Hajj is not just another of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is the trip of a lifetime. Each year, the call is answered by millions of Muslims from all over the world:
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj — they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel…”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:27)
Hajj, correctly carried out, is not just about completing rituals, but it’s about following the path of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Hajar (AS) and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Types of Hajj
There are three kinds of Hajj:
Tamattu’ (It is the majority for the pilgrims arriving from outside the Saudi Arabia):
Do Umrah during the Hajj months and then do Hajj in the same year.
Qiran:
Undertake Umrah and Hajj and both together with singleIhram.
Ifrad:
Make only Hajj (no Umrah) with a single Ihram.
This article outlines the steps of Hajj Tamattu’, which is widely performed.
Before Hajj Begins (Before 8 Dhul-Hijjah)
Perform Umrah:
- Observe the state of Ihram from your Miqat.
- Say “Labbaik Allahumma Umrah.”
- Perform Tawaf around the Kaaba (7) times).
- Sa’i between Safa & Marwah (7) Petty Hajj rituals –*(For Sai’)- (7 rounds).
- Shave and or cut your hair.
- Ihram ends. Remain in Makkah until Hajj commences.
Day 1: 8 Dhul-Hijjah (June 4, 2025) — Yawm at-Tarwiyah
- Enter Ihram again with the intention of Hajj:
- Say: “Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan.”
- Travel to Mina before noon.
- Stay in Mina overnight. Offer 5 daily prayers there.
Think about the path of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who moved in obedience to Allah’s command without questioning.
Day 2: 9 Dhul-Hijjah (June 5, 2025) — Arafah
- After Fajr, travel to Arafah.
- Stand in Arafah (Wuquf) from Dhuhr to Maghrib, and this is the essence of Hajj.
- Pray Dhuhr and Asr together and shortened.
- Make sincere personal du‘a, tearful, forgiving, seeking change within.
“Hajj is Arafah.” (Hadith – Abu Dawud)
- After the sun has set, you will depart for Muzdalifah before praying Maghrib in Arafah.
- At Muzdalifah: Offer Maghrib and Isha together.
- Spend the night under the stars.
- Pick a few pebbles (49 in all) for the next week.
Day 3: 10 Dhul-Hijjah (June 6, 2025) — Eid al-Adha
- Make your way back to Mina before the sunrise.
- Casting 7 pebbles at Jamarat al-Aqabah (the biggest pillar) of stone.
- Sacrifice (Qurbani) – by local or official bodies.
- Shave or shorten hair (men to shave).
- You have left the state of Ihram, remove the Ihram garment.
- Go to Makkah for Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i (this can be postponed until the next day if you wish).
- It is obligatory Tawaf, your Hajj is not valid without it.
Day 4–5: 11–12 Dhul-Hijjah (June 7–8, 2025) — Mina and Stoning
- Spend these days in Mina.
- Stone all the three Jamarat (Pillars) seven pieces per each Jummah since the day of Jummah before Dhuhr till the day of `Asr.
- Jamarat al-Sughra (small).
- Jamarat al-Wusta (middle).
- Jamarat al-Aqabah (the one large).
- You can depart Mina after the 12th if you have finished the rituals.
- Staying for 13 Dhul-Hijjah is optional but recommended.
Final Ritual: Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
- Perform Tawaf al-Wida — 7 rounds around the Kaaba prior to leaving Makkah.
- This is the time to leave the Sacred House.
Conclusion
Hajj is not only treading footsteps around stone, nor days of wearing white cloth, it is indeed a reformation of the soul. The acts represent the obedience of Ibrahim (AS), the patience of Hajar (AS) and the mercy of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
If performed with sincerity, the reward is immense:
“An accepted Hajj brings no reward but Paradise.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
May every pilgrim walk this path with faith, return purified, and live forever changed. Aameen.
