Hajj is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam, combining physical effort, financial sacrifice, and deep spiritual devotion. For many Muslims, it is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that requires both preparation and understanding. This guide outlines the key rulings, types, and step-by-step rituals of Hajj, especially for pilgrims travelling from the UK.
What Is Hajj?
Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah al-Mukarramah that every able Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime. It takes place in Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, with the main rites occurring from the 8th to the 13th. The 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafat, is the most significant day of Hajj.
In 2026, Hajj is expected around May 26, though exact dates vary depending on moon sighting.
Who Must Perform Hajj?
Hajj becomes fard (obligatory) only when certain conditions are fulfilled. The Quran clearly states that Hajj is obligatory only for those who are able.
“وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا” “And [as a duty imposed by] Allah upon the people is a pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House, for whoever is able to find thereto a way.” (Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:97) |
To perform Hajj:
- A person must be Muslim, sane, and an adult; Hajj is not required for someone who is permanently mentally unfit
- A person must have financial capability, meaning enough money to cover Hajj costs while also supporting dependents without hardship. For UK pilgrims, Hajj costs typically range between £7,000 and £12,000, depending on package type
- A person must have the physical ability to perform Hajj; if someone is permanently unable, they may appoint someone for Hajj al-Badal (Proxy Hajj). It is the performance of Hajj on behalf of a person who is deceased or unable to perform it themselves physically or legally
- There must be safety and security for the journey; if travel is dangerous or life-threatening, Hajj is not obligatory
Regarding women, many classical scholars require a mahram for travel, while some contemporary scholars allow Hajj in safe, organised groups, as is common for UK pilgrims.
Types Of Hajj
There are three types of Hajj, which differ in how they are combined with Umrah and whether animal sacrifice is required.
- Tamattu: It involves performing Umrah first, exiting Ihram, then re-entering Ihram for Hajj. It includes both Umrah and Hajj separately and requires a sacrifice (Hady).
- Qiran: It combines Umrah and Hajj in one continuous Ihram without exiting in between, and also requires a sacrifice.
- Ifrad: It is only Hajj, without Umrah, and does not require a sacrifice. It is best for those living in or near Makkah.
For UK Muslims and international pilgrims, Tamattu‘ is the most commonly chosen option because it provides the opportunity to perform Umrah yet allows a break between Umrah and Hajj, giving time to rest and recover before the main rituals.
Hajj Rituals In Order
The sequence of Hajj rituals is based on the Hajj performed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in his 10th year of Hijrah. It includes fard and wajib acts: missing a fard invalidates Hajj, and missing a wajib requires a compensatory sacrifice (Damm). In certain cases where sacrifice is not possible, fasting is required as an alternative.
Stage / Ritual | Type | If Missed |
Ihram (Niyyah + Talbiyah at Miqat) | Fard | Hajj invalid |
Standing at Arafat (Wuquf Arafah) | Fard | Hajj invalid |
Tawaf al-Ifadah | Fard | Hajj invalid |
Sa’i (Safa & Marwah) | Wajib | Sacrifice required |
Muzdalifah overnight stay | Wajib | Sacrifice required |
Rami (stoning the Jamarat) | Wajib | Sacrifice required |
Hady (sacrifice) for Tamattu/Qiran | Wajib | Sacrifice required |
Tawaf al-Wada (farewell Tawaf) | Wajib (except the residents of Makkah ) | Hajj remains valid |
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Miqat and Entering Ihram
The Miqat (plural: Mawaqit) are designated boundary points set by the Prophet (PBUH) that must not be crossed without entering Ihram for Hajj or Umrah. For UK pilgrims travelling by air, the Miqat is usually Yalamlam or Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh).
It is recommended to prepare Ihram before the flight, as the Miqat is often announced on board. If someone passes it without Ihram, they should return if possible; otherwise, they enter Ihram where they are and offer a damm.
For those travelling to Madinah first and staying there before proceeding to Makkah, Ihram should be entered at Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) before departing for Makkah.
Ihram begins with the intention (Niyyah) in the heart, followed by the Talbiyah:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk. Laa shareeka lak.
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, you have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
It expresses devotion to Allah and is repeated throughout the journey. Men recite it aloud, women recite quietly.
Also Read: Pre-Hajj To-Do List: Everything You Need To Sort Before Departure
Prohibitions Of The Ihram State
In Ihram, pilgrims avoid cutting hair or nails, wearing perfume, hunting, and marital intimacy. Men avoid stitched clothing and head coverings, while women avoid the niqab and gloves.
Arrival In Makkah And Tawaf Al-Qudum
Upon arriving in Makkah, pilgrims performing Hajj Ifrad and Hajj Qiran perform Tawaf al-Qudum, a Sunnah arrival circumambulation of the Kaaba consisting of seven circuits. Pilgrims performing Hajj Tamattu‘ do not perform it, as their Tawaf and Sa’i are already completed during Umrah.
Journey To Mina
On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims travel from Makkah to Mina, about 8 km away. Here, the pilgrims are assigned to tent areas or buildings (maktab numbers) based on their Hajj operator, which must be kept for locating their camp.
The day and night are spent in Mina, where all five prayers are performed (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) on this day.
