The walkthrough
The rituals, in order.
Study before you travel. Reference during the journey. Each ritual is one card with the act, the Sunnah, where scholars differ, and tips from recent pilgrims — every claim sourced.
1
Enter Ihram at the miqat
إِحْرَام
iḥrām · the consecrated state
Fard · gateway to Umrah
Before crossing the miqat boundary
The act
Before the miqat, perform ghusl (bath). Trim nails and remove unwanted body hair — these become prohibited once in Ihram. Men: wear two unstitched white cloths — the izar (lower wrap) and rida' (upper drape over the shoulders), with no underwear or stitched garments below. Women: any modest, plain clothing covering all but the face and hands; no niqab, no gloves.
Pray two rak'ah, then make the niyyah aloud: "Labbayk Allahumma Umrah" (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah). Begin reciting the Talbiyah continually until you reach the Haram: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak."
The Sunnah
- Apply perfume to your body — but never to the Ihram cloth — before donning it. Aisha narrated: "I used to perfume the Messenger of Allah for his Ihram before he entered Ihram."
- Pray two rak'ah for Ihram, ideally at a mosque near the miqat or after wudu' on the plane.
- Men raise the Talbiyah aloud; women recite at conversational volume.
- Make a sincere personal dua at the moment of entering Ihram.
Where scholars differ
Reciting the niyyah aloud All four schools
Maliki and Hanbali scholars emphasize verbalizing the intention; Shafi'i prefers it; Hanafi requires intention in the heart with verbalization recommended. Practical takeaway: say it aloud — it satisfies all four schools.
Where to enter Ihram on a flight All schools
All four schools agree the geographic miqat boundary is what matters, not which mosque you visit. Most pilgrims from the West change into the Ihram cloth at home or in the airport, then make the niyyah aloud during the flight when the pilot announces the miqat overhead.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Change into Ihram clothing at home or in a clean airport rest area before boarding. Changing in a cramped airplane lavatory during descent is rushed and uncomfortable.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah travel guidance · Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj orientation
✓
Pack 2–3 sets of Ihram cloths. You will sweat through them in transit and in Mina. A spare set in your daypack saves a long uncomfortable afternoon.
Sources: Council of British Hajjis · ISNA Hajj orientation · Saudi Red Crescent Hajj health advice
✓
Most carriers serving Western pilgrims (Saudia, Emirates, Qatar) announce the miqat overhead, typically 30–60 minutes before landing in Jeddah. If you miss the announcement, ask a flight attendant or your group leader; some pilgrims also follow the Nusuk app's miqat alert.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk official · multiple Hajj operator advisories
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
2
Arrive at Masjid al-Haram
دُخُول الْحَرَم
dukhūl al-ḥaram · entering the Sanctuary
Sunnah on entering
First sight of the Kaaba
The act
Enter Masjid al-Haram with the right foot first. Recite the dua of entering a mosque: "Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik" (O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy).
On first sight of the Kaaba, stop. The Talbiyah continues until you begin tawaaf. Pause, gather yourself, make whatever dua you wish — tradition holds this is a moment when supplications are answered. Then proceed toward the Mataf.
The Sunnah
- Enter with the right foot first; the Prophet ﷺ favored beginning with the right side in all matters of honor.
- Recite the dua of entering the mosque on crossing the threshold.
- Continue the Talbiyah until you begin the tawaaf at the Black Stone corner.
- There is no fixed dua for the moment of first sight; any sincere dua in any language is accepted.
Where scholars differ
Raising hands at first sight of the Kaaba All four schools
Some scholars hold raising hands at first sight is recommended; others view it as a custom without a fixed prophetic basis. All four schools agree the moment is significant for dua, regardless of whether hands are raised. Practical takeaway: do whatever helps you focus; both are acceptable.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Bab al-Salam (Gate 24) places you near the Black Stone corner — useful if you're heading directly to tawaaf. Other entrances also work; the gate matters mostly for finding your group again.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk app gate guide · ICNA Hajj orientation
✓
Off-peak hours (between Asr and Maghrib, or late at night during Umrah season) are far calmer than peak Fajr or Friday. First-time pilgrims arriving at peak times often find the experience overwhelming.
Sources: Saudi Civil Defense crowd briefings · UK FCDO Saudi Arabia advice · multiple Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Photograph the gate sign you enter through. Returning to your hotel from a different gate is a common cause of getting lost — and the Haram has dozens of gates.
Sources: US Embassy Riyadh guidance for American pilgrims · Council of British Hajjis · multiple operator briefings
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
3
Tawaaf — seven circuits of the Kaaba
طَوَاف
ṭawāf · circumambulation
Fard · pillar of Umrah
~30–90 min depending on crowd
The act
Begin at the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) corner. Walk seven full circuits around the Kaaba, keeping it on your left, in a counter-clockwise direction. Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone corner. You should be in a state of wudu' throughout.
If you can reach the Black Stone safely, touch it and kiss it; if not, raise your right hand toward it and say Bismillahi wa-Allahu akbar. Do not push. Do the same gesture at the Yemeni corner (no kissing — only touching if accessible, or no gesture at all if not).
The Sunnah
- Idtiba' (men only) — uncover your right shoulder for the duration of all seven circuits, then re-cover it before praying behind Maqam Ibrahim.
- Raml (men only) — walk briskly, with short steps and shoulders back, in the first three circuits. Walk normally in the remaining four.
- Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, recite: Rabbana atina fi'd-dunya hasanah, wa fi'l-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhab an-nar.
