Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is an obligatory religious duty for Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime if they are able to do so. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Scheduled in Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it occurs between the eighth and thirteenth days of the month.

Ihram: Intent and Ihram mark the initial rites of Hajj, signifying the pure intention and sacred state of the pilgrim. This is achieved by entering Ihram, a pilgrim’s consecrated state, upon crossing the outer boundaries of Mecca, known as Miqat.

Hujjaj dress in simple attire, with men wearing two unstitched pieces of cloth and women wearing loose-fitting clothing. Additionally, they must follow specific rules, including maintaining patience and refraining from sexual activity.

Tawaf: Hujjaj then perform Tawaf, meaning circling the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure in the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, seven times, in a counterclockwise direction.

Sa’i: Sai, which refers to running between the Safa and Marwa hills, commemorating Hazrat Hajra’s (A.S) search for water for her son Hazrat Ismail (A.S).

       Mina Arrival  :

Then Hujjaj travel to Mina, a tent city located just outside Mecca, either by foot along pilgrim paths or by bus for the 8km distance. They spend the day in Mina and depart the following morning at dawn.

A Day at Mount Arafat(wuquf): On the Day of Arafat, pilgrims make the 15km (nine-mile) journey from Mina to Mount Mercy ( Jabal ar-Rahmah,) , where they spend the day in reverent prayer. This day, known as wuquf, is a significant moment in the Islamic calendar. Mount Mercy holds special importance as the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W) last sermon. Muslims worldwide often choose to fast on this day.

Heading to Muzdalifah :

Following sunset, Hujjaj journey to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night under the open sky. Here, they also collect 49 pebbles for the rites of the next day, departing shortly before sunrise.

Rami & Nahr

After leaving Muzdalifah, Hujjaj return to Mina before dawn to perform the first rami, symbolically stoning the devil by throwing seven pebbles at the largest of three columns known as Jamarat al-Aqaba.

This is based on the tradition of Hazrat Ibrahim ( A.S) , who saw in dream that He is sacrificing his son Hazrat Ismail (A.S) as a test of faith. It is believed that at this spot in Mina, the devil appeared to discourage Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S), but He (A.S) drove him away by throwing stones.

Pilgrims also perform the sacrifice known as Nahr, where either a camel or lamb is sacrificed. Pilgrims has the option to either purchase sacrifice coupons/vouchers or perform the sacrifice themselves.

Continution of Rami

Over the next two days, pilgrims continue the ritual of throwing stones at the three pillars in Mina. They pelt each pillar with seven pebbles, starting with Jamarat al-Ula then Jamarat al-Wusta and finally, Jamarat al-Aqaba.

Halq ( Shaving of Head)

Halq, or the shaving of the head, is a ritual performed by male Hujjaj. It involves completely shaving the head or cutting the hair very short as a symbol of purification and humility before God. Women also participate in this act by cutting a small portion of their hair.

Tawaf al-Wida :

The Farewell Tawaf, is a ritual performed by pilgrims before leaving Mecca at the end of their Hajj. It involves circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction as a way to bid farewell to the sacred site. Tawaf al-Wida marks the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage and is considered a farewell to the Kaaba, the focal point of Muslim worship, before pilgrims return to their homes.

According to the Quran and Hadith, Hajj is obligatory for adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey. The Quran states in Surah Al Imran (3:97):

“And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who are able to undertake the journey.”

This verse indicates that Hajj is mandatory for those who have the means to perform it.

The Hadith about the five pillars of Islam can be found in Sahih Bukhari, Book 2

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

Preparing for Hajj involves both logistical and spiritual preparations. Meraj Un Nabi Travels based upon its 17 years of operations suggest you following steps to consider:

Educate Yourself: Learn about the rituals and significance of Hajj. Reading books or attending seminars can help deepen your understanding.

Physical Preparation: Ensure you are physically fit for the journey. Consider consulting with a healthcare provider before traveling, especially if you have any medical conditions.

Financial Preparation: Hajj can be costly. Plan your budget carefully, including expenses for travel, accommodation, and other necessities. Meraj Un Nabi Hajj services will help you to get rid of worry of this.

Logistical Preparation: Make travel arrangements well in advance. This includes booking flights, accommodation in Mecca, and transportation for the various rituals. Meraj Un Nabi Hajj services are customized and you can choose our packages based upon accommodation, transportation etc as per your convenience.

Spiritual Preparation: Begin preparing spiritually by increasing your acts of worship and seeking forgiveness for past sins. Reflect on the significance of Hajj and set your intentions to perform it solely for the sake of Allah.

Social Preparation: If you are traveling with a group, familiarize yourself with your group members and the group’s itinerary.  Meraj Un Nabi Travels arrange pre departure meetup for its valuable clients to get them familiar with each other for better Hajj experience.

Health Preparation: Get any necessary vaccinations and medications before traveling. Take precautions to prevent common illnesses, such as heatstroke or respiratory infections.

Health and safety considerations during Hajj are crucial due to the large number of people gathered in a confined space, which can increase the risk of infectious diseases and accidents. Some key considerations include:

Heat and dehydration: The Hajj takes place in the summer months when temperatures in Mecca can be very high. Pilgrims must stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Infectious diseases: Close proximity to others increases the risk of infectious diseases spreading. Pilgrims are advised to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Accommodation: Pilgrims should ensure their accommodation meets basic safety standards and is not overcrowded.

Health screenings: Some countries require pilgrims to undergo health screenings before traveling to Mecca to prevent the spread of diseases.

Emergency preparedness: Pilgrims should familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and know how to access medical assistance if needed.

By being aware of these considerations and taking necessary precautions, pilgrims can help ensure a safe and healthy Hajj experience.

Yes, women can and are required to perform Hajj if they meet the same conditions as men, namely being physically and financially able to undertake the journey. There are specific guidelines and accommodations for women during Hajj to ensure their safety and comfort, such as designated areas for prayer and rituals. Women often perform Hajj with a mahram (a male relative whom she cannot marry, such as a father, brother, or son) to comply with Islamic regulations regarding travel and interaction with unrelated men

Ihram:

Ihram mark the initial rites of Hajj, signifying the pure intention and sacred state of the pilgrim. This is achieved by entering Ihram, a pilgrim’s consecrated state, upon crossing the outer boundaries of Mecca, known as Miqat.

Hujjaj dress in simple attire, with men wearing two unstitched pieces of cloth and women wearing loose-fitting clothing.