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How to perform hajj step by step

Author: Mohammad Hashim Qasmi Bastawi

Preface:

One of the important and essential pillars of Islam is Hajj. Hajj refers to visiting the House of Allah, the Kaaba, and performing its rituals and specific actions on designated days.

It is obligatory for every Muslim who is wealthy and can afford the expenses of Hajj to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

 The great virtues of Hajj have been mentioned in the hadiths, and there have been strong warnings against not performing Hajj despite having the ability to do so.

The following article explains in detail the definition of Hajj, its conditions, the duties and obligations of Hajj, some terminology used during Hajj, and the method of performing Hajj, along with its virtues and warnings against neglecting Hajj despite being able to perform it.

Some terminology of Hajj and Umrah:

Meeqat ميقات: This is the place where the boundaries of the Haram begin.
Meeqati or Makki ميقاتي ومكي: A person who is a resident of the Haram within the boundaries of the Haram.
Afaqi آفاقي: A person who is a resident outside the boundaries of the Meeqat, for example, Yemeni, Iraqi, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, etc.
Haram حرم: The areas around the Kaaba that are within the Meeqat are called the Haram boundaries. Cutting the trees and plants inside the Haram, its green grass, and hunting animals are forbidden.
Hillحلّ : Those areas that are outside the Miqat, where things that are forbidden within the limits of the Haram become permissible in the Hill.

Ihramإحرام : Before the Hill or Miqat, with the intention of Hajj or Umrah, the body is covered with two sheets; one sheet is wrapped around the waist and the other is covered; this is called Ihram. Without it, a person cannot pass through The Miqatميقات : After wearing it, some halal things also become forbidden.

Muhrim محرم: The person who wears Ihram is called a Muhrim.
Hajj A-l Mufrad حج المفرد: Wearing Ihram only with the intention of Hajj.
Hajj Al- Qiran حج القران: Wearing Ihram with the intention of both Hajj and Umrah together.
Hajj al –Tamattu حج التمتع: Wearing Ihram first with the intention of Umrah and, after finishing it, wearing Ihram again with the intention of Hajj during the days of Hajj.
Talbiyah تلبيه: Labaik Allahumma labaik, labaik la sharika laka, labaik in al-hamdu wa al – nima laka wa al-mulk la sharika laka.
Tahlil تهليل : La ilaha illallah.
Mataf مطاف: The place of Tawaf, which is around the Kaaba.
Tawaf طواف: Circumambulating the Kaaba seven times.
Tawaf al- Qudum طواف القدوم: This Tawaf is Sunnah only for those performing Hajj al-Ifrad or al-Qiran . It is not Sunnah for those performing Hajj al-Tamattu’ or ‘Umrah, whether they are residents inside or outside the Haram boundaries.
Tawaf al-Ziyarat طواف الزيارة: This is the circumambulation of the Kaaba. Its time is from the dawn of the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah until the sunset of the twelfth of Dhul-Hijjah. This is a pillar of Hajj, without which Hajj is incomplete.
Tawaf al-Wida طواف الوداع: This circumambulation is also called Tawaf al-Sadr and is for those who live outside the Meeqat. This circumambulation is obligatory and is also the last obligatory pillar of Hajj.
Tawaf al-Umrah طواف العمرة: This circumambulation is obligatory and is a pillar of Umrah.
Tawaf Nafl طواف النفل: That is, Nafl Tawaf; it can be performed at any time.
Hajar Al – Aswad حجر الأسود: It is a black stone brought from Paradise; it is embedded in the eastern wall of the Kaaba, surrounded by a silver casing.
Istilaam الاستلام: Kissing the Black Stone and touching it with the hand.
Ramal الرمل: Walking briskly while shaking the shoulders in the first three rounds of Tawaf.
Shawt الشوط: Circumambulating around the Kaaba once.
Rami الرمي: Throwing pebbles at the devil.
Sa’i السعي: Running seven times between Safa and Marwah.
Mina منى: This is a field that is 7.6 kilometers east of the Kaaba; its area is approximately 20 square kilometers. Tents are set up in this field for the pilgrims, and sacrifices are made here during Eid al-Adha each year.

Jamarats الجمرات: There is a place in Mina where large pillars are built in the shape of a wall, where Satan is stoned. The one on the east side near the Khaif Mosque is called Jamarat al-Ula (first Jamrah), the one in the middle facing Mecca is called Jamarat al-Usta (middle Jamrah), and the ones after that are called Jamarat al-Aqaba and Jamarat al-Kubra. (Last Jamrah)  This is the last Jamarah in Mina facing Mecca. From here, the Kaaba is 6.3 kilometers away.

