The Rituals of Hajj

The Pilgrim should do the following on the following Days of hajj in the month of Thul-Hijjah:

• Day 8 – The Day of Talbiyah

1. Ihraam to perform hajj. It is recommended to bathe and oil oneself with scented perfume[1] and to put on the two sheets of ihraam garments[2] and a pair of stitched or unstitched sandals or footwear that does not cover the ankles if he does not find sandals or alike. The intention of ihraam (for making ‘umrah, hajj, or ‘umrah and hajj) is said by reciting the talbiyah: “Labbaika Allahumma bi hajjah wa ‘umrah” or “bi ‘umrah.” (“Here I am O Allah I am answering Your Call, making hajj and ‘umrah” or “making ‘umrah”), as has preceded).[3] The Pilgrim then begins the talbiyah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in a loud voice:[4]

“Labbaika Allahumma labbaik-, labbaika laa shareeka laka labbaik, innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal mulk, laa shareeka lak.”

2. The Pilgrim leaves to Minaa where he prays thuhr, 'asr, maghrib, ishaa', and fajr. The four-rak’ah prayers are shortened to two rak’ahs but the prayers are not combined.

• Day 9 – Going to ‘Arafat

1. After sunrise, the pilgrim while making talbiyah leaves for 'arafaat where combined and shortened thurh and 'asr prayers should be performed in the time of thuhr.[5]

2. Wuqoof starts after the sun passes its zenith and after performing the thuhr and 'asr prayers. All of 'arafaat is a wuqoof area except for the plain of 'aranah.

3. While on 'arafaat, the Muslim should do his best in remembrance of Allah (making thikr), asking forgiveness, and making du’aa.

4. After sunset, the pilgrim leaves with calmness and tranquility for Muzdalifah and prays maghrib and ishaa' delayed, combined (with one athaan and two iqaamahs), and shortened.[6] The Muslim stays the night at Muzdalifah until fajr. The weak, old, and the disabled may leave Muzdalifah to Minaa after midnight. It is better, however, if they stay till fajr.

• Day 10 – The Day of the ‘Eid

1. The pilgrim performs fajr prayer in Muzdalifah and abundantly remembers Allah and invokes upon Him. The Muslim collects seven pebbles (the size of chickpeas) while in Muzdalifah, or on his way to Minaa, or in Minaa.

2. While in Minaa, the following should be performed:

(a) Stoning of jamaratul 'aqaba (closest to Makkah) with seven small stones saying takbeer (“Allahu Akbar”) with each throw.

(b) Thabh (Slaughtering) the Sacrifice for those making hajj of tamattu' or qiraan, after sunrise and in Minaa, Makkah, or any place in the haram. The Muslim may eat from this meat and should give from it to the poor.

(c) Clips or shaves (shaving is better) his head.

The woman takes off the size of a finger-tip (half inch) of hair from each of her braids. Following these acts (Stoning, sacrifice, and shaving [or clipping]), the pilgrim is in his first state of tahallul (leaving ihraam) called at-tahallul al-awwal, whereby every lawful thing is permissible for him except sexual intercourse with his wife.

(d) The pilgrim goes down to Makkah to perform tawaaf al-ifaadah, which is the tawaaf of hajj. It is permissible to delay this tawaaf and perform it during the days of tashreeq or after. According to some scholars, it may also be combined with tawaaf al-wadaa’, i.e. performing one tawaaf (seven circuits around the ka’bah) for both purposes.

(e) The above tawaaf is followed by sa’yee for those who intended the tamattu' hajj or those performing either one of the two other types of hajj (qiraan and ifraad) and who did not perform the sa’yee when they performed their tawaaf of arrival.

(f) The pilgrim then goes to Minaa to stay the 11th and the 12th nights, shortening prayers but not combining them.

• Day 11 and 12-Stoning the Jamarat

Day 11

After the sun passes its zenith, the pilgrims stone the three jamaraat, each with seven stones, saying takbeer with each throw. Following the stoning of the small and middle jamaraat (only), the pilgrim faces the qiblah and makes du’aa.

Day 12

1. The pilgrim stones the three jamaraat in the same manner as on Day 11. The pilgrims may then leave Minaa before sunset, or they may stay in Minaa the night of Day 13 (and this better), and perform the stoning of the jamaraat on the 13th day as above.

2. Those who want to leave to their home towns or countries may do so after performing the Farewell tawaaf. Women going having their menses or nifaass (discharge after child-birth) are excused from the Farewell tawaaf.