Hajj: A Step By Step Guide to Attain Spirituality in the Holy City of Mecca and Medina

Hajj. It is one of the pillar of Islam, the religion of peace. A notable number of Muslims from around the world perform Hajj every year in the month of Zilhajj.

However, it becomes a bit complicated for the people in Hajj pilgrimage, especially for the first-timers. Do you know, why?

Because the first-timers lack the proper grooming about the Hajj. They may have the basic, but they lack the in-depth idea on the activities of Hajj.

Not to worry if are one of those. This post will watch your back. Here, you will get a complete guideline to perform the Hajj. Hopefully, you would be able know the guidelines and perform it rightly.

Let’s Explore:

The Hajj Rules in Brief:

In this section you will know the Hajj rules.

Hajj has three Fard (Obligatory) rules. They are:

Wearing Ihram
Staying at Arafa (Ukufe Arafa)
Awafuj Ziarah

Hajj has six wazibs (The Act is Similar to Obligation and will Bring Reward for the Performers). They are:

Seven times sayee between Safa and Marwa hills
taying at Muzdalifa (on Zilhajj 9). The pilgrim needs to stay at the place for at least a few moments between the sunrise and sunset.
Throwing stone at Mina
Showing gratitude for Hajj completion by the Hajje e Tamatut and Kibran performers
Cutting hair before removing Ehram
Tawaf e bida for the people outside of Makkah.

Also, you will have to perform other available sunnahs (The acts that Prophet Muhammad (SW) performed) and mustahabs (the acts neither encouraged, nor discouraged in Islam).

A Brief of Umrah Hajj:

Umrah Hajj is the other traditional ritual for Muslims. There is a key difference between Hajj and Umrah Hajj. Do you know that?

Hajj is performed during Zilhajj, a month in the Arabic calendar. But when you perform the rituals in any other month (except Zilhajj), that is called Umrah Hajj.

Obligations during Umrah Hajj

There are two obligatory and two wazib of Umrah Hajj.

The Obligatory are – wearing Ihram and tawaf of the Holy Kaaba.

The Wazibs are – Sayee between Safa and Marwa for seven times (The place illuminated with green light), and cutting hair.

Talbiya (the taqbir during the performance of Hajj)

Labbayaik Allahumma Labbayik, Labbayik, La Sharikalaka Labbayik. Innal Hamda Wan Nyamata Laka Wal Mulk, La Sharikalak.

(Oh Allah, I am present. I am present to respond to your call. You do not have any partner. Undoubtedly you deserve the praise, all the wealth and dominations are yours. You do not have any partner.)

What Activities are Prohibited During Ihram?

Using any sewn cloth or shoes. You can use sponge sandals.
Covering head and face (by any cloth including Ihram cloth).
Wearing shoes that cover the backside of the feet.
Cutting, plucking or tearing hair.
Nail cutting
Applying perfumed oil or attar.
Having sexual intercourse with wife.
Having any sexual discussion
Hunting.
Quarreling or fighting.
Combing hair, or moving finger into the beard where there are risks of tearing.
Using soap
Killing any animal or insect including lice, mosquitoes and flies.
Committing any other sin.

Types of Hajj and Their Intentions (Niyats):

There are two types of Hajj. The first one is Hajj-e-Ifrad, and the second one is Hajj-e-Kibran.

Hajj-e-Ifrad:

The Ihram should be worn only for Hajj, not for Umrah, and not comparing the Hajj with Umrah. (This is also applicable for Hajj performed for someone.)

Intention (Niyat): Allahumma Inni Uridul Hajja Fayassir Huliwata Kabbalhuminin.

(Ya Allah, I am wearing the Ihram for the Ifrad Hajj for your satisfaction. Please make it easy for me and grant it)

Hajj-e-Kibran:

This is the Hajj that you are doing for the intention of Hajj and Umrah together. Both the Hajj is performed wearing the same Ihram.

Intention (Niyat): Allahumma Inni Uridul Umrata Fayassir Lee Watakabbal Minni.

(Ya Allah, I am wearing Ihram for the Hajj-e-Kibran for You. Please make it easier for me and grant it)

The third Hajj – Hajj-e-Tamatut: It is the Hajj when someone performs Hajj and Umrah Hajj using separate Ihram in the same trip.