Safa الصفا: A small hill on the southern side of the Kaaba, from which the Sa’i begins, this hill is 1 km from the Kaaba.
Marwa المروة: A small hill on which the Sa’i ends.
Arafat عرفات: A place on the eastern side, approximately 24.1 km from the Kaaba, where the pilgrims stop on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah.
Halq الحلق: Shaving the hair of the head.
Qasr القصر: Cutting the hair of the head.

Hateem الحطيم: A part of the land on the northern side of the Kaaba, surrounded by a wall connected to the Kaaba, is called Hateem.

Dam الدم: Performing prohibited acts while in the state of Ihram makes a sacrifice obligatory. This is called Dam.

Maqam Ibrahim مقام إبراهيم : This is the stone on which Prophet Abraham built the Kaaba. This stone is placed in a lattice dome on the eastern side of the Mataf, between the pulpit and Zamzam.

Multazam الملتزم: The wall between the Hajar Aswad and the door of the Kaaba, It is Sunnah to pray Dua while hugging it.

Masjid Khaif مسجد خيف: The name of the large mosque in Mina, which is located on the northern side of Mina, adjacent to the hill.

Masjid Nimrah مسجد نمرة: A mosque at the corner of the Arafat.

Muzdalifah المزدلفة: A place between Mina and Arafat, 12 kilometers from the Kaaba.

Muhassir محسر: There is a place adjacent to Muzdalifah, through which people run and emerge. At this location, the punishment was inflicted upon the Companions of the Elephant, Who came to demolish the Kaaba.

Youm Arafah يوم عرفة: The ninth of Dhul-Hijjah is known as the day on which the Hajj takes place and pilgrims remain in Arafat.

The virtues of Hajj in the light of the Quran and Hadith:

Allah Almighty says in Surah Aali-Imran:

And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. [Surah Aali-Imran: 97]

And it has been mentioned in a hadith about the merits of Hajj:

“Whoever performs Hajj to this Ka`ba and does not commit sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newborn child, (just delivered by his mother). [Sahih Bukhari: 1820, Sahih Mulim: 1350]

Abu Hurairah reported that God’s Messenger said , “An ‘ umrah is an expiation for sins committed between it and the next, but a hajj that is accepted will receive no less a reward than Paradise .” [Sahih Bukhari: 1773, Sahih Mulim: 1349]

Amr bin al-Aas said: I came to the Prophet and said, “Stretch out your right hand and let me swear allegiance to you.” He stretched out his right hand, but I clenched my hand, and he said, “What is the matter with you, ‘Amr?” I replied, “I want to make a condition.” He asked, “What condition do you wish to make?” I replied, “That I should receive forgiveness.” He said, “Do you not know, ‘Amr, that Islam demolishes what preceded it, that the Hijra demolishes what preceded it, and that the Pilgrimage demolishes what preceded it”. [Sahih Muslim: 121]

Warning to those who do not perform Hajj despite having the ability and resources:

Ali reported that God’s messenger said , “If anyone possesses enough provisions and a riding beast to take him to God’s House and does not perform the pilgrimage, it does not matter whether he dies a Jew or a Christian. That is because God, who is blessed and exalted , says, ‘Pilgrimage to the House of allah is a duty men owe to God, those who can afford the journey’.” (Qur’an, 3:97). [Sunan Tirmidhi: 812, Su’abul Iman by Baihaqi: 3692]

On the authority of Abu Sa`id al-Khudri, that the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “God said: ‘A servant whose body I have made healthy and whose livelihood I have made easy, and five years pass without him coming to Me, is deprived.’” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih: 3703, and Abu Ya`la in his Musnad: 1031)

Definition of Hajj:

The literal meaning of Hajj is to intend to do something great.

The theological definition of Hajj is to intend to go to the Kaaba with the intention of performing specific rituals.

The conditions of Hajj are:

(1) To be a Muslim who is performing Hajj,

(2) To be free and not a slave,

(3) To be physically healthy,

(4) To be able to afford it,

(5) To have a means of transportation or the funds to arrange for one

(6) To be safe on the journey,

(7) To be accompanied by a woman going on Hajj with her husband or a sane adult mahram.

Obligations of Hajj:

Three things are obligatory in Hajj:

(1) Entering Ihram with the intention of Hajj.

(2) Staying at Arafat at any time from the sunset of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah until the dawn of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah.

