An Obligation for Every Muslim

The Hajj

What is the Hajj?

The Hajj: A Sacred Obligation in Islam

The obligatory Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and represents a profound pilgrimage that every devout Muslim is required to perform at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able. It takes place annually in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, drawing millions of Muslims from around the world. During Hajj, pilgrims follow in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and perform a series of ritual acts, including circumambulating the Kaaba, praying on Mount Arafat, and the symbolic stoning of the pillars in Mina.

The Hajj is a time of spiritual growth, devotion, and unity, where Muslims from diverse nations and cultures come together to strengthen their connection to Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and to present themselves humbly before Him. The experience of performing the obligatory Hajj is both transformative and inspiring, with pilgrims often returning with renewed faith and a deeper sense of brotherhood.

The obligatory Hajj, also known as "Hajjatul-Islam," essentially consists of two major rituals, each encompassing a series of actions: the Umrah (Umratul-Tamattu) and the Hajj (Hajjatul-Tamattu). The Umrah must be performed upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, prior to the Hajj. Below is a brief explanation of the ritual acts of Umrah and Hajj:

Steps of the Hajj

A The Umrah

The pilgrims enter the state of Ihram by wearing the special garments, declaring their intention to begin the Umrah, and reciting the Talbiyah (Labbayk invocation).
Important: Entering the state of Ihram must take place at the designated stations (Miqat) before entering the holy city of Mecca.
The first ritual act after entering the state of Ihram is the sevenfold circumambulation of the Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction. During this act, pilgrims must keep their bodies and garments free from any ritual impurity. In addition to being in the state of Ihram, pilgrims must also be in a state of ritual purity.
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After completing the sevenfold circumambulation of the Kaaba, the next ritual obligation is performing the Tawaf Prayer in the area behind Maqam Ibrahim. The Tawaf Prayer consists of two prayer units, similar to the Fajr (morning) prayer.
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After completing the Tawaf Prayer, pilgrims hasten seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. They begin at Safa and conclude at Marwa.
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The final obligatory ritual of Umrah is the shortening of the hair (Halq) and/or nails (Taqsir). Pilgrims must cut a portion of their hair and/or nails to fulfill this obligation and thereby exit the state of Ihram.
With Halq or Taqsir, the Umrah is completed, and pilgrims return to their normal state.

The Umrah consists of a total of five obligatory acts. It begins with the Ihram and concludes with the Halq or Taqsir.

B The Hajj

The Hajj consists of a total of 13 obligatory acts. It begins with the Ihram and concludes with the prayer of the Nisa Tawaf.

Just like the Umrah, the Hajj also begins with entering the state of Ihram. However, there are two key differences:
1. The Ihram must be entered within the holy city of Mecca.
2. The intention must be specifically directed toward performing the Hajj.
Pilgrims enter the state of Ihram by wearing the special garments, declaring their intention to begin the Hajj, and reciting the Talbiyah (Labbayk invocation).
After entering the state of Ihram, pilgrims must proceed to Mount Arafat and remain there. This stay must occur on the 9th day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, lasting from noon until sunset.
After the evening prayer in Arafat, pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifah, also known as Mash'ar al-Haram. They must remain there from the dawn of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah until sunrise.
On the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha), pilgrims in Mina must perform three rituals in sequence. The first of these is the stoning of the rear Jamarah pillar with seven stones.
The second obligatory ritual of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) in Mina is the sacrifice of an animal. A camel, sheep, or cow must be sacrificed. The sacrifice can be carried out either by the pilgrim themselves or by an appointed representative.
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The final obligatory ritual on the Day of Sacrifice is the shortening of hair or nails. For men performing Hajj for the first time, it is mandatory to shave the entire head. With this act, pilgrims exit the state of Ihram and return to their normal state.
After completing the rituals in Mina, pilgrims must return to Mecca to perform the remaining acts. The first ritual is the sevenfold circumambulation of the Kaaba, performed in the same manner as during the Umrah. Only the declaration of intention needs to be adjusted accordingly.
As with the Umrah, pilgrims must perform the Tawaf Prayer after the circumambulation of the Kaaba and before the Sa’i between Safa and Marwa. Here, too, only the intention needs to be adjusted.
During the Hajj, just as in the Umrah, pilgrims must walk back and forth seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwa after the Tawaf Prayer. The only difference lies in the intention.
After the Sa’i, pilgrims must perform the so-called Women’s Tawaf (Tawaf al-Nisa). This is performed in the same manner as the previous two Tawafs, with the difference that the intention this time is to perform the Women’s Tawaf.
Just as in the Umrah, pilgrims must perform the prayer immediately after the Women’s Tawaf. The manner of performing this prayer is the same as in the Umrah.
The penultimate obligatory act of Hajj is the overnight stay in Mina on the night of the 11th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. Pilgrims must remain there from sunset until midnight.
The final ritual of Hajj is the stoning of the three pillars in Mina. Pilgrims must stone each of the three pillars with seven stones on both the 11th and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah. With this ritual, the Hajj concludes on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, and pilgrims are permitted to leave Mina.