Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Hajj
• Part 2 of 3: Making Umrah.
• Part 3 of 3: Performing the Hajj

Pilgrimage to the Kaaba is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every adult Muslim (man or woman) with physical and material capabilities is obliged to make the Hajj to Mecca once in a lifetime. Hajj symbolizes the faith, unity and equality of Muslims.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Hajj

1. 1 Hajj, like any other form of worship, must be performed with the right intention. Treat the Hajj properly. This is not just a trip. Earlier, the performance of the Hajj was accompanied by great difficulties on the way and, often, the death of pilgrims. Despite the safety and comfort of modern vehicles, you shouldn't forget that this could be your last trip in life. So take your Hajj trip seriously. Begin to study the order of the Hajj in advance, so that during the Hajj you are busy with sincere worship, rather than learning the sequence of actions.
   • Like any other form of worship, the Hajj should be performed with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. It is unacceptable to perform Hajj with the intention of acquiring material gain, fame or honor.
   • Also, the rituals of the Hajj should be performed according to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad without introducing various innovations.
2. 2 Types of Hajj. There are three types of Hajj: tamattu ', qyran, ifrad. Each of the types is slightly different both in the sequence of actions and in the time of execution:
   • Tamattu 'is the most common type of Hajj.The Prophet advised to perform this particular type of Hajj. Tammattu 'is distinguished by the fact that the pilgrim performs both' Umrah (small pilgrimage) and Hajj, but not in the same state of ihram. After completing the rituals of the umrah, he leaves ihram and, with the beginning of the rituals of the hajj, puts on ihram again. One who performs this kind of Hajj is called a mutamatti '. Most often, pilgrims perform hajj tamattu 'and this particular type of hajj will be shown below.
   • Kyran is distinguished by the fact that the pilgrim performs both Umrah and Hajj in the same state of Ihram. One who performs this kind of Hajj is called kaarin.
   • Ifrad differs in that the pilgrim does not die in it, limiting himself only to the rituals of the great Hajj. Also, sacrifice is not included in the rites of ifrad. One who performs this type of Hajj is called a mufrid.
3. 3 Organizational matters. Decide in advance all organizational matters: passports, visas, tickets. If your passport expires soon, then apply for renewal in advance. Issuance of a new passport may be delayed.
   • Hajj rituals are performed in and around Mecca. The main rituals of the Hajj are held from the 8th to the 12th of the month of Zul Hijj. Zul Hijja is the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The Muslim lunar calendar is shorter than the solar one by 10 days, so the terms of the Hajj are shifted forward annually. The fourth day of the month of Zul Hiji is the deadline for arrival at Jeddah airport.
   • Saudi Arabia determines annual quotas for the number of pilgrims for each country. To obtain a visa for the Hajj, you should contact travel agencies accredited by the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
   • For the safety and convenience of travel, pilgrims are organized into groups based on ethnicity or territorial affiliation. To inquire about Hajj groups in your area, contact your local Muslim board.
4. 4 Mentality. Keep in mind that Saudi Arabia is a strictly theocratic country. Many things may seem strange to you. Don't be surprised to see women with their faces covered. Niqab is a traditional element of women's clothing in Muslim countries.
   • For Muslim women performing the Hajj, there are additional conditions - the presence of a mahram, a close male relative, on a trip with her. For women over 45 years old, provided that they travel in a group of other women, a mahram is not required.

Part 2 of 3: Making Umrah.