- There is no fixed dua for the rest of the tawaaf. Make any dua, recite Qur'an, or remember Allah in your own words.
Where scholars differ
If you break wudu' mid-tawaaf All four schools
Mainstream position across the four schools: leave, renew wudu', and resume from the circuit you were on. Some Hanafi positions allow continuing from where you left off; the Shafi'i school requires restarting the current circuit. When in doubt, the safer practice is to restart that circuit.
Carrying or being carried during tawaaf All schools
Permitted. Tawaaf counts for the carrier; a separate intention is needed if it is also to count for the carried person. Wheelchair tawaaf is performed on the upper levels of the Mataf and is widely accepted.
From recent pilgrims
✓
For tawaaf at peak times (Fajr, after Isha, Fridays), the upper levels are far less crowded — a single circuit upstairs is much longer in distance, but you can move at your own pace.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah crowd guidance · Council of British Hajjis 2024 advisory · ICNA Hajj Operator handbook
✓
Don't push toward the Black Stone in the inner ring during peak hours. Sunnah is to gesture from a distance — the reward is identical, the risk is not. After the 2024 heat-related incidents, several Hajj operators have moved to advise against the inner ring entirely for first-time pilgrims.
Sources: Saudi Civil Defense post-Hajj briefing 2024 · UK FCDO Saudi Arabia travel advice · AlMaghrib Institute Hajj guide
✓
Use a counter (paper, dhikr ring, or this app's tawaaf counter) — many pilgrims lose track in the noise. Doubling back to recount mid-tawaaf is more disruptive than just keeping a count from the start.
Sources: ISNA Hajj orientation materials · Council of British Hajjis · widely-corroborated pilgrim guidance
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
4
Two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim
رَكْعَتَا الطَّوَاف
rakʿatā al-ṭawāf · the two rak'ah of tawaaf
Sunnah mu'akkadah
Immediately after tawaaf
The act
After completing seven circuits, walk to the area behind Maqam Ibrahim — the small gilded enclosure containing the stone. If space allows, pray two short rak'ah with the Maqam between you and the Kaaba. If it's too crowded, pray anywhere in the Haram facing the Kaaba.
In the first rak'ah, after al-Fatiha, recite Surah al-Kafirun (109). In the second, after al-Fatiha, recite Surah al-Ikhlas (112). Then walk toward the Zamzam dispensers.
The Sunnah
- The two surahs in the two rak'ah is the established practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
- As you approach the Maqam, recite: Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla (Qur'an 2:125 — "And take from the Maqam Ibrahim a place of prayer").
- Keep the rak'ah short. Long recitation in this dense area blocks others.
Where scholars differ
Praying behind Maqam Ibrahim vs. anywhere facing the Kaaba All four schools
All four schools agree praying directly behind the Maqam is preferred but praying elsewhere in the Haram is fully valid. Crowd safety should determine where you actually pray — pushing through the inner ring at peak hours is contrary to the spirit of the Sunnah.
Whether the two rak'ah are obligatory All schools
Mainstream across all four schools: sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized sunnah), not fard. If you skip them, your tawaaf is still valid but you've missed the prophetic refinement.
From recent pilgrims
✓
At peak times the Maqam area is too crowded to pray nearby safely. Walking back to the second-floor balcony, where the Kaaba is visible through the open ceiling structure, is a popular alternative.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Council of British Hajjis · multiple Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Don't try to touch the Maqam Ibrahim itself — it's enclosed in a gilded glass case for protection. The Sunnah is to pray near it, not to touch it.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah heritage protection guidance · widely-corroborated scholarly advice · ICNA Hajj orientation
✓
Memorize Surah al-Kafirun and Surah al-Ikhlas before traveling if you don't already know them — they're short (4–6 ayat each), and the moment is too special to spend it staring at a phone screen.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · ICNA pre-Hajj orientation
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
5
Drink Zamzam
شُرْب زَمْزَم
shurb zamzam · drinking from the well
Sunnah mu'akkadah
After the two rak'ah
The act
Walk to the Zamzam dispensers — large insulated coolers labeled in Arabic and English, located throughout the Haram. Take a paper cup. Drink while standing, facing the Kaaba, in three breaths (exhaling outside the cup). Make dua before, during, and after.
The Sunnah
- Drink standing, facing the Kaaba — established practice of the Prophet ﷺ specifically for Zamzam (drinking other water seated is the broader Sunnah).
- Drink in three breaths, exhaling outside the cup.
- Drink to your fill. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for" — make a specific dua for what you wish.
Where scholars differ
Standing vs. sitting All four schools
For Zamzam, all four schools agree standing is the established Sunnah from authentic narrations of the Prophet ﷺ. For other water, sitting is generally preferred — Zamzam is a specific exception.
Pouring Zamzam over the body All schools
Reported in some narrations from the Companions; mainstream view across all four schools is that it's permissible but not strongly emphasized. Drinking is the primary sunnah; pouring over the head/body is a secondary practice.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Bring an empty water bottle. Quieter dispensers exist near the women's prayer areas and in the second-level cooler banks; the dispensers immediately around the Mataf are heavily used at all hours.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk official · Council of British Hajjis
✓
At Jeddah airport, official Zamzam containers (5L and 10L) are available for purchase. Each pilgrim is allowed one container as checked baggage on most carriers — confirm your airline's specific allowance.
