How to Perform Hajj 2024

Hajj is the fifth pillar in Islam that make up the religion’s core beliefs. It is a pilgrimage to Makkah that every adult Muslim must make at least once in their lives. It lasts for about 5 days and starts on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (the Islamic year’s final month) and ends on the 12th.   

All Muslims who are physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj must do so, provided their absence does not create any challenges for their families. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Imran – verse 97, 

“In it are clear signs and the standing-place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people. And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of ˹any of His˺ creation.” 

The virtues of performing Hajj are manifold; it is an opportunity for self-purification, repentance, and a chance to start anew, cleansed of past sins, as stated by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. 

“Whoever performs Hajj to this Kaaba and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commit sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newborn child, (just delivered by his mother).” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 

This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and preparation needed for a smooth and fulfilling Hajj experience. Whether you’re a first-time pilgrim or seeking a refresher, this guide will enlighten you in each step of the way. 

Three types of Hajj 

1. Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj without Umrah)

In this type, the pilgrim enters the state of Ihram with the intention of performing only Hajj. This means they will perform only the rituals of the Hajj and not the Umrah rituals alongside it. One doesn’t require to offer an animal sacrifice.

2. Hajj al-Qiran (Umrah and Hajj combined – 1 Ihram)

This involves entering the state of Ihram once, with the intention of performing both Umrah and Hajj together. The pilgrim performs the Umrah first and maintains Ihram until the Hajj rituals are performed. One needs to sacrifice an animal to complete the rituals.

3. Hajj al-Tamatt’u (First Umrah and then Hajj – 2 Ihrams)

This is the most common type of Hajj. When a pilgrim travels to Makkah to perform Hajj, he reaches the city early and performs Umrah as soon as he lands. After a few days when the 8th of Dhul Hijjah arrives, he enters into Ihram again to perform Hajj. Also, the pilgrims need to offer an animal sacrifice after the completion of Hajj. 

Overview of Hajj 

Before going into the details of Hajj, here’s a glimpse of the different rituals and actions performed during the 5 – 6 days of Hajj. 

To fully prepare for your Hajj pilgrimage, we invite you to explore our comprehensive guide that will assist you in preparing yourself physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually for this life-changing journey.

Detailed step-by-step guide to performing Hajj 

Day of arrival 

When pilgrims set out for Hajj, they typically depart a week or so from their home country before the actual start date of Hajj to ensure they arrive in Makkah with enough time to settle in.  

Many choose to don their Ihram and set their intention, either before the flight or upon arrival in Jeddah. Those who haven’t worn the ihram, can travel to the nearest Miqat to wear their Ihram. 

We recommend wearing Ihram before boarding the flight considering the sheer crowd travelling for Hajj. Once in Ihram, recite the talbiya, and proceed to the Masjid Al-Haram to perform the all the rituals of Umrah. 

Learn the essential duas to recite during Umrah in our guide here. 

Upon completion of Umrah, they are allowed to exit the state of Ihram and return to staying in their hotels to rest until the commencement of the main Hajj rituals on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah. 

Check out our Ihram guide here, to learn about the various Miqat locations, the preparatory steps, and the proper etiquette to enter into the state of Ihram. 

Day 1 of Hajj (8th day of Dhul Hijjah) 

1. Begin your Hajj pilgrimage by praying Fajr in Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah.

2. Wear Ihram, pray 2 rakats, proclaim your intention (niyyah) for Hajj and begin reciting the talbiya on your way to Mina. Make sure to reach Mina before Dhuhr prayers.

Recite the talbiya, 

لَبَّيْكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ ٱلْحَمْدَ وَٱلنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَٱلْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Transliteration: Labbayka -llāhumma labbayka, labbayka lā šhareeka laka labbayka, ʾinna -l-ḥamda wa-n-niʿmata laka wa-l-mulk, lā šhareeka lak

Translation: “Here I am [at your service] O God, here I am. Here I am [at your service]. You have no partners (other gods). To You alone is all praise and all excellence, and to You is all sovereignty. There is no partner to You.”

If you’re traveling with a group or with elderly pilgrims, take the bus to Mina. It’s a long walk and can be tough in the heat. Younger pilgrims may choose to walk.

3. Upon arrival in Mina, engage in prayer, additional worship, remembrance (dhikr), recitation of the Quran, and supplication (dua). You may shower and carry out regular tasks. Be mindful to abstain from the actions forbidden while in Ihram such as,

• Refrain from shaving, trimming, or plucking hair.
• Avoid clipping your nails or hurting yourself.
• Abstain from hunting, even though it’s uncommon now, it’s still part of the teachings.
• Avoid intimate relations with your wife.

4. Offer the shortened version of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers at its prescribed timings.

5. Since the next day is going to be the most important day, opt for a light dinner and stay away from oily and spicy meals that might lead to discomfort or lethargy. Prioritize your health to remain fit for the day of Arafat.

6. Stay overnight at Mina. The first day of Hajj is complete.

Day 2 of Hajj (9th day of Dhul Hijjah)

1. The Hujjaj can clean themselves, take a shower using unscented toiletries, and avoid perfume. Start the day by praying Fajr at Mina and leave for Arafat.

2. Upon reaching Arafat, combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers. Bring out your prepared dua book or list, reflecting on this moment as one of the best times and best place to supplicate, as highlighted by the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings on the forgiveness of sins.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:

“There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on Arafah), and then He reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [Muslim]

3. The day of Arafat is the best day of the year. Allah SWT selects His chosen slaves to go for Hajj and pray at Arafat. It’s the best place and the best time of the year to make heartfelt duas.

