The Complete Hajj Guide – Mubarakhajj

Mubarakhajj · Complete Guide

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Ultimate
Hajj Guide

A step-by-step walkthrough of every ritual, day by day — so you can arrive prepared, focused, and spiritually ready for the greatest journey of your life.

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"Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back as sinless as a newborn baby."

— Sahih al-Bukhari · Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA)

Phase One

Pre-Departure Preparation

Hajj begins long before you board the plane. True readiness is spiritual, physical, and practical — and each dimension matters.

Spiritual Readiness

Hajj begins in the heart. Seek sincere repentance (Tawbah), clear any outstanding debts, ask forgiveness from those you have wronged, and make a firm intention to return changed.

Purify your Niyyah (intention) solely for Allah
Memorize the Talbiyah in full
Learn the Duas for each ritual
Attend Mubarakhajj's pre-departure training camp
Read about the history of each holy site

Physical Preparation

Hajj involves extraordinary physical exertion — walking up to 15km daily in intense heat. Begin training your body months ahead.

Walk 5–10km daily in the weeks before
Get all recommended vaccinations
Consult your doctor about any medications
Break in your walking sandals or shoes
Practice walking in your Ihram garments

Essential Packing List

Pack light, but pack smart. Every item should serve a purpose in the conditions you'll face.

Unscented soap, shampoo, deodorant (for Ihram state)
2 sets of Ihram garments (men) or modest loose clothing (women)
Mini first-aid kit with blister pads, ORS, paracetamol
Lightweight drawstring bag for shoes at the Haram
Power bank, portable charger & a backup phone
Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses, lip balm

Documentation & Logistics

Administrative readiness prevents unnecessary stress during the pilgrimage itself. Organize everything well in advance.

Passport valid for at least 6 months after return
Hajj visa and all permit documents
Photocopies of all documents kept separate
Note your Mubarakhajj group leader's contact info
Emergency contact card in Arabic and English

The Sacred Route

Your Complete Hajj Journey Map

Understand the geography before you arrive. Every pilgrim will travel between these holy sites across the five days of Hajj.

Complete Hajj Journey Map showing Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah

Makkah al-Mukarramah

Mina (Tent City)

Arafat (The Stand)

Muzdalifah

Jamarat (Stoning)

Day by Day

The Five Days of Hajj

Follow each ritual in sequence. Missing or delaying an obligation can require a Fidyah (expiation). Mubarakhajj guides are with you at every step.

Step 01 Before 8th Dhul-Hijjah · At the Miqat

Entering the State of Ihram

Before crossing the Miqat boundary — the geographical threshold every pilgrim must not pass without entering Ihram — you must perform Ghusl (full ritual bath), wear your Ihram garments, and declare your Niyyah. This is the first and one of the most spiritually significant acts of Hajj.

For men, Ihram consists of two white, unstitched sheets: one wrapped around the waist (Izar) and one over the shoulder (Rida). There are no seams, no zips — a radical equality with every other pilgrim before Allah. For women, it is any modest, loose-fitting clothing covering the full body except the face and hands.

Once in Ihram, begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously:

The Talbiyah

"Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk laa shareeka laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. Laa shareeka lak."
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."

While in Ihram, you must avoid:

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Cutting hair or nails

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Wearing perfume

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Intimate relations

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Hunting animals

👔

Stitched clothing (men)

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Wearing gloves (women)

Step 02 8th Dhul-Hijjah · Yawm At-Tarwiyah (Day of Quenching)

The Tent City of Mina

On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah — called Yawm at-Tarwiyah (the Day of Quenching), named after pilgrims who historically carried water here — you travel from Makkah to the sprawling valley of Mina, just 5km from the Masjid al-Haram. The valley transforms into a city of over 100,000 air-conditioned tents, housing pilgrims from every nation on earth.

Spend this day and night in ibadah (worship), rest, and mental preparation for the immense spiritual experience ahead. This is the day the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) began his journey, and following his footsteps is itself an act of devotion.

Perform all five prayers in Mina, shortening the 4-Rak'ah prayers to 2 Rak'ah (Qasr), but do not combine the prayers here
Spend your time in Dhikr, reading Quran, and supplication
Rest well — the most demanding days begin tomorrow
Mubarakhajj provides full board and air-conditioning in your tent

Practical note

The crowds in Mina are immense. Keep your Mubarakhajj group together, note the tent number and your group leader's number. Never leave without telling someone where you're going.