Sources: Saudi Press Agency · Saudia Airlines baggage policy · Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah
✓
Make a specific list of duas to recite as you drink — for healing, for the Akhirah, for those you love. The hadith on Zamzam being "for what it's drunk for" makes this a deeply personal moment; a written list helps you remember everyone you meant to mention.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · widely-corroborated scholarly guidance
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
6
Sa'i — seven trips between Safa and Marwa
سَعْي
saʿy · the seeking
Fard · pillar of Umrah
~45–60 min · 3.15 km total
The act
After tawaaf and the two rak'ah, exit toward the Sa'i hall (the Mas'a). Begin at Safa: ascend a few steps, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and recite the verse of Hajar — Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah (Qur'an 2:158) — then make dua and proceed toward Marwa.
Walking from Safa to Marwa counts as one trip. Marwa to Safa is the second. Continue until you finish the seventh, ending at Marwa. Total: 3.15 km.
The Sunnah
- Harwala (هَرْوَلَة) — between the two green-lit markers, men trot at a brisk jog (a short distance, roughly 50m). Women walk normally.
- At the top of each peak (Safa and Marwa), face the Kaaba, raise hands, recite three times: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. Make personal dua between repetitions.
- It is preferred to remain in wudu' but not strictly required.
Where scholars differ
Whether wudu' is required for Sa'i All schools
All four schools agree it is recommended (mustahab) but not obligatory (fard). Sa'i is valid even if your wudu' breaks during it. This differs from tawaaf, where wudu' is required.
Sa'i in a wheelchair or scooter All schools
Permitted, with no fidyah required. A dedicated wheelchair lane runs the length of the Mas'a on the upper deck. Saudi authorities have expanded the electric-scooter rental kiosks since 2023 — more available now than even five years ago.
From recent pilgrims
✓
The marble is air-conditioned but the stretch is long. Most pilgrims find it harder than tawaaf. Eat something light and hydrate before starting.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent Hajj health advice · Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj fitness brief
✓
The wheelchair / scooter lane is on the upper deck of the Mas'a, reachable by elevator from the entrance — easy to miss. Ask staff or your group leader for the upper level if you need it.
Sources: Nusuk app accessibility guide · Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Hajj Operator handbook (ISNA)
✓
Scooter rental is roughly 115 SAR for the duration — book through Nusuk in advance during peak season; on-the-day rentals routinely run out by mid-morning during Hajj.
Sources: Nusuk official · Saudi Press Agency Hajj 2024 wrap-up · multiple Hajj operator post-trip reports
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
7
Halq or Taqsir — completing Umrah
حَلْق أَوْ تَقْصِير
ḥalq · shave / taqṣīr · trim
Fard · completes Umrah, exits Ihram
After Sa'i
The act
Men: shave the entire head (halq, preferred) or trim a length from all around the head (taqsir). Women: cut a fingertip-length (approximately one inch) from any portion of the hair. After this act, all Ihram restrictions lift — you may wear normal clothes, use perfume, etc. Your Umrah is now complete.
Visit a licensed barber inside or near the Haram. Many barbershops are clustered around Bab al-Marwa and the Marwa exit area.
The Sunnah
- For men, halq (full shave) carries greater reward than taqsir. The Prophet ﷺ said "May Allah have mercy on those who shaved" three times before adding "...and those who trimmed" once.
- Begin shaving from the right side of the head.
- For first-time pilgrims, halq is strongly encouraged.
Where scholars differ
Halq vs. taqsir for men All four schools
All four schools agree both are valid; halq is more emphasized. The Hanbali school is strongest in preferring halq. For Tamattu' Hajj, some pilgrims trim for Umrah and shave for Hajj to avoid two consecutive shaves; others prefer halq both times.
Trimming length for women All four schools
Hanafi: cut from a portion of all sides; Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali: cut a fingertip-length from any portion of the hair. Practical takeaway: trim a fingertip-length from the ends of all sides — this satisfies all four schools.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Use a Saudi Ministry of Health–licensed barber. Look for the green Ministry of Health certificate displayed at the shop. Unlicensed roadside trimmers risk infection — multiple advisories have flagged this since 2024.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Health barber-licensing requirements · UK FCDO Hajj advisory · Council of British Hajjis post-2024 advisory
✓
For Tamattu' pilgrims, this is the first of two halq/taqsir events — you'll do it again after stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba on 10 Dhul-Hijjah. Plan accordingly if you prefer halq the first time.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah Hajj guide · ICNA Hajj orientation · multiple Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Carry small antiseptic wipes and bandages in your daypack — minor nicks are common, especially during peak season when barbers are working quickly.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent Hajj health advice · CDC Travelers' Health Hajj page · Council of British Hajjis
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
8 Dhul-Hijjah · Yawm al-Tarwiyah
1
Enter Ihram for Hajj
إِحْرَام الْحَجّ
iḥrām al-ḥajj · the second consecration
Fard · gateway to Hajj
Morning of 8 Dhul-Hijjah
The act
For Tamattu' pilgrims (most pilgrims travelling from the West), this is the second Ihram of the trip. You exited Ihram after Umrah; now re-enter for Hajj. Perform ghusl, put on the Ihram cloth, pray two rak'ah.
The niyyah for Hajj: "Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan" (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj). Resume the Talbiyah immediately. For Ifrad and Qiran pilgrims (less common from the West), you remain in Ihram from arrival and resume the Talbiyah without re-entering.
The Sunnah
- Same Ihram pre-rituals as Umrah: ghusl, perfume on the body (never on the cloth), trim nails, two rak'ah.
- Begin Talbiyah immediately after the niyyah, raised for men and conversational for women.
- Make extensive personal dua before resuming Talbiyah — the Day of Tarwiyah is itself blessed, and the moments before Ihram are private.
