How to perform Hajj step by step?

Question

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah · Accepted Answer

The Prophet (ﷺ) entered ihrām from Dhul-Hulayfah, intending Hajj al-Qirān. On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah he went to Minā and prayed five prayers there. On the 9th, he proceeded to ʿArafah after sunrise, gave the khutbah, prayed Dhuhr and ʿAsr combined and shortened, then stood in supplication until sunset. He went to Muzdalifah, prayed Maghrib and ʿIshā' combined, and slept until Fajr. On the 10th he stoned Jamrat al-ʿAqabah, slaughtered, shaved, performed Tawāf al-Ifādah, and Saʿy. He stayed the days of Tashrīq in Minā, stoning the three pillars after zawāl. He concluded with Tawāf al-Wadāʿ. This is the Hajj of the Prophet (ﷺ) — whoever wishes the legislated form should follow it precisely.

Shaykh Ibn Baz · Answer

This is a step-by-step guide for performing Hajj al-Tamattu', the form of Hajj the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged for those coming from outside Makkah without a sacrificial animal. The rites are as follows:

1.  **Ihram for 'Umrah**: Before reaching the designated miqat, the pilgrim makes ghusl, dons the Ihram garments, and makes the intention for 'Umrah, saying: "Labbayka 'Umrah." Then they recite the Talbiyah ("Labbayka Allahumma labbayk…").

2.  **'Umrah Rituals**: Upon reaching Makkah, the pilgrim performs Tawaf (circumambulates the Ka'bah seven times), prays two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, performs Sa'i (walks between Safa and Marwa seven times), and then shaves or trims their hair. With this, the 'Umrah is complete, and the pilgrim exits the state of Ihram until the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.

3.  **8th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)**: From their place of residence in Makkah, the pilgrim enters Ihram again, this time for Hajj, saying "Labbayka Hajjan." They then proceed to Mina, where they pray Dhuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, 'Isha, and the Fajr of the 9th, shortening the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ahs without combining them.

4.  **9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of 'Arafah)**: After sunrise, the pilgrim proceeds to 'Arafah. This is the most essential pillar of Hajj. The pilgrim stays at 'Arafah until sunset, spending the time in prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah. Dhuhr and 'Asr prayers are prayed combined and shortened. After sunset, the pilgrim departs for Muzdalifah.

5.  **Night at Muzdalifah**: Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, the pilgrim prays Maghrib and 'Isha combined, shortening 'Isha to two rak'ahs. They stay the night here until Fajr prayer. Pebbles for the stoning ritual can be gathered here.

6.  **10th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr)**: After Fajr, the pilgrim moves to Mina. The actions of this day are:
    a. Stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah (the largest pillar) with seven consecutive pebbles.
    b. Slaughter the sacrificial animal (hady).
    c. Shave or trim the hair (shaving is superior for men). This completes the first release (tahallul al-awwal) from Ihram, after which all prohibitions are lifted except marital relations.
    d. Go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (a pillar of Hajj) and the Sa'i of Hajj. After this, the second and final release (tahallul al-thani) is complete, and all restrictions are lifted.

7.  **11th, 12th, & 13th Dhul-Hijjah (Ayyam al-Tashriq)**: The pilgrim must stay in Mina for these two or three days. Each day, after midday (zawal), they stone the three Jamarat (small, medium, then large) with seven pebbles each. It is permissible to leave on the 12th after stoning, but staying until the 13th is better.

8.  **Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada')**: Before departing from Makkah, the pilgrim performs a final seven-circuit Tawaf of the Ka'bah. This is the last ritual of Hajj.

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