The Five Days of Hajj Guide

Hajj takes place between the 8th and 13th of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. This article details the sequence of rites, locations, and essential recommendations for UK pilgrims.

Pilgrims enter into the state of Ihram for Hajj from their hotels in Makkah and depart for the tent city of Mina. Pilgrims pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr of the 9th Dhul Hijjah in Mina, shortening the 4-rak'ah prayers to 2 rak'ahs without combining them.

After sunrise, pilgrims proceed to the plain of Arafat. The standing at Arafat (Wuquf) between Dhuhr and Maghrib is the absolute pillar of Hajj. Pilgrims combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers at Dhuhr time, spending the afternoon in intense supplication (Du'a) and repentance.

Immediately after sunset, pilgrims depart for Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib in Arafat. In Muzdalifah, Maghrib and Isha are combined, and pilgrims spend the night under the open sky, collecting 49 to 70 small pebbles for the Jamarat rites.

After praying Fajr in Muzdalifah, pilgrims return to Mina to stone the largest pillar (Jamarat al-Aqaba) with seven pebbles. Following this:

• The animal sacrifice (Qurbani / Hady) is completed
• Men shave (Halq) or trim (Taqsir) their hair; women trim 1–2 cm
• The initial exit from Ihram (Tahallul al-Asghar) is achieved
• Pilgrims proceed to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i (completing Tahallul al-Akbar)

Pilgrims stay in Mina and stone all three Jamarat pillars (Small, Medium, Large) each afternoon after the time of Dhuhr. After concluding the Mina days on the 12th (or 13th) of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims return to Makkah and perform the final Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wida) before leaving the holy city.