Where scholars differ
Where Tamattu' pilgrims enter Ihram for Hajj All four schools
All four schools agree Tamattu' pilgrims enter Ihram for Hajj from their accommodation in Makkah on the morning of 8 Dhul-Hijjah. They do not need to return to the original miqat.
Whether to recite the niyyah aloud All schools
Same positions as Umrah: Maliki and Hanbali emphasize aloud; Shafi'i prefers it; Hanafi requires intention in the heart with verbalization recommended. Saying it aloud satisfies all four.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Wash and dry your Ihram cloths during the 5–7 day gap between Umrah and 8 Dhul-Hijjah. Hotel laundry services or self-washing in the bathroom both work.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj orientation
✓
Confirm group transportation timing. Most operators leave for Mina between 8 a.m. and noon on 8 Dhul-Hijjah. Be in Ihram and ready well before departure — buses will not wait for stragglers.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk official · multiple Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Make extensive personal dua before resuming the Talbiyah. Once the Talbiyah starts, you've entered Ihram and the tone of supplication shifts. The moments before are private and unhurried — use them.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · ICNA Hajj orientation
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
2
Travel to Mina, pray five prayers shortened
يَوْم التَّرْوِيَة
yawm al-tarwiyah · the day of provisioning
Sunnah mu'akkadah
8 Dhul-Hijjah · Dhuhr through next Fajr
The act
Travel from Makkah to Mina (5–7 km) by bus or train. At Mina, pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr each in its own time. Four-rak'ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha) are shortened to two; Maghrib and Fajr remain at three and two respectively.
Stay overnight in Mina until Fajr of 9 Dhul-Hijjah. The day in Mina is intentionally quiet and worshipful — a day of rest, dhikr, dua, and recitation before the Day of Arafat.
The Sunnah
- Spending the day and night of 8 Dhul-Hijjah in Mina is the established practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Prayers shortened (qasr) only — not combined. Each prayer is performed in its own time at Mina on Tarwiyah.
- Increase Talbiyah, dhikr, and dua throughout the day.
Where scholars differ
Whether the night in Mina (mabit) is wajib or sunnah All four schools
Hanafi: sunnah — skipping doesn't invalidate Hajj. Maliki, Shafi'i, and most Hanbali scholars: highly recommended sunnah mu'akkadah. Some Hanbali positions classify it as wajib. Practical takeaway: stay in Mina if at all possible.
Combining prayers at Mina on Tarwiyah All schools
Mainstream across all four: prayers at Mina on Tarwiyah are shortened only, not combined. Combining (jam') begins at Arafat the following day, not at Mina.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Confirm your tent number and your group leader's phone before leaving Makkah. The Mina tent city extends for kilometres — "Mina" alone is not a useful meeting point if you get separated.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk official · ICNA/ISNA Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Pack a thin sleeping bag liner or sheet, eye mask, and earplugs. Hot weather, snoring tent-mates, and ambient noise are universal. Earplugs in particular make rest possible.
Sources: Council of British Hajjis · AlMaghrib Hajj packing list · widely-corroborated operator briefings
✓
Drink water consistently throughout the day in Mina, even if you don't feel thirsty. Heat exhaustion the night before Arafat is a common reason pilgrims struggle on the Day of Arafat itself.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Health Hajj briefings · UK FCDO Hajj advisory · Saudi Red Crescent
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
9 Dhul-Hijjah · Day of Arafat
3
Travel from Mina to Arafat
الذَّهَاب إِلَى عَرَفَة
al-dhahāb ilā ʿarafah · the journey to the plain
Required movement
Morning of 9 Dhul-Hijjah, after Fajr
The act
After Fajr at Mina, travel to Arafat (approximately 10–15 km). The journey takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on traffic. Most operators provide buses; some pilgrims use the Mashair train if their group has allocated tickets.
Bring water, light snacks, and your written list of duas for the Day of Arafat. Continue the Talbiyah throughout the journey.
The Sunnah
- Continue the Talbiyah and dhikr throughout the journey.
- The Prophet ﷺ travelled at a measured pace, stopping at Namirah (the boundary area outside Arafat proper) before entering Arafat itself near the time of Dhuhr.
- Make extensive personal dua during the travel — the morning of Arafat is itself part of the day's blessing.
Where scholars differ
Walking vs. riding All four schools
All four schools permit either. The Prophet ﷺ rode his camel; modern pilgrims overwhelmingly use buses or the Mashair train. Walking is permitted where conditions and authority guidance allow it.
Time of arrival at Arafat All schools
All four schools agree the wuquf must include some portion of the time from zawal (solar noon) of 9 Dhul-Hijjah to dawn of 10 Dhul-Hijjah. Most prefer arriving before zawal so the full afternoon of supplication is available.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Travel time is unpredictable — leave Mina early. Many pilgrims report 3–4 hour bus journeys during peak Hajj season for what would be a 30-minute drive off-season.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah traffic management briefings · multiple Hajj operator post-trip reports · Nusuk official
✓
The Mashair train is faster but tickets are limited and pre-allocated by your operator. Confirm whether your group has train allocation; if not, plan for the long bus ride.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk app train guide · Mashair train operator advisories
✓
Eat a light breakfast before leaving Mina. Heavy meals are uncomfortable in a crowded bus and make the afternoon at Arafat harder.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent Hajj health advice · Council of British Hajjis · Hajj operator health briefings
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
4
Wuquf at Arafat — standing in supplication
وُقُوف عَرَفَة
wuqūf · the standing · 9 Dhul-Hijjah
Fard · the essence of Hajj
From dhuhr to sunset
If missed, Hajj is invalid
The act
From the time the sun passes its zenith (zawal) until sunset, remain within the boundary of Arafat in a state of supplication. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafat." If you miss this standing, your Hajj is not valid.