In the first Ihram, you have to make the intention for Umrah Hajj and after completing you have to cut your hair and remove the Ihram. It will make you Halal (legal).

Now, you have to make another intention on ZIlhajj 8 and wear the Ihram from the Makkah.

If you have the intention for a Tamatut, you have to wear Ihram intending to perform Umrah first.

The Intention (niyat) of Umrah Hajj: Allahumma Inni Uridul Um’rata Fayassir Leewatakabbal Minni.

(Ya Allah, I am wearing Ihram for performing Umrah Hajj. Please make it easy for me and grant it)

The Intention (Niyat) of Hajj: Allahumma Inni Uridul Hajja Fayassirhu Lee Wa Takabbalhu Minni.

(Ya Allah, I am wearing Ihram for performing the Holy Hajj. Please make it easier for me and accept it).

Tawaf Description:

The first task of the Hajj pilgrims is Tawaf. The Tamatut and Kerans have to immediately be present at the Haram Sharif and perform Tawaf.

Wajibs of Tawaf:

To keep the body clean, and having ablution. While menstruating, women are not allowed to perform the tawaf.
Covering the satar. Satar means to cover from the above the waist to knees for men. And for women, it is covering their entire body excluding certain limbs like hands, ears, hair, among others. Covering satar is obligator for every Muslim male and female.
Performing the Tawaf from the outside Hatim-e-Kaa’ba. Hatim-e-Kaa’ba is the external space on the North side of Kaa’ba. At present, it is identified as a circular wall.
Performing Tawaf on feet. However, if someone is unable to perform the tawaf by feet, it is allowed to carry the person on a cot.
Starting the Tawaf from ‘Hajre Aswad’ and starting from the right side.
Completing Tawaf with a continuous seven rounds.
After completing the Tawaf rounds, saying Tawaf prayers.

The Sunnahs of Tawaf:

There are some Sunnahs of Tawaf. The Hajj pilgrim has to follow the Sunnahs during the Tawaf. They are:

Facing towards ‘Hazare Aswad’ at the beginning of ‘Tawaf’.
Kissing ‘Hajre Aswad’ if possible. If unable to kiss the holy stone directly, you can gesture from distance with your hand. Also, you have to say ‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Walillahil Hamd’.
Raising both the hands to the chest standing in front of ‘Hajre Aswad’ like as we do during the Takwir-e-Tahrima.
Performing Ejteba in the ‘Tawaf’ followed by ‘Sayee’.
Performing ‘Ramal’ in the first three cycles of ‘Tawaf’ with ‘Sayee’. You have to move with full force (stepping one foot after another).
To complete the remaining four cycles at your usual or normal speed (you can do it slowly).
After completing each of the cycle and after the last cycle, you have to kiss the ‘Hajre Aswad’.
If it is not possible, for a distance, pointing at the Hajre Aswad, recite Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Walillahil Hamd and end the ‘Tawaf’ by following the Rule 3.

Intention (Niyat) of Tawaf:

Allahumma Inni Uridu Tawafa Baitikal Haram Fayassirhu Lee Wa Takabbalhu Minni.

(Ya Allah, I am intending for Tawaf)

Intention (Niyat) of Sayee:

Other than the Hajj and Umrah Hajj, there is no Sayee for Nafl (the rituals that will bring reward but no sins will be recorded if you do not follow or perform).

If you want to perform Umrah Hajj for someone, you have to perform Sayee. Sayee is running. It starts from the Safa hill. From Safa hill to Marwa hill and from Marwa hill to Safa hill.

During the seven-times running, in the first three cycles at the green light, you have to run. And the remaining four cycles should be performed at the usual speed.

In Brief:

We are in the last phase of this post. All the explanations are given below. But let’s recap them for better remembering.

