Hajj & Umrah guide
A concise reference for pilgrims. Before travel, check official updates from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and consult your sheikh or pilgrimage group.
Umrah — short steps
- 1. Enter ihram at the miqat
- 2. Recite the talbiyah (Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…)
- 3. Tawaf around the Kaaba (7 circuits)
- 4. Pray 2 rakahs behind Maqam Ibrahim
- 5. Drink Zamzam water
- 6. Sa'i between Safa and Marwa (7 trips)
- 7. Shave or shorten the hair
- 8. Umrah is complete
Hajj — day-by-day rites
- 8 Dhu al-Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah)
Travel to Mina and stay overnight; pray Dhuhr through Fajr there.
- 9 Dhu al-Hijjah (Yawm al-Arafah)
After Fajr in Mina, head to Arafah. Stand in Arafah from Dhuhr until sunset. After sunset, travel to Muzdalifah and combine Maghrib + Isha there. Sleep in Muzdalifah.
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha / Yawm an-Nahr)
After Fajr in Muzdalifah, travel to Mina. Throw 7 pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba. Sacrifice (hady). Shave or shorten hair. Then head to Mecca for Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i. Return to Mina.
- 11–12 Dhu al-Hijjah (Ayyam at-Tashriq)
In Mina: throw 7 pebbles at each of the three jamarat (small, middle, Aqaba) on each day after Dhuhr. Pilgrim may leave on day 12 (after rami) or stay until day 13.
- Tawaf al-Wada
Before leaving Mecca, perform the farewell tawaf (7 circuits). Hajj is complete.
Quick pre-travel checklist
- Valid passport + visa
- Ihram garments (men) + comfortable cotton clothes
- Comfortable open shoes + sandals
- Health insurance + personal medication
- Small backpack for daily essentials
- Tasbih + adhkar booklet + small Mushaf
- Translation app + phone charger + power bank