1. 1 Before performing the Hajj and Umrah, the pilgrim enters ihram, a ritual symbolizing spiritual and physical purity. The state of ihram imposes certain restrictions: the pilgrim cannot use perfume, cosmetics, perfumed soap, remove hair from any part of the body, trim nails, swear, quarrel. You also can't have intimacy. The ihram of a woman is different from the ihram of a man. The ihram of a man is made up of two pieces of white cloth. One of them is wrapped around the waist, the other is thrown over the upper body. Men are not allowed to wear tailored clothes, while women remain in regular clothes. Also, men should not wear any headdress or cover their head and face.
   • Men perform ghusl, remove hair under the armpits, in the groin area, and trim their nails. All actions are performed with the intention of ihram. After entering ihram, one should not use all kinds of incense. Shoes should be open and without a heel, and should not cover your toes.
     • Two pieces of white cloth, identical for all, symbolize the equality of Muslims, regardless of their social status.
   • Women, like men, perform ghusl, remove hair, trim their nails. Perfume, cosmetics, as well as any aromatic oils are prohibited.
     • The requirement for women's shoes is the same as for men. Women are not wrapped in pieces of fabric, but remain in their usual clothes.
2. 2 After putting on ihram, the pilgrims recite talbiya. There are five places for putting on ihram, which are called mikats, and each pilgrim must enter the state of ihram only in them.The pilgrim is forbidden to pass mikat without entering the state of ihram. When the pilgrim reaches mikat, he recites talbiya - the intention to perform Hajj or Umrah. Talbiya should be recited in a loud voice until the pilgrim reaches Mecca. Talbia's words:
   • "Here I am in front of you, O Allah! Here I am in front of you and you have no companion! Truly you should be praised and mercy and dominion belong to you! You have no companion! Here I am in front of you, committing to die!"
   • If a pilgrim passes mikat without the state of ihram, then he should return to mikat and enter ihram.
3. 3 The Kaaba is the main shrine of Islam; Muslims turn to it during their daily prayers. At the sight of the Kaaba, you can turn with a prayer. This is one of the moments when the Almighty can answer your prayer. You should enter the mosque with your right foot.
4. 4 Tawaf - seven-fold circumambulation of the Kaaba. From the very beginning of the bypass of the Kaaba and until its completion, men should bare their right shoulder. The detour of the Kaaba is made counterclockwise, so that the Kaaba is to the left of the pilgrim. During the detour of the Kaaba, one should pass behind the wall of al-hijr. The first three circles must be walked at a brisk pace, and the remaining four at a regular pace.
   • While walking, try to get close to the black stone and kiss it, or at least touch it. If it is not possible to approach him, then during the detour, having caught up with him, extend your hand in his direction and say: "Bismi Llyahi, Allahu Akbar, wa lilyahi al-hamd." You should not push and push people in order to get closer to the black stone.
   • There are no specific duaas during the performance of tawaf, so you can address me with any prayer and read any prayers.
   • When the pilgrim completes the seventh circle, he covers his right shoulder and goes to the place of Ibrahim, where he performs 2 rak'ah prayers. After that, it is advisable to drink zamzam.
5. 5 Sa'y. Sa'y is a seven-fold walk between two hills: al-Safa and al-Marwa. Approaching as-Safa, he reads the following words of the Almighty: “Inna-s-Safa wa-l-Marwata min sha'airi-Llyah, faman hajja-l-bayta awi'tamar falya junaha 'alayhi ay-y-yattavwafa bihima, wa man tatavvaa hayran fa-inna-Llaha Shakirun 'Alim ".
   • Earlier, al-Safa and al-Marwa were in the open air, but during the expansion of the Protected Mosque, these two hills are located inside a long corridor. Starting the ceremony from the hill of al-Safa, the pilgrim, turning towards the Kaaba, says three times: "Allahu akbar!", And then goes towards al-Marwa. During the circumambulation between al-Safa and al-Marwa, there are no definite duas, so the pilgrim can recite any prayers.
   • Having reached the al-Marwa hill, the pilgrim, also turning towards the Kaaba, exalts the Almighty three times.
   • When the pilgrim completes the seventh passage on al-Marw, he cuts the hair on his head, and this is where his umrah ends.
6. 6 Hair cutting. After performing sa'i, the pilgrim should leave the state of ihram. This is done by shaving off the hair on your head or by cutting off a small section of hair. Women do not shave off their hair, but only cut off a small strand.
   • Coming out of the state of ihram, the pilgrim is allowed to put on ordinary clothes and what was forbidden in the state of ihram becomes permissible. The pilgrim is in this state until the 8th, when the ritual of the Hajj begins and he will have to wear ihram again. Therefore, you should not shave your head bald, as the hair may not have time to grow back by the end of the Hajj, when he will have to shorten it again.