The Activities of Hajj, Rules and Dates at a Glance:

Eleven important tasks of Hajj-e-Ifrad – three obligatory tasks
Wearing Ihram (only for Hajj)
Ukufe Arafa on Zilhajj 9 (After the afternoon until the sunset)
Tawafe e Ziarat from 10 – 12 Zilhajj. However, it is better to perform the Tawaf on Zilhajj 10.
Ukufe e Muzdalifa on Zilhajj 10 from dawn to dusk (from sunrise to sunset)
Throwing seven stones to the elder Saytan on Zilhajj 10 at Zamarat e Akabba. It is Sunnah to perfrom before noon
Hair cutting.
Performing Sayee before or after Zilhajj 9
Throwing 21 small stones to three Saytans (start with the younger and then to the elders) on Zilhajj 11. Seven stones for each of the Saytans.
On Zilhajj 12, throwing 21 stones to three Saytans (start with the younger and then to the elders). A total of 49 stones (7+21+21) should be thrown.
Performing the farewell Tawaf before the departure for the people out of Makkah. It’s a Wazib.
Tawaf e Kudum. It should be done first after reaching Makkah.

The Important Tasks of Hajj-e-Keran:

There are Three Obligatory Tasks:

Wearing Ihram (for Hajj and Umrah)
Staying in Arafa
Tawafuz Ziuarah (10 Wazibs)
Tawaf for Umrah Hajj
Sayee for Umrah Hajj
Sayee for Hajj
Ukufe Muzdalifa
Throwing seven small stones to the elder Saytan (Sunnah before noon) on Zilhajj 10
Taking breath
Hair cut
Throwing small stones to three Saytans on ZIlhajj 11
Throwing small stones to the three Saytans following the previous plan on Zilhajj 12 after the afternoon
The farewell Tawaf.

The Important Tasks of Hajj-e-Tamatur:

There are 15 essential tasks. Four of them are obligatory (Fardh):

Wearing Ihram for Umrah (from the country you are leaving)
Wearing Ihram for Hajj (ZIlhajj 8 in Makkah)
Ukufe Arafa (On ZIlhajj 9, after the afternoon until dusk)
Tawaf e Ziarat (On Zilhajj 10 or 11 or 12). There are 11 Wazibs
Tawaf e Umrah Hajj (after reaching Makkah)
Sayee for Umrah (immediately after Umrah Tawaf)
Hair cut (after Umrah)
Sayee for Hajj
Throwing seven stones to the elder Saytan (Sunnah before noon) on Zilhajj 10
Sacrificing animals (on Zilhajj 10 after throwing stones)
Haircut and taking breath
Throwing 21 (7+7+7) stones to the three Saytans on Zilhajj 11
Throwing 21 (7+7+7) stones to the three Saytans on Zilhajj 12 (Throwing a total of 49 stones (7+21+21) to the Saytans)
The farewell Tawaf

The First Day – Zilhajj 8:

Wearing Ihram, starting for Mina intending to perform Hajj. You have two tasks on this day.

Wearing Ihram (obligatory), and saying prayers five times in Mina (Sunnah). A total of five times – Fazr, Zohar, Asr, Maghrib and Esha prayers.

The Second Day – Zilhajj 9:

Staying in Arafa (Obligatory), and Ukuf e Muzdalifa (Wazib)

Staying in Arafa:

After saying the Fazr prayers at Mina, you have to start for the Arafa field. It is important to stay in Arafa after noon (after 12pm) until the sunset.

Say your Zohr prayers in the tent (if you do not visit the Masjid Namera), or at any place in the Arafa field.

When it is Asr, say the prayers at the right time.

It is notable that when you are at the Masjid e Namera, the Zohr and Asar prayers are prayed in a single prayer call (Adhan) but in two iqamats. It is known as Zame Tawqdim. But when you are in the tent or at any other place, you have to say the prayers in different times.

Ukuf e Muzdalifa (Wazib):

Immediately after the sunset, start for Muzdalifa without saying the Maghrib prayers.

Say the Maghrib and Esha prayers with a single prayer call and two iqamats. It is Wazib and knowns as Zame Tawkhir. Also, it is better to say prayers in this way.

Staying Muzdalifa is Wazib and you need to collect 72 small stones to throw at the Saytan. You can collect the stones from the surrounding areas and hold them into your Ihram sheet.

You have to throw 49 stones to three Saytans in Zilhajj 10, 11 and 12.

Seven stones on the first day
Twenty-one stones on the second day, and
Twenty-one stones on the third day.

A total of 7+21+21=49 small stones. However, it is Sunnah to collect 72 stones, as the stones may go missing.

