Hajj and Umrah guide

1

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:

1. Enter ihram at the miqat

   Take 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.

2. Enter Makkah and the Sacred Mosque

   Keep 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.

3. Tawaf: circle the Kaaba seven times

   Start 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.

4. Pray two rak'ahs and drink Zamzam

   After 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.

5. Sa'i: walk between Safa and Marwa

   Go 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.

6. Shave or trim the hair

   Men 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.

2

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.

1. 8th Dhul Hijjah

   Day of Tarwiyah: go to Mina

   Enter 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.

2. 9th Dhul Hijjah

   Day of Arafah

   After 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.

3. Night of the 10th

   Muzdalifah

   On 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.

4. 10th Dhul Hijjah

   Day of Eid: stoning, sacrifice, hair and tawaf

   Go 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.

5. 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah

   Days of Tashriq: stone the three pillars

   After 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.

6. Before you leave Makkah

   Farewell tawaf

   Make 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