"Call ˹all˺ people to the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant path,"
— Surah Al-Hajj (22:27), The Noble Quran
Click any step on the wheel or the cards below to learn more about each ritual.
👆 Click any step on the wheel
Ihram
Enter sacred state, wear white garments, recite Talbiyah
Tawaf Al-Qudum
Circumambulate the Kaaba 7 times upon arrival in Makkah
Sa'i — Safa & Marwa
Walk 7 times between the hills honouring Hagar's devotion
Mina
Travel to Mina on the 8th, spend night in prayer
Arafah
Stand at the plain of Arafat — the pinnacle of Hajj
Muzdalifah
Night under the open sky, collect pebbles for Rami
Pelt Jamrat Al-Aqabah
Stone the largest pillar on Eid Day with 7 pebbles
Adhahi
Animal sacrifice honouring Prophet Ibrahim's devotion
Halq / Taqsir
Shave or trim hair, exit Ihram, wear regular clothing
Tawaf Al-Ifada
Return to Makkah, main Hajj Tawaf — 7 circumambulations
Pelt Three Jamarat
Stone all 3 pillars on 11th–13th Dhul-Hijjah
Tawaf Al-Wadaa
Farewell circumambulation before leaving Makkah
The Fifth Pillar of Islam — rich in spiritual meaning and history stretching back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The heart of Hajj is the Kaaba — the sacred cube inside Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Pilgrims circumambulate it seven times counterclockwise (Tawaf), symbolising the unity of the Muslim community and devotion to Allah alone. Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad).
Tawaf Al-Qudum: Arrival Tawaf when first entering Makkah.
Tawaf Al-Ifadhah: Performed on 10th Dhul-Hijjah after Mina — the main Hajj Tawaf.
Tawaf Al-Wadaa: Farewell Tawaf before leaving Makkah — deeply emotional for every pilgrim.
Pilgrims walk or run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This commemorates Hagar (Hajar AS), wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who desperately searched for water for her infant Isma'il. It honours her devotion, endurance and absolute trust in Allah. A single trip from Safa to Marwa or back counts as one.
As Hagar ran in desperation, the Angel Jibreel struck the ground and the blessed Zamzam spring burst forth — a miracle that continues to this day. The Zamzam well has never dried in over 4,000 years. Pilgrims drink this blessed water throughout Hajj and Umrah. It is considered healing and spiritually nourishing.
On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah at the vast plain of Arafat, pilgrims gather from noon until sunset in prayer, dhikr and deep supplication seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Hajj is Arafat" — meaning that standing here is the essential pillar of the entire pilgrimage.
Every pilgrim — king or pauper, scholar or labourer — wears the same simple white Ihram at Arafat. No distinction of rank, wealth or nationality. This is one of the most powerful images of Islam's message of universal brotherhood and equality before Allah. All are equal in the sight of their Creator.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best du'a is the du'a of Arafat." On this day, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and forgives those who sincerely repent. Make abundant du'a, send salawat on the Prophet, and pray for yourself, your family, and the entire Muslim ummah. This day is better than any other for seeking forgiveness.
After sunset on the 9th, pilgrims travel from Arafat to Muzdalifah. Maghrib and Isha prayers are combined and shortened. Pilgrims spend the night under the open sky — a unique, humbling experience that connects them to the earliest pilgrims of Islam. Fajr is prayed here before moving to Mina.
At Muzdalifah, pilgrims collect 49 pebbles minimum (70 if staying all three Tashreeq days). Each pebble should be small — roughly chickpea-sized. They are collected from Muzdalifah or Mina ground. These pebbles will be used to symbolically stone the devil at the three Jamarat pillars in Mina.
At the Jamarat bridge in Mina, pilgrims stone three pillars — Jamrat Al-Sughra, Jamrat Al-Wusta, and Jamrat Al-Aqabah. This ritual mirrors Prophet Ibrahim's rejection of Satan's temptations. Stones are thrown while reciting "Allahu Akbar." Jamrat Al-Aqabah is stoned first on Eid Day, then all three on 11th–13th.
Following Rami on Eid Day, pilgrims offer an animal sacrifice — a sheep, goat, cow or camel. This honours Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) readiness to sacrifice his son Isma'il — a supreme test of faith that Allah replaced with an animal. The same sacrifice is performed by Muslims worldwide on Eid Al-Adha in solidarity with pilgrims.
The Adhahi is not just personal devotion — it is a profound communal act of charity. Meat is distributed in three equal portions: one for the pilgrim's family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need. This reflects Islam's deep values of generosity, compassion and the responsibility to care for the poor and vulnerable.
After sacrifice, men shave their heads completely (Halq — the more rewarding option) or trim their hair (Taqsir). Women cut a small portion of their hair only. This marks partial release from Ihram restrictions. Full exit from Ihram comes only after completing Tawaf Al-Ifadhah and Sa'i in Makkah.
Ihram is the sacred state of ritual purity and consecration assumed before Hajj or Umrah. Men wear two white unsewn sheets — the upper Rida and lower Izar. Women wear modest regular clothing covering all except face and hands. Pilgrims enter Ihram at one of the five Miqat (boundary) points, reciting the Talbiyah sincerely.
Enter Ihram for Umrah first → complete Umrah → exit Ihram → re-enter for Hajj from Makkah on 8th Dhul-Hijjah. Requires sacrifice (Hady). Easiest and most common mode.
Enter Ihram for Hajj only from the Miqat. No sacrifice required. For those performing Hajj without Umrah.
Enter Ihram for both Hajj and Umrah together in one intention. Follows Hajj rituals. Requires sacrifice. Suitable for those unable to re-enter Ihram.
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