دليل الحج والعمرة
Everything a pilgrim needs — rites, obligations, etiquettes, and rulings — compiled from authentic scholarly sources.
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Both are sacred pilgrimages to the Holy City of Makkah, yet they differ significantly in their rites, timing and ruling in Islam.
Can be performed at any time of year - there is no fixed date or season.
Consists of four essential rites: Ihraam, Tawaaf, Sa'ee, and shaving or shortening of hair.
Considered a Sunnah (recommended act) and a highly virtuous deed in Islam.
Does not include going to Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, or stoning the Jamarat.
Much shorter in duration - often completed within a few hours to a single day.
Performed only during the specific days of Dhul-Hijjah (8th-13th). It is the Fifth Pillar of Islam.
Obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Includes standing in Arafah, staying in Muzdalifah and Mina, and stoning the Jamarat.
Has four pillars: Ihraam, standing in Arafah, Tawaaf al-Ifaadah, and Sa'ee for Hajj.
Whoever leaves a pillar, his Hajj is null and void - it cannot be compensated with an offering.
Both are sacred pilgrimages to the Holy City of Makkah, yet they differ significantly in their rites, timing, and ruling in Islam.
01
Ihraam
The sacred state of intention to enter the pilgrimage. It must be made at or before the Meeqat boundary. Those travelling by plane make their Ihraam from the closest point of the Meeqat boundary in the air.
PILLAR02
Tawaaf (Circumambulation)
7 laps around the Ka'bah, beginning and ending at the Black Stone. Men perform Idtibaa' (uncovering the right shoulder) and Raml (brisk walking) in the first three laps. Kissing or gesturing toward the Black Stone is encouraged when easily possible.
PILLAR03
Prayer at Maqaam Ibraheem
After completing Tawaaf, it is recommended (if possible) to pray 2 Rak'ahs behind the Station of Ibraheem (peace be upon him).
SUNNAH04
Sa'ee - Safa & Marwah
Seven laps between the hills of Safa and Marwah. One walks before the two green markers, then runs quickly between them - the running is for men only. Begins at Safa and ends at Marwah.
PILLAR05
Shaving or Shortening the Hair
Men shave their heads or cut their hair evenly. Women shorten their hair by approximately a fingertip's length. This marks the exit from the state of Ihraam.
PILLARTrimming nails and removing necessary hair before making the intention of Ihraam
Performing Ghusl (full bath) before entering Ihraam
Wearing perfume on the body before wearing Ihraam clothing - not on the garment itself
Wearing a lower and upper white garment (Izaar and Ridaa') - for men
Reciting the Talbiyah from Ihraam until Tawaaf begins
Idtibaa' in Tawaaf - uncovering the right shoulder - for men
Kissing or touching the Black Stone during Tawaaf if easily possible without harming others
Raml - brisk walking - in the first three laps of Tawaaf, for men
Praying 2 Rak'ahs behind Maqaam Ibraheem after Tawaaf
Praying 2 Rak'ahs behind Maqaam Ibraheem after Tawaaf
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner!" - Men recite aloud; women say it quietly.
Every pilgrim must enter the state of Ihraam before crossing the Meeqat — the designated boundary for their region. Crossing the Meeqat without Ihraam requires compensation.
Al Juhfah — 186 km from Makkah
Dhul Hulaylah (Abyar Ali) — 420 km from Makkah
Dhatü 'Irq — 98 km from Makkah
Qarnul Manazil — 98 km from Makkah
Yalamlam — 99 km from Makkah
Important for Air Travellers: Those travelling by plane must make their Ihraam from the closest point of the Meeqat boundary in the air — typically before boarding or once the pilot announces the boundary approach. Do not wait until landing at Jeddah airport.
Once in the state of Ihraam, certain actions become forbidden. Violating these prohibitions may require atonement (fidyah); some violations can invalidate the pilgrimage entirely.
Whoever intentionally leaves a pillar — their Hajj or Umrah is null and void. It cannot be compensated with any offering or act.
Whoever leaves an obligation must slaughter a sacrificial animal distributed to the poor of Makkah. If unable, they fast 10 days (3 during Hajj, 7 at home).
Taking a bath (Ghusl) before entering Ihram
Men wearing an Izaar and Ridaa' — two white, unstitched garments
Cutting fingernails, trimming the moustache, plucking armpit hair, and shaving pubic hair before Ihram
Entering the state of Ihram after performing a Fard (obligatory) prayer
Men recite the Talbiyah aloud; women say it quietly to themselves
Three Valid Forms
There are three forms of Hajj. Pilgrims must decide which they intend at the Meeqat, as each carries different rules regarding Umrah, Ihram, and sacrificial offerings.
Tamattu'
التمتع
Perform Umrah first during the months of Hajj, exit Ihram fully, then re-enter Ihram for Hajj on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah. A sacrificial animal is required. Most common for international pilgrims.
