One of the five pillars of Islam is the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.Every adult Muslim is required to travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj once in his or her lifetime if he or she has the means.In Mecca, Muslims from all over the world gather in a display of faith, unity, and solidarity by recreating the ritual that the Prophet Muhammad did in his last pilgrimage.
Step 1: You should be ready to perform the Hajj.
The Hajj is not to be done lightly.Pilgrims died during their journey to Mecca.Modern conveniences allow millions of Muslims to quickly and safely travel to and from the holy city, but the Hajj should still be approached with the seriousness and dedication of the early pilgrims.Study the rituals of the Hajj, begin to clear your mind of worldly temptations, and be repentant for past sins, which will be forgiven during your pilgrimage.The Hajj must be done in a way that is sincere and out of a devotion to God.It is not possible to perform the Hajj for the purpose of gaining worldly recognition or material gains.The Sunnah states that the Hajj must be performed in accordance with the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Step 2: Decide on which type of Hajj you will perform.
Muslims can perform the Hajj in three different ways.Each offers a slightly different experience when it comes to the rituals and timelines of the pilgrimage.There are three types of pilgrimage.This form of pilgrimage is recommended by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.The minor pilgrimage ritual known as Umrah is performed by pilgrims before they go on to the Hajj.Pilgrims are called Mutamatti.This is the most common type of pilgrimage for foreigners to Saudi Arabia.The pilgrim performs the Umrah and Hajj in one continuous act with no break in the middle.Pilgrims are called Qaarin.Ifraad.This form of pilgrimage only involves the Hajj and not the Umrah.This form of pilgrimage is the only one that does not require animal sacrifice.Pilgrims are called Mufrid.
Step 3: Take a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The holy city of Mecca is located in the country of Saudi Arabia.When traveling to a foreign country, you will want to have your passport, travel documents, tickets, and so forth sorted out in advance.When old passports expire, national governments can be slow to issue new ones.During the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, the Hajj takes place.The date of the Hajj varies from year to year on the Western Gregorian calendar because it is a lunar calendar.The 4th of Dhul-Hijjah is when pilgrims are allowed to arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah for the Hajj.The Saudi government gives special visas to American Muslims who have not made the pilgrimage in the last five years.Obtaining one of these visas requires an up-to-date passport, a completed application form, copies of marriage or birth certificates, and an immunization record.Pilgrims travel to perform the Hajj in groups.If any of your Muslim friends are performing Hajj this year, you may want to coordinate your trips.
Step 4: Prepare to immerse yourself in religion.
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic monarchy and has rules for personal conduct that may be unfamiliar to foreigners.According to Islamic law, all women should travel in the company of a related man, such as her father, brother, husband, son or an approved individual.Women over 45 can perform the Hajj without a mahram if they have a letter of consent from their husband.For the duration of their stay in Saudi Arabia, all people who are attending the Hajj should prepare to be exceedingly modest.Special religious garb is required for men for much of the pilgrimage.It's a good idea to avoid Cologne, perfume, makeup, and scented soap.Smoking, swearing, shaving, and sexual intercourse are not allowed when a pilgrim enters the sacred Ihram state of ritual purity.
Step 5: You should assume Ihram.
All Muslims must assume that Ihram is a holy state of purity before they perform Umrah and Hajj.The real state of purity is attained by proclaiming one's intention to sincerely pursue the Umrah/Hajj and by reciting the Talbiyah prayer.Someone who assumes Ihram but doesn't have sincere belief in his or her heart is not truly fulfilling.Men and women enter into Ihram differently, so be sure to shave, comb your hair, trim or shape your facial hair.Bathe with the intention of Ihram, but don't apply cologne or other scents.Repent for your sins.Wrap one around your waist and the other over your upper body and wear clean, plain Ihram sheets.Simple sandals or flipflops don't cover the top portion of your foot.Don't cover your head.The lowliest beggar and the wealthiest king wear the same clothes on the Hajj, signifying the equality of all before God.As with men, you should shave and groom yourself.You shouldn't apply makeup or other cosmetics.Women don't have special clothes for Ihram, but their ordinary clothes should be used if they are clean and modest.In Islam, covering the head with a veil, scarf, etc.It is "mandatory attire" for women and should be done on the Hajj.
