A female who has performed Hajj is called a Hajjah (حاجة).
The Hajj, in essence, means ‘pilgrimage’ to the holy city of Makkah in Arabic and must be performed by every Muslim each year during the first ten days of the sacred month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Regarded as one of the most profound deeds in Islam, Hajj teaches Muslims to practice goodness, show humility, be at peace with themselves, and be sincere to Allah. There are three types of Hajj that a pilgrim may choose to undertake, namely:
This essentially refers to performing the rituals of Hajj alone without the need for a sacrificial animal (Hadee) or Qurbani. A pilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Mufrid.
In this type of pilgrimage, one performs both Hajj and Umrah together while being in the state of Ihram. This form requires a sacrificial animal to complete the rituals. A pilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Qaarin.
The most common type of Hajj pilgrimage and the one Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) encouraged his companions to perform. It refers to performing Umrah rituals during the Hajj season and then proceeding to complete the steps of Hajj between the 8th and 13th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The acts of faith performed by all pilgrims during their spiritual journey to the Holy Kaaba are collectively known as the Hajj rituals, which lasts five days from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Hajj begins on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah when pilgrims make their intentions to undertake the pilgrimage by donning the Ihram garments.
Before pilgrims wish to enter the Al Masjid Al Haram (the sacred precinct of Mecca) and move across to perform Hajj, they should wear an ihram to sanctify the area and traverse the five different regions of migrants within the Haram boundary. Below are the destination options and relevant Miqats for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj:
Before setting off from their place of stay and making their way to the sacred boundary of Mecca, pilgrims are bound to assume a state of Ihram, which is the combined sacred act of Niyyah and Talbiyah necessary to perform Hajj. Niyyah is the innate intention to perform an act of worship, while Talbiyah is a special prayer said in supplication to attain Ihram.
A pilgrim must prepare himself for Ihram by following the below steps as instructed by the Prophet (PBUH):
Performing Ablutions – Cleansing the body to attain physical purity, which involves some rituals that are mandatory (Mushtahab) and others that are preferable for Ihram:
I. Ghusl (Mustahab)
II. Perfuming the head & beard (Mustahab)
III. Clipping finger & toe nails (Preferred)
IV. Trimming moustache (Preferred)
V. Shaving off unwanted body hair (Preferred)
Changing into the Sacred Attire of Two-Pieced White Ihram Sheets (Izar and Rida) for men and ordinary Islamic clothes for women. Both men and women should wear flip-flops or sandals that expose the middle bones of the midfoot.
Performing the Two Rakats of Salah al-Ihram while covering the head.
Pronouncing the Niyyah as the Miqat approaches.
Reciting Talbiyah repeatedly while traversing the Miqat stations in the sacred boundary of the Grand Holy Mosque until the commencement of Tawaf before travelling to Mecca for the next step of Umrah.
Pilgrims intending to undertake Hajj al-Tamatt’u must combine Umrah rituals with that of Hajj.
Below are the ten crucial Hajj rituals step-by-step:
After completing the Umrah rituals, pilgrims must assume the state of Ihram and declare their intention to perform Hajj.
Note: Repeat step 1 of Hajj Preparation.
Soon after observing the morning prayers, all pilgrims must head to Mina (a town in Mecca), where they stay for an entire day, carrying out ritual prayers – Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, Fajr, and Qasr – as stated in the Quran.
On the second day of Hajj, the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims travel from Mina to Arafat, reciting Istaghfar and making supplications. Upon reaching Mount Arafat, pilgrims observe Duhr and Asr prayers, combined with Qasar prayers, near Jabal al-Rahmah from noon to sunset. This act is known as Waquf (standing before Allah).
Post-sunset, pilgrims head to Muzdalifah (a town between Mina and Mount Arafat) to observe the evening prayers and rest for the night until Fajr prayers in preparation for the next day’s ritual of stoning the devil. Pilgrims pick up 49 pebbles of similar size for Rami.
On the 11th and 12th days of Hajj, pilgrims must complete the stoning of the DeDevilalso known as Rami. Before sunrise, pilgrims head back to Mina and participate in a ritual known as Stoning the Devil. Seven pebbles (of similar sizes) are thrown at a stone structure known as Jamrat al-Aqabah. This is an act carried out at noon on each day. All pilgrims are required to leave for Mecca before sunset on the 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The culmination of the stoning ceremony calls for an animal sacrifice. Pilgrims can purchase a sacrifice voucher or coupon, which states that a sacrifice has been made in their name. The sacrificial animal is either a lamb or a camel. The animal is butchered, and its meat is packed and shipped to other Middle Eastern countries or fed to people experiencing poverty.
Men should get their heads completely shaved or get their hair clipped. At the same time, women are forbidden from shaving their heads and are only allowed to have a lock or strand of their hair clipped. The act of cutting one’s hair symbolizes detachment from physical appearances and complete submission to Allah.
On the 11th and 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the stoning ritual is repeated by throwing pebbles at two other monuments besides Jamrat al Aqabah – Jamrat Oolah (the first Jamrat) and Jamrat Wustah (middle Jamrat). Pilgrims face the Jamarah (central pillar), with Mecca on their left and Mina on their right, stoning it with seven small pebbles while reciting takbeer.
The final step is the farewell Tawaf, in which one circumambulates the Kaaba anti-clockwise seven times and touches or kisses the Kaaba, if possible. Pilgrims reflect on their experience and express gratitude to Allah for everything while circumambulating the Kaaba.
Upon completing the Tawaf, pilgrims can proceed to collect their belongings, exit the Kaaba by setting their left foot out first, and make supplications while doing so. This final step marks the end of Hajj rituals.
Smoking in Ihram is not prohibited since smoke is not perfume, but it is harmful and discouraged; pilgrims are advised to avoid smoking out of respect for Ihram.
Yes, you can sleep while in Ihram, and doing so does not break or affect your Ihram status
A female who has performed Hajj is called a Hajjah (حاجة).
In 2025, approximately 1,673,230 pilgrims performed Hajj, including about 1.5 million international pilgrims and 166,654 residents of Saudi Arabia.
Ihram is broken by sexual intercourse or related acts, cutting hair or nails, using perfume, hunting, and for men, wearing sewn clothes, or for women, covering the face or wearing a niqab.
Ihram
Tawaf
Sa’i
Mina
Arafat (Wuquf)
Muzdalifah
Rami (Stoning the Devil) and Sacrifice
For Hajj from the UK in 2026, package prices generally range from approximately £4,695 to £7,865, depending on the duration, hotel rating, and included services such as flights
Yes, women can wear socks during Hajj Ihram as long as they cover the feet and are not made of pure silk or wool.
Yes, using the toilet after wearing Ihram is allowed without breaking Ihram.
Ghusl before Hajj is Sunnah (recommended) but not mandatory, and your Umrah is valid even if you do not perform it.
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