Wuquf At Arafah: The Day Of Hajj
Wuquf at Arafah is the essence of Hajj. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ مَنْ جَاءَ لَيْلَةَ جَمْعٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكَ الْحَجَّ
“Hajj is Arafah. Whoever reaches there and then comes to Jam (Muzdalifah) before Fajr has attained Hajj.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 889)
The standing (Wuquf) at Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the fard (obligatory pillar) of Hajj. If it is missed, Hajj is invalid and must be repeated. The valid time begins after Zawal on the 9th and continues until Fajr on the 10th. Even a brief presence within this window fulfils the obligation, though the Sunnah is to remain from afternoon until sunset before departing to Muzdalifah.
Temperatures in Arafah can exceed 40°C, so pilgrims should carry water, umbrellas, and cooling towels.
Stay At Muzdalifah
Upon arrival at Muzdalifah, a plain area between Arafat and Mina, pilgrims combine Maghrib and Isha prayers at Isha time (Jam‘ Ta’khir) and spend the night resting under the open sky. Unlike hotels or tents, Muzdalifah involves sleeping outdoors without formal bedding. Pilgrims often bring lightweight mats or sleeping bags for comfort.
Pebbles of the size of chickpeas for the Rami (stoning) are usually collected here, although they can also be gathered in Mina as per the following requirements.
Day 10: 7 pebbles (Jamarat al-Aqabah only)
Days 11th-13th: 21 pebbles per day (7 for each of the 3 Jamarat)
Pro tip: Collect more pebbles than required because they can easily get dropped in crowds during Rami.
Rami Al-Jamarat: Stoning The Pillars
Rami al-Jamarat is the stoning of the pillars in Mina, symbolising Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) rejection of Shaytan when he was commanded to sacrifice his son.
- On Day 10 (Eid al-Adha), only Jamarat al-Aqabah is stoned with 7 pebbles, each thrown with “Allahu Akbar.”
- On Days 11-13, all three pillars are stoned in order: Sughra → Wusta → Kubra, with 7 pebbles each.
It is Sunnah to pause for dua after Sughra and Wusta, facing the Qiblah. The stoning on Days 11-12 is performed after Zawal until sunset.
Hady: The Sacrifice Obligation
Hady is the obligatory sacrifice for Hajj Tamattu‘ and Qiran. It is the slaughter of a permissible animal as part of the Hajj rites. Its rulings are similar to Qurbani, and in many cases, performing Hady during Hajj fulfils that obligation.
Most UK Hajj packages offer a Hady voucher system, where the sacrifice is arranged through certified Saudi abattoirs under official supervision.
Halq Or Taqsir
Pilgrims should wait for their Hady to be completed before performing Halq (shaving the head) or Taqsir (trimming the hair), as these acts are done after the sacrifice.
Women perform Taqsir only. Once the hair is cut, they exit the state of Ihram and can put on regular clothes, but marital relations remain prohibited until Tawaf al-Ziyarah is completed.
Tawaf Al-Ifadah (Tawaf Al-Ziyarah)
After removing the Ihram garments and leaving the state of Ihram, pilgrims then go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah in normal clothing. It is the major pillar (fard) of Hajj; without it, the Hajj is invalid.
The preferred time is on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah after Rami, Hady, and Halq. However, it may be validly performed on any of the Days of Tashriq, which are the 11th, 12th, or 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
If a pilgrim chooses to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah before cutting their hair, they must remain in the state of Ihram until the hair is cut, but this is not the preferred sequence.
Departure From Mina
A pilgrim who completes the Rami for Days 11 and 12 may leave Mina on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah before sunset. However, if a pilgrim is still in Mina after sunset on the 12th, they must stay for the 13th and perform Rami again.
Tawaf Al-Wada
Tawaf al-Wada, the farewell Tawaf, is the last act of Hajj before the pilgrim leaves Makkah. It is wajib for most pilgrims, especially those coming from outside Makkah, such as the UK pilgrims.
However, women in a state of menstruation or post-natal bleeding (nifas) are exempt from Tawaf al-Wada.
Final Thoughts
Hajj is an act of worship with defined steps, each carrying legal rulings and spiritual meaning. Understanding these rites helps ensure that the pilgrimage is performed correctly. While the journey can be physically demanding, it remains a unique opportunity for renewal, forgiveness, and closeness to Allah.
With proper preparation and knowledge, a pilgrim can complete Hajj in accordance with the Sunnah and return with their obligation fulfilled. If this guide has inspired you, channel that spirit into action, donate through United Muslims today, and with our 100% donation policy, every penny reaches those who need it most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Hajj 2026 expected to take place?
Hajj 2026 is expected around May 26, 2026, but the exact dates may change depending on the moon sighting. The main rituals take place from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, with the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) being the most important day.
Who is required to perform Hajj?
Hajj becomes obligatory for a Muslim who is sane, an adult, financially capable, and physically able. The person must also be able to support their dependents and afford the journey without causing hardship.
Can a woman go for Hajj without a mahram?
Classical scholars generally require a mahram for a woman to travel for Hajj. However, some contemporary scholars allow women to travel in safe, organised groups, which is common for UK pilgrims today.
What if someone is physically unable to perform Hajj?
If a person is permanently unable due to illness or disability, they may appoint someone to perform Hajj on their behalf through Hajj al-Badal, also known as proxy Hajj.
How much does Hajj usually cost?
The cost of performing Hajj (2026) depends on the country, package type, and level of comfort. From the UK, typical Hajj packages for 2026 are around £5,500 to £16,000+ per person.