Most pilgrims spend the day in their group's tent. Pray dhuhr and asr together in dhuhr's time, both shortened to two rak'ah (jam' taqdim wa qasr). Then turn to dua. Stand if you can, sit if you can't — both are accepted. Do not leave the boundary before sunset.
The Sunnah
- Face the qibla while making dua. Raise your hands.
- Repeat often: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. The Prophet ﷺ said this is the best dua of the Day of Arafat.
- Combine personal dua in your own language with these prophetic phrases. There is no fixed wording for what you ask of Allah on this day.
- Do not fast on the Day of Arafat if you are performing Hajj. (Pilgrims do not fast; non-pilgrims are encouraged to.)
Where scholars differ
Leaving Arafat before sunset All four schools
All four schools agree the pilgrim should stay until sunset — Hanafis and Malikis classify it as wajib and require a damm (sacrifice) if you leave early; Shafi'is and Hanbalis classify it as sunnah mu'akkadah and treat early departure as a missed sunnah without binding compensation. Practical takeaway is the same across all four: stay in your tent until your group's official departure after Maghrib.
Standing vs. sitting during the dua All schools
Both are valid. The literal name "wuquf" means standing, but the Prophet ﷺ also sat on his camel during portions. Pace yourself — six hours of unbroken standing is unrealistic for most.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Bring a written list of duas — for yourself, your parents, your spouse, your children, and people who asked you to make dua for them. Once you're standing in Arafat the names you forgot will haunt you. Several Hajj guides recommend writing this list weeks in advance.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · ICNA pre-Hajj orientation
✓
Stay inside or under the tent shade between 12:00–15:00. Recent Hajj seasons (2023, 2024) have seen ground temperatures over 50°C / 122°F at Arafat, with multiple heat-related fatalities. Do not stand exposed in direct sun for the full afternoon.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Health 2024 Hajj briefing · UK FCDO Hajj advisory · CDC Travelers' Health Hajj page · Australian DFAT Smartraveller
✓
Eat light. Most groups serve a heavy lunch — many experienced pilgrims skip it or take only fruit and bread. A heavy meal in 45°C heat will end your afternoon.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent Hajj health advice · Council of British Hajjis post-2024 advisory · widely-corroborated operator guidance
✓
Phones often lose signal. Agree on a meeting point and time with your group before dispersing — your tent number is the only reliable anchor for the day.
Sources: Nusuk app communications guidance · ISNA Hajj orientation · US Embassy Riyadh guidance
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
5
Travel to Muzdalifah, combine prayers
مُزْدَلِفَة
muzdalifah · the gathering place
Wajib · the night of mabit
Sunset of 9 Dhul-Hijjah onward
The act
After sunset, leave Arafat for Muzdalifah (approximately 9 km). Do not pray Maghrib at Arafat or en route — wait until you arrive. At Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib (3 rak'ah, full) and Isha (2 rak'ah, shortened) combined in Isha's time (jam' ta'kheer wa qasr).
Sleep at Muzdalifah until close to Fajr. Pray Fajr early when its time enters, then make extensive dua at Mash'ar al-Haram (the prayer area). Leave for Mina before sunrise.
The Sunnah
- Combining Maghrib and Isha at Muzdalifah is the established practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Sleeping at Muzdalifah, then praying Fajr promptly when its time enters.
- Standing for extensive dua at Mash'ar al-Haram before leaving for Mina.
Where scholars differ
How long to spend at Muzdalifah All four schools
Hanafi: must stay until at least Fajr. Maliki: spending the time it takes to dismount, rest, and pray is sufficient. Shafi'i and Hanbali: must spend at least half the night, ideally until Fajr. Practical takeaway: stay until Fajr unless you are weak/elderly and your operator has arranged early departure.
Early departure for the elderly, sick, or women All schools
All four schools allow weaker pilgrims to leave Muzdalifah after midnight to avoid the morning crush. This is established from authentic narrations of the Prophet's family.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Sleep on a thin mat or sleeping bag liner — the ground is gravel. Many operators provide thin pads; bringing your own ensures comfort.
Sources: Council of British Hajjis · ICNA/ISNA Hajj packing lists · AlMaghrib Hajj guide
✓
Use this time to gather your pebbles for the Jamarat. The Prophet ﷺ specified pebbles roughly the size of chickpeas — bigger than dust, smaller than stones. 49 pebbles minimum (if leaving Mina by 12th); 70 if staying through 13th.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · ICNA/ISNA Hajj orientation · AlMaghrib Hajj guide
✓
Bring a small headlamp. Muzdalifah has minimal lighting at night; going to the bathroom or moving around your group's area is much easier with a headlamp than a phone flashlight.
Sources: Council of British Hajjis · multiple operator packing lists · widely-corroborated operator advice
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
6
Gather pebbles, sleep at Muzdalifah
جَمْع الْحَصَى
jamʿ al-ḥaṣā · gathering the pebbles
Required preparation
Night of 9 Dhul-Hijjah
The act
Gather small pebbles for the days of stoning. Pebbles should be roughly the size of chickpeas — bigger than a grain of sand, smaller than a marble.
