The entire method of how to perform Hajj demands the 5-day physical activities. These activities are wearing the Ihram, traveling to Mina, listening to the sermon in Arafat, and spending one night in Muzdalifah, along with collecting pebbles. And stoning on Jamarat, Tawaf, and Sa’i are also included in it. Hajj 2026 is going to begin from the evening of 24 May and end on 29 May. It’s also the 5th Islamic pillar that is compulsory for all Muslims, but not for those who can’t perform it physically, financially, or mentally. Belonging to an essential duty of Islam, it’s also a religious trip because it purifies one’s soul spiritually.
Allah SWT said in the Holy Quran about Hajj:
“And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who can undertake it.” – Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:97)
Going for Hajj is every Muslim’s dream, but do you know how to perform Hajj? Many Muslims get confused at this stage. Remember that Hajj can only be performed once a year, and if you do it incorrectly, it may not be accepted. That’s why a proper step-by-step guide to perform Hajj is mandatory to learn.
Set Your Intention and Wear Ihram for Hajj
Intention (Niyyah) is actually to make a deliberate decision in your heart that you are performing a Hajj only for Allah SWT. It can be done verbally; otherwise, words in your heart are also accepted. You can say these words:
“O Allah! I have come at your call; I have come to perform Hajj only for you.”
Remember that intention is always in the heart; saying it with the tongue is only for confirmation and focus. This intention takes you on a spiritual journey and gets you close to Allah SWT. After setting Niyyah, now you have to wear Ihram, which is a specific attire to perform Hajj.
The word Ihram means making some halal things haram on yourself. Ihram for men is two white unstitched pieces of cloth, known as an Izar and a Rida. However, a woman can wear a sewn modest dress, but her face and hands must remain uncovered. Now, start reciting Talbiyah for Hajj:
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
Hajj can be easily performed in just seven days from the 8th of Dhul Hijjah to the 12th (sometimes 13th) of Dhul Hijjah. So, here we will see the Hajj itinerary day by day:
The First Day: Traveling Towards Mina to Start Hajj
This is the first day of Hajj when pilgrims travel to Mina, an area around 8 km away from Makkah. Mina is also called a tent city, as during Hajj, the city is covered with a lot of tents for pilgrims. Spending the first day of Hajj at Mina has deeply importance, and this day is also known as Yawm-e-Tarwiyah. Tarwiyah means a day of contemplation and preparation.
While travelling to Mina via bus, train, or walking during mid-morning, pilgrims continuously recite Talbiyah. They spend the entire day and night in tents in Mina. There are no specific prayers or practices to be performed in Mina. They offer prayers from Zuhr to Fajr of the next morning and do some Sunnah acts. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made this journey peacefully and with devotion on His Hajj. After spending a day at Mina, pilgrims prepare to travel to Arafat.
The Second Day: The Most Significant Day of Arafat
The second day of Hajj is performed on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, which is the most significant day. This is the day of Arafat, also mentioned in the Holy Quran and Hadiths with great respect. The Holy Quran said about this:
“When you return from Arafat, praise Allah near the sacred place.” – Surah al-Baqarah (2:198)
After spending the whole night in Mina, Hajj pilgrims set out for Arafat on the morning of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. On this day, the largest gathering of the Muslim community from all over the world comes to pray on the Arafat plain. The distance between Mina and Arafat is around 12 km. During the way, pilgrims recite Hajj Talbiyah, Takbeer, Tahmeed, and Tasbeeh.
Arafat standing starts from Zhur time to Maghrib. During this time, every pilgrim stops in the vast plain of Arafat. There is a hill called Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy. Here, during standing, pilgrims raise both hands, pray to Allah SWT for forgiveness, and cry. This is the moment when sky and earth both bear witness that the servant is standing before Allah SWT.
The Third Day: The Day of Sacrifice (10th Dhul Hijjah)
This day is also called Yawm an-Nahr means sacrifices. On this day, the whole Muslim community around the world celebrates Eid al-Adha. During Hajj, on the evening of 9th Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims arrive in Muzdalifah (around 7 km from Arafat). Here, they offer both Maghrib and Isha prayers together, then sleep on the grounds under the sky without tents. Reciting Duas and Dhikr is also part of their prayers till morning. Also, pilgrims collect around 49 pebbles, which are later used for Rami.
After Fajar, Hajj pilgrims proceed towards Mina again while reciting Talbiyah for the day of sacrifice. Actually, this is a journey of obeying Allah’s SWT command as Prophet Ibrahim AS had done. Keep in mind, Muzdalifah to Mina again is approximately 5 km of distance.
Upon reaching Mina, the first step is to throw seven pebbles at the Great Devil (Jamarat al-Aqabah). While throwing every single pebble, pilgrims often say “Allahu Akbar”. This is the symbolic act to drive away the devil from oneself by following the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim AS.
After performing Rami, now pilgrims do sacrifices of halal animals such as a goat, ram, male sheep, camel, or cow. Sacrificing is also performed in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim AS. Allah SWT said in the Holy Quran about this:
“Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it’s your piety that reaches Him.” – Surah al-Hajj (22:37)
Once the sacrifices are done, pilgrims do Halq and Taqsir, which means shaving or cutting the head’s hair. This is done according to Islamic regulations. After that, you have to travel towards Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah, seven times walking around the Holy Kaaba. Perform Sa’ee as well if not done before.
The fourth and fifth Days: At Mina and Jamarat
Pilgrims have the option to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah after the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah. But if you leave without performing Tawaf, Hajj will be considered incomplete. However, on the fourth day of Hajj, you will again stay in Mina for Rami. Here, you will do Rami at these three Jamarat:
- Jamarat al-Sughra
- Jamarat al-Wusta
- Jamarat al-Kubra
Pilgrims throw seven stones at each Jamarat or stone pillar. Remember that Rami can only be performed at Zawaal, as it is forbidden to perform before dawn. You can do it until after Maghrib. Stones should be small, about the size of a gram, and big stones aren’t allowed to be thrown. This is only a symbolic action or ritual of Hajj, which is a message of imposing laws on human ego, anger, and sins. You can consider it a practical lesson of Jihad bil-Nafs.
Again, on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah (the fifth day), pilgrims do Rami of the three Jamarat. Stoning seven pebbles at every pillar. Now, Talbiyah should be stopped. After Rami, pilgrims return to tents and spend time in prayers, recitations, Dhikr, and Duas. These days are dedicated to remembering Allah SWT. The Holy Quran said:
“And remember Allah during these appointed days.” Surah al-Baqarah (2:203)
Now, on the 6th day of Hajj is optional (13th Dhul Hijjah), pilgrims can do Rami again on this day, and this is considered better. However, if you leave Mina on the 12th, then it’s also acceptable and your Hajj will be completed. Once you are in Makkah, you should perform farewell Tawaf around the Kaaba. This is a way of taking leave from Allah SWT after Hajj.
May Allah SWT accept your pilgrimage!
Hajj dates may vary due to the lunar calendar, but our promise remains that we will provide a complete travel plan when booking Hajj Packages 2026. So, contact us for any help and guidance for the annual pilgrimage as we are available 24/7.
