How to Perform Hajj – A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, a sacred journey to the House of Allah (Kaaba) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world fulfill this religious obligation, provided they are physically and financially able.

In this Article, we will walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to perform Hajj according to the Qur’an and Sunnah in a way that’s easy to follow, deeply spiritual, and practically helpful.

Hajj is performed between the 8th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

Step 1: Enter the State of Ihram

Before you start your journey for Hajj, you need to enter a special state called Ihram, which shows that you’re ready to do this holy act for Allah. You do this before you reach a place called Miqat—it’s like a checkpoint before entering Makkah. First, take a nice clean bath (ghusl) to make yourself pure and fresh. Then, if you’re a boy, wear two white unstitched cloths; if you’re a girl, wear clean and modest clothes. After that, you make a sincere intention in your heart that you are doing Hajj only for Allah. Then you start saying the Talbiyah, which is a beautiful way of answering Allah’s call. You say:

“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.”

It means: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. There is no partner for You. Surely, all praise and blessings are Yours, and all the kingdom belongs to You. There is no partner for You.” Keep repeating these words with love and focus. Now you are in Ihram, and your heart should feel close to Allah, full of peace and purpose.

Step 2: Tawaf al-Qudum (Welcome Tawaf)

When you reach the holy city of Makkah, your heart might feel excited and peaceful because now you’re going to see the Kaaba, the House of Allah! The first thing you do is a special walk called Tawaf.

To perform Tawaf, you go to the Masjid al-Haram and stand near the Kaaba. You walk around the Kaaba seven times, going counter-clockwise, starting from the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad). You can raise your hand and say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” each time you pass the Black Stone. As you walk, you can make duas, say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, or whatever good words you want to say to Allah. Just keep your heart focused.

After completing all seven rounds, you go to a place nearby and pray two rakats. You’ve now completed your Tawaf! This part makes you feel close to Allah and thankful that you’re in His sacred home.

Step 3: Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah

After Tawaf, it’s time for a special walk called Sa’i. This is when you walk back and forth between two small hills inside the Masjid al-Haram, called Safa and Marwah.

Why do we do this? Long ago, Hazrat Hajar (the wife of Prophet Ibrahim) ran between these hills looking for water for her baby, Prophet Ismail (A.S). Allah loved her faith and struggle so much that He made this walk a part of Hajj and Umrah forever!

You start at Safa hill. Stand and look toward the Kaaba, raise your hands, and make a du’a. Then, you walk to Marwah hill, saying good words, du’as, or remembering Allah along the way. When you reach Marwah, you do the same—face the Kaaba and make another du’a.

You go back and forth like this seven times, ending at Marwah. If you get tired, it’s okay to slow down or rest for a bit. Allah sees your effort and loves it.

After Sa’i, your heart will feel stronger because you followed in the footsteps of a brave and faithful woman who trusted Allah with all her heart.

Step 4: Going to Mina

Now that you’ve finished Tawaf and Sa’i, the next part of your journey takes you to a peaceful valley called Mina. You go there on the 8th day of Zul Hajj, and it’s like going on a calm and quiet sleepover with Allah’s blessings all around you.

Mina is a big tent city where thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come and stay in white tents. When you reach Mina, you’ll pray the five daily prayers—Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr—in your tent, just like you pray at home, but with a simple heart and fewer rakats (shortened prayers).

You don’t need to do anything else special in Mina—just rest, pray, read Quran, and prepare your heart for the most important day of Hajj tomorrow: the Day of Arafah.

It feels like camping, but with the most special guests of Allah all around you. It’s a time to be quiet, thankful, and full of hope that Allah is listening to every du’a you make.

Step 5: Day of Arafah (9th Zul Hajj)

This is the most special day of the whole journey—the Day of Arafah. It is on the 9th of Zul Hajj, and Allah loves this day more than any other.

In the morning, after praying Fajr in Mina, you travel to a wide open place called Arafah. This is where millions of pilgrims gather to ask Allah for forgiveness, mercy, and blessings. It is the place where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave his last sermon.

