A Simple Guide to Performing Hajj: Rituals, Steps, and Tips

A Comprehensive and Easy Guide to Performing Hajj

A Brief and Easy Method of Performing Hajj

(1) Miqat (the place where Ihram is worn)

• Ihram for Hajj or Umrah refers to the intention of entering into the state of Ihram, not just the clothing.
• Upon reaching the Miqat, perform a bath and apply perfume only on the body parts, not on the Ihram clothes. If bathing is harmful to health, skip the bath.
• Cutting unnecessary hair and nails is not related to Ihram. If needed, they can be cut, otherwise leave them.
• Wear the Ihram clothing. Due to crowding at the Miqat, you may wear Ihram clothing before the Miqat, but the intention (niyyah) must be made at the Miqat.
• Choose one of the three types of Hajj (Ifraad, Qiraan, Tamattu’) and make the intention accordingly.
• For Ifraad, the intention is: “Labbayk Hajj”.
• For Qiraan, the intention is: “Labbayk Umrah wa Hajj”.
• For Tamattu’, the intention is: “Labbayk Umrah”.
• From the Miqat to the Haram, continue reciting the Talbiyah:
  لَبَّيْكَ اللهم لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكُ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

(2) Masjid al-Haram (Makkah)

• Mumatt’a: Perform Tawaf and Sa’i for Umrah, then shave the head or cut the hair to become halal.
• Qaarin: Perform Tawaf al-Qudoom (which is recommended) and perform the Sa’i for both Hajj and Umrah.
• Mufrid: Perform Tawaf al-Qudoom (which is recommended) and perform the Sa’i for Hajj.
• Qaarin and Mufrid will remain in the state of Ihram until the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, after performing the Rami (stoning) and either shaving the head (Halaq) or trimming the hair (Taqseer), after which they will become halal. However, the wife will only become halal after performing Tawaf al-Ifadhah (and Sa’i if it hasn’t been done earlier).
• There is no specific prayer for Tawaf. You may make any supplication during the seven rounds, but especially between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, recite:
  رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
• At Safa and Marwah, recite the following dua three times at each round:
  لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

(3) Mina (Day of Tarwiyah)

• On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, a person performing Tamattu’ will wear the Ihram for Hajj from their residence.
• Qaarin and Mufrid, if they are already in Ihram for Hajj, may proceed to Mina in the same state, or if they are making the intention for Hajj on the 8th, there are two options: either perform Tawaf al-Qudoom and Sa’i before proceeding to Mina, or go directly to Mina without Tawaf and Sa’i.
• Travel towards Mina in Ihram, and perform the five prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr) at their respective times in a shortened (Qasar) form.

(4) Arafat (Day of Arafah)

• On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, after the sunrise, reach the plain of Arafat and stay at any place there. Climbing the mountain or focusing on specific areas is incorrect.
• Perform the combined prayer of Dhuhr and Asr (Qasr) after the Zhur time, with two rak’ahs for each prayer.
• After the prayer, engage in dua, remembrance, istighfar, and supplication until sunset.
• The best dua of Arafat is:
  لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(5) Muzdalifah (Night of Eid)

• After sunset, proceed to Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib.
• Perform both Maghrib and Isha prayers together in Muzdalifah, in a shortened form.
• Rest the night and, after the Fajr prayer, engage in remembrance, supplication, and istighfar.
• Leave for Mina before sunrise.
• For the weak, elderly, disabled, and those in need, it is permissible to leave for Mina after midnight.

(6) Yawm al-Nahr (The Day of Sacrifice)

• On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, after Fajr, go to Mina and throw seven stones at the Jamarat (the one closest to Makkah) with Takbir (Allahu Akbar) for each stone.
• Stones can be collected from any location, including from Mina or Muzdalifah, and they should be of the size of a small pea. There is no need to wash them.
• Those performing Tamattu’ or Qiraan must offer a sacrifice (qurbani).
• Throwing stones (Rami) and shaving (Halaq) or trimming (Taqseer) allows one to exit the first phase of Ihram (Tahallul Awwal), which removes most restrictions except for intimacy with the spouse. To achieve complete Halal status (Tahallul Thani), complete one more action—either Tawaf or Sa’i.
• If the sacrifice money has been arranged, shave the head or trim the hair with a razor or scissors.
• All types of Hajj (Tamattu’, Qiraan, and Ifraad) must perform Tawaf al-Ifadhah.
• Those performing Tamattu’ should also perform the Sa’i after the Tawaf al-Ifadhah. If the Qaarin or Mufrid has not performed Sa’i with Tawaf al-Qudoom, they should do so here.
• For those performing Tamattu’, the tasks for the day include Rami, sacrifice, Halaq/Taqseer, Tawaf, and Sa’i. There is no specific order required for these actions; they can be performed in any sequence.