Total to gather: 49 if leaving Mina on 12 Dhul-Hijjah (Nafr Awwal) — that's 7 (10th) + 21 (11th) + 21 (12th). Or 70 if staying through 13th (Nafr Thani) — adding 21 more for the 13th. Gather a few extras in case some drop. Rest, pray, and sleep what you can of the night.
The Sunnah
- Pebbles roughly the size of chickpeas. Ibn Abbas reported the Prophet ﷺ instructing pebbles of this size; larger stones are explicitly discouraged.
- Gathering at Muzdalifah is the prophetic practice, though pebbles from anywhere on the route are accepted in mainstream fiqh.
- Resting through some portion of the night, then waking for Fajr.
Where scholars differ
Where pebbles must come from All four schools
Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i: anywhere within Muzdalifah is acceptable. Hanbali: also acceptable to gather from anywhere along the route. None of the schools require a specific location, but Muzdalifah is preferred for symbolic reasons.
Whether each pebble must be exactly chickpea-sized All schools
All four schools agree the size is a guideline, not a strict measurement. Pebbles slightly bigger or smaller are acceptable; pebbles the size of fists or grains of dust are not.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Bring small zip pouches and label them by day — "Day 10," "Day 11," "Day 12," "Day 13." Re-counting pebbles in the chaos of stoning is unpleasant; pre-organized pouches save you.
Sources: Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj packing list · multiple operator handbooks
✓
Gather a few extra pebbles per day (5–7 extras total) in case some drop or you lose count mid-throw. Better to have 10 extra than to run short at the third Jamarat.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · widely-corroborated operator guidance
✓
Gather pebbles from a few feet off the main path. The well-trodden areas are dustier and the pebbles there are mixed with debris; cleaner ground is just a step away.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj orientation
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
10 Dhul-Hijjah · Eid al-Adha
7
Stoning of Jamarat al-Aqaba
رَمْي جَمْرَة الْعَقَبَة
ramy jamrat al-ʿaqabah · the great pillar
Wajib · the first stoning
10 Dhul-Hijjah, after Fajr
The act
Travel from Muzdalifah back toward Mina. Walk to the Jamarat complex. Jamarat al-Aqaba is the largest pillar at the end of the complex (the closest to Makkah).
Throw 7 pebbles, one at a time, at Jamarat al-Aqaba. With each throw say "Bismillahi wa-Allahu akbar." After the seventh pebble, stop the Talbiyah — you've reached the moment when the Prophet ﷺ ceased reciting it. Most pilgrims aim for their Nusuk-assigned timeslot to manage crowds.
The Sunnah
- Each pebble thrown individually, with takbir.
- Stop the Talbiyah after the first stone — the Prophet ﷺ continued the Talbiyah until that moment, then stopped.
- Throw with the right hand at a measured pace; do not push.
- No dua is made standing after Jamarat al-Aqaba (unlike the smaller Jamarat on subsequent days).
Where scholars differ
Throwing pebbles individually vs. all at once All four schools
All four schools agree each pebble must be thrown separately. Throwing 7 at once does not count as 7 throws — it counts as one and the rest must be redone individually.
Time window for stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba All schools
Mainstream all four schools: ideal time is between sunrise and zawal of 10th Dhul-Hijjah, but valid until Fajr of the 11th. Saudi authorities assign specific timeslots through Nusuk; off-peak slots are strongly recommended after recent crowd incidents.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Use your Nusuk-assigned timeslot. After the 2015 Mina crowd incident and 2024 heat-related fatalities, off-peak slots (afternoon, just before Maghrib) are far safer than the post-sunrise crush.
Sources: Saudi Hajj Ministry timeslot mandate · Saudi Civil Defense post-2015 reform briefings · UK FCDO Hajj advisory · Nusuk official
✓
The Jamarat is a multi-level structure. Lower levels can be more crowded; upper levels are accessible by escalator and offer more space. Confirm with your group leader which level your group uses.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah Jamarat infrastructure briefings · Hajj operator handbooks · Council of British Hajjis
✓
Walk in the direction of crowd flow at all times — never push back against it. The Jamarat complex has clear directional markings; follow them and don't stop in narrow passages.
Sources: Saudi Civil Defense crowd management briefings · Saudi Ministry of Health Hajj briefing 2024 · UK FCDO
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
8
Sacrifice (hady)
الْهَدْي
al-hady · the offering
Wajib for Tamattu' and Qiran
After stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba
The act
Most pilgrims do not perform the sacrifice personally. Their Hajj operator arranges it through the official Saudi-licensed slaughterhouse system (commonly via the Islamic Development Bank's Adahi project). The animal must be a sheep, goat, a 1/7th share of a cow, or a 1/7th share of a camel. The meat is distributed to the poor in Saudi Arabia and exported as charitable aid.
Confirm with your group leader that your hady has been arranged and the timing. Save your voucher number — some operators require it for downstream registration.
The Sunnah
- The Prophet ﷺ himself sacrificed 100 camels during his Hajj — recorded in the long Jabir hadith.
- Saying "Bismillahi Allahu akbar" at the moment of slaughter (when the slaughter is performed in person).
- Eating a portion of the meat — recommended where practical; for delegated slaughter via Adahi this is generally not feasible.
- The hady on Eid (10th) is preferred but valid through 11th, 12th, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah.
Where scholars differ
Personal slaughter vs. delegation All four schools
All four schools agree delegation to a trusted authority is permissible. The Prophet ﷺ instructed Ali to slaughter the remaining camels of his hady, establishing precedent. Modern Saudi regulation channels this through Adahi or licensed slaughterhouses — personal slaughter outside these channels is not permitted under Saudi law.
