Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam: the journey to Mecca, once in a lifetime, for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Each year millions of people from every nation, dressed alike in simple white, stand together before Allah (﷾), following in the footsteps of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael, and of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
“Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey”
The reward
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever performs Hajj for Allah (﷾), avoiding indecency and sin, returns as free of sin as the day they were born, and that the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.
Ihram and the talbiyah
Ihram (the sacred state) begins with the intention. Men wear two plain white sheets, with no stitched clothing and nothing covering the head; women wear their ordinary modest clothing, without a face veil or gloves. In ihram pilgrims do not use perfume, cut their hair or nails, or have marital relations, and they keep calm and patient. From then on they repeat the talbiyah, the pilgrim’s answer to Allah’s (﷾) call:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, inna-l-hamda wa-n-ni’mata laka wa-l-mulk, la sharika lak
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner.
The Prophet (ﷺ) kept saying the talbiyah until he threw his pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqabah on the 10th, so pilgrims stop there too.
The days of Hajj
Hajj takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah. This is the order most pilgrims follow:
- Arriving
Ihram and Umrah
Before reaching the boundary point (miqat), pilgrims bathe, put on ihram and make the intention. Most pilgrims first perform Umrah: circling the Kaaba seven times (tawaf) and walking seven times between Safa and Marwah (sa'i), then shortening or shaving the hair. Then they leave ihram until the 8th.
- 8th Dhul Hijjah
To Mina
Pilgrims enter ihram again for Hajj and go to the tent city of Mina, praying each prayer there in its time.
- 9th Dhul Hijjah
The Day of Arafah
The heart of Hajj. Pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah from midday to sunset in dua and remembrance. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that Hajj is Arafah. After sunset they go to Muzdalifah, pray, rest under the open sky and gather small pebbles.
- 10th Dhul Hijjah
Eid al-Adha
Pilgrims throw seven pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), where the talbiyah ends, offer their sacrifice, and men shave or shorten their hair while women trim a fingertip's length. Then they return to Mecca for the tawaf of Hajj (tawaf al-ifadah) and the sa'i.
- 11th to 13th
The days in Mina
Pilgrims stay in Mina and each day throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars, remembering Abraham's rejection of Satan. Many leave after the 12th.
- Leaving
The farewell tawaf
The last act before leaving Mecca is a final tawaf of the Kaaba.
Three ways to perform Hajj
Tamattu’
Umrah first, then Hajj, with a sacrifice. This is what most pilgrims do.
Qiran
Umrah and Hajj together in one ihram, with a sacrifice.
Ifrad
Hajj on its own.
If you are at home
The whole Muslim world shares in these days. Those not on Hajj fast the Day of Arafah, which the Prophet (ﷺ) hoped would wipe away the sins of the year before and the year after, and celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayer, family and a sacrifice shared with the poor.
Getting ready
Pilgrims travel with a licensed Hajj operator and need a Hajj permit from the Saudi authorities. Start saving early, learn the steps before you go, prepare your body for a lot of walking, and ask your mosque for a pre-Hajj course. Above all, go with a clean heart and patience.
“And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct.”