Hajj Guide

Morning

On the second day, the 9th of Zul Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain field of ‘Arafat for the Wuqoof, ‘the standing,’ the central rite of the Hajj. Here, they offer Zuhr and Asr Salah together. Some pilgrims gather and pray at the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah), where the Holy Prophet(PBUH) delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon.

After the sunset on 9th Dhul Hijja

Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to Muzdalifah, an open plain field about halfway between ‘Arafat and Mina. There they offer Maghrib and Isha Salah together and spend the night under the open sky. They also collect at least 49/70 chickpea-sized pebbles to use when stoning Satan on the following days.

Beginning of the day

After offering Fajr in Muzdalifah and before daybreak, pilgrims move in masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. There, they cast at the pillars (representing the Satan), the pebbles they had collected from Muzdalifah (Rami). According to the traditions, this practice is associated with Prophet Ibrahim(AS). As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan’s attempt to persuade Prophet Ibrahim-as to disregard Allah’s command to sacrifice his son.

Mid Day

Following the casting of the pebbles, pilgrims are expected to make the Qurbani (sacrifice of a goat, sheep, cow or camel).

After the Qurbani

Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. Hujjaj are now allowed to take off the Ihram and put on everyday clothes. On this day, Muslims around the world, share the happiness of the pilgrims and join them by performing identical, individual sacrifices in a worldwide celebration of Eid al-Adha, ‘the Festival of Sacrifice’

Either perform Tawaf-e Ziyarah and Sa’ey or spend the day in Mina.

Pilgrims carry out the second part of Rami, stoning all three Satans, one by one. They may visit Makkah to perform another essential rite of the Hajj: the Tawaf-e Ziyarah (this could be done on day 10, 11 or 12 of Dhul Hijja). After completing the Tawaf, pilgrims pray, preferably behind the Station of Ibrahim (if possible), the site where Ibrahim-as stood while he built the K‘abah. Thereafter, pilgrims should also drink Zamzam water.

Another rite is the Sa’ey, or ‘the running’. This is a re-enactment of a memorable episode in the life of Hagar-rau, who was taken into what the Qur’an calls the ‘uncultivable valley’ of Makkah, with her infant son Ishmael, to settle there. The Sa’ey commemorates Hagar’s-rau frantic search for water to quench Ishmael’s-as thirst. She ran back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks, al-Safa and al-Marwah, until she found the sacred water known as Zamzam. This water, which sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael’s tiny feet, is now enclosed in a marble chamber near the K‘abah.

Either perform Tawaf e Ziyarah & Sa’ey or spend the day in Mina.

Pilgrims carry out the third part of Rami. They may spend the day in Mina. They can leave on the 5th day (12th Dhul Hijja) or stay for another day in Mina and after performing the rite of Rami on the 6th Day.