Step 6: Do you want to say Talbiyah?
The holy sites of the Hajj are surrounded by a Miqat.Pilgrims must have attained the pure state of Ihram to cross this boundary.A pilgrim in the state of Ihram pronounces the Niyyah when he approaches the Miqat at one of the historical entry points.The Talbiyah is a prayer that will be repeated many times during the pilgrimage.Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk is one of the Talbiyah's words.Innal hamda, wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.In response to Your call, I am here.You have no partner, here I am.All praise, grace and sovereignty are yours.You don't have a partner.The Miqat is where the pilgrim must first enter into the state of Ihram.It is tradition to enter these holy entryways and most other holy buildings with the right foot.
Step 7: Proceed towards the Ka'bah, the most sacred location in Islam.
When you see the Ka'bah, keep your eyes fixed on it and stand to the side of the crowd as you say "Allahu Akbar" three times.If you want, you can request other holy verse.Make your prayers to Allah when you say a blessing for the Prophet Muhammad.This is a good time to pray.
Step 8: The person needs to perform the taha.
There is a ritual where Muslims circle the Ka'bah.Make sure the upper sheet passes under the right arm and lays across the left shoulder if you want to start.The Black Stone should be on your right.Make another Niyyah for Umrah, saying: Allah huma inee 'ureedul 'umrata fa yasir, lee wata qabal haa min nee.Accept it from me and make it easy for me.Next, move to the right.If possible, kiss the Black Stone, the Eastern cornerstone of the Ka'bah.You can touch it with your hand if you can't kiss it.Lift your hands to your ears, palms facing towards the Black Stone, and say "bismillahi Allahu akbar wa lilah hil-hamd" if you can't get close to it.Don't fight for a chance to touch the Black Stone.Circle the Ka'bah.The Ka'bah stays at your left if you walk counter-clockwise.You should circle the Ka'bah seven times.You can use prayers from your daily life or just pray from the heart.You can point at the Black Stone when you walk by it.You are done when you have completed seven circles.Men can now use their arms.
Step 9: Do it Sa'ey.
"seeking" or "ritual walking" is what Sa'ey means.It means walking between the hills of Marwah and the south and north of the Ka'bah seven times.The path is enclosed in a long gallery because it was done outdoors.Say "Allah huma inee ureeduss sa' ya baynas safaa wal marwata" when you reach the top.O Allah!I will perform seven rounds of Sa'ey between Marwah and Safa.Make it easy for me and accept it from me.Finally, face the Ka'bah and say "Allahu Akbar" three times.Proceed towards Marwah after adding any additional prayers.If you can't remember, recite Subhan-Allah, wal-hamdu-lillah, wallahu Akbar, wa la haula, la quwwata illa-billa as you move towards Marwah.You can add any prayers you want.Walk down from the hill at the top of Marwah while facing the Ka'bah.You are done when you've walked back and forth seven times.
Step 10: Your hair should be shaved or clipped.
Men who have completed the Sa'ey can either have their hair completely shaved or have it cut short.If a man wants to complete the Hajj in the next few days, he may not want to have his head shaved completely.Women who do not want their heads shaved can cut a lock of hair or have their hair trimmed.The restrictions of Ihram are lifted after the ritual hair-cutting.You can wear your normal clothes again.You will need to re-enter Ihram if you go ahead and complete the Hajj in the next few days.
Step 11: If you want to perform Hajj, you need to assume Ihram.
Depending on how the trip is arranged, most pilgrims leave the state of Ihram after their Umrah, so that they can take a break between their pilgrimages.Pilgrims re-assume the state of Ihram at the beginning of the Hajj because it requires ritual purity and meekness before God.Don the proper Ihram clothes, wash yourself, and groom yourself.When you're ready, say another Niyyah: Allahuma in nee U-reedul hajja fayassir.I will perform Hajj.It should be easy for me to accept it.Say Talbiyah three times.During the last five days of the Hajj, you must stay in Ihram for three days, abstaining from activities that are forbidden to you until this period is over.
