Hajj, in one page

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, performed once in a lifetime if you are physically and financially able. It happens on specific days in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the lunar year.

“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty upon humanity owed to Allah, for whoever is able to find a way.”

— Quran 3:97

Who goes

• Adult Muslims of sound mind.
• Physically capable of the journey.
• Financially able, after their dependents are taken care of and without taking on serious debt.
• Safe to travel there (wars, pandemics, or closures can defer the obligation).

If you cannot go, you are not sinning. If you can go, choosing not to for no valid reason is considered a major shortcoming. Most Muslims go in their thirties, forties, or fifties, once family and finances have settled. Do not rush it. Also, do not put it off forever.

What happens during Hajj

Hajj takes five days. A very brief overview:

• 8th of Dhul Hijjah: enter ihram (a state of ritual consecration, white cloth for men, modest clothing for women). Travel to Mina and spend the day.
• 9th: travel to the plain of Arafat. Stand there from noon to sunset. This is the day of Hajj. Missing it means missing Hajj.
• 9th evening: travel to Muzdalifah, sleep under the sky, collect pebbles.
• 10th (Eid al-Adha day): return to Mina, throw pebbles at the large pillar, sacrifice an animal, shave the head (men) or cut a small lock (women), remove ihram, go to Makkah for tawaf (seven circuits around the Kaaba) and sa'i (seven traversals between Safa and Marwa).
• 11th and 12th: return to Mina, throw pebbles at all three pillars each day.
• Final tawaf of farewell before leaving Makkah.

Umrah, the smaller pilgrimage

Umrah is like a shortened Hajj. It can be done any time of year, is shorter (takes a few hours in Makkah), and is strongly recommended but not obligatory. Many new Muslims go for umrah first, to get a feel for the sacred places, before committing to full Hajj.

A note on expectations

Hajj is an intense experience. Millions of people, vast distances on foot, tight accommodations, emotions running high, exhaustion, spiritual weight. Do not go expecting a spa experience. Go expecting something that will change the shape of your life. Nearly every Muslim who has gone describes it as the most demanding and most rewarding week they have ever lived.