Hajj

Hajj is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam.

It is Fard (compulsory) for every healthy and able Muslim Man and Woman
who can afford it.

It is a special journey to Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at
Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” [Surah al-Imraan 3:96]

Sometimes it is called a Pilgrimage. The people who travel to Hajj are called
Pilgrims or Hajjis, or Hujjaaj.

There are some important acts that each pilgrim must perform.

Ihram

The Ihram is the name for special clothing and special rules of behaviour for
Hajj. For Men the clothing is two unstitched white sheets wrapped around
their body. For women, any clean abayah can be worn.

Ihram has special rules like: not wearing perfume, not cutting your hair or
nails, not cutting any trees or hurting any animal, etc

Mina

Mina is a small town near Makkah. Another name of the town is the ‘City of
tents‘. After leaving Makkah, pilgrims spend their first day and night in these
tents. This is the second act of Hajj where pilgrims spend whole day and night
doing good deeds such as reading Salah, doing dhikr, making dua, etc .
Pilgrims are advised to rest here until the following day. Starting with the noon
prayer (Zuhr) and ending with the dawn prayer (Fajr), pilgrims recite all five
Salahs while staying in Mina.

Arafat

On the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims start their journey from Mina to an area
called Arafaat. The distance Mina to Arafaat is 12.9 kilometres. The pilgrims
start walking towards Arafat while reciting Talbiyah at the top of their voices.
Labayk Allahumma Labayk!

Spending time in Arafat is a very important act of Hajj where the Pilrims spend
the whole day making Dua to Allah.

The Mount (hill or small mountain) of Arafat is called ‘Mount Mercy’ or ‘Jabal
al Rahmah’, in Arabic.

At the place of this mount, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered his last
speech at the time of Hajj. Here, Muslims mostly make Istighfar and make dua
to Allah. They offer two prayers (Dhuhr and Asr) combined.

Muzdalifah

Muzdalifah is a town between Mount Arafat and Mina and it is next destination or
action for Pilgrims after Arafat.

After sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah where
they offer two prayers (Maghrib and Isha) combined.

They spend the whole night in the open sky and collect 49 pebbles of similar sizes
for the ritual of Rami (stoning of the Devil).

They leave this town on the morning of 10th day of Dhul Hijjah.

The pilgrims head to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah. They walk around the
Kabah, The House of Allah, 7 times, making dua as they go round.
Sa’i

Sa’I is the act of running between the Safa and Marwa hills. This action
remembers the effort of Hajar RA, the mother of baby Ismaeel AS. She was alone
near the Hills of Safah and Marwa. When Ismaeel started crying because he was
thirsty she ran between the hills looking for water and calling upon Allah.

The 7th time she ran up the Hill, Allah SWT caused the Spring of Zamzam to
appear at Ismaeels feet. This is where Zam Zam water is collected from and after
thousands of years it is still available for Hajjis to drink until this day!

Allah SWT says in the Quran

“Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever
makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah – there is no blame upon him for
walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is
appreciative and Knowing.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158]

After Sa’i the Pilgrims go back to Mina

Rami

On arriving at Mina, pilgrims perform the act of Rami by stoning the pillars or
Jamarat. Seven stones are thrown at the wall/column structure. The stoning of
the Jamarat is performed in memory of the act of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when
Shaytaan tried stop him from following Allah (SWT) command.

In response, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) threw staones to make the Sahytaan go away.

Rami is performed on the 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.

Rami should be carried out at noon each day.

Nahr
After the completion of Rami, on 12th Dhul-Hijjah, Muslim pilgrims are advised to
perform the sacrifice of an animal. this is called Qurbani or Udhiya. it can be a
camel, cow, sheep, goat or lamb.

For this, pilgrims pay for the animal and the sacrifice is made on their behalf.

The meat of the sacrificed animal should be distributed to the needy.

Halq and Taqsir

Halq means shaving the head, while Taqsir means shortening or cutting the hair.
After performing the sacred sacrifice, male pilgrims are advised to get their heads
completely shaved.

While forbidden to shave their heads, women are advised to get a strand or lock
of their hair cut. The act of Halq and Taqsir symbolizes purification and a Muslim’s
complete submission to Allah (SWT) and detachment from worldly appearances.

Farewell Tawaf

After completing the Halq and Taqsir, pilgrims return to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah
to perform the “Tawaf al-Wada’,” also known as the “Farewell Tawaf,”

Though this officially marks the end of Hajj, many pilgrims also visit Madinah
before heading home.