Hajj and Umrah guide
Umrah
Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage. It can be done at any time of the year and takes a few hours. Its rites, in order:
- 1Enter ihram at the miqatTake a bath (ghusl), wear the ihram clothes (for men, two plain white unstitched cloths; for women, modest everyday clothes), and make the intention for Umrah. Then say the talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
- 2Enter Makkah and the Sacred MosqueKeep saying the talbiyah on the way. Enter the mosque calmly, right foot first, and ask Allah to accept your Umrah. Stop the talbiyah when you begin tawaf.
- 3Tawaf: circle the Kaaba seven timesStart at the Black Stone, with the Kaaba on your left, and keep it on your left for seven circuits. You may touch the Stone if you can do so without pushing; if not, point towards it. Be in a state of wudu. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone it is the Sunnah to say: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina adhaban-nar.
- 4Pray two rak'ahs and drink ZamzamAfter tawaf, pray two short rak'ahs, ideally behind the Station of Ibrahim, or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded. Then drink Zamzam water.
- 5Sa'i: walk between Safa and MarwaGo to Safa and begin the sa'i. Walk to Marwa (one lap), then back to Safa (a second lap), and so on until you finish seven laps at Marwa. Men walk faster between the green lights. Make dua at each hill.
- 6Shave or trim the hairMen shave the whole head or trim it all over; shaving is preferred. Women trim about a fingertip's length from the end of their hair. You are now out of ihram and your Umrah is complete.
Things forbidden while in ihram
- Cutting or removing hair and trimming nails
- Using perfume or scented products
- For men: covering the head and wearing stitched clothing
- For women: wearing a face veil (niqab) and gloves
- Hunting animals and cutting plants of the Haram
- Marital relations, and making or arranging marriage
- Arguing, fighting and sinful speech
Hajj
Hajj takes place on fixed days in Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is able. Most pilgrims from abroad perform Hajj at-tamattu': Umrah first, leave ihram, then enter ihram again for Hajj on the 8th.
The main pillars of Hajj
- Ihram: the intention and entering the sacred state
- Standing at Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ said Hajj is Arafah
- Tawaf al-Ifadah: the tawaf after Arafah and Muzdalifah
- Sa'i between Safa and Marwa (the schools differ on its rank: most count it a pillar, the Hanafis a required act)
- 18th Dhul HijjahDay of Tarwiyah: go to MinaEnter ihram for Hajj, say the talbiyah and travel to Mina. Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr there, shortening the four-rak'ah prayers without joining them, and spend the night.
- 29th Dhul HijjahDay of ArafahAfter sunrise, go to Arafah. Dhuhr and Asr are prayed together and shortened. Spend the afternoon facing the Qibla in dua, dhikr and Quran until sunset. This is the most important day of Hajj. After sunset, leave for Muzdalifah calmly.
- 3Night of the 10thMuzdalifahOn arrival, pray Maghrib and Isha together, shortening Isha. Rest, pray Fajr early and make dua until the sky is bright. Pick up small pebbles for stoning (about the size of a chickpea). Weak people, women and those who care for them may leave after midnight, as many scholars allow.
- 410th Dhul HijjahDay of Eid: stoning, sacrifice, hair and tawafGo to Mina and throw seven pebbles at the large pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each. Offer the sacrifice (hady), then shave or trim your hair. This releases most of the restrictions of ihram. Then go to Makkah for Tawaf al-Ifadah and sa'i if you are doing tamattu'. The order of these acts is flexible, as the Prophet ﷺ allowed.
- 511th and 12th Dhul HijjahDays of Tashriq: stone the three pillarsAfter midday each day, throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars: the small, the middle and the large, in that order, with dua after the first two. You may leave Mina before sunset on the 12th, or stay for the 13th, which is better.
- 6Before you leave MakkahFarewell tawafMake a final tawaf, the Tawaf al-Wada', as the last thing before you travel. Most scholars say it is required; a woman in her period is excused from it.
The three ways of performing Hajj
1Tamattu'Umrah first, leave ihram, then Hajj on the 8th. A sacrifice is required. This is the most common way for those who come from far away.
2QiranUmrah and Hajj combined with one ihram, and the pilgrim stays in ihram until the 10th. A sacrifice is required.
3IfradHajj only, without an Umrah in the same trip. No sacrifice is required.
This guide is a short overview and not a fatwa. Details differ between the schools of fiqh and between types of Hajj. Study before you travel and follow the guidance of your group's scholar. If you make a mistake, ask a qualified scholar.
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0 / 6Common questions
Who must perform Hajj?
Every adult Muslim who is sane and able, in health and in means, must perform Hajj once in their life.
What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj happens on fixed days in Dhul Hijjah and is a pillar of Islam. Umrah can be done at any time and is shorter. The schools differ on whether Umrah is obligatory or recommended.
When is Hajj this year?
Hajj always falls on the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon. See the Islamic calendar page for the expected dates.