1. Ihram & Niyyah for Hajj
Enter the state of Ihram at the designated Miqat. Make your intention (niyyah) for Hajj. Wear Ihram garments (two white unstitched cloths for men; modest clothing for women) and begin reciting the Talbiyah.
📿 Dua for this step
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا
Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan
Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj.
💡 Tip: Ensure your Ihram is comfortable — you will be wearing it for multiple days of rituals.
2. Tawaf al-Qudoom (Arrival Tawaf) (Sunnah)
Upon arriving in Makkah, perform the Welcome Tawaf — 7 circuits around the Kaaba counter-clockwise starting from the Black Stone corner. This is a Sunnah act for those coming from outside the Miqat.
Scholar's Note: This is a Sunnah (recommended) Tawaf, not obligatory. It can be combined with Tawaf al-Ifadah later.
📿 Dua for this step
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina adhaban-nar
Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.
💡 Tip: Upper floors are less crowded. Consider off-peak hours for a calmer experience.
3. Sa'i between Safa & Marwa (Flexible Timing)
Walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa 7 times, starting from Safa. This commemorates Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail (AS). This is an obligatory act of Hajj.
Can be done later: Sa'i is obligatory but its timing is flexible — it can be performed now after Tawaf al-Qudoom, or delayed until after Tawaf al-Ifadah on the 10th Dhul Hijjah.
📿 Dua for this step
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah
Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.
💡 Tip: Air-conditioned walking path available. Wheelchairs can use the ground floor.
4. 8th Dhul Hijjah — Go to Mina (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)
Travel to Mina after Fajr prayer. Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha (shortened to 2 rakat for 4-rakat prayers), and Fajr of the next day in Mina. Spend the day and night in worship and preparation.
📿 Dua for this step
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabil-qabri wa min 'adhabin-nar
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.
💡 Tip: Stay hydrated and rest well — the next day (Arafat) is the most important day of Hajj.
5. 9th Dhul Hijjah — Day of Arafat
The most critical pillar of Hajj. After Fajr, proceed to the Plain of Arafat. Spend the entire day in intense dua, supplication, and seeking forgiveness until after sunset. Dhuhr and Asr are prayed combined and shortened at Arafat.
📿 Dua for this step
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir
There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is able to do all things.
💡 Tip: This is THE day when duas are most accepted. Prepare a list of duas beforehand. Stay in shade and drink water regularly.
6. Night at Muzdalifah & Collect Pebbles
After sunset on Arafat, travel to Muzdalifah. Pray Maghrib and Isha combined (shortened). Spend the night under the open sky in worship. Collect 49 pebbles (or 70 if staying all 3 days of Tashreeq) for stoning the Jamarat.
📿 Dua for this step
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina adhaban-nar
Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.
💡 Tip: Elderly, women, and the weak may leave Muzdalifah after midnight. Collect extra pebbles as backup.
7. 10th Dhul Hijjah — Pelt Jamrat al-Aqaba
On the morning of Eid al-Adha, stone the large pillar (Jamrat al-Aqaba) with 7 pebbles, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. This is the only Jamarat stoned on this day.
📿 Dua for this step
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، رَغْمًا لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَحِزْبِهِ
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar, raghman lish-shaytani wa hizbihi
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, to humiliate the devil and his followers.
💡 Tip: Go early morning or after Dhuhr to avoid extreme crowds. Use the multi-level Jamarat bridge for easier access.
8. Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice)
Perform the animal sacrifice (Qurbani) as an act of worship following the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS). Say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" before the sacrifice. The meat is distributed to the poor, relatives, and oneself.
📿 Dua for this step
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي
Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, Allahumma minka wa laka, Allahumma taqabbal minni
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You. O Allah, accept this from me.
💡 Tip: Many agencies handle the Qurbani on your behalf — confirm arrangements in advance. You will receive a confirmation when it is done.
9. Halq / Taqsir (Shave or Trim Hair)
Men shave their head completely (Halq) or trim hair short (Taqsir). Women trim a fingertip length from the ends of their hair. After this, you exit the major restrictions of Ihram (except marital relations).
📿 Dua for this step
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ وَالْمُقَصِّرِينَ
Allahummaghfir lil-muhalliqeena wal-muqassireen
O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads and those who trim their hair.
💡 Tip: Halq (full shave) is preferred for men and carries greater reward. Barber shops are located near the Jamarat and Mina camps.
10. Tawaf al-Ifadah (Obligatory Tawaf) (Flexible Timing)
Perform the most important Tawaf of Hajj — Tawaf al-Ifadah (also called Tawaf al-Ziyarah). Walk around the Kaaba 7 times. This is a pillar (rukn) of Hajj and cannot be skipped. Follow with 2 rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim.
Can be done later: This is obligatory but can be performed anytime from the 10th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Most scholars recommend doing it on the 10th after stoning and Qurbani, but delaying it by a day or two is valid.
📿 Dua for this step
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka antas-samee'ul-aleem
Our Lord, accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
💡 Tip: This can be performed anytime from the 10th to the 12th Dhul Hijjah. Choose off-peak times.
11. 11th-13th Dhul Hijjah — Pelt All Three Jamarat (Days of Tashreeq) (Flexible Timing)
Stone all three pillars (small, medium, then large) with 7 pebbles each, after Dhuhr. Recite Takbeer of Tashreeq after every fardh prayer. Stay in Mina for these days.
Can be done later: The 13th day stoning is strongly recommended (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) but you may depart after completing stoning on the 12th before sunset. If sunset catches you still in Mina, you must stay for the 13th.
📿 Dua for this step
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allahu akbar Allahu akbar la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar Allahu akbar wa lillahil-hamd
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
💡 Tip: You may leave on the 12th after stoning if you wish (before sunset) — this is called "early departure" and is permissible.
12. Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf)
Before leaving Makkah, perform the Farewell Tawaf — 7 circuits around the Kaaba. This is the last act of Hajj and should be the final thing you do before departing the Holy City. Make heartfelt dua as you gaze upon the Kaaba for the last time.
📿 Dua for this step
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ بَيْتَكَ عَظِيمٌ وَوَجْهَكَ كَرِيمٌ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَجْعَلْهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ
Allahumma inna baytaka adheem wa wajhaka kareem, Allahumma la taj'alhu akhiral-ahdi min baytikal-haram
O Allah, Your House is magnificent and Your Face is generous. O Allah, do not make this my last visit to Your Sacred House.
💡 Tip: Menstruating women are excused from Tawaf al-Wada. Try to make this your absolute last act before leaving Makkah.
