Introduction to the types of pilgrimage
The pilgrim may choose among three ways to perform the pilgrimage:
- Hajj Tamattu': performing the Umrah followed by the Hajj
- Hajj Ifrad: performing the Hajj only
- Hajj Qiran: combining the Hajj and the Umrah at the same time
For ease of understanding, we detail the Hajj Tamattu', beginning with the rites of the Umrah.
The rites of the Umrah
Preparing for consecration (Ihram)
Before entering the state of consecration, one should:
- Perform the full ritual bath (Ghusl)
- Remove the prescribed body hair
- Trim the nails and the moustache
- Apply perfume (such as musk) — for men, before putting on the ihram
Garments of consecration
After the ritual bath, the pilgrim wears:
- The Izar (white garment for the lower body)
- The Rida (white cloth for the upper body)
- Suitable sandals
Important: wearing these garments does not by itself mean being in the state of consecration.
Departure to Makkah
The pilgrim heads to Makkah through the Miqat. From Madinah, this boundary is Dhul-Hulayfah (also called Abyar Ali), located 12 km from Madinah.
Declaring the intention
At the Miqat, facing the Qiblah and standing, the pilgrim declares the intention:
"Labbayka ALLAHUMMA Umrah"
My Lord, I answer Your call to perform the Umrah.
He may add:
"ALLAHUMMA hadhihi 'Umratan la riya'a fiha wa la sum'atan"
Without ostentation or seeking renown.
The Talbiyah
Once on the way, the pilgrim recites the Talbiyah aloud:
"LABBAYKA ALLAHUMMA LABBAYK, LABBAYKA LA SHARIKA LAKA LABBAYK, INNA AL-HAMDA, WA NI'MATA, LAKA WAL-MULK, LA SHARIKA LAK"
Prohibitions during Ihram
In the state of consecration, certain acts become forbidden.
For everyone (men and women):
- Shaving or cutting the hair
- Trimming the nails
- Using perfume
- Contracting a marriage
- Intimate relations
- Sexual intercourse
- Hunting game
Specifically for men:
- Covering the head directly
- Wearing sewn garments
For women: avoid gloves and do not cover the face with a veil.
Arrival in Makkah
Upon arriving in Makkah:
- Perform another Ghusl if possible
- Enter the city during the day (if possible)
- Enter the Sacred Mosque through the Banu Shaybah gate
"ALLAHUMMA SALLI 'ALA MUHAMMADIN WA SALLIM, ALLAHUMMA IFTAH LI ABWABA RAHMATIK"
First sight of the Ka'bah
At the first sight of the Ka'bah, the pilgrim may raise the hands and invoke Allah. Umar ibn al-Khattab used to recite:
"ALLAHUMMA ANTA SALAM, WA MINKA SALAM, FA HAYYINA RABBANA BI SALAM"
The Tawaf of arrival
The Black Stone ritual
- Head toward the Black Stone (Al-Hajar al-Aswad)
- Say "BISMILLAH, ALLAHU AKBAR"
- Kiss it if possible; otherwise touch it then kiss your hand
- If unreachable, make a gesture with the hand
Preparing for the Tawaf
- Uncover the right shoulder (Al-Idtiba') by passing the Rida under the right armpit
- Perform seven circuits around the Ka'bah (counter-clockwise)
- The Ka'bah must remain on the left
Manner of the circuits
- First three circuits: brisk walk (Raml)
- Last four circuits: normal walk
- Touch the Yemeni Corner (Rukn Yamani) if possible
- Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, recite:
"RABBANA ATINA FI-D-DUNYA HASANAH, WA FI-L-AKHIRATI HASANAH, WA QINA 'ADHABA-N-NAR"
After the Tawaf
- Go to the Maqam Ibrahim
- Recite the appropriate verse
- Pray two units behind the Maqam
- Drink Zamzam water
- Return to the Black Stone for the final takbir
The Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
Beginning the course — approaching Mount Safa, recite:
"INNA-S-SAFA WA-L-MARWATA MIN SHA'A'IRI-LLAH…"
Then say:
"NABDA'U BIMA BADA'A-LLAHU BIH"
On Mount Safa — climb until you see the Ka'bah, then recite:
"ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR. LA ILAHA ILLA-LLAHU WAHDAHU LA SHARIKA LAH, LAHU-L-MULK, WA LAHU-L-HAMD, YUHYI WA YUMIT, WA HUWA 'ALA KULLI SHAY'IN QADIR…"
Repeat this formula three times, with invocations between each repetition.
