Hajj & Umrah Interactive Guide

Entering Ihram & Making Niyyah

Before crossing the designated boundary (Miqat), perform Ghusl (ritual bath), apply perfume to the body only (not garments), clip nails, and put on the Ihram garments (two unstitched white sheets for men; modest regular clothing for women). Form the intention in your heart and verbally proclaim:

Then begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously until you begin Tawaf.

Entering Masjid al-Haram & Tawaf al-Umrah

Enter the Grand Mosque with your right foot saying the mosque entry dua. Men uncover their right shoulder (Idtiba'). Begin Tawaf at the corner of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) with "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar".

• Complete 7 full counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba.
• Men walk briskly (Raml) during the first 3 circuits.
• Between the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani) and Black Stone, recite: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina 'adhab an-nar."

Maqam Ibrahim Prayer & Drinking Zamzam

Cover your right shoulder. If possible, pray 2 rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (reciting Surah Al-Kafirun in the 1st rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the 2nd), or anywhere in the Haram if crowded. Then proceed to the Zamzam water fountains, drink facing the Kaaba, and make heartfelt supplication.

Sa'i Between Safa and Marwah

Proceed to Mount Safa. Start your Sa'i facing the Kaaba with praise and takbir. Walk from Safa to Marwah (Lap 1), then Marwah to Safa (Lap 2), completing 7 laps total, concluding at Marwah. Men jog between the two green fluorescent marker lights.

Halq (Shaving) or Taqsir (Trimming)

Men shave their entire head (Halq — carrying the greatest reward) or trim hair evenly all around (Taqsir). Women clip a fingertip’s length (approx. 1–2 cm) from the end of their gathered hair. With this, all Ihram restrictions are lifted, and your Umrah is complete! May Allah accept it.

Yawm at-Tarwiyah (The Day of Quenching Thirst)

Enter Ihram from your accommodation in Makkah with the Niyyah: "Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan." Travel to the tent city of Mina. Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and the next morning's Fajr in Mina, shortening four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ahs without combining them. Spend the night resting in Mina.

Yawm Arafah (The Pinnacle of Hajj) & Muzdalifah

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafah." After sunrise, travel from Mina to the plains of Arafat. Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened at mid-day. Spend the afternoon standing in deep, tearful supplication until sunset.

Immediately after sunset, depart peacefully to Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib at Arafat. At Muzdalifah, combine Maghrib and Isha. Collect 49–70 small pebbles for the Jamarat stones, and sleep beneath the stars until dawn.

Yawm an-Nahr (The Day of Sacrifice)

Return from Muzdalifah to Mina before sunrise. Complete four rituals on this most momentous day:

1. Rami Jamarat al-Aqaba: Stone the largest pillar with 7 pebbles, chanting Allahu Akbar with each throw. Stop the Talbiyah with the first pebble.
2. Qurbani / Hady: Slaughter of the sacrificial animal (often arranged via authorized vouchers).
3. Halq or Taqsir: Shave or trim hair. Now First Tahallul is achieved (all Ihram restrictions lifted except marital intimacy).
4. Tawaf al-Ifadah & Sa'i: Travel to Makkah to perform the obligatory Hajj Tawaf and Sa'i. Full Tahallul is now complete!

Ayyam at-Tashriq & Tawaf al-Wada'

Stay in Mina during the days of Tashriq. Each afternoon after Dhuhr, pelt all three Jamarat (Small, Medium, and Large) in sequence with 7 pebbles each (21 pebbles daily).

Before departing Makkah to return home, perform Tawaf al-Wada' (Farewell Tawaf) around the Kaaba as your final act in the sacred city.