Hajj: A Day-by-Day Guide to the Rituals

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is performed during specific days in the month of Dhul Hijjah. The core rituals span from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, with each day carrying prescribed acts of worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Take from me your rites of Hajj" (Sahih Muslim), and the meticulous preservation of his Hajj demonstrates the importance of following the prophetic method in every detail. This guide covers the essential rituals day by day.

8th Dhul Hijjah: Yawm al-Tarwiyah

On this day, pilgrims enter the state of ihram (sacred state) if they have not already done so. Men wear two white unstitched garments, while women wear their normal modest clothing. The pilgrim makes the intention for Hajj and begins reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak" (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner). Pilgrims proceed to Mina, where they spend the night, praying each prayer at its prescribed time (shortened but not combined, according to the majority).

9th Dhul Hijjah: Day of Arafah

This is the most important day of Hajj. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Hajj is Arafah" (Sunan al-Nasai). After Fajr at Mina, pilgrims proceed to the plain of Arafat. They must be present at Arafat at any point between the time of Dhuhr and Fajr of the following day, though the Sunnah is to be there from Dhuhr until sunset. The Dhuhr and Asr prayers are combined and shortened at Arafat. The day is spent in supplication, remembrance of Allah, and seeking forgiveness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah" (Sahih Muslim). After sunset, pilgrims depart for Muzdalifah.

Night at Muzdalifah and 10th Dhul Hijjah: Yawm al-Nahr

At Muzdalifah, pilgrims pray Maghrib and Isha combined (the Sunnah is to delay Maghrib and pray it with Isha at Isha time), spend the night under the open sky, and collect pebbles for the stoning ritual. After Fajr, they proceed to Mina. The 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Yawm al-Nahr (Day of Sacrifice), is the busiest day. Pilgrims perform four acts, ideally in this order: stoning the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah) with seven pebbles, offering the sacrificial animal (hady), shaving or cutting the hair (men shave completely; women cut a fingertip's length), and performing Tawaf al-Ifadah (the essential circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa'i if not previously performed.

11th-13th Dhul Hijjah: Days of Tashriq

The Days of Tashriq are spent at Mina. Each day, pilgrims stone all three Jamarat (pillars), starting with the smallest, then the middle, then the largest, throwing seven pebbles at each while saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. After stoning the small and middle pillars, the pilgrim makes du'a (supplication). The Quran refers to these days: "And remember Allah during the appointed days" (Quran 2:203). Pilgrims who wish to hasten may leave Mina on the 12th after completing the stoning, but it is better to stay until the 13th. Before departing Makkah, the pilgrim performs Tawaf al-Wada (farewell circumambulation), which is the final act of Hajj.