Eating from your own hady All schools
Hanafi: sunnah to eat some. Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali: recommended but not required. For Adahi-arranged hady, eating from your specific animal is generally not practical; this does not invalidate the sacrifice.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Confirm your hady payment with your operator at registration. Most US/UK packages bundle the hady cost; don't assume — verify it's included in writing.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Adahi (IsDB Hady Project) official guidance · ICNA/ISNA Hajj operator handbooks
✓
Keep your Adahi voucher number with your travel documents. Some operators reference it during the Tawaaf al-Ifadah day workflow.
Sources: Adahi project · Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · multiple Hajj operator briefings
✓
Do not attempt personal slaughter outside the licensed Saudi system. It is not permitted under Saudi law and risks both the validity of your hady and legal consequences.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Saudi government Hajj regulations · Adahi project
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
9
Halq or Taqsir — first exit from Ihram
التَّحَلُّل الْأَوَّل
al-taḥallul al-awwal · the first release
Wajib · second halq of Hajj
10 Dhul-Hijjah
The act
After stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba (and ideally after the hady), men perform halq (full shave) — preferred — or taqsir (trim from all around). Women cut a fingertip-length from their hair.
After this act, all Ihram restrictions lift EXCEPT marital relations. You enter the "first release" — you can change clothes, use perfume, etc. Full exit from Ihram requires Tawaaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i.
The Sunnah
- For men, halq carries greater reward than taqsir — the Prophet ﷺ said "May Allah have mercy on those who shaved" three times before adding "...and those who trimmed" once.
- Begin shaving from the right side.
- The order on Eid (stone → sacrifice → shave → tawaaf) is preferred but flexible.
Where scholars differ
Order of stoning, sacrifice, shaving, Tawaaf al-Ifadah All four schools
Mainstream all four schools: the Prophet ﷺ's order (stone → sacrifice → shave → tawaaf) is preferred but not required. If the order is reversed, no fidyah is due — established from the Prophet ﷺ answering pilgrims who came on Eid asking about reversed orders.
Time period for halq All schools
All four schools agree halq should be done on or after 10 Dhul-Hijjah, before Tawaaf al-Ifadah ideally; can extend through 13th Dhul-Hijjah. Hanafi is most explicit about the deadline.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Use a Saudi Ministry of Health–licensed barber. Mina-based barbers near the Jamarat fill quickly on Eid morning. Your operator may have a designated barber station for the group.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Health barber-licensing requirements · Council of British Hajjis · ICNA Hajj orientation
✓
After halq, you can change out of Ihram cloth into normal clothes. Pack a clean change of clothes in your daypack — comfortable, modest, and suitable for the tawaaf you'll do later that day or the next.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · multiple Hajj operator packing lists · widely-corroborated guidance
✓
The first release is a moment of celebration — you've completed two of the three Eid acts. Take a brief rest, hydrate, change clothes, then proceed to Makkah. Don't rush from stoning straight into Tawaaf al-Ifadah without breathing.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · ICNA Hajj orientation · Council of British Hajjis
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
10
Tawaaf al-Ifadah + Sa'i
طَوَاف الْإِفَاضَة
ṭawāf al-ifāḍah · the tawaaf of pouring forth
Fard · pillar of Hajj
10 Dhul-Hijjah ideally; valid through end of Dhul-Hijjah
The act
Travel from Mina to Makkah (approximately 7 km). Perform Tawaaf al-Ifadah: seven circuits of the Kaaba, beginning at the Black Stone, exactly as in Umrah tawaaf. Then perform Sa'i: seven trips between Safa and Marwa.
Drink Zamzam, pray two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim. After Tawaaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i, full exit from Ihram is complete — all restrictions lift, including the restriction on marital relations.
The Sunnah
- The mechanics of tawaaf and Sa'i are identical to Umrah (see UMRAH 3 and UMRAH 6 for full detail). Do not perform idtiba' or raml in Tawaaf al-Ifadah — these refinements are specific to the arrival tawaaf and the Umrah tawaaf.
- Two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim afterward; drink Zamzam.
- If you performed Tawaaf al-Qudum on arrival in Makkah and did Sa'i with it, no second Sa'i is required (relevant mostly for Ifrad and Qiran pilgrims).
Where scholars differ
Whether Sa'i is required after Tawaaf al-Ifadah All four schools
For Tamattu' pilgrims: yes, Sa'i is required after Tawaaf al-Ifadah — you'll have done two Sa'i in total (one for Umrah, one for Hajj). For Ifrad and Qiran: only one Sa'i is required overall, traditionally performed with Tawaaf al-Qudum or with Tawaaf al-Ifadah.
