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Hajj & Umrah Guide
The hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences.
For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from the four corners of the earth, have made the pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five "pillars" of Islam, or central religious duties of the believer.
Muslims trace the recorded origins of the divinely prescribed pilgrimage to the Prophet Abraham, or Ibrahim, as he is called in Arabic. According to the Qur'an, it was Abraham who, together with Ishmael (Isma'il), built the Ka'bah, "the House of God," the focal point toward which Muslims turn in their worship five times each day. It was Abraham, too - known as Khalil Allah, "the friend of God" - who established the rituals of the hajj, which recall events or practices in his life and that of Hagar (Hajar) and their son Ishmael.
In the Quran the chapter entitled "The Pilgrimage," the Qur'an speaks of the divine command to perform the hajj and prophesies the permanence of this institution.
HAJJ AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 : 8th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ut-Tarwiyah
After putting on their Ihraams for Hajj, the Hajjees proceed to MlNA after sunrise and perform 5 Salaahs there, i.e. Zohar, Asr, Maghrib, Esha and Fajr of the next day (9 Zil Hijjah).
DAY 2 : 9th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ul-Arafah
After sunrise the Hajjees proceed to ARAFAAT and make WUQOOF after ZAWAAL. Zohar and Asr Salaah will be performed here. Here they remain engaged in Du'aa, Zikr, Tilaawat, etc. until sunset. Immediately after sunset they proceed to Muzdalifah. Here they will perform Maghrib and Esha at the time of Esha. The night will be spent at Muzdalifah.
DAY 3 : 10th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-un-Nahr
After performing Fajr Salaah at Muzdalifah, the Hajjees proceed to Mina before sunrise. On this day four important rites have to be performed.
- RAMEE of Jamaratul Aqabah (stoning the big Shaytaan).
- ZABH (to sacrifice an animal).
- HALQ or Qasr (shaving or trimming the hair of the head).
- To perform TAWAAFUZ ZIYAARAH.
DAY 4 : 11th Zul Hijjah
All three SHAYTAANS have to be pelted on this day and the night will be spent at MINA. RAAMEE, i.e. pelting time begins after ZAWAAL and ends before SUNSET.
DAY 5 : 12th Zul Hijjah
Make Ramee, i.e. pelt all three Shaytaans after Zawaal. The Hajjees may now proceed to MAKKAH MU'AZZAMA. Those who wish to remain in Mina on the l3th Zul Hijjah should pelt the 3 Shaytaans before proceeding to Makkah Mukarramah. The pelting on this day is permissible throughout the day (including the period before Zawaal).
The procedure of Umrah
- Put on the Ihraam before entering Meeqaat (boundary).
- Perform two Rak'aats Sunnatul Ihraam.
- Say the Niyyah and Talbiyah.
- Proceed to Makkah Mukarramah, en route recite the Talbiyah constantly.
- Perform a Tawaaf with Idtibaa and Ramal.
- Perform two Rakaats Waajib Salaat (after the Tawaaf) behind MAQAAME IBRAHIM.
- Proceed to the Multazam and Zam Zam well.
- Perform Sa'ee between Safa and Marwah.
- Shave or trim the hair of the head.