(3) Performing Tawaf of Ziyarat.

Liabilities of Hajj:

(1) Staying in Muzdalifah between the 9th and 10th of Dhul-Hijjah

(2) Throwing stones at the devil (11th , 12th , and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah)

(3) Offering a sacrifice for those who are performing Hajj-e-Qiran and Hajj-e-Tamatu

(4) Shaving or cutting the hair on the head

(5) Running between Safa and Marwah

(6) Performing Tawaf al-Wida for those who are outside the Miqat.

Note: If any of these liabilities are missed, it is necessary to make a sacrifice.

Sunnahs of Hajj:

(1) Performing Tawaf-al – Qudum for Mufrid (who has worn Ihram only with the intention of Hajj) and Qaarin (who has worn Ihram with the intention of both Hajj and Umrah together).

(2) Performing Raml ( walking briskly while shaking the shoulders in the first three rounds of Tawaf) in Tawaf al-Qudum and Tawaf al-Fard.

(3) Walking quickly between the two green marks in the Sa’i of Safa and Marwa.

(4) Leaving for Mina on the morning of the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah , offering all five prayers there, and staying in Mina at night.

(5) Leaving Mina for Arafat after sunrise on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah.

(6) Coming from Muzdalifah to Mina before sunrise.

(7) Returning from Arafat and staying in Muzdalifah for the night.

(8) On the 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, throwing seven pebbles at the all three Jamarats in sequence.

Prohibitions of Hajj:

After assuming Ihram, many restrictions are imposed on the Muhrim, such as:

(1) Abstaining from sexual intercourse.

(2) Wearing sewn clothes.

(3) Wearing clothes dyed with perfume.

(4) Covering the head or face.

(5) Applying perfume or henna.

(6) Cutting the hair on any part of the body.

(7) Adorning oneself with adornment.

(8) Tying a bandage on any part of the body unnecessarily.

(9) Removing dirt from the body.

(10) Eating something cooked over a fire that has a fragrant smell.

(11) Killing lice, bedbugs, ants, etc.

(12) Hunting animals.

(13) Cutting trees or grass within the boundaries of the Haram.

Types of Hajj:

There are three types of Hajj: (1) Hajj Ifrad (2) Hajj Tamattu (3) Hajj Qiran .

Hajj Ifrad: In this type , the Hajj Muhrim wears the Ihram during the days of Hajj with the intention of performing Hajj only and does not intend to perform Umrah. In this type of Hajj, sacrifice is not obligatory.

Hajj-e-Tamattu’: This is the Hajj in which the pilgrim first assumes the Ihram of Umrah during the Hajj journey, then performs Tawaf , Sa’i , Halq , and Qasr , and opens his Ihram . After the days of Hajj begin, he assumes the Ihram of Hajj and completes the activities of Hajj.

 In this type of Hajj, a sacrifice is obligatory for the pilgrim.

Most Hajj pilgrims generally perform Hajj-e-Tamattu’.

Hajj-e-Qiran: This is the Hajj in which the pilgrim assumes the Ihram for both Hajj and Umrah simultaneously during the Hajj journey. First, he completes the acts of Umrah but does not shorten or abbreviate the Sa’i of Umrah. Rather, he remains in the state of Ihram after performing Tawaf-e-Qaddum and the Sa’i of Hajj. After that, he completes the acts of Hajj during the days of Hajj, and then , after Sa’i and shaving or cutting the hair of the head , he opens the Ihram. In Hajj-e-Qiran, a sacrifice is also obligatory for the pilgrim.

Miqat and boundaries of the Haram:

The Miqat is the place where the boundaries of the Haram begin. From this place, it is not permissible for any pilgrim or Umrah performer to go towards Mecca without Ihram. Those who are going for Hajj or Umrah enter Ihram upon reaching the Miqat. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) designated five places as the Miqat. The details of these places are provided below:

Dhul-Hulaifa ذو الحليفة: This is the Miqat for pilgrims arriving from Medina. This location is located to the north of the Kaaba. The distance from here to the Kaaba is 424 kilometers via Al Jumum, and 472 kilometers via Jeddah.

Juhfa جحفة: This is the Miqat for those coming to Mecca from Syria , Egypt, and other regions . It is situated to the northwest of the Kaaba. The distance from here to the Kaaba is 179 kilometers.

Qarn al-Manazil قرن المنازل: For those coming to Mecca from Najd, this miqat is 80 kilometers northwest of the Kaaba.

Yalamlam يلملم: For those coming to Mecca from Yemen, this miqat is 128 kilometers south of the Kaaba.

