The Hajj, in essence, means ‘pilgrimage’ to the holy city of Makkah in Arabic and must be performed by every Muslim each year during the first ten days of the sacred month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Hajj occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah, between the eighth and 13th days of the month.
Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, an annual spiritual experience undertaken by Muslims at least once their lifetime to express their faith in and servitude towards Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala – Glory to him, the exalted)
HAJJ RITES
Day One
Miqat:
Wearing Ihram is the first step to undergo Hajj, The pilgrim enters the state of Ihram at one of the five Miqats (entry points), putting on the Ihram garment and expressing the intention to perform Hajj.
Makkah:
Perform the Welcome Tawaf (Tawaf al Qudum).
Perform Sa’y (passing seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwah).
Go to Mina
Mina: (8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah to 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
In Mina, perfrom five prayers starting with the noon (dhur) prayer and ending with dawn (fajr) on the day of Arafat.
You may also collect some of the seventy small pebbles you will need for the “stoning” ceremony (ramy).
Day Two
Arafat: (9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
When you reach Arafat, devote as much of your time as possible to prayer.
From the afternoon onwards, perform Wuquf at Arafah.
Go outside your tent, and face towards the Qibla (Holy City of Makkah) and pray to Allah with all your heart.
When the sun has set, leave Arafat for Muzdalifah.
Muzdalifah
(9th to 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
Your stay in Muzdalifah will be under the open sky.
Here you will offer the evening prayer (Maghreb) and stay over night.
Collect the pebbles you will need for the “stoning” ceremony (ramy). You may have already collected some pebbles in Mina.
At dawn, offer Fajr prayers.
Then, before the sun has risen, set off for Mina.
Day Three
Mina
(10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
Perform the stoning (ramy).
After the stoning of the pillars of temptation (signifying the temptations of Satan), a sacrifice is required if you are performing Hajj al-Qiran or Hajj al-Tamattu’. A sacrifice is recommended, although not required, for Hajj al-ifrad.
Now leave the state of ihram. Most prohibitions are ended.
Proceed to al Masjid al Haram in Makkah to perform Tawaf al-ifadha.
Makkah
(10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
Perform the Hajj Tawaf (Tawaf al-Ifadha). Circumambulate the Kaaba seven times and then offer prayers (Rakaat) behind Maqam Ibrahim.
Then perform Sa’y between Safa and Marwah.
Drink from the well of Zamzam.
As soon as you have completed the Hajj Tawaf (Tawaf al-Ifadha) the state of Ihram is completely ended.
Return to Mina.
Day Four to Six
Mina
(10th to 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
Stay at Mina for two or three days.
At Mina, you will stone the tree pillars in a set order, performing ramy al-uula, ramy al-wusta and ramy al-kubra. To avoid over-crowding, the stoning must be performed according to predetermined schedules.
You may return to al Masjid al Haram to perfrom the Farewell Tawaf.
Makkah
(12th to 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah)
Perform the Farewell Tawaf;
This Tawaf marks the end of your Hajj.
Spend whatever time you can within the precincts of al Masjid al Haram. Make your prayers and devotions as you wish.
Your Hajj completed, you should leave Makkah promptly for your next destination.
