram for Hajj from where you are staying, go to Mina, pray there.
9th (Day of Arafah): after sunrise go to Arafah, pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened, and stand in du‘a until sunset. This is the essential pillar of Hajj.
Night of the 10th: go to Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha combined, spend the night and collect pebbles.
10th (day of Eid): stone Jamrat al-‘Aqabah with seven pebbles, offer the sacrifice, shave or shorten the hair, then perform tawaf al-ifadah and the sa‘i of Hajj.
11th, 12th (and 13th): stay in Mina and stone the three jamarat each day after noon.
Before leaving Makkah: the farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wada‘).

Pillars of Hajj

The pillars, without which Hajj is invalid, are ihram, standing at Arafah, tawaf al-ifadah and sa‘i. Obligations (wajibat), such as entering ihram from the miqat, staying at Muzdalifah and stoning, are compensated by a sacrifice if omitted.

The prohibitions of ihram

While in ihram, a pilgrim does not cut hair or nails, use perfume, hunt, enter into marriage or have marital relations; men do not wear stitched clothes or cover their heads, and women do not wear face veils or gloves.

Preparing for Hajj

Repay debts or arrange them, write a will and make peace with those you have wronged.
Learn the rites before travelling and travel with a group that has a qualified guide.
Obtain the required permit and vaccinations, including the meningitis vaccine required by the Saudi authorities.
Train by walking: pilgrims often walk ten kilometres or more a day.
Take provision, “and the best provision is taqwa” (2:197).

In brief

Hajj is due once in a lifetime for those able to make it.
Its days run from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Its pillars are ihram, standing at Arafah, tawaf al-ifadah and sa‘y.
Missing an obligation is compensated by a sacrifice.
Preparation of heart, body and paperwork begins months before.

Questions and answers

Can I perform Hajj for someone else?

Yes, for someone who has died or who is permanently unable, provided you have already performed your own Hajj.

Is Hajj valid for a child?

Yes. A woman raised a child to the Prophet ﷺ and asked whether he had a Hajj; he said, “Yes, and you will have a reward” (Muslim). It does not replace the obligatory Hajj after puberty.