Hajj & Umrah

Ihram is the sacred state one must enter before performing Hajj or Umrah. It involves wearing specific clothing and making the intention (niyyah). For men, this consists of two white, unstitched pieces of cloth: the izar (lower garment) and the rida' (upper garment). Women wear their normal modest clothing, leaving the face and hands uncovered. The pilgrim performs a ritual bath (ghusl), applies scent before donning the Ihram garments (this is the last time scent may be used), prays two units of prayer, and then makes the intention for Hajj whilst reciting the Talbiyah: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk...'

Upon arriving in Makkah, the pilgrim proceeds to al-Masjid al-Haram and performs Tawaf al-Qudum (the Arrival Tawaf). This is a Sunnah (recommended act) for those performing Ifrad or Qiran Hajj. The pilgrim circles the Ka'bah seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad), keeping the Ka'bah on the left. Upon entering the mosque, one enters with the right foot first, reciting the prescribed supplication. On reaching the Black Stone, one faces it, touches it if possible, kisses it if able, or simply points towards it and says 'Allahu Akbar'. The Tawaf should be performed with full concentration, remembrance of Allah, and supplication.

After Tawaf al-Qudum, the pilgrim performs Sa'i: walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This act commemorates the urgent search of Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Ibrahim, for water for her infant son Ismail in the barren valley. Allah answered her desperate effort by causing the Zamzam spring to gush from the ground. The pilgrim ascends Safa first, faces the Ka'bah, and makes supplication. Then one walks (and men jog between the two green markers) to Marwa, ascending it and making supplication, then returns to Safa. This completes one circuit; seven circuits are completed ending at Marwa.

On the 8th Dhul Hijjah, after Fajr prayer, the pilgrim departs for Mina. This is a Sunnah act and marks the beginning of the Hajj rituals proper. The pilgrim spends the day and night in Mina, praying Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr there (shortening the four-unit prayers to two units each but not combining them). Mina is a plain surrounded by mountains where millions of pilgrims camp together. This day is called 'Yawm al-Tarwiyah' (Day of Provision), traditionally named because pilgrims would fill water here before the journey to Arafah.

Standing at Arafah (Wuquf bi-Arafah) is THE essential pillar of Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ declared: 'Hajj IS Arafah.' Anyone who misses this stand has missed Hajj entirely. After Fajr on the 9th, the pilgrims travel from Mina to Arafah. At Arafah, after midday, the imam delivers two khutbas (sermons), followed by Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined and shortened (two units each, prayed back to back at the time of Dhuhr). The pilgrim must be within the boundaries of Arafah from midday until after sunset. This time is spent in intense supplication, remembrance of Allah (dhikr), weeping, seeking forgiveness, and calling upon Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah.'

After sunset on the 9th Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims depart from Arafah for Muzdalifah. Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, the pilgrim prays Maghrib and Isha combined (Isha shortened to two units) at the time of Isha. The pilgrim then sleeps in the open air under the night sky. Shortly before Fajr, the pilgrim prays Fajr and then engages in supplication until sunrise. Pebbles for the stoning of the Jamarat (pillars) are collected here: a total of 49 pebbles for those who stay only two days in Mina, or 70 if staying three days. The pebbles should be small (approximately the size of a chickpea). Elderly, infirm, and women with children may depart Muzdalifah after midnight.

After Fajr prayer and supplications at Muzdalifah, the pilgrim proceeds to Mina. The first obligatory act on this day is the stoning of the Jamarat al-Aqabah (the largest pillar). Seven pebbles are thrown one by one, saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each throw. The stoning represents Ibrahim's rejection of Shaytan, who appeared to him three times to dissuade him from sacrificing Ismail. After stoning, men shave their heads (halq) or shorten their hair (taqsir); women cut a fingertip's length from their hair. This constitutes the first exit from Ihram (al-tahallul al-awwal), after which all prohibitions of Ihram are lifted except sexual relations. The pilgrim then proceeds to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i.

