Everything you need to know about the pilgrimage to Makkah
Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia. It is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Allah says in the Quran: "And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who are able to undertake the journey." (Quran 3:97)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression shall return [free of sin] as on the day his mother gave birth to him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Hajj 2026 is expected to take place in late May / early June 2026 (8th–13th Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH). The exact dates depend on the moon sighting. The Day of Arafah falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, and Eid al-Adha is on the 10th.
Perform Umrah first, exit Ihram, then enter Ihram again for Hajj. Most recommended by the Prophet ﷺ. Requires a sacrifice (hady).
Combine Umrah and Hajj in one Ihram. Stay in Ihram until all rituals are complete. Also requires a sacrifice.
Perform Hajj only, without Umrah. No sacrifice is obligatory. Common for residents of Makkah.
Men: Wear two white unstitched cloths — one wrapped around the waist (izār) and one over the shoulder (ridā'). Women: Wear normal modest clothing.
Make the intention (niyyah) for Hajj at the Miqat and begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously. Perform ghusl (ritual bath) before putting on Ihram.
Upon arriving in Makkah, proceed to Al-Masjid al-Haram and perform 7 circuits around the Kaaba, starting from the Black Stone corner (Hajr al-Aswad). Walk counter-clockwise.
Men: Perform Idtiba' (expose right shoulder) during Tawaf and Raml (brisk walking) in the first 3 circuits. After Tawaf, pray 2 raka'at behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, then drink Zamzam water.
Walk 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah (starting from Safa, ending at Marwah). This commemorates Hajar's (عليها السلام) search for water for her son Isma'il. Men should jog between the green lights. Make dua at each hill.
On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, enter Ihram for Hajj (if doing Tamattu') and travel to Mina. Spend the day and night in worship, praying Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha (shortened but not combined) and Fajr. This day is called Yawm al-Tarwiyah (Day of Watering).
This is the most important pillar of Hajj. After Fajr in Mina, travel to the plain of Arafat. Stay there from Dhuhr until sunset, making dua, dhikr, and seeking forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafah." Combine and shorten Dhuhr and Asr prayers. This is the day Allah frees the most people from the Hellfire.
After sunset on Arafah, travel to Muzdalifah. Pray Maghrib and Isha combined (shortened). Collect 49–70 pebbles for the Jamarat stoning over the coming days. Rest under the open sky and pray Fajr at its earliest time.
Return to Mina after Fajr. Stone the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah) with 7 pebbles, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. Stop reciting the Talbiyah before the first throw. This commemorates Ibrahim's (عليه السلام) rejection of Shaytan.
Offer an animal sacrifice (sheep, goat, cow, or camel). This is obligatory for those performing Tamattu' or Qiran. You can arrange this through authorized services in Makkah. The meat is distributed to the poor, gifted to others, and eaten by you.
Men: Shave the entire head (halq, preferred) or trim the hair short (taqsir).
Women: Trim a fingertip's length from the ends of the hair.
After this, you are in a state of partial release from Ihram. Everything becomes permissible again except intimacy with your spouse until Tawaf al-Ifadah.
Return to Makkah and perform the obligatory Tawaf al-Ifadah — 7 circuits around the Kaaba. Then perform Sa'i between Safa and Marwah (7 times). After this, you are in full release from Ihram. You can delay this until the Days of Tashreeq if needed.
Return to Mina and spend the Days of Tashreeq. Each day after Dhuhr, stone all three pillars in order: the small (Jamrat al-Sughra), the medium (Jamrat al-Wusta), and the large (Jamrat al-Aqabah) — 7 pebbles each, saying Allahu Akbar with each throw. Make dua facing Qibla after the first two pillars. You may leave on the 12th after stoning if you wish.
Before departing Makkah, perform the Farewell Tawaf — 7 circuits around the Kaaba. This is your final act of worship. Make heartfelt dua, as you may never return. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Let none of you depart without their last act being at the House [of Allah]." (Muslim)
Stay in Arafat until sunset. Leaving early means you miss the most important pillar of Hajj.
Avoid pushing. You don't need to touch or kiss the Black Stone — pointing at it is sufficient.
This is the most blessed day of the year. Spend it in sincere supplication, not just socializing.
Use the days in Mina for ibadah, Quran, dhikr and dua — not just eating and sleeping.
Throw pebbles (not shoes or large rocks). Hit the pillar basin. Stone in order and at correct times.
The Farewell Tawaf is obligatory. Don't leave Makkah without performing it.
Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā hasanatan wa fil-ākhirati hasanatan wa qinā 'adhāban-nār.
"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Quran 2:201)
Lā ilāha illallāhu wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr.
"There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He is over all things capable." (Tirmidhi)
The core rituals span 5–6 days (8th–12th/13th Dhul Hijjah). Most pilgrims spend 2–3 weeks in total including travel, Umrah, and visiting Madinah.
Hajj is obligatory, performed during specific dates in Dhul Hijjah, and includes rituals at Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage that can be done any time of year with just Tawaf and Sa'i.
Costs vary significantly by country. From Europe/USA, expect €5,000–€12,000+ including flights, accommodation, transport, visa, and sacrifice. Budget Hajj packages are available from some countries.
The 4 pillars that make Hajj valid are: 1) Ihram with intention, 2) Standing at Arafat, 3) Tawaf al-Ifadah, 4) Sa'i between Safa & Marwah. Missing any pillar invalidates the Hajj.
The majority of scholars require a mahram (male relative) for women. However, some scholars (including in the Shafi'i madhab) allow women to travel in a safe group of trusted women. Saudi Arabia has recently relaxed this requirement for women over 45 traveling in a group.
During Ihram it is forbidden to: cut hair or nails, use perfume, wear stitched clothing (men), cover the head (men), cover the face (women — debated), hunt, and have marital relations. Breaking a prohibition may require a fidyah (expiation).
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