When you reach Arafah, you spend the day standing, sitting, and making lots of du’a (this is called Wuquf). You can raise your hands and tell Allah everything in your heart—say sorry for your mistakes, ask for Jannah, pray for your family and loved ones. This is a very emotional and powerful day, because Allah promises to forgive the people who sincerely turn to Him.

At sunset (Maghrib time), you don’t pray there. Instead, you quietly leave Arafah and head to the next place, Muzdalifah.

This day is like your heart talking directly to Allah. Even little children can ask Him for anything with love and hope.

Step 6: Muzdalifah (Overnight Stay and Collecting Stones)

After the sun sets on the Day of Arafah, you and millions of other pilgrims travel to a peaceful place called Muzdalifah. It’s a calm, open area where everyone stays overnight under the stars.

When you get there, you pray Maghrib and Isha prayers together (combined) and then rest for a little while. But before sleeping, you also collect small stones—49 or 70 stones—which you will use the next day for an important ritual called Ramy al-Jamarat (throwing stones at the pillars).

Muzdalifah teaches us patience and teamwork because many people sleep together in one place, sharing food and helping each other.

It’s a quiet night with a special feeling, knowing that the next day you will do an important part of Hajj to show your obedience to Allah.

Step 7: Ramy (Stoning of the Jamarat)

The next day, you go back to Mina to perform the special ritual called Ramy al-Jamarat, which means throwing stones at three pillars. These pillars represent the devil, and by throwing stones, we show that we reject bad thoughts and wrong actions.

On the 10th of Zul Hajj (called Eid ul-Adha), you throw seven small stones at the biggest pillar called Jamrat al-Aqabah. After that, many pilgrims perform the Qurbani — sacrificing an animal — to remember the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

On the 11th and 12th days, you throw stones at all three pillars seven times each day. This is a way to show your commitment to saying “no” to evil and staying on the right path.

It might feel tiring, but remember it’s a very important part of Hajj that cleanses your heart and strengthens your faith.

Step 8: Tawaf al-Ifadah (The Main Circumambulation)

 

After finishing the stoning (Ramy), it’s time to return to Masjid al-Haram in Makkah for an important ritual called Tawaf al-Ifadah. This means walking around the Kaaba seven times in a circle. This Tawaf shows your love and devotion to Allah and is a vital part of completing your Hajj.

You start at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), and each time you pass it, you can gently touch it or raise your hands to make du’a (pray). While walking, remember to pray silently or say “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” — which means “Here I am, O Allah, here I am.”

Tawaf al-Ifadah is sometimes called the “heart” of Hajj because it represents returning to Allah with a pure heart. After Tawaf, many pilgrims also perform Sa’i again, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, just like they did during Umrah.

This step helps you feel close to Allah and reminds you of the special journey you are on.

Step 9: Shaving or Trimming Hair (Halq or Taqsir)

After you complete Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i, it’s time for a very special sign of finishing your Hajj rituals — cutting your hair.

Men usually shave their heads completely (called Halq), which shows humility and a fresh new start. Women usually trim a small part of their hair (called Taqsir), usually just a little from the ends.

This act of shaving or trimming means you have completed your pilgrimage and are free from the state of Ihram. It symbolizes purification and a new beginning, just like a fresh haircut!

After this, you can wear your normal clothes again and feel proud of your journey and worship.

Step 10: Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada)

Before you leave Makkah and return home, there is one last special ritual called Tawaf al-Wada, which means Farewell Circumambulation. This is the final time you walk around the Kaaba seven times, saying goodbye and asking Allah to accept your Hajj.

Tawaf al-Wada is very important because it shows your love and respect for the Holy Mosque and your hope to return one day.

As you walk around, remember to pray quietly and ask Allah to keep you on the right path. This is your last chance to feel close to the Kaaba before leaving Makkah.

After this, your Hajj journey is complete, and you can return home with a heart full of peace and blessings.

Now Tell us Now your spiritual Journey if you had already done Hajj and Feel Free to reach out if you have any question related to Hajj.