A Pilgrimage Guide To Hajj Made Easy

Hajj GuidePhoto bySam RizonUnsplash

Have you finally got the chance to perform the much-anticipated mandatory pilgrimage? Even though Hajj is only obligatory for those who can physically and financially afford it, every Muslim yearns to perform it. It is the ultimate spiritual journey that revives your faith like no other act of worship ever could. If you are going on this spiritual retreat soon, you might need a comprehensive guide to performing the holy pilgrimage. 

Millions of Muslims visit the holy house of Allah Almighty every year to perform Hajj. No doubt, it is a task of great physical and mental exertion. Therefore, you must plan and prepare adequately before travelling to the holy sites in Makkah. For Canadian citizens, numerous Hajj packages from Canada are available to help facilitate this spiritual journey. If it is your first time going on a pilgrimage, you should learn about the rules and rituals of Hajj.

Have you booked the Hajj package? If so, this is the perfect guide for you. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Hajj

Hajj JourneyPhoto bybady abbasonUnsplash

1. Make Intention and Observe Ihram

The first step to performing the Hajj is to make the intention. With a pure heart, you must intend to please Allah Almighty. After you have made the intention, you will have to observe the state of Ihram. 

It is one of the most prominent pillars of Hajj and comes with specific rules and restrictions. According to certain rules, men must clean themselves properly and wrap two pieces of unstitched white cloth around their bodies. On the other hand, women must completely cover themselves properly as per the Shariah. 

During the state of Ihram, men can't cover their heads, while women can't cover their faces. Moreover, you must not wear perfume during this state. Also, shaving or cutting hair or nails is not allowed in Ihram. There are specific other rules and restrictions, too, that you must observe to keep the sanctity of this state. After getting your Hajj visa, you should learn about such rules and restrictions to ensure you don't make any mistakes. 

2. Performing Tawaf

Performing Tawaf or circling the sacred Kaabah is another of the main rituals of both Hajj and Umrah. After you have observed the state of Ihram, you will have to arrive at Masjid al-Haram to start performing your Hajj rituals. These rituals begin with Tawaf. You will have to make seven circuits around the sacred house of Allah Almighty. You have to start and end every Tawaf circuit from the corner of Black Stone.

3. Perform Saee 

After performing the Tawaf, you must head towards the sacred hills of Safa and Marwah to perform Saee. Saee is the ritual of Hajj that represents the struggle of Hajra (AS), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It symbolizes our daily struggles and teaches us to put our faith in Allah Almighty no matter what. He will surely come to help us through some unexpected miracle. 

4. Travel to Mina

After you have completed your city, you will have to travel to the city of tents, Mina, to continue the Hajj rituals. Here, you will stay in a tent and offer your prayers. Also, you must spend your night doing Dhikr and praying to Allah Almighty in this tent. It is a special night for the pilgrims and is an excellent chance for them to please the Almighty. 

5. Day of Arafah

Spending the night in Mina, you will have to arrive at the plains of Arafah. You will spend all your time in these plains in remembrance of Allah Almighty by reciting supplications and doing Istaghfaar. Moreover, you should also listen to the Khtbah delivered on this day while you stay in the plains till sunset. 

6. Arrive in Muzdalifah

The next Hajj ritual is arriving at Muzdalifah. It is an open plain between the city of tents and the plains of Arafah. Here, you will offer a combined prayer of Maghrib and Isha. You will have to spend your night at Muzdalifah without any roof over your head. Pilgrims must also collect 49 stones of similar sizes for the next ritual. 

7. Perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Saee

After staying the night in Muzdalifah, you must return to the sacred house of Allah Almighty to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Saee. 

8. Stoning of the Devil

After staying the night in Muzdalifah, pilgrims travel to Mina again to complete the remaining Hajj rituals. Pilgrims stone the devil following the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) ritual. You have to throw pebbles at the column structure during this ritual.

9. Nahr

On the 12^th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims must perform Nahr, sacrificing an animal, either a lamb or a camel. 

10. Halq and Taqsir

One of the final rituals of Hajj is performing Halq and Taqsir. Halq means shaving the head, and Taqsir means clipping the nails.

11. Performing the Farewell Tawaf

The last ritual of Hajj is to perform the farewell Tawaf around the Holy Kaabah. 

Summing Up

Have you organized your obligatory pilgrimage with an Islamic travel agency? If so, you'll need a detailed guide to performing the holy pilgrimage. These step-by-step Hajj rituals will assist you in understanding how to complete the Hajj. Prepare yourself mentally and physically to ensure you are fully ready for this life-changing journey.