Latest valid time for Tawaaf al-Ifadah All schools
Hanafi: by end of 12 Dhul-Hijjah, with damm if delayed. Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali: through end of Dhul-Hijjah is preferred; valid indefinitely thereafter though damm may be due in some opinions. Practical takeaway: do it during the days of Tashreeq if possible.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Avoid Tawaaf al-Ifadah on the morning of 10 Dhul-Hijjah — the entire pilgrim population is heading to the Haram simultaneously. Many pilgrims wait until 11th–12th when crowds are thinner.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah crowd guidance · Council of British Hajjis · multiple Hajj operator post-trip reports
✓
For Tamattu' Hajj, this is your second Sa'i. Pace yourself — coming off the stoning, sacrifice, and halq sequence, fatigue is real. Eat, hydrate, rest before starting.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent · ICNA Hajj fitness brief · Council of British Hajjis health advice
✓
Mina–Makkah transit on these days is heavily congested. Allow several hours for the round trip. Some pilgrims sleep at hotels in Makkah and return to Mina the next morning rather than doing it in one day.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · Nusuk official · Hajj operator handbooks
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
11–13 Dhul-Hijjah · Days of Tashreeq
11
Stone all three Jamarat each day
رَمْي الْجِمَار
ramy al-jimār · the stoning of the pillars
Wajib · the days of Tashreeq
11–12 (or 13) Dhul-Hijjah · after zawal only
The act
Each day, throw 7 pebbles at each of the three Jamarat in order:
- Jamarat al-Sughra (smallest, closest to Makkah)
- Jamarat al-Wusta (middle)
- Jamarat al-Aqaba (largest)
21 pebbles per day. Begin only after zawal (solar noon); preferred to finish before sunset, but valid until Fajr the next day. After the small and middle Jamarat, step aside, face the qibla, raise hands, and make extensive dua. After Jamarat al-Aqaba, proceed back to camp without pause.
The Sunnah
- Standing facing the qibla and making dua after Jamarat al-Sughra and Jamarat al-Wusta — established from the Prophet ﷺ.
- No pause for dua after Jamarat al-Aqaba — proceed back to camp.
- Strict order: small → middle → large.
- Saying "Bismillahi wa-Allahu akbar" with each pebble.
Where scholars differ
Stoning before zawal (solar noon) All four schools
Hanafi: permissible to stone before zawal on 12 Dhul-Hijjah only (and only if you intend to leave Mina that day). Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali: must wait until after zawal on every day of Tashreeq. Practical takeaway: wait until after zawal — it satisfies all four schools.
Leaving Mina by sunset on the 12th (Nafr Awwal) All schools
All four schools agree: if you stone on the 12th and physically leave the boundary of Mina before sunset, you are exempt from staying through the 13th. If sunset finds you still in Mina, you must stay through the 13th and stone again that day.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Stone in the cooler hours — late afternoon (between Asr and Maghrib) is the recommended off-peak window. Avoid the immediate post-zawal crush, when temperatures and crowds peak together.
Sources: Saudi Civil Defense post-2015 crowd management reforms · Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · UK FCDO Hajj advisory
✓
The Jamarat complex has multiple levels and entrances. Memorize your group's entry-exit pattern — getting lost in the multi-level complex with thousands of others is a common stress.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah Jamarat infrastructure briefings · Hajj operator handbooks · Council of British Hajjis
✓
Drink water before going to the Jamarat. Pilgrims fasting or under-hydrated are at high risk of heat collapse during the walk back from the complex.
Sources: Saudi Red Crescent · Saudi Ministry of Health Hajj briefings · Council of British Hajjis post-2024 advisory
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
12
Tawaaf al-Wada' — the farewell tawaaf
طَوَاف الْوَدَاع
ṭawāf al-wadāʿ · the farewell circling
Wajib for non-Makkans (most schools)
Last act before leaving Makkah
The act
Before departing from Makkah at the end of Hajj, perform a final tawaaf — seven circuits, no Sa'i. This is the last act before leaving the Haram. Drink Zamzam, make personal dua, then depart.
Women in their menstrual cycle are exempt — established across all four schools from authentic narrations. They depart without performing this tawaaf.
The Sunnah
- Performed as the literal last act before leaving Makkah — not days in advance.
- Two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim afterward.
- Drink Zamzam at the end.
- Final dua at the Multazam (the area of the Kaaba's wall between the Black Stone and the Kaaba's door) is reported in some narrations; mainstream view is permissible but not strongly emphasized.
Where scholars differ
Status of Tawaaf al-Wada' All four schools
Hanafi: wajib for non-Makkans, damm if skipped. Hanbali: wajib for non-Makkans, damm if skipped. Shafi'i: wajib for travellers, damm if skipped. Maliki: sunnah, no damm if skipped. Practical takeaway: do it — three of the four schools require it with a damm if skipped.
Returning to Makkah after the farewell All schools
Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali: returning briefly does not invalidate the farewell. Shafi'i: returning to the city for any reason invalidates the farewell, and a new one is required before final departure. Practical: plan the farewell as your literal last act and exit.
From recent pilgrims
✓
Plan the farewell tawaaf within roughly 24 hours of departure. Doing it days in advance and then continuing other activities defeats its purpose as the literal last act — and in the Shafi'i school, it can even invalidate it.
Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah · ICNA/ISNA Hajj orientation · multiple operator handbooks
✓
Tawaaf al-Wada' is often deeply emotional — many pilgrims report tears, the sense of leaving home. Allow yourself time and space; don't rush.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · widely-corroborated pilgrim accounts
✓
Make a final list of duas to recite. Among the most-mentioned in pilgrim accounts: a dua to be invited back, dua for those who couldn't come, dua for the deceased. Write them in advance — your memory will not serve you in this moment.
Sources: AlMaghrib Hajj guide · Yaqeen Institute Hajj reflections · ICNA Hajj orientation
Reviewed by: Pending — this card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
How every claim is validated
Ritual acts and the Sunnah are sourced to a primary hadith collection or the Qur'an, with citations inline. Scholarly differences reflect mainstream positions across the four Sunni schools. Practical tips are included only when corroborated by at least three independent sources — a government travel advisory, a Saudi authority, and an established Hajj operator or Islamic organization. Each card will be reviewed by a credentialed scholar before being treated as final guidance.
For the editions and authentication framework we use, see our sources. Notice an error? Write to contact@tawaaf.com — we aim to correct verified errors within seven days.