How to Perform Hajj 7 Step Guide

How to Perform Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. According to the data, in 2023, almost 1.84 million pilgrims performed the Hajj. And this year the number is expected to be increased. Among these, 81,000 were Pakistani pilgrims who performed the hajj through a government scheme and others used private companies.?

Take a look back to 2023, when Pakistanis took a sigh of relief after the Saudi government abolished the upper-age limit of 65 years and restored the quota of 1,79,210 Pakistani pilgrims. The keen interest of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to facilitate the pilgrims in their blessed journey and give them guidance through the Pak Hajj App about How to Perform Hajj, also encouraged people to take government services.

Those Pakistanis who performed hajj through government schemes have also enjoyed the easy immigration facility due to the Road to Makkah Project launched by Saudi Arab for Pakistan.?

Every Muslim knows that Hajj is one of the 5 significant pillars of Islam, which is obligatory to be performed by financially and physically capable Muslims. However, the hajj is a complex ritual and needs proper tips and guidelines. Therefore MGCBlogs will discuss a step-by-step guide with pictures about How to Perform Hajj which starts on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and ends on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.?

Table of Contents

• 1. How to Perform Hajj – Make the Intention
• 2. Entering into the State of Ihram
• 3. Arrive at Minah – City of Tents
• 4. Arafah – The Day of Forgiveness5. Muzdalifah Journey – Praying Under Starry Sky, Collecting Pebbles6. Rami – Stoning the Devil?
• 7. Hadi & Eid

1. How to Perform Hajj – Make the Intention

As we discuss How to Perform Hajj, the first step towards the holy journey of Hajj is to do Niyyah, a pure intention to visit the house of Allah to seek his blessings and forgiveness. Some might neglect to prepare proper intentions before leaving for Makkah, however, niyyah is the core foundation of any ritual including Hajj.?

2. Entering into the State of Ihram

Ihram is the sacred state for every pilgrim which means they wear white clothes actually wrapping one white cloth around the shoulder and one white cloth around the waist. As the men wrap the body, women can wear anything suitable by following the hijab rules. Face covering and foot covering is not allowed for women. We suggest the pilgrims must wear comfortable sandals to complete the journey with ease.?

The pilgrims must also be careful about their language and behavior during the state of Ihram. And they can not trim nails, or hair or shave the beard till they perform animal sacrifice. During the state of Ihram, the pilgrims will recite the Talbiyah:?

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Translation in English:

“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.”

3. Arrive at Minah – City of Tents

Now it’s time for the pilgrims to enter and settle in Minah. It is also called the City of Tents because you will only see tents at the edge of your sight. Here, you will settle in your separate tent, recite, Zikr, perform prayers, and enjoy moments of seclusion in a night stay.

4. Arafah – The Day of Forgiveness

With each passing hour, the soul becomes more peaceful and you will feel a stronger connection with Allah. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the journey becomes more enriching as the pilgrims enter Arafah. The day of Arafah is called the day of forgiveness of our sins. It is an important day for all Muslims as Allah says in Surah Al-Maida; The Day of Arafah is when He perfected His Religion, completed His Favors upon His beloved Prophet PBUH, and approved Islam as a way of life. At Arafah, the pilgrims will recite Astaghfar and Talbiyah and perform Zuhrain (Zuhr and Asr). On the same day, a sermon/Khutba will be called on Mount Arafah from Mosque Al-Nimra.?

5. Muzdalifah Journey – Praying Under Starry Sky, Collecting Pebbles

After sunset, the pilgrims will start the journey to Muzdalifah which is a plain area between Arafat and Mina. Here you will perform the Maghrib and Isha Salah. There are no tents in Muzdalifah so you can spend the whole night under the starry sky, recite, do zikr, and seek forgiveness.

One of the additional tips to know How to Perform Hajj includes staying close to your group so that you don’t get lost in thousands of pilgrims. The pilgrims can collect pebbles in a size similar to the date seeds. Although 47 pebbles are needed to perform Minah, you can collect an extra 21 pebbles so that if you miss the target at the Jamarat (stone pillar), you can use the extra pebbles.?

6. Rami – Stoning the Devil

After spending the night in worship and praying for Fajr in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will go to Minah again to perform Rami on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. You will continue reciting the Talbiyah. Rami is about throwing pebbles on the Jamarat, the big stone pillar by reciting Allahu Akbar on each throw. They throw 7, 21, and 21 pebbles on each of the three Jamarats (stone pillars) on the 10th, 11th, and 12th ?Dhul Hijjah respectively. The Jamarats are present at the places where Iblis tried to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim.

7. Hadi & Eid

Hadi is where the pilgrims pay for the animal sacrifice. After Hadi, the pilgrims will slaughter the animals to mark the great sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. The next step will be shaving the head for men and trimming hair (the length of a fingertip) and nails for women. As the hajj ritual is completed, pilgrims leave the state of Ihram and return to Mina to complete Rami.?