Zaat al-Irq ذات عرق: For those coming from Mecca from Iraq, this miqat is 115 and 136 kilometers northeast of the Kaaba.

Miqats eastern countries:

Note: These miqats do not mention the miqats of India, Pakistan, and other eastern countries. The details of the miqats for these countries are provided below: If the flight of pilgrims coming from India, Pakistan, and other eastern countries is to Jeddah, it is better for them to enter ihram at the beginning of the journey or one to two hours after starting, because currently, the plane passes through one of the two miqats : Qarn Manazil or Yalamlam, making it difficult to estimate exactly when the plane will reach the miqat. However, the miqat is normally announced by the flight crew.

 If the flight is to Medina, then their miqat is the same as that of the people of Medina. These individuals will arrive at Dhul-Hulaifa and enter ihram.

If someone’s flight is to Jeddah but, for some reason, it is very difficult to enter ihram before reaching Jeddah, then they should make the intention to go to Jeddah instead of the Haram. From there, at their convenience, they should enter Ihram and depar

Method of Hajj:

Departure to Mina on the morning of the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah:

Those performing Hajj Ifrad and Hajj Qiran are already in Ihram, except for those performing Hajj Tamattu who have already removed their Ihram by performing Umrah. Today, they should enter Ihram again.

 First, pray two rak’ahs with the intention of Hajj, recite Talbiyah, leave for Mina in the morning, and pray all five prayers in Mina: Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha , and Fajr. It is Sunnah to stay in Mina on the nights of the eighth and ninth of Dhul-Hijjah.

Departure for Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah:

On the second day, i.e. , on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, one should offer the Fajr prayer and depart for Arafat. Staying at Arafat is the biggest and most important act of Hajj. If one misses it, their Hajj is not performed.

Staying at Arafat from midday to sunset is necessary. If one reaches it at any time during the coming night, even if one passes by it while sleeping, their Hajj will be considered complete.

Staying at Arafat can be performed wherever one finds a place in the entire, but the best and most preferable spot is staying near Jabal al-Rahmah.

The best and most excellent practice is to stand facing the Qiblah , raise one’s hands , and pray. One can also pray while sitting, recite Durood Shareef, mention Allah, and pray for oneself and for the entire Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him). There are no restrictions on this. One can pray in any language one wishes.

In Arafat, perform two rak’ahs of Zuhr and Asr prayers Qasr with two separate takbirs and one adhan.

After sunset, leave Arafat for Muzdalifah.

Do not perform Maghrib or Isha prayers in Arafat ; continue reciting Talbiyah on the way.

Upon reaching Muzdalifah, perform three rak’ahs of Maghrib and two rak’ahs Qasr of Isha prayers with two separate takbirs and one adhan.

Perform the Sunnah and Witr prayers later.

If you perform the Fard prayers with a congregation, it is better ; otherwise , you can perform the two prayers together alone.

Staying at Muzdalifah is very beneficial. Sleeping on that night is also a Sunnah, and there is a significant level of remembrance and Duas.

Departure from Muzdalifah to Mina on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah:

After praying the Fajr prayer in Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, leave Muzdalifah for Mina after sunrise.

On the way from Muzdalifah to Mina, quickly pass through Wadi Mahsar (the valley of the companions of the Elephant).

On the way, recite Talbiyah, Takbir Tahlil, Durood Shareef, Istighfar and Taubah, as well as other supplications abundantly.

It is better to pick 27 pebbles from Muzdalifah and take them with you ; otherwise , you can pick pebbles from anywhere.

Upon reaching Mina, first throw seven pebbles at Jamarat al-Aqaba, which is also called Jamarat al-Kubra. The Sunnah time for throwing pebbles at Jamarat al-Aqaba is after sunrise until midday.

After throwing the first pebble, stop reciting Talbiyah and Allahum Labaik.

This ruling applies to all : Mufrid , Qarin, and Mutamatte .

Recite Takbir and pray while throwing each pebble. The time for throwing pebbles is from sunrise on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah until sunrise on the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah. However, some times are Sunnah, some times are permissible , and some times are makruh. Throwing pebbles is permissible for the weak, sick, and women , even at makruh times.

After finishing throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, it is obligatory to offer a sacrifice for Qarin and Mutamatti as a thank you for Hajj, while for Mufrid, it is Sunnah.

After offering the sacrifice, shave your head or cut your hair.

After shaving or cutting your hair, remove the ihram. The restrictions of ihram are lifted ; however , intercourse between husband and wife is not permissible.