The Third Day – Zilhajj 10:

On this day, you have to perform four tasks – throwing stones to Saytan, sacrificing animals, cutting hair and Tawaf e Ziarah.

Stay in Muzdalifa until the sunrise after saying your Fazr prayers. It’s Wazib.
After reaching Mina, throw the stones before noon (before 12pm). It’s Sunnah.
Next, the Tamatut and Kibran pilgrims have to complete their sacrifices (Wazib)
Then, remove the Ihram and clean yourself. Wear the usual attires, but not before the Sacrifice (Quarbani). However, it is okay for the Ifrad Hajj pilgrims not to perform the sacrifice.
If possible, after the haircut, perform the Tawaf e Ziarah. It is the best to perform on this day. And it is obligatory.
After the Tawaf, stay in Mina. It is Sunnah.

The Fourth Day – Zilhajj 11:

If you did not perform the sacrifice, haircut and Tawaf e Ziarah, perform it tyoday.
Throw stones to the three Saytans after the afternoon. It is Wazib to throw 21 (7+7+7) stones and start with the younger and then the elder Saytans. Staying in Mina at night is Sunnah.

The Fifth Day – Zilhajj 12:

Tawaf e Ziarah, if you do not perform it on Zilhajj 10 or 11, perform it today before the sunset.
Start for Makkah from Mina after throwing stones to the Saytans before the sunset. Throw 21 small stones (7+7+7) to the smaller, and then the elder Saytans.

Important Notes:

You have to throw stones before afternoon on Zilhajj 11 and 12. If you throw afternoon, it will not be acceptable. You have to throw it again or you have to take a break.
If you do not start for Mina on Zilhajj 12 before sunset, you need to throw stones again to the three Saytans on Zilhajj 13 and then return to Makkah.
The best time of Tawaf E Ziarah is Zilhajj 10. However, you will get three days for the Tawaf and Zilhajj 12 sunset is the deadline.

Ziarah to Medina:

After the Hajj, the follower of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) visit the Medina sharif for a day or for eight days to Ziara the blessed grave. They perform Ziarah, sitting at the Riadul Zanna (saying prayers), Ziarah to Zannatul Baqi and visit the other historical places.

The key task in Medina is offering Ziarah to the blessed grave of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

However, if there are possibilities, you can pray 40 times of prayers. It is Sunnah. But it does not indicate that you have to stay the eight days in Medina. It is not obligatory or Wazib and not the part of Hajj.

Many of the devotees stay at Medina for their love to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Hajj on Behalf:

It is a Hajj that was obligatory for the Muslims men and women. But if any of them die, or some of them are physically unfit for their illness, they can ask others to do the Hajj for them.

However, the person perform the Hajj should be an expert. The Ihram should be worn for the person who was supposed to perform the Hajj.

Now, you have the complete idea about Hajj and its rules. Please follow the guidelines. We wish Allah (SWT) will accept your Hajj. And please keep the Muslim World and every one of us in your prayers during the Hajj.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

01. Question: How Many Types of Hajj are There?

Well. There are three Hajj types are available. The first on is Hajj-e-Ifrad, the second one is Hajj-e-Kibran and the last one is Hajj-e-Tamatut.

Check the upper section of this post to know more about the Hajj types.

02. Question: What is Caying Two Prayers in Single Prayer Call?

Usually, there is a single adhan (prayer call) between Asr and Maghrib. You have to say the prayers separately. But the adhan or the prayer call will be single.

To make it clearer – you have to pray for two times at a row after hearing a single adhan. But generally, we say prayers following the timely prayer calls. When you are performing Hajj, the rule is a bit different than usual times.

03. Question: What is Hajj on Behalf?

This is the process of performing Hajj on behalf of someone. For instance, if someone is sick, physically unable or unfit, anyone can perform the Hajj for him or her.

Islam is the religion of peace. It has allowed such provision for the followers of this religion.

Hence, if someone is unable to perform Hajj, he can assign someone to perform the Hajj for him.

04. Question: How Long Someone Needs to Stay in Medina sharif?

Usually, you need to stay at Medina sharif for at least a day. The Maximum duration is eight days during the Hajj season. However, during your stay at Medina sharif, the prime task would be offering Ziarah to the blessed grave of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

If you are capable to stay for a long time, you can stay, too.