1. Entering Ihram (the sacred state)
Before reaching Makkah, you make your intention for Hajj and enter Ihram — a state of ritual consecration. You wear simple clothing (two white sheets for men), and you avoid certain things like cutting hair, using perfume, or marital relations. The Prophet ﷺ taught that once you enter this state, you remain in it until the rites are complete. [Sahih Muslim — Hadith of Jabir describing the Farewell Hajj]
2. Tawaf around the Kaaba
Upon arriving in Makkah, you perform Tawaf — circling the Kaaba seven times, starting from the Black Stone. The Prophet ﷺ walked briskly in the first three rounds and normally in the last four. After Tawaf, you pray two rak'ahs near the Station of Ibrahim. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim — Hadith of Ibn Umar]
3. Sa'i between Safa and Marwah
You then walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, remembering that these are among the symbols of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ began at Safa, faced the Kaaba, and made supplication. [Coran, Al-Baqara:158] [Dua: Supplication on Mount Safa and Marwah]
4. Standing at Arafah (the most essential rite)
On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, you stand at Arafah from midday until sunset, making dua and seeking forgiveness. This is the heart of Hajj — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafah." He stood there until the sun set, facing the Qibla, supplicating. [Sahih Muslim — Hadith of Jabir]
5. Spending the night at Muzdalifah
After sunset, you move to Muzdalifah, where you pray Maghrib and Isha together and rest until dawn. The Prophet ﷺ stopped at Al-Mashar Al-Haram, faced the Qibla, and supplicated until the sky brightened. [Dua: Supplication at the Sacred Site]
6. Throwing pebbles at the Jamarat
On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, you throw seven pebbles at the largest Jamrah (pillar), saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. The Prophet ﷺ threw pebbles from the bottom of the valley. [Dua: Invocation when throwing pebbles at the Jamarat]
7. Sacrificing an animal (Qurbani)
You then sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel (or share in one). The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed sixty-three camels with his own hand and shared the rest with Ali. [Sahih Muslim — Hadith of Jabir]
8. Shaving or trimming the hair
After the sacrifice, men shave their heads and women trim a fingertip's length of hair. This marks the first stage of exiting Ihram. [Coran, Al-Baqara:196]
9. Tawaf al-Ifadah (the farewell Tawaf)
You return to Makkah to perform Tawaf around the Kaaba once more. After this, all restrictions of Ihram are lifted. [Sahih Muslim — Hadith of Jabir]
A practical tip: Hajj is a journey of patience and devotion. The Quran reminds us: "And take provision, but indeed the best provision is righteousness." [Coran, Al-Baqara:197] So prepare both physically and spiritually. To help you stay organized during your pilgrimage, you can use the Hajj checklist and prayer schedule features in your Al Muslim Plus app, and keep the duas for each station saved in the Invocations section for easy access. May Allah accept your Hajj and grant you a blessed journey.