How to Perform Hajj – Step-by-Step Guide for All 3 Types

1. There are Three Types of Hajj: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Hajj Tamattuʿ (Most Common Today)

🔹 Definition:

• You perform ‘Umrah first, then exit Ihram.

• Later, during Dhul Hijjah, you re-enter Ihram for Hajj.

🔹 Ideal For:

Pilgrims coming from outside Makkah.

🔹 Steps:

🗓 Before 8th Dhul Hijjah:

• Enter Ihram for Umrah from the Miqat.

• Perform ‘Umrah:
  ➤ Tawaf
   ➤ Sa’i
   ➤ Shave or trim hair
   ➤ Exit Ihram

🗓 8th Dhul Hijjah:

• Enter Ihram again, this time for Hajj.

• Proceed to Mina.

➡️ Then follow the exact same steps from the previous guide starting from the 8th to 12th Dhul Hijjah.

🟡 Required:

• Two Ihrams (One for ‘Umrah, one for Hajj)

• Animal sacrifice (Hady) is obligatory

2. Hajj Qiran

🔹 Definition:

• You perform ‘Umrah and Hajj together in one Ihram, without exiting between them.

🔹 Ideal For:

Pilgrims who bring their own sacrificial animal or want to perform both rituals together without exiting Ihram.

🔹 Steps:

🗓 Before 8th Dhul Hijjah:

• Enter Ihram with intention for both ‘Umrah and Hajj:
  “Labbaik Allahumma Umratan wa Hajjan”

• Perform ‘Umrah:
  ➤ Tawaf
   ➤ Sa’i
   ➤ Do NOT shave/trim hair
   ➤ Do NOT exit Ihram

🗓 8th Dhul Hijjah to 12th:

• Stay in the same Ihram and perform Hajj steps as listed before.

🟡 Required:

• Only one Ihram for both
• Animal sacrifice (Hady) is obligatory

3. Hajj Ifrad

🔹 Definition:

• You perform Hajj only (no Umrah), in one Ihram.

🔹 Ideal For:

Pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia, like residents of Makkah.

🔹 Steps:

🗓 Before 8th Dhul Hijjah:

• Enter Ihram for Hajj only at Miqat:
  “Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan”

🗓 8th Dhul Hijjah to 12th:

• Perform all Hajj steps (same as in Tamattuʿ guide).

🗓 After 12th:

• If time remains, the pilgrim may perform optional Umrah after Hajj.

🟡 Not Required:

• Only one Ihram

No animal sacrifice (Hady) required (but can be done voluntarily

2. Summary Comparison Table

3. How to Perform Hajj (Step by Step with Dates)

Before Hajj Begins: Preparation

• Type of Hajj: Most pilgrims perform Hajj Tamattuʿ, meaning they perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj and then Hajj itself.
• Ihram for Hajj: You enter into Ihram from Makkah on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, after having already done Umrah earlier.

Day 1 – 8th Dhul Hijjah (Yaum al-Tarwiyah)y

• Enter into Ihram for Hajj from your place in Makkah (usually hotel).
• Make the Niyyah (intention): “Labbaika Hajjan”
• Recite Talbiyah:
  “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.”
• Proceed to Mina before Dhuhr.
• In Mina, pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr of the next day — all shortened to two units (but not combined).
• Spend the night in Mina.

Day 2 – 9th Dhul Hijjah (Arafah Day)

• After Fajr, leave Mina for Arafah.
• At Arafah, stay in the plain until sunset (Wuqoof).
• This is the most important day of Hajj. Make du‘a, repent, and ask for forgiveness.
• Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened at the time of Dhuhr.
• After sunset, depart to Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib in Arafah.
• At Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha combined, then rest.
• Collect 49 or 70 pebbles for the next days.

Day 3 – 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid Day / Yawm al-Nahr)

1. Before sunrise, proceed from Muzdalifah to Mina.
2. Rami al-Jamarat al-Aqabah: Throw 7 pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
3. Sacrifice an animal (Hady). This can be arranged in advance.
4. Shave (for men) or trim (for women) your hair – this is Tahallul al-Asghar (partial exit from Ihram).
5. You may now wear normal clothes and remove restrictions, except for marital relations.
6. Go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (Tawaf of Hajj) and Sa’i (if you didn’t already do Sa’i during Umrah).
• After this, you are now in Tahallul al-Akbar (full exit from Ihram).
7. Return to Mina for the night.

Day 4 – 11th Dhul Hijjah

• After Dhuhr, perform Rami (stoning) of three Jamarat in Mina:
  • Jamrat al-Sughra (small)

  • Jamrat al-Wusta (middle)

  • Jamrat al-Kubra (large)

• Throw 7 pebbles at each, starting with the smallest.
• After each Jamrah (except the last), pause and make du‘a.
• Spend the night in Mina.

Day 5 – 12th Dhul Hijjah

• Repeat the same Rami (stoning) of the three Jamarat as on the 11th.
• After stoning, you can leave Mina before sunset (this is called Nafr al-Awwal).
• If you stay in Mina after sunset, you must also complete Day 6.

Optional Day 6 – 13th Dhul Hijjah (For Those Who Stay)

• Repeat the same stoning of the three Jamarat.
• You must leave Mina after stoning, and this ends your Hajj.

Final Step – Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada‘)

• Before leaving Makkah, perform Tawaf al-Wada‘ (farewell Tawaf).
• This is obligatory for all pilgrims except menstruating women.

4. Summary Checklist (Day by Day)