Qiraan
القران
Enter Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj simultaneously, remaining in Ihram throughout. Tawaf al-Qudum is a recommended Sunnah upon arrival. A sacrificial animal is required. Sa'ee may be delayed until after Tawaf al-Ifadah.
Ifraad
الافراد
Enter Ihram for Hajj only, with no Umrah. No sacrificial animal is required. Can proceed directly to Mina without Tawaf al-Qudum, but must perform Sa'ee after Tawaf al-Ifadah.
Day by Day
Hajj spans five to six days during Dhul-Hijjah. Each day carries specific rites that must be performed in sequence. Missing an obligatory act requires compensation.
8th Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Tarwiyah
Enter the state of Ihram (Tamattu' pilgrims re-enter after completing Umrah; Qiran and Ifrad maintain existing Ihram). Head to Mina.
9th Dhul-Hijjah — The Greatest Day
The most critical pillar of Hajj — 'Hajj is Arafah.' Proceed to Arafah after sunrise. Remain until sunset, praying Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened at Dhuhr time. Supplicate abundantly.
10th Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Nahr (Sacrifice)
Four major acts are performed on this day, ideally in order. This day begins the process of exiting Ihram.
11th, 12th & 13th Dhul-Hijjah — Days of Tashreeq
Spend the nights of Tashreeq in Mina. Each day after Zawal (midday), stone all three Jamarat pillars in order: small (Al-Sughra), middle (Al-Wusta), then large (Al-Kubra) — 7 pebbles each.
Before Departing Makkah
The last act before leaving Makkah is the Farewell Tawaf — 7 circumambulations of the Ka'bah. This is an obligation for all pilgrims. Exception: menstruating women and women with postnatal bleeding are exempt. With this, Hajj is complete — all praise is due to Allah.
Visiting Madinah Al-Munawwarah
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque is a highly recommended act though it is not part of Hajj or Umrah rituals and is not obligatory for pilgrims.
"Whoever performs ablution at home and then comes to the mosque of Quba' and offers prayer in it shall have a reward like that of Umrah."
- Reported by Sahl ibn Hunayf, cited in authentic sources
"A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers anywhere else, except for the Sacred Mosque."
- Narrated by Al-Bukhari (1190) and Muslim (1394)
Visiting Madinah Al-Munawwarah
The following actions are widely practised but are religious innovations (bid'ah) with no basis in the Sunnah — some constitute major shirk (polytheism):
Rubbing the body against walls or iron bars
Rubbing the body against the walls or iron bars of the grave chamber, or tying threads and items to the windows to seek blessings.
Facing the grave and raising hands
Facing the grave and raising the hands in supplication — this is contrary to the practice of the righteous predecessors and is a religious innovation.
Placing hand over chest when greeting
Placing the right hand over the left on the chest when greeting the Prophet ﷺ — this posture of worship is reserved for Allah alone.
Wiping the walls of the chamber
Wiping the walls of the chamber or performing Tawaf around the grave to seek closeness to Allah.
Asking the Prophet for intercession
Asking the Prophet ﷺ or other deceased to fulfil needs, cure sicknesses, or intercede — all requests must be directed to Allah alone. Directing such acts to others constitutes shirk.
Visiting caves and sacred sites
Visiting caves in Mount Uhud, the cave of Hira', or the cave of Thawr in Makkah to seek blessings — these are innovations with no basis in authentic legislation.
Calling upon the deceased at graves
Calling upon the deceased at Al-Baqqee' or the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, or throwing coins at their graves — this constitutes major polytheism according to the scholars.
Visiting places claimed as relics
Visiting places claimed to be relics of the Prophet ﷺ (e.g. the resting place of his cornel, certain wells) and taking soil from them for blessings — no basis in authentic Islamic legislation.
The following narrations are commonly circulated but have been confirmed as fabricated or extremely weak by major scholars of Hadith, including Al-Hafizh Al-Uqayli and Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar in AT-Talkhis:
Al-Hafidh Al-Uqayli stated: "There is nothing authentic in this regard." Ibn Hajar confirmed that all chains of these narrations are weak. Do not be deceived by their widespread circulation — authentic Hadiths are verified through established chains of transmission.
"A journey should not be made except to three mosques: my mosque, the Sacred Mosque, and Al-Aqsa Mosque."
— Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1189) and Muslim (827)
Hajj & Umrah Specialists
This guide has been compiled from authentic scholarly sources: the Hajj Guide by the Cooperative Office for Call & Guidance at Sulay (Riyadh), the Summarised Etiquettes and Rulings of Visiting the Prophet's Mosque by the Association for Multi-lingual Islamic Content (2025), and the illustrated rites guides by Sarhaan.com. May Allah accept from all pilgrims.