Tawaf al-Ifadah is the central Tawaf of Hajj and is a pillar (rukn) without which the Hajj is incomplete. After the stoning, sacrifice, and shaving, the pilgrim (now in normal clothing for men, or Ihram can be kept on) proceeds to Makkah to perform this Tawaf. The method is the same as Tawaf al-Qudum but without idhtiba' (baring the right shoulder) as one is no longer in the initial state of Ihram restriction. Following this Tawaf, the pilgrim prays two units behind Maqam Ibrahim. If not already done before, the Sa'i is performed after this Tawaf. After Tawaf al-Ifadah, the second exit from Ihram (al-tahallul al-thani) is complete.

On the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah (and the 13th for those who choose or must stay), the pilgrim returns to Mina and stones all three pillars in the correct order: the small pillar (al-Jamarat al-Sughra), then the middle pillar (al-Jamarat al-Wusta), and finally the large pillar (al-Jamarat al-Kubra/al-Aqabah). Seven pebbles are thrown at each, saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each throw. The time for stoning on these days is from after midday (zawal) until midnight (though some scholars permit until Fajr). The pilgrim who wishes may depart Mina on the 12th before sunset (ta'jil); if one remains past sunset, they must stay until the 13th and stone all three pillars again.

The Farewell Tawaf is the final act before leaving Makkah. The Prophet ﷺ commanded: 'Let no one leave Makkah until the last thing he does is Tawaf of the House.' It is obligatory for all pilgrims except those who are menstruating or have postpartum bleeding. The Tawaf is performed in the usual manner (seven circuits). After completing the Tawaf and praying two units, the pilgrim stands at the door of the Ka'bah and bids farewell - this is an emotional moment for every Muslim who has made this blessed journey. The pilgrim should then depart without delay for the journey home, carrying with them the spiritual renewal of Hajj Mabrur.

Umrah begins with entering the sacred state of Ihram at or before the designated Miqat boundary. The pilgrim performs a ritual bath (ghusl), applies fragrance before wearing the Ihram garments (men may not apply it afterwards), and dons the prescribed clothing. Men wear two unstitched white cloths: the izar (lower wrap) and the rida' (upper wrap). Women wear their regular modest Islamic attire with no face veil or gloves during Ihram. Two units of voluntary prayer are offered, then the niyyah (intention) for Umrah is made and the Talbiyah is recited, signalling entry into the sacred state.

Upon arriving at al-Masjid al-Haram, the pilgrim enters with the right foot first, reciting the prescribed supplication, and proceeds to perform Tawaf. One must be in a state of ritual purity (wudu). Standing at the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad), one faces it, touches or kisses it if possible, otherwise points towards it and says 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar'. Then one circles the Ka'bah seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, keeping the Ka'bah to the left. Men perform raml (brisk, short steps) during the first three circuits, and idhtiba' (draping the rida' under the right arm, baring the right shoulder) throughout the Tawaf. The seventh circuit ends at the Black Stone. After completing the seven circuits, two units of prayer are performed behind Maqam Ibrahim ('the Station of Ibrahim'). Zamzam water is then drunk.

After Tawaf, the pilgrim proceeds to perform Sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This commemorates the trial of Hajar (Hagar), wife of Ibrahim, who ran seven times between these two points desperately seeking water for her infant son Ismail. The pilgrim ascends Safa first, faces the Ka'bah, and recites the verse: 'Indeed Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.' Supplication is made while facing the Ka'bah, then the pilgrim walks to Marwa. Between the two green fluorescent lights (where the valley once lay), men jog while women walk at a normal pace. Arriving at Marwa, one ascends it, faces the Ka'bah, and makes supplication. This constitutes one trip. Seven trips are completed, ending at Marwa. Wudu is recommended for Sa'i but not obligatory.

The final act of Umrah is shaving the head (halq) or shortening the hair (taqsir). Men are encouraged to shave the entire head, for which the Prophet ﷺ prayed three times: 'O Allah, have mercy upon those who shave their heads.' He prayed once for those who merely shorten their hair. Women cut approximately a fingertip's length (about 1 cm) from the ends of their hair; they do not shave their heads. Once the hair has been cut, the state of Ihram is lifted and all its restrictions are removed. The pilgrim may now wear their normal clothing, apply fragrance, and resume all acts that were previously prohibited.