(7) Ayyam al-Tashreeq (The Days of Rami Jamarat)

• If someone is unable to perform Tawaf al-Ifadhah on the Day of Nahr due to an excuse, they can perform it during the Days of Tashreeq, even combining Tawaf al-Ifadhah and Tawaf al-Wada’ in one intention while returning.
• After completing the tasks on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, return to Mina and stay there for the nights of the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
• On these three days, throw pebbles at all three Jamarat (first the Jamarah al-Ula, then the Jamarah al-Wusta, and finally the Jamarah al-Aqaba) after Zawal (midday). Throw seven pebbles at each, saying Allahu Akbar with each stone.
• After throwing the pebbles at the first Jamarah, face the Qiblah and make a long dua. After throwing at the second Jamarah, again face the Qiblah and make a long dua. After throwing at the third Jamarah, leave without making a dua.
• Throwing pebbles at the Jamarat is an act of worship and obedience to Allah, not a symbolic act of stoning the devil, so calling it “stoning the devil” is incorrect.
• If someone needs to leave early, they may throw pebbles on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah and leave Mina before sunset.
• After completing all the above acts of Hajj, perform the Tawaf al-Wada’ and then leave Makkah without staying there.
• After this, your Hajj is complete. Visiting Madinah is not a part of Hajj. Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia usually visit Madinah at least once in their lifetime, and if they can benefit from visiting Madinah, it is recommended.

Rituals, Obligations, and Prohibited Acts of Ihram

Rituals of Hajj:

1. Ihram (making the intention for Hajj)
2. Staying in the field of Arafat
3. Performing Tawaf al-Ifadhah
4. Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah

Obligations of Hajj:

1. Wearing Ihram from the Miqat
2. Staying at Arafat until sunset
3. Spending the night at Muzdalifah
4. Spending the nights of Tashreeq in Mina
5. Throwing pebbles at the Jamarat
6. Shaving the head or trimming the hair
7. Performing Tawaf al-Wada’ (except for women during menstruation or postpartum bleeding)

Prohibited Acts in the State of Ihram:

There are nine prohibitions (Mahzurat) while in the state of Ihram:

1. Cutting hair
2. Cutting nails
3. Wearing stitched clothing (for men)
4. Applying perfume
5. Covering the head (for men)
6. Entering into a marriage contract
7. Engaging in sexual intercourse
8. Engaging in physical intimacy (kissing or touching in a sexual manner)
9. Hunting
   For women, wearing gloves, face veils, and niqab is prohibited, but they must observe the hijab in front of non-mahram men.

• If any one of the four main rituals of Hajj is omitted, the Hajj will be invalid.
  
• If any of the above-mentioned obligations are missed, the Hajj will still be valid, but a penalty (dam) will be due. If the person is unable to offer the penalty, they must fast for ten days—three of which should be during Hajj and seven upon returning home.
  
• If someone unknowingly commits any of the prohibited acts of Ihram, there is no penalty. However, if done intentionally, a penalty (fidyah) must be offered. This could be:
  
  • Fasting for three days
  • Offering one sacrifice (an animal)
  • Feeding six needy people.
    If someone hunts, they must sacrifice an animal similar to the one they hunted.
• If a marriage contract is entered into during Hajj, it invalidates the Hajj.
  
• If sexual intercourse occurs before the first Tahallul (after the Rami and Halaq/Taqseer), the Hajj of both the man and woman will be invalid.
  
• If intercourse happens after the first Tahallul but before Tawaf al-Ifadhah, the Hajj will remain valid but the Ihram will be terminated. The individual must then leave the Haram, re-enter Ihram, and perform Tawaf al-Ifadhah after offering a sacrifice of one goat.