Introduction
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah that every Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. This profound journey symbolizes unity, spiritual renewal, and devotion to Allah (SWT). To help you prepare and complete your pilgrimage successfully, we have compiled a comprehensive guide covering all the essential steps and accompanying duas (prayers) in simple English.
Preparation and Intention (Niyyah)
Step 1: Make Your Intention
Before embarking on the pilgrimage, make a sincere intention to perform Hajj solely for the sake of Allah (SWT). This intention is called niyyah and is the foundation of your pilgrimage.
Dua for Intention:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ
"O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me. Ameen."
Entering the State of Ihram
Step 2: Enter the State of Ihram
Ihram is a sacred state that pilgrims must enter before performing Hajj. Men wear two white cloths, while women wear modest clothing that adheres to hijab rules. Avoid face coverings and fully-covering shoes. Ihram symbolizes purity and equality before Allah.
Dua for Entering Ihram:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ ، لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna-l-ḥamda, wa-n-niʿmata, laka wa-l-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Tawaf (Circling the Kaaba)
Step 3: Perform Tawaf
Upon arriving in Makkah, perform Tawaf by circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Start and end at the Black Stone, if possible, touch or kiss it, but if not, simply point towards it.
Dua for Tawaf: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, with faith in You, belief in Your Book, loyalty to You, and following the way of Your Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)."
Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)
Step 4: Perform Sa’i
After Tawaf, proceed to perform Sa’i, which involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This ritual commemorates Hajar’s desperate search for water for her son Isma'il.
Dua for Sa’i: "Verily, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no sin on him to walk between them. And whoever volunteers good, then verily, Allah is All-Recognizing, All-Knowing."
Clipping/Shaving Hair (End of Umrah)
Step 5: Clip or Shave Hair
Men are required to shave their heads or clip a portion of their hair, while women should cut a small part of their hair, usually about the length of a fingertip. This act signifies the completion of Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage.
Dua for Clipping/Shaving Hair: "O Allah, here I am in response to Your call, and to please You. Accept this from me and forgive my sins."
Resting and Preparing for Hajj
Step 6: Rest and Worship
Spend the time until the 8th of Dhul Hijjah resting, performing acts of worship, and preparing for the days ahead. Use this period to spiritually prepare for the main rites of Hajj.
Dua for Resting and Worship: "O Allah, grant me the strength and patience to complete the Hajj rituals. Make this journey easy for me and accept my efforts. Ameen."
Entering the State of Ihram Again (Day 1/8th Dhul Hijjah)
Step 7: Enter Ihram Again
On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, re-enter the state of Ihram. Wear the prescribed attire and recite the Talbiyah invocation.
Dua for Entering Ihram: "Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Mina
Step 8: Arrive at Mina
Travel to Mina and spend the day and night in prayer and reflection. Mina is a tent city where pilgrims stay before moving on to Arafah.
Dua for Mina: "O Allah, make my stay in Mina peaceful and my prayers accepted. Help me to stay focused on my worship and grant me the strength to continue this journey. Ameen."
Day of Arafah (Day 2/9th Dhul Hijjah)
Step 9: Pray at Arafah
On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, proceed to the plain of Arafah. This is the most important day of Hajj, where you stand in prayer, asking Allah for forgiveness and making supplications. The standing at Arafah is a key pillar of Hajj.
Dua for Arafah: "O Allah, forgive my sins and the sins of all Muslims. Grant us Your mercy and accept our Hajj. Ameen."
Muzdalifah (Under the Night Sky)
Step 10: Collect Pebbles and Rest
After sunset on the Day of Arafah, move to Muzdalifah. Here, collect 49 pebbles for the stoning ritual and spend the night under the open sky, continuing your prayers and reflections.
Dua for Muzdalifah: "O Allah, grant me strength and patience. Accept my efforts and prayers, and make this night a means of purification for me. Ameen."
Rami (Stoning of the Devil) and Hady (Sacrificial Animal) (Day 3/10th Dhul Hijjah)
Step 11: Perform Rami
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, perform Rami by throwing seven pebbles at Jamarat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. This is followed by the Hady sacrifice, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
Dua for Rami: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, accept this from me and protect me from the evil. Ameen."
Step 12: Offer Hady Sacrifice
After Rami, offer the Hady sacrifice. This is usually done by purchasing a voucher for a sacrificial animal, which is then slaughtered, and the meat is distributed to the needy.
Dua for Hady: "O Allah, accept this sacrifice from me and make it a means of earning Your pleasure. Ameen."
Shaving the Head (Day 4/11th Dhul Hijjah)
Step 13: Shave or Trim Hair
Men should shave their heads or trim their hair, while women should clip a small portion of their hair. This act marks the partial end of the state of Ihram.
Dua for Shaving: "O Allah, purify me and accept my Hajj. Grant me the strength to continue the remaining rituals. Ameen."
Tawaf al-Ifadha and Sa’i (Day 5/12th Dhul Hijjah)
Step 14: Perform Tawaf al-Ifadha
Return to the Kaaba in Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadha, a mandatory circumambulation that signifies a key aspect of Hajj.
Dua for Tawaf al-Ifadha: "O Allah, make this Tawaf easy for me and accept it from me. Purify my heart and forgive my sins. Ameen."
Step 15: Perform Sa’i
Complete another round of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
Dua for Sa’i: "O Allah, just as You have made it easy for Hajar, make my journey easy and fruitful. Accept my efforts and prayers. Ameen."
Rami (Second and Third Days)
Step 16: Rami at All Three Jamarat
On the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, perform Rami by throwing pebbles at all three Jamarat each day.
Dua for Rami: "O Allah, accept this act of worship and protect me from evil. Grant me Your mercy and forgiveness. Ameen."
Spending Nights at Mina
Step 17: Spend the Nights in Mina
Stay in Mina for two or three nights, engaging in prayer and reflection.
Dua for Mina: "O Allah, make my stay in Mina blessed. Help me to make the most of these days in worship and reflection. Ameen."
Farewell Tawaf al-Wida
Step 18: Perform Farewell Tawaf
Before leaving Makkah, perform Tawaf al-Wida, the farewell Tawaf. This signifies the end of your Hajj.
Dua for Tawaf al-Wida: "O Allah, make this farewell Tawaf a means of earning Your pleasure. Accept my Hajj and grant me the strength to continue worshipping You after I return home. Ameen."
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing Hajj! This spiritual journey is a life-changing experience that brings you closer to Allah (SWT) and strengthens your faith. For those who couldn’t go this year, use the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah for worship and good deeds, as these days hold immense blessings. May Allah grant us all the opportunity to perform Hajj in the future and accept our efforts. Ameen.
This guide, verified by scholars, ensures an accurate and reliable resource for pilgrims.