Ḥajj in Nine Steps with Info-graphic

By Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt         #ProductivePilgrimage

Step 1: Ihrām

The 8^th of the Islamic lunar month, Dhū al-Ḥijjah is the first day of Ḥajj. On this day the pilgrim will dawn the iḥrām clothing and enter the state of iḥrām. Men will wear two unstitched sheets. One sheet wrapped from the navel down. The other draped around the top of the upper body, covering the back and the arms. No headgear for men. Women will wear their regular loose Islamic clothing covering the entire body, apart from the face and hands. Once the garments of iḥrām are on, be sure to have wuḍū (ritual ablution). Perform two units of prayer. Thereafter make the intention to be in the sacred state of iḥrām and to perform Ḥajj. Now consistently, whenever possible, recite the ‘talbīyah’ (the statement of pilgrimage, “Labbayk…”). Remember, while in the state of iḥrām, clipping, nails, trimming hair, applying perfumes and scents and marital relations are all prohibited.

Step 1 at a Glance:

• Wash up.
• Put on your Iḥrām
• Perform two units of prayer.
• Make intention for Ḥajj.

Step 2: The Minā Stay 

As a pilgrim in Ḥajj, you will make your way to Minā after dawning iḥrām. You will leave for Minā after sunrise. On your way to Minā, recite the ‘talbīyah’ and praises of the Almighty. Minā is a location situated about five kilometers from Makkah. Here in Minā, you will spend the rest of the day and a night. You will be allocated a tent with your group members. You will offer five ritual prayers here, Dhuhr, ʿAṣr, Maghrib, ʿEsha and Fajr of the next day. In Minā, you are to reflect, engage in prayers, recitations, supplications, dhikr, readings and positive spiritual conversations. You will also need to rest, eat and relieve yourself when required. The stay at Minā will complete the first day of Ḥajj.

Step 2 at a Glance:

• Proceed to Minā.
• In your tents, engage in reflection and recitations.
• Perform Dhuhr, ʿAṣr, Maghrib, ʿEsha and Fajr of the next day.

Step 3: The ʿArafah Stay

The second day of Ḥajj involves moving from Minā to ʿArafah after sunrise. ʿArafah is at a thirteen kilometers distance from Minā. The stay at ʿArafah is one of the main tenants of Ḥajj. While you are on route to ʿArafah from Minā, recite the talbīyah and praises of the Almighty. Once you arrive at ʿArafah, you will be housed in a tent with your group members. Here, you will rest and prepare yourself by midday. Once midday starts, you are to rigorously engage in supplications. The imam of Ḥajj will deliver a sermon. You may be able to hear it in your tent through radio transmission. You will offer your Dhuhr and ʿAṣr prayers, shortened and in congregation (combined or at their separate times). Thereafter, you are to engage passionately in supplications. The ʿArafah stay is a day of fervent supplications. This is a day where God’s exceptional mercy descends. Stand as long as possible with your hands raised while supplicating, facing the qiblah. You may take brief breaks. Continue with your supplications until sunset. After sunset, you will depart for the locality of Muzdalifah, without performing Maghrib prayers.

Step 3 at a Glance:

• Proceed to ʿArafah after sunrise.
• Perform Dhuhr and ʿAṣr.
• Engage in supplications until sunset.
• Proceed to Muzdalifah after sunset without praying Maghrib.

Step 4: The Muzdalifah Night

From ʿArafah, the distance to Muzdalifah is about ten kilometers. On your way to Muzdalifah, keep busy reciting the talbīyah and praises of the Almighty. Once you arrive at Muzdalifah, after finding your sleeping area you will be offering Maghrib and ʿEsha prayers, combined and shortened, during ʿEsha timing. After performing the ritual prayers (ṣalāh), you may rest and gather yourself. You will collect 70 pebbles to be used to pelt the Jamarāt (devil pillars) in the remaining days of Ḥajj.  It is advisable to spend some parts of the night in prayers and recitations. Women and persons with disabilities may proceed early from Muzdalifah after the prayers and collecting pebbles. Remaining pilgrims will spend the entire night in Muzdalifah. The next morning, you will offer Fajr prayers. Thereafter the main moments of blessings at Muzdalifah commence up until sunrise. Stand with your hands raised in supplication during this time. As the strong patches of light from the sunrise become evident, you will now proceed back to Minā.

Step 4 at a Glance

• In Muzdalifah, perform Maghrib and ʿEsha together.
• Collect pebbles.
• Spend the night.
• Perform Fajr.
• After Fajr, engage in worship until just before sunrise.

Step 5: The Minā Return and the First Pelting  

Today you return to Minā from Muzdalifah. In Minā, you will proceed to pelt the largest of the three Jamarāt (Devil Pillars). This will consume a major part of your day. You will throw seven pebbles, one at a time, with your thumb and index finger. Remember, it is only the large devil pillar of three, you will be pelting on this day.

Step 5 at a Glance

• Return to Minā.
• Pelt only the large devil pillar (7 pebbles).

Step 6: The Animal Sacrifice and the Hair Cut

After pelting, you are obligated to sacrifice an animal. You will either sacrifice an animal yourself or have this arranged by your representative. The meat of your sacrificed animal is generally distributed to the poor and needy.  Once the animal is sacrificed, you will trim or shave your hair. Sisters will trim approximately an inch from the end of their hair, in a line. Brothers have the option of either trimming one inch of most of the head hair or preferably shaving all the hair on their heads. This is highly recommended. The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) also shaved his hair during his pilgrimage. After trimming or shaving, you are now released from the state and clothing of iḥrām (sexual intimacy with marital partners is only permitted after step 7 is complete). You will spend the next few days in the Minā tents, busy in worship and supplications, while fulfilling the remaining requirements of Ḥajj. Your base will be Minā.

Step 6 at a Glance

• Have an animal sacrificed.
• Trim or shave your hair.
• Get out of the state of iḥrām.

Step 7: The Pilgrimage Ṭawāf

The pilgrimage ṭawāf (also known as ṭawāf ziyārah and ifāḍah) is a mandatory element of Ḥajj. You have the option to do this anytime up to the sunset of the twelfth of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. You will go to the Kaʾabah and walk in seven circuits around it with Saeʾīe. Return to Minā for the remaining days of Ḥajj.

Step 7 at a Glance

• Go to the Kaʾabah and make the Pilgrimage Ṭawāf with Saeʾīe.
• Return to Minā.

Step 8: The Concluding Days of Pelting

The concluding actions in Minā are now to stay in Minā for at least two days. The third day is optional but meritorious indeed. You will keep busy in reflection, recitations and devotional acts of worship. On the two [or three] remaining days in Minā, you must go to pelt all three devil pillars. The correct preferred timing to start pelting on each of the three remaining days, is after midday. Once you complete your last pelting, your Ḥajj is now complete. We pray for a blessed acceptance of your Ḥajj.

Step 8 at a Glance

• Stay in Minā.
• Pelt all three devil pillars on each of the three remaining days of Ḥajj.

Step 9: Farewell Ṭawāf

After the above Ḥajj steps are all complete, you will remain in Makkah as per your schedule. Value your time and stay busy in various acts of worship. On the day of your departure, it is an obligation to perform the ‘farewell ṭawāf’. Make this your last activity before departing the city of Makkah. You will walk seven times around the Kaʾabah and supplicate to the Almighty to accept your journey and bring you back soon.

Step 9 at a Glance

• Perform Farewell Ṭawāf before departing.