Prioritize personal supplications for both worldly matters and the hereafter, followed by prayers for parents, children, spouse, and siblings. Supplicate in your native language if you prefer; it’s not necessary to supplicate only in Arabic. Here are some of the duas you can include,

Dua for parents 

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ 

Transliteration: Rabbanagh firlee wa liwāli dayya wa lilmu’mineena yauma yaqūmul-hisaab  

Translation: “Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the judgment will come to pass.” [Surah Ibrahim, 14:41]

رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا 

Transliteration: Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheera

 Translation: “My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.” [Surah Al-Isra’ 17:24]

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَة ً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَة ً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار 

Transliteration: Rabbana Aatinaa Fiddunyaa H’asanata Wa Fil Aakhirati H’asanata Wa Qinaa A’d’aab anNaar.
Translation: “Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:201] 

رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِين 

Transliteration: Rabbi auzi’ni an ash kura ni’matakal-lati an’amta ‘alayya wa ’alaa waalidayya wa an a’mala sawlihan tardhahu wa aslih lii fii zurriyyati inni tubtu ilaika wa inni minal muslimin

Translation: “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” [Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:15] 

Dua for children 

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا 

Transliteration: Rabbana hab lana min azwajinaa wa zurriyyatina qurrata a’yunin waj-alnaa lil muttaqiina imaama.

Translation: “Our Lord! Bless us with pious spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts and make us among for the righteous.” [Surah Al-Furqan, 25:74]

4. Once it’s time for Maghrib, leave for Muzdalifa. Do not pray Maghrib at Arafat. Travel via bus and keep yourself busy with adhkar.

5. Shorten and combine Maghrib and Isha prayers at Muzdalifa. Pray the combined prayers at Isha time. Collect minimum 49 pebbles (small sized) and store in a Ziplock bag or pouches. Keep extra pebbles with you in case you drop/lose them.

6. Stay overnight at Muzdalifa. The second day of Hajj is complete.

Day 3 of Hajj (10th day of Dhul Hijjah)

1. It’s the first day of Eid Al Adha. It is sunnah to perform Fajr prayers at Muzdalifa. Leave for Mina to perform Rami – the stoning of the Jamarat.

Abdullah ibn Masud (R.A.) narrates:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offer any prayer except at the proper time, apart from Maghrib and Isha in Muzdalifah and Fajr on that day, which he offered before the usual time.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

2. The pilgrim will approach Jamarat Al-Aqabah, the largest pillar, and cast seven pebbles uttering “Allahu Akbar” with each throw. It’s important to throw the pebbles one by one, not simultaneously, ensuring they land within the enclosure.

3. Proceed to Masjid Al Haram to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadha, an integral part of Hajj, where you’ll circle the Kaaba seven times, pray behind Maqam Ibrahim, and conduct Sa’i between Safa and Marwah. Tawaf can be challenging due to the large number of Hujjajs simultaneously performing rituals.

4. Ensure that the Hadi (the sacrificial animal for Eid Al Adha) is paid for in advance as part of your Hajj package.

5. After fulfilling the payment for Hadi, complete the ritual by shaving your head, then return to Mina to spend the night, concluding the third day of Hajj.

Day 4 & 5 of Hajj (11th and 12th day of Dhul Hijjah)

1. On both days in Mina, perform the Fajr prayer along with the recommended sunnah prayers. The Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers should be shortened but observed at their prescribed times.

2. After midday (zawal), during the time for Dhuhr or allotted time, proceed to perform the ritual of stoning at the Jamarat, starting with the smallest pillar or called as “Jamarah al-Ula or al-Sughra”.

3. While throwing seven pebbles at the smallest pillar, recite “Allahu Akbar” after each throw, then face the Qibla and make dua.

4. Move to the second pillar or Jamarah al-Wusta, repeat the process of casting seven pebbles with the Takbir, then turn to the Qibla for another round of supplication.

5. At the third and largest pillar, Jamarat Al-Aqabah, throws seven pebbles while reciting Takbir, after which no dua is made. Hujjaj must do offer Qurbani before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah and within the Haram limits.

6. Your ritual for the day is complete; repeat the same process on the fifth day of Dhul Hijjah.

7. If you become ill, you can appoint a friend to carry out the stoning on your behalf.

8. Before departing for your home country, perform Tawaf Al-Wada (the farewell Tawaf) and if possible, travel to Madinah to visit the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque.

Having completed these rites, your Hajj is complete. Alhamdulillah!

Health & Safety Protocols

The Saudi government has put an excellent health care system in place from when the pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom to when they leave for their home countries. To this end, the ministry also assigns thousands of practitioners and administrative staff to serve the pilgrims.  

Makkah, Madinah, and other holy sites also provide a slew of health facilities. At the same time, many advanced emergency centers are also made available in the Holy Mosque in Makkah. 

Hajj is going to be a physically demanding journey. The hujjaj need to show utmost patience and compassion towards others while traversing throughout the trip.

For those not planning to go for Hajj, but yearning to go on a pilgrimage, Umrahme is here to help. Our specially tailored Umrah packages include flights, hotel stays, and private transfers, ensuring a hassle-free pilgrimage.  

Enjoy best deals, round-the-clock customer support, and the option to add a personal Umrah guide for an enlightening first-time experience. Book your spiritual retreat with Umrahme and embark on your Umrah with peace of mind.