Hajj (حَجّ) - Pilgrimage
Hajj (حَجّ) is the great pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) that every Muslim must perform once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam 🕋 and a sign of obedience, unity, and submission to Allah (SWT).
🕋 Why is Hajj Important?
Hajj is not just a trip. It is:
A spiritual transformation
A way to purify the heart and soul
A chance to start fresh, as all sins are forgiven (if accepted by Allah)
A reminder of the journey to Akhirah (the Hereafter)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and avoids all sinful acts, will return as pure as the day he was born.”
— [Bukhari & Muslim]
📅 When is Hajj?
Hajj 2025 is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, corresponding to the 8th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah, 1446 AH, in the Islamic lunar calendar. These dates are based on the expected moon sighting and are subject to confirmation
Key Dates for Hajj 2025:
June 4, 2025: Start of Hajj rituals (8th of Dhul Hijjah)
June 5, 2025: Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah)
June 6, 2025: Eid al-Adha (10th of Dhul Hijjah)
June 7–9, 2025: Days of Tashreeq (11th–13th of Dhul Hijjah)
✈️ Who Must Do Hajj?
Hajj is fardh (obligatory) for every Muslim who is:
An adult (past puberty)
Mentally sound
Physically able
Financially capable (enough to travel, stay, and support dependents at home)
🕌 Main Rituals of Hajj – Step by Step:
1. Ihram (إحرام) 🕊️
A state of spiritual purity entered at specific points (miqat).
Pilgrims wear special white clothes: men wear two unstitched cloths, women wear modest dress.
Say the niyyah (intention) and repeat:
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk…”
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am…)
2. Tawaf (طواف) 🔁
Walk seven times around the Kaaba, counter-clockwise.
A symbol of unity, all Muslims turning towards Allah.
3. Sa’i (سعي)
Walk seven times between Safa and Marwah hills, just like Hajar (AS) searched for water for her son Isma’il (AS).
Shows trust in Allah and the reward of effort.
4. Day of Arafah (عرفات) 🌄
On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat, praying, crying, and asking for forgiveness.
This is the heart of Hajj — a day when sins are forgiven and duas are accepted.
5. Muzdalifah 🌌
After sunset, pilgrims go to Muzdalifah, spend the night under the sky, pray, and collect pebbles for the next day.
6. Ramy al-Jamarat (رمي الجمرات) 🪨
In Mina, pilgrims throw seven stones at three pillars (jamarat) that represent Shaytan (Satan).
Symbolizes rejecting evil and standing firm in faith.
7. Qurbani (قرباني) 🐑
An animal (usually sheep, goat, or cow) is sacrificed.
Commemorates Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s devotion to Allah when he was willing to sacrifice his son.
The meat is shared with the poor and needy.
8. Shaving/Cutting Hair ✂️
Men shave their heads or cut their hair. Women cut a small portion.
Sign of humility and starting anew.
9. Tawaf al-Ifadah 🔄
Another round of Tawaf, required for Hajj completion.
10. Tawaf al-Wada’ (Farewell Tawaf) 👋
Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims do a final farewell Tawaf, bidding goodbye to the House of Allah.
🌟 Types of Hajj:
Hajj al-Tamattu’ – Umrah before Hajj, with a break (most common today).
Hajj al-Qiran – Umrah and Hajj together without a break.
Hajj al-Ifrad – Only Hajj, no Umrah.
🤝 Lessons from Hajj for the Ummah:
Unity: Muslims from all nations, colors, and backgrounds come together as one.
Equality: All wear simple clothes—no difference between rich or poor.
Obedience: Following Allah’s commands in detail.
Gratitude & Sacrifice: Remembering the stories of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Hajar (AS), and Isma’il (AS).
💡 Remember:
“And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can afford the journey.”
— [Surah Aal-Imran 3:97]
🕋 Umrah Guide (Lesser Pilgrimage)
Umrah can be performed any time of the year and takes a few hours. Here’s how:
1. Ihram (Intention & Preparation)
Before reaching the Miqat (designated boundary), enter the state of Ihram:
Men wear two white seamless cloths.
Women wear modest Islamic dress (not specific colors).
Pray two rak’ahs and make niyyah (intention) for Umrah:
Labbayka Umrah”
Begin saying Talbiyah:
“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka laa sharika laka Labbayk…”
2. Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Ka’bah)
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, perform 7 counter-clockwise circuits around the Ka’bah, starting from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
Each round starts and ends at the Black Stone.
Men should perform Ramal (brisk walk) in the first 3 rounds if possible.
3. Sa’i (Walking between Safa and Marwah)
Walk 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah.
You may recite du’as and make dhikr during this time.
Between the green lights, men should jog.
4. Hair Cutting
Men: shave head (halq) or shorten (taqsir) hair.
Women: cut a small portion of hair (about an inch).
🟢 Umrah complete!
💡 Video
🕋 Hajj Guide (Major Pilgrimage)
Hajj is performed from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown:
📅 Day 1: 8th Dhul Hijjah – Yawm al-Tarwiyah
- Enter Ihram from your place or Makkah with intention for Hajj:
“Labbayka Hajj”
Go to Mina and stay overnight.
Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr shortened (no combining).
📅 Day 2: 9th Dhul Hijjah – Arafah
After Fajr, go to Arafat.
Make du’a and worship until sunset.
After sunset, leave for Muzdalifah (do not pray Maghrib in Arafat).
At Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha combined.
Collect pebbles (49 or 70 total) for stoning.
Sleep under the open sky.
📅 Day 3: 10th Dhul Hijjah – Eid Day (Yawm al-Nahr)
Return to Mina before Fajr.
Stone the Jamarat al-Aqaba (largest pillar) with 7 pebbles.
Sacrifice animal (Qurbani).
Shave or shorten hair (halq or taqsir).
Now you’re out of major Ihram restrictions (but still avoid marital relations).
Perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i.
You can now fully exit Ihram.
📅 Days 4-5: 11th & 12th Dhul Hijjah – Tashreeq Days
Stay in Mina.
Stone all three Jamarat (small, middle, big) with 7 pebbles each per day.
You may leave on the 12th if done before Maghrib.
Or stay an extra day (13th) for more reward.
🕋 Final Step: Tawaf al-Wada’ (Farewell Tawaf)
Before leaving Makkah, perform 7 circuits around the Ka’bah (no Sa’i required).
Not obligatory for women in menses.
