How to Perform Hajj – Step by Step guide

Posted by Ady Grewal on December 19th, 2019

Hajj is the 5th pillar of Islam, is an obligation for all able-bodied Muslims who also possess the financial means to sponsor it, at least once in a lifetime. It gets performed by around 2-3 million Muslims every year. During the 8th to 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year. Muslims travelling thousand of miles from their hometown, reach the city of Makkah. They gather and stay in Makkah, offer Umrah al-Tamattu’ (before 8th Dhul-Hijjah) and then perform hajj as the days of pilgrimage come near.

Here’s a brief, step by step guide on how to perform hajj;

Day 1; Wearing Ihram and Travelling to Mina.

On 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, Pilgrims enter the state of Ihram. First purifying themselves and then wearing 2 pieces of plain, white unstitched clothes for men while loose-fitting clothing for women. Prohibitions of Ihram get imposed. After which the hajj rituals begin.

After entering the state of Ihram, pilgrims, in masses, head towards Mina. It’s an 8-Kilometre-long journey from Makkah. Pilgrims will spend the entire day at Mina, in the remembrance and dhikr of Allah Almighty, and then set out the next morning at Dawn.

Day2; Spending the day at Arafat and Collecting Peebles from Muzdalifah.

The mount of Arafat as well as the day of Arafat, both find great significance in Islamic history. Jabal-al-Rahmat (Mount of Mercy) at Arafat was the scene of Prophet Muhammad's (SAWW) farewell sermon. Travelling 14.4 Kilometres from Mina, Muslim Pilgrims spend the day here in reverent prayer. While in the rest of the world, most of the Muslims observe fast on this day.

After the sunset, pilgrims then set out to Muzdalifah. It’s a 9 kilometres trip. Here, they spend the night under the clear skies. While also collecting pebbles for tomorrow’s rites (Rami-al-Jamarat). Then just before sunrise, pilgrims depart for Stoning of the Devil.

Day 3; Rami-al-Jamarat, Throwing of stones at the pillars.

Known as Yaum-ul Hajj al-Akbar (The big hajj day), it’s the most important and evidently the longest day of Pilgrimage. On the same day, 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Eid-al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all around the globe.

1. Once in Mina, pilgrims perform the 1st Rami, throwing 7 pebbles at the largest of three columns known as “Jamarat”.
2. After casting the stones, pilgrims proceed for the sacrifice of an animal – Sheep, Goat, Cow or Camel. Either they do it by themselves or pay for it to be done in their names at slaughterhouses.
3. After sacrifice, pilgrims trim their hair. For men, Halq (shaving of head). For women, Taqseer (Cutting a small amount of Hair from the Head only).
4. Pilgrims can now remove their Ihram. Many then go for Tawaf and Sayee.
5. When everything gets done, Pilgrims will return to their campsite in Mina.

Day 4-5; Final days in Mina

Pilgrims now spend 2-3 days in Mina. On each day they will repeatedly perform Rami. After the time in Mina is finished, Pilgrims must travel to the city of Makkah for the Tawaf-al-Widaa of the Holy Kaabah (Farewell Tawaf).

If you are going for a pilgrimage through cheapest hajj packages 2020 UK, this guide will help you in getting the Idea of Rituals of the Hajj.