Hajj and Umrah, explained plainly.

Who must perform Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. The Qur'an describes pilgrimage to the House as a duty owed to Allah by everyone who is able to make the journey (3:97). It is required once in a lifetime.

It becomes obligatory on a Muslim who is:

• An adult of sound mind
• Physically able to travel and to perform the rites
• Able to afford the journey, and to provide for dependants while away, without hardship
• Able to travel safely

According to most scholars, someone who has the means but is permanently unable to travel, through illness or age, may appoint another person to perform Hajj on their behalf.

Scholars differ on whether a woman must have a mahram for the obligation to apply. Saudi regulations no longer require one.

Umrah and its ruling

Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage. It can be performed at almost any time of year and takes a few hours.

The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools hold that Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime. The Hanafi and Maliki schools regard it as a strongly emphasised sunnah. All agree on its merit, and the Qur'an instructs that Hajj and Umrah be completed for Allah (2:196).

The reward

The Prophet, peace be upon him, described the reward of Hajj and Umrah in these terms.

• An accepted Hajj has no reward other than Paradise.Bukhari and Muslim
• Whoever performs Hajj without obscenity or wrongdoing returns as free of sin as the day they were born.Bukhari and Muslim
• One Umrah to the next is an expiation for what comes between them.Bukhari and Muslim
• Umrah performed in Ramadan is equal in reward to Hajj.Bukhari and Muslim

These narrations are given in meaning rather than word for word. Umrah in Ramadan carries the reward of Hajj but does not replace the obligation. See Umrah in Ramadan.

How Umrah is performed

1. IhramBefore crossing the miqat, make the intention for Umrah and enter ihram. Men wear two unstitched cloths. Women wear their ordinary modest dress. The talbiyah begins here. If you fly directly to Jeddah you cross the miqat in the air, so be in ihram before the announcement on the aircraft.
2. TawafSeven circuits of the Ka'bah, anticlockwise, beginning and ending at the Black Stone, in a state of wudu. Two rak'ahs follow, behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is room.
3. Sa'iSeven lengths between Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah.
4. Halq or taqsirMen shave the head or shorten the hair. Women trim a fingertip's length. Umrah is then complete and the restrictions of ihram are lifted.

The three forms of Hajj

Tamattu'

Umrah first, during the months of Hajj. You then leave ihram and enter it again for Hajj on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah. A sacrifice is required. This is the form most pilgrims travelling from the UK perform.

Qiran

Umrah and Hajj combined under a single ihram, without leaving it in between. A sacrifice is required.

Ifrad

Hajj alone. No sacrifice is required.

The days of Hajj

Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. In 2027 these days fall in May. The exact dates are confirmed by the sighting of the moon.

8th Dhul HijjahYawm al-Tarwiyah

Enter ihram for Hajj and travel to Mina. The day and night are spent there in prayer.

9th Dhul HijjahThe Day of Arafah

Travel to Arafat after sunrise. Standing at Arafat, from after midday until sunset, is the heart of Hajj. After sunset, move to Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha together and spend the night under the open sky.

10th Dhul HijjahYawm al-Nahr

Return to Mina and stone the largest pillar, Jamrat al-Aqabah, with seven pebbles. The sacrifice is offered and the hair is shaved or trimmed, after which most restrictions of ihram are lifted. Tawaf al-Ifadah and sa'i follow in Makkah.

11th to 13th Dhul HijjahThe days of Tashriq

Stay in Mina and stone all three pillars each day after midday. You may leave after stoning on the 12th, or remain for the 13th.

Before leaving MakkahTawaf al-Wada'

The farewell tawaf is the last act before you depart.

What is essential

The schools of law classify some acts of Hajj differently, so follow the scholar you normally follow. The outline below is the one most widely taught.

The pillars

Without these, Hajj is not valid and nothing makes up for them.

• Entering ihram with the intention of Hajj
• Standing at Arafat
• Tawaf al-Ifadah
• Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, which the Hanafi school counts as an obligatory act

The obligatory acts

If one is missed, Hajj remains valid but a sacrifice is due.

• Entering ihram from the miqat
• Remaining at Arafat until sunset
• Spending the night at Muzdalifah
• Stoning the pillars
• Shaving or trimming the hair
• Spending the nights of Tashriq in Mina
• The farewell tawaf

If you are unsure about anything you have done or missed, ask a scholar before you leave Makkah. Most things can be put right while you are still there.

In the state of ihram

From the moment of intention until you leave ihram, the following are not permitted:

• Cutting the hair or nails
• Using perfume or scented products
• Marital relations, and anything that leads to them
• Contracting a marriage
• Hunting
• For men: clothing stitched to the shape of the body, and covering the head
• For women: the face veil and gloves

Arguing and foul language have no place in Hajj at any time (2:197).

Unscented soap, a money belt, sandals, glasses, a watch and an umbrella are all fine.

Before you travel

• A passport valid for at least six months from the date you travel
• A valid meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate, with the vaccine given at least ten days before you fly
• For Hajj: a place booked through Nusuk. A visit or tourist visa does not permit Hajj
• For Umrah: the right visa for your passport, and an Umrah permit booked through the Nusuk app
• Hotels and transport booked with licensed providers. Depending on your visa, bookings made elsewhere may not be recognised
• Travel insurance that covers medical treatment in Saudi Arabia
• If you have a long-term condition: a check-up with your GP, and enough medication for the whole trip in its original packaging
• Comfortable footwear that is already worn in. You will walk further than you expect

Entry and health requirements are set by the Saudi authorities and change from season to season. We confirm the current position with you before you book.

This guide is a summary. It is not a substitute for learning the rites with a qualified scholar, and we encourage every pilgrim to do so.