Step 12: Mina is where you should head.
Pilgrims spend the rest of the day in Mina, a town near Mecca, on the first day of Hajj.Thousands of white air-conditioned tents provide temporary housing for each year's pilgrims, and the Saudi government provides amenities here.If you want, you can spend your time praying and reflecting with other pilgrims on the first night.Many pilgrims say the Dhuhr, Asr, Magrib, Isha and Fajr prayers.Men and women stay in separate tents next to each other in Mina.Men cannot enter women's tents.
Step 13: Arafat is where to perform Waquf.
Pilgrims travel to Arafat on the second day of Hajj.The ritual called Waquf begins at this time and Pilgrims must reach Arafat by the afternoon.Pilgrims hold a prayer and reflection on a plain of Arafat during the time when the sun first starts to decline.No specific prayers are assigned for the Waquf, so just pray from your heart.Pilgrims like to reflect on the course of their life, their future, and their place in the world.
Step 14: You should pray in Muzdalifah.
There is a place called Muzdalifah between Mina and Arafat.They offer an evening prayer to God and then spend the night sleeping on the ground beneath the open sky.You will use the pebbles for the Ramy "stoning" ceremony later in the day.
Step 15: Ramy can be performed in Mina.
Pilgrims head back to Mina before the sun rises.Pilgrims take part in a ceremony to symbolize stoning the devil.Pilgrims throw pebbles at a stone monument.The ceremony can be very emotional.rare deaths have occurred.The elderly, sick, and injured are discouraged from participating.They can either have a friend perform the ritual in their place or they can perform it later in the evening.
Step 16: Offer to give something up.
It is necessary to sacrifice an animal to God after the Ramy ceremony.Pilgrims used to do this individually, but now it's more common for them to purchase a sacrifice voucher.The vouchers show that an animal was sacrificed in your name.After selling vouchers, qualified personnel will sacrifice a lamb for each pilgrim, butcher the animals, package the meat, and send it to Muslim communities around the world to feed the poor.On the 10th, 11th and 12th day of Dhul-Hijjah, animal sacrifice can be done.You should wait until after Ramy to make your sacrifice.
Step 17: Get your hair trimmed or shaved.
Pilgrims must have their hair cut.If a man opted for a short haircut during his Umrah, he may now want to have his hair completely shaved off, though he is not required to.Women can have a short hair cut.
Step 18: The Tawaf and Sa'ey need to be done.
Pilgrims must perform the Sa'ey rituals at the Ka'bah, just like in the Umrah.Only after the stoning, sacrifice, and hair-cutting rituals can the rituals be performed.After completing the Tawaf and Sa'ey, you can return to activities that were previously forbidden.Return to Mina at the end of your third day and spend the night in prayer.
Step 19: On the fourth and fifth days, do Ramy after sundown.
The stoning ritual takes place in Mina.You will not only throw pebbles at the Jamrat al Aqabah, but at two other monuments as well.First, throw pebbles at the Jamrat Oolah, then praise Allah with your hands raised, there are no assigned prayers, so you may use your own.This is repeated for the Jamrat.You don't need to pray after throwing your pebbles at the Jamrat al Aqabah.On the fifth day, repeat this ritual.
Step 20: The farewell tahaf should be performed.
Your pilgrimage has come to a close.When you've finished your pilgrimage, you should complete any unfinished business you have left in Mecca first, such as shopping or meeting friends or family.If you are going to stay in Mecca for a few days after Hajj, you need to wait until the end of your stay to perform Farewell Tawaf.The last tawf is walking around the Ka'bah seven times.As you perform the farewell tawaf, remember how lucky you were to be selected by Allah Almighty to come to His House and reflect on the feelings you have experienced on your Hajj.Praise and pray to Allah.You should leave for your home immediately after you've finished.If you need to buy food for your return trip, you are allowed to do that in sha Allah, since that is not the same as shopping.Medina is the second holiest city in Islam and is visited by many pilgrims after making the Hajj.They can visit The Prophet's Mosque here.No Ihram is required to visit Medina.The 1st month of the Islamic calendar is when foreign pilgrims are required to leave Saudi Arabia.