Part 3 of 3: Performing the Hajj

1. 1 When the 8th day of the month of Zul Hijjah comes, the pilgrim enters the state of ihram and proclaims the talbiya for the hajj. He does all the same that he did to enter the state of ihram to perform umrah: complete ablution, putting on two pieces of white cloth and reciting talbiya. He does not stop pronouncing talbiya, right up to the ritual throwing of stones.The pilgrim enters the state of ihram at the place where he stopped to live.
   • All the rituals of the Hajj end on the 12th of the month of Zul-Hiji, however, it will be possible to leave ihram only on the 10th. All this time, the restrictions of ihram are again imposed on the pilgrim.
2. 2 Then the pilgrims go to Mina - the vicinity of Mecca, where they also stay in tents prepared in advance for the pilgrims. Pilgrims perform a lunch prayer in Mina and stay here until the next morning. There are no special rituals on this day, the pilgrims have a rest, get to know each other, communicate with other pilgrims.
   • Women and men are accommodated separately.
3. 3 The next day, on the 9th, after sunrise, the pilgrims head to the nearby Mount Arafat. It is advisable to arrive there by noon. Before the evening prayer, the pilgrims are on Arafat, turning to the Almighty with their prayers and asking for forgiveness.
   • Before the evening prayer, the pilgrims are on Arafat, turning to the Almighty with their prayers and asking for forgiveness.
4. 4 After sunset, the pilgrims go to Muzdalifa, where they combine evening and night prayers and stay until morning prayer.
5. 5 The next day, having completed the morning prayer in Muzdalifa, the pilgrims go to jamarat - a ritual throwing of stones. On the way back to Mina, pilgrims collect pebbles, which they will throw at a large post (jamrat al-Akaba), symbolizing the devil. Each pilgrim throws 7 pebbles slightly larger than a pea.
   • Earlier, pilgrims, trying to hit the post, often wounded each other. Today, the authorities have built several floors around the pillars to facilitate ritual and prevent accidents.
6. 6 After throwing stones, the pilgrims perform the sacrifice. In the old days, each pilgrim would slaughter the sacrificial animal individually. Today, having paid the cost of the sacrifice at the cash desk, he receives a receipt for payment. Hired workers on behalf of the pilgrim themselves will slaughter the animal and the subsequent distribution of meat to people in need.
   • The sacrifice can be made on the 10th, 11th and 12th of the month of Zul Hijjah. The day of sacrifice is also called Eid al-Adha.
7. 7 After the sacrifice, the pilgrims cut their hair again. It is now desirable for men to shave their heads completely, while women cut off a strand of hair.
8. 8 Then, as at the beginning of the Hajj, the pilgrims make tawaf and sa'y - seven-fold rounds around the Kaaba and the hills of al-Safa and al-Marwa.
   • After completing this, the pilgrim is allowed everything that was forbidden to him in the state of ihram.
   • After this, the pilgrims return to Mina.
9. 9 For the next two days, the pilgrims stay in Mine, every day repeating the ritual of throwing stones.
   • If earlier pebbles were thrown at only one pillar (jamrat al-Akaba), now pilgrims are throwing pebbles at all three pillars.
10. 10 The last rite of the Hajj remained. After completing all of the above rituals, the pilgrims make a farewell tawaf - seven rounds of the Kaaba, after which they can return home.
    • After completing the hajj, many pilgrims prefer to visit Medina - the second shrine of Islam, where the prophet's mosque and his grave are located. Entering the state of ihram is not required to visit Medina.
    • The Saudi Arabian authorities do not allow pilgrims to stay in the country after the 10th of the month of Muharram.