Description of Hajj
(From the 8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah)
There are three types of Hajj rites:
• Tamattu‘: Performing ‘Umrah followed by Hajj in the same season, and coming out of the state of Ihram occurs between the two. A sacrificial animal (one sheep) is required.
• Qiran: Performing ‘Umrah and Hajj together with a single Ihram, without coming out of the state of Ihram. A sacrificial animal is required.
• Ifrad: Performing Hajj alone, without ‘Umrah. No sacrificial animal is required.
The pilgrim is to enter the state of Ihram either from their location (if in Makkah), from the designated miqat of their country, or from the miqat they pass through. A man wears two white garments: an izar (lower wrap) and a rida’ (upper wrap). The pilgrim is to then initiate their rites by saying, “Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan” [I obediently respond to Your call to perform Hajj] and mentioning the type of Hajj they are intending to performing.

Day of Tarwiyah – 8th of Dhul-Hijjah
• The pilgrim proceeds to Mina and performs Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’, and Fajr prayers there—shortened, but not combined.

Day of ‘Arafah – 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
• After sunrise, the pilgrim proceeds to ‘Arafah and remains there.
• They perform Zuhr and ‘Asr, combined and shortened, with one call to prayer and two iqamahs.
• They should devote themselves to supplication and dhikr until sunset.
• After sunset, they proceed calmly to Muzdalifah.

Staying Overnight in Muzdalifah – Night of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
• The pilgrim performs Maghrib and ‘Isha’ together in Muzdalifah, at the time of ‘Isha’.
• They stay there until Fajr time and perform the Fajr prayer. Those with valid excuses may leave after midnight.
• They collect pebbles from Muzdalifah or along the way (seven pebbles) for throwing at Jamrah al-‘Aqabah.
Day of Sacrifice – 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
• Throwing seven pebbles at Jamrah al-‘Aqabah, one after the other. Each pebble should be about the size of a chickpea. One says the Takbir [Allahu Akbar] with each throw.
• Shaving or shortening the hair (shaving is better for men; as for women, they shorten by the length of a fingertip).
• Tawaf al-Ifadah and the Sa‘i of Hajj (if Sa‘i was not performed after Tawaf al-Qudum).
• By completing these acts, the pilgrim exits the state of Ihram completely, and all previously prohibited matters become permissible. If only two of the acts are done, the pilgrim exits the minor state of Ihram: all prohibitions are lifted except those related to marital relations.
• Slaughtering the sacrificial animal (required for those performing Tamattu‘ or Qiran).
• Performing these acts in order is Sunnah; however, it is permissible to do them in a different order.

Staying Overnight in Mina – Nights of the 11th, 12th, and possibly the 13th
• The pilgrim stays overnight in Mina on the nights of the 11th and 12th for those leaving early, and also on the night of the 13th for those who delay their departure.
• Each day after the sun passes its zenith, the pilgrim throws seven pebbles at each of the three Jamrat:
o The minor Jamrah (7 pebbles)
o The middle Jamrah (7 pebbles)
o The major Jamrah (Jamrah al-‘Aqabah) (7 pebbles)

Tawaf al-Ifadah – Upon Leaving Makkah
• It is the final act performed by the pilgrim before departing from Makkah.
• It is not required of a woman who is menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding.

Pillars of Hajj:
• Entering the state of ihram
• Standing at ‘Arafah
• Tawaf al-Ifadah
• Sa‘i of Hajj
Obligatory Acts of Hajj:
• Entering Ihram from the designated Miqat
• Remaining at ‘Arafah until sunset
• Spending the night in Muzdalifah
• Spending the nights in Mina
• Throwing the pebbles
• Shaving or shortening the hair
• Tawaf al-Ifadah for those not menstruating or in postnatal bleeding
Prohibitions of Ihram:
• Removing hair from any part of the body
• Trimming the nails
• Applying perfume after making the intention for Ihram (whether on the body or clothing)
• Hunting land animals or assisting in hunting them
• Contracting a marriage (either for oneself or arranging it for others)
• Physical intimacy with one’s spouse driven by desire (such as kissing or touching)
• Sexual intercourse (the gravest prohibition — invalidates the rites performed so far if done before the first exiting from Ihram)
• Wearing stitched garments that are shaped to fit the body (for men only, such as shirts, trousers, or jackets)
• Covering the entire head for men (such as with a cap or headscarf)
• Covering the face with a niqab or burqa for women