Hajj in 7 Simple Steps - What are the Essentials?
Hajj is one of the most sacred religious obligations, more than 2 million people from around the world gather at the holy land to perform it. It is mandatory on all able-bodied Muslims once in lifetime. The massive crowd circle around the most sacred site of Islam, the Holy Kabah and take part in various rituals intended to bring greater unity and humanity among Muslims. Hajj is not one day task it requires 5 days to complete the rituals. The fifth pillar of Islam begins with the intention of pilgrim, intention or Niyyah is very important because Islam emphasis on person’s intention for whatever he is doing. Pilgrims need to intent for Hajj on 8th of Zilhajj. After the niyyah they need to wear Ihram, the dress code for Hajj. Ihram is simple two piece white cloth that men pilgrims must have to wear while women can wear their regular clothes with head covering or hijab. All pilgrims have to wear ihram to start the hajj before entering the Masjid e Al Haram. The place wear pilgrim make intention for hajj is called Miqat. There are different destination options for Miqat for pilgrims traveling to holy land to perform sacred religious duty.
Dhu’l Hulaifah (Abbyar Ali) is the miqat for pilgrims coming from or through Madinah to perform Hajj al-Tamatt’u.
Pilgrims coming from or through Syria, Morocco or Egypt can make their intention at Al- Juhfah near the Rabigh.
Qarn-al Manazil (As-Sail Al-Kabeer) serve as miqat for pilgrims coming from or through Najd or Taif.
If you’re coming from or through Pakistan, India or Yemen, you can make intention at Yalamlam (Sa’adiyah).
Dhat’Irq is the recommended place for pilgrims coming from or through Iraq.
Once pilgrims make the intention and enter the Holy mosque, next they have to perform Umrah. To know the steps and rituals of Umrah check our various blog available on website.
Once you complete performing your Umrah, you’ll have to complete the seven important rituals of hajj. Each and every ritual is obligatory, skipping or avoiding any one of them makes your hajj null. Be careful while performing hajj rituals, it is best to come with preparations so you know what you have to do where.
7 Steps of Hajj
Ihram and Intention: As we mention above these two things are the starting point of hajj. Without making intention or wearing ihram you cannot start your hajj. Once you complete the performance of Umrah you need to make intention again and resume with ihram. Remember that, this is the necessary step and you can’t avoid it.
Travel to Mina: After offering the Fajr prayer, all pilgrims need to move towards Mina. Mina is 5 km away from Holy Kabah. At Mina pilgrims have to spend the entire day carrying out different hajj rituals. Men and women are prohibited to sleep together at Mina. They have to perform the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Climb to Mount Arafat to perform Wafuq: On the second day of Hajj pilgrims gather at Mina before setting off at dawn to climb the Mount Arafat. 9th Zil Hajj is the day when pilgrims travel to Arafat from Mina reciting the Tasbeeh ‘Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik’. Next the climb the sacred mountain and perform the combined prayers of Dhuhr and Asr along with Qasr prayers, near the Jabal Al Rahman from noon to sunset. This whole act is known as Wafuq.
Prayers in Muzdalifah: The 4th step of Hajj is offering prayers in Muzdalifah. After the sunset in Arafat, pilgrims need to move towards Muzdalifah where they observe Asr and Maghrib prayers and then rest until the Fajr prayer. After the Fajr prayer they need to prepare themselves for next day rituals which are Jamarat or stoning the devil. Pick up total of 49 pebbles of same size for Rami and throw stones at three Jamarat representing the devil. Pilgrims leave for Makkah on the 10th day of Zilhajj before the sunset to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’ye, Sa’ye is ritual where pilgrims have to run between mount Safa and mount Marwa and then they have to get back to Mina to perform the ritual of Rami, Nahr and Halq.
Rami in Mina: Rami should be complete on 11th and 12th day of Hajj. They must reach to the Mina to complete this ritual before sunrise. Collect the seven pebbles of similar size to throw at the stone structure known as Jamarat al-Aqabah. The act of stoning should be carried out at noon each day. it is mandatory for all pilgrims to leave the Makkah before the sunset of 2th day of Zil Hajj.
Nahr or Animal Sacrifice. It is the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim that should be carried out to complete the Hajj. After the culmination of Jamarat pilgrims have to do animal sacrifice. Animals are available there for purchase and you can buy sacrifice voucher or a coupon which means that a sacrifice has been made in your name. The animals for sacrifice are either lamb or camel. After the butchering the meat of animals is packed and distributes in poor and also shipped to some Middle Eastern countries.
Halq and Taqsir: The last ritual of hajj is shaving your head. It is recommended for male pilgrims to shave their head completely but they can also clip them. Women are strictly prohibited to shave their heads instead they need to cut the lock or strand of their hair. This act of hair shaving or clipping symbolize one’s detachment from physical beauty and complete subjugation to their Lord.