Going to the Kaaba for Tawaf Dhiyarah:

After performing the throwing of pebbles on the Jamarat, the sacrifice, and shaving or cutting the hair of the head in Mina, it is obligatory to go to the Kaaba and perform Tawaf Dhiyarah.

The best time for this Tawaf is on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah after sunrise , and it is not permissible to perform it before that. However, this Tawaf can be performed on the 10th, 11th , and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. There are no restrictions on the time of night or day, and one must return to Mina after performing Tawaf.

However, there is no need to return to Mina after performing Tawaf on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah after throwing the pebbles on the Jamarat.

After performing Tawaf Dhiyarah, the special relations with the wife become permissible.

Throwing pebbles on the Jamarats on the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah:

If a person is unable to perform the sacrifice and Tawaf Dhiyarat on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, then they should do it today. Today, the act of throwing pebbles on the Jamarat is to be performed again. The recommended time for throwing is from after midday until sunset. However, on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, one should throw them before sunrise; otherwise, a sacrifice becomes obligatory.

The act of throwing pebbles on the Jamarats today is as follows: First, throw seven pebbles at the first Jamarah, then at the middle Jamarah, and finally, throw seven pebbles at Jamarah al-Aqaba (Last Jamrah) in the same way as the previous day.

During the interval between reaching one Jamarah and the next, recite Takbir, Tahlil, Istighfar, and Durood Sharif frequently.

Throwing pebbles at the Jamarats on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah also:

Like the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah, today, all three Jamarats will be stoned. Similar to the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah, the recommended time for this is from after midday until sunset; however, women and elderly people can throw until sunrise on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. If someone has not yet offered a sacrifice or performed Tawaf Ziyarah, they should carry out the sacrifice and Tawaf Ziyarah before sunset today.

Deeds of the Thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah:

After performing the Rami on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, you have the option of staying in Mina for the Rami on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah or leaving Mina for the Kaaba before sunset. If the sun has set, it is makruh for you to leave Mina. Now you should stay in Mina tonight and then perform the Rami on the thirteenth and go to the Kaaba. If the morning of the thirteenth occurs in Mina, then the Rami on that day also becomes obligatory for you. It is not permissible to leave without performing the Rami. If someone leaves without performing the Rami, then Dum (a sacrifice) will be obligatory upon him.

It is better to stay in Mina after the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah and, on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah after midday, throw the three Jamarats and go to the Kaaba.

The method of throwing the Jamarats on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah is the same as that of the 11th and 12th, and the correct time for throwing the Jamarats on that day is from midday to sunset.

Therefore, throwing the pebbles at the Jamarats on that day can only be done before sunset and not at night.

 If someone does not throw the Jamarat by sunset, then the time for throwing the Jamarat has ended, but throwing the Jamarat on that day has become obligatory. If he does not throw it until sunset, then one Dum (a sacrifice) will be obligatory.

If someone throws the pebbles at the Jamarats after sunrise on the thirteenth , before midday, it will be performed with dislike.

 It is disliked to throw the Jamarat on that day before midday, but due to this dislike, Dum (a sacrifice) will not be obligatory.

Tawaf Al-Wida:

This Tawaf is also called Tawaf Sadr. It is obligatory for those who live outside the Meeqat. This Tawaf is the last obligatory part of Hajj. In Tawaf Al-Wida, all three types of Hajj are equal: Mufrid, Qarin , and Mutamatte’. This Tawaf is obligatory for all; however, it is not obligatory for the people of the Haram and those who live within the limits of the Meeqat.

A woman who has performed all the parts and obligations of Hajj and , after the Tawaf Ziyarah, menstruates and has not yet performed the Tawaf Al-Wida , and whose Mahram begins to leave before she becomes pure, is not required to perform the Tawaf Al-Wida . She can leave with her Mahram without performing the Tawaf Al-Wida.

No separate intention is necessary for Tawaf Al-Wida. If a voluntary Tawaf is performed after Tawaf Ziyarah, it also becomes equivalent to Tawaf Al-Wida. However, it is preferable to perform Tawaf Al-Wida upon returning with a permanent intention.

If, after performing the Tawaf Al-Wida, one suddenly has to stay in Mecca again due to some necessity, then it is recommended to repeat the Tawaf Al-Wida upon leaving. After the Tawaf Al-Wida, one should perform 2 rak’ahs of Tawaf, then face the Qiblah and drink Zamzam water before leaving the Haram.