The course
- Descend toward Marwah walking normally
- Quicken the pace between the two green markers
- Resume a normal walk until Marwah
- Repeat the same ritual on Marwah
- Complete seven trips (finishing on Marwah)
End of the Umrah
Once the seven trips are done:
- Cut the hair slightly (or shave if time permits before the Hajj)
- Exit the state of consecration
The rites of the Hajj
8The Day of Tarwiyah
On the morning of 8 Dhul Hijjah:
- Perform the Ghusl and apply perfume before putting on the ihram
- Put on the Ihram
- Declare the intention:
"LABBAYKA-LLAHUMMA BI HAJJ"
- Head to Mina while reciting the Talbiyah
At Mina:
- Perform the prayers shortened but without joining them
- Spend the night at Mina
- Continue until the following Fajr
9The Day of Arafah
Journey to Arafah
- Leave Mina after sunrise
- Stop at the mosque of Namirah
- Listen to the sermon and pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened
Standing at Arafah
- Position yourself near the rocks at the foot of Jabal ar-Rahmah
- Turn toward the Ka'bah, hands raised
- Invoke Allah until sunset
- Recite frequently:
"LA ILAHA ILLA-LLAHU WAHDAHU LA SHARIKA LAH, LAHU-L-MULK, WA LAHU-L-HAMD, WA HUWA 'ALA KULLI SHAY'IN QADIR"
The night at Muzdalifah
At sunset:
- Leave Arafah calmly toward Muzdalifah
- Pray Maghrib and Isha combined at Muzdalifah
- Spend the night there
- Gather small pebbles for the stoning
10The Day of Sacrifice
The morning at Muzdalifah
- Pray Fajr
- Go to al-Mash'ar al-Haram
- Invoke Allah until dawn
- Leave for Mina before sunrise
The stoning — at Mina:
- Head to the Great Pillar (Jamarat al-Aqabah)
- Throw seven pebbles, saying "ALLAHU AKBAR" with each throw
- Stop the Talbiyah after the last pebble
The sacrifice
- Go to the Mina slaughterhouse
- Sacrifice your animal (sheep, goat, or a share in a cow/camel)
- Recite at the moment of sacrifice:
"BISMILLAH, WA-LLAHU AKBAR. ALLAHUMMA inna hadha minka wa lak"
Shaving
- Shave the head entirely (recommended) or shorten the hair
- Women cut the length of a fingertip
First release: after the stoning and the shaving, a first partial release (all prohibitions lifted except marital relations).
The Tawaf al-Ifadah
- Apply perfume before leaving
- Go to Makkah
- Perform seven circuits around the Ka'bah (without Idtiba' or Raml)
- Pray two units at the Maqam Ibrahim
- Perform the Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
- Drink Zamzam water
- Pray Dhuhr in Makkah
Full release: after the Tawaf al-Ifadah, full release — all prohibitions are lifted.
11 to 13The Days of Tashriq
Return to Mina for the following three days.
Stoning the three pillars — each day after Zawal (noon):
- First pillar (Small): throw 7 pebbles with "ALLAHU AKBAR", stand to the right and invoke Allah facing the Ka'bah
- Second pillar (Middle): throw 7 pebbles with "ALLAHU AKBAR", stand to the left and invoke Allah facing the Ka'bah
- Third pillar (Great): throw 7 pebbles with "ALLAHU AKBAR", leave without lingering or invoking
The Farewell Tawaf
Before leaving Makkah:
- Perform a final Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada')
- Leave the Sacred Mosque with the left foot
- Recite:
"ALLAHUMMA salli 'ala Muhammadin wa sallim, ALLAHUMMA inni as'aluka min fadlik"
Conclusion
Thus the rites of the Hajj are completed. May Allah accept the pilgrimage of all the faithful and grant them His mercy.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.