Step 03 9th Dhul-Hijjah · Yawm Arafah — The Most Sacred Day

The Stand at Arafat

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafat." Everything else in the pilgrimage supports this singular moment. If you miss the Wuquf at Arafat, your Hajj is not valid. After Fajr prayer in Mina, pilgrims move to the vast plains of Arafat — the place where Adam and Hawwa (AS) reunited after being descended from paradise, and where the Prophet ﷺ delivered his farewell sermon to 124,000 companions.

You must be within the boundaries of Arafat from the time Zuhr begins until after sunset. Zuhr and Asr prayers are combined and shortened, performed at Zuhr time. The remaining hours until sunset are the Wuquf — the standing before Allah.

Face the Qiblah and raise your hands in sincere Dua
Weep, reflect, and beg for forgiveness — this moment may never come again
Read Quranic verses and send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ
Pray for yourself, your family, and the entire Ummah
Do NOT leave before sunset — leaving early invalidates the Hajj

Muallim's Advice

Prepare a written Dua list before you arrive at Arafat. In the emotion and chaos, it is easy to forget what you intended to ask for. Include names of family members who need healing, forgiveness, guidance. This is your window to the heavens — don't leave it mostly closed.

Step 04 Night of 9th/10th Dhul-Hijjah · After Sunset

Sleeping Under the Stars at Muzdalifah

Immediately after sunset in Arafat, the entire multitude of pilgrims begins moving toward Muzdalifah — a valley between Arafat and Mina — in what becomes one of the largest human movements on earth. Do not pray Maghrib at Arafat; delay it until you reach Muzdalifah, where Maghrib and Isha are combined and shortened.

At Muzdalifah you sleep under the open sky, with no tent, no luxury — only the stars above and millions of fellow pilgrims around you. This profound equaliser strips away status and wealth, leaving only the servant before the Creator.

Combine and shorten Maghrib (3 Rak'ah) and Isha (2 Rak'ah) upon arrival
Collect 49 small pebbles (or 70 if staying all three days of Tashreeq) — roughly chickpea-sized
Pray Fajr at Muzdalifah, then make extended Dua until sunrise begins
The elderly and weak may leave after midnight — Mubarakhajj arranges early departure if needed

Note on the pebbles

Do not collect pebbles from the toilets or obviously impure areas. Any clean gravel from the ground works. They do not need to be washed. Save counting them until you settle for the night — it's a calming task before sleep.

Step 05 10th Dhul-Hijjah · Yawm An-Nahr — Eid al-Adha

Rami, Qurbani, Halq & Tawaf Al-Ifadah

The 10th is the most physically demanding day. You will perform up to four major rituals, ideally in order, though Islam's scholars acknowledge the chaos of crowds and allow some flexibility. This is also Eid al-Adha — celebrated by Muslims worldwide as the day Ibrahim (AS) was ready to sacrifice his son, and Allah provided a ram in his place.

Rami al-Jamarat Return to Mina and stone the largest pillar — Jamarat al-Aqaba — with exactly 7 pebbles. Throw each one individually while saying "Allahu Akbar." This represents Ibrahim (AS) pelting Shaytan who tried to dissuade him from obeying Allah. Do not throw sandals or large rocks.

Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice / Hady) An animal is slaughtered in commemoration of Ibrahim's sacrifice. Mubarakhajj manages this on your behalf through the official Saudi authority. Once done, you receive confirmation.

Halq (Shaving) or Qasr (Trimming) Men shave their heads completely (recommended) or trim all hair equally. Women trim only a fingertip's length from their hair. This marks the partial exit from Ihram — you may now wear normal clothes and use perfume, but intimate relations remain prohibited until Tawaf al-Ifadah.

Tawaf al-Ifadah & Sa'i Travel to Makkah for the obligatory Tawaf — circling the Kaaba 7 times counterclockwise — followed by Sa'i, walking 7 times between Safa and Marwah. This commemorates Hajar's (AS) desperate search for water for baby Ismail. After Sa'i, Ihram ends completely.

Important

The crowds at Jamarat on this day are at their absolute peak. Mubarakhajj will advise on the safest times to go. Follow your group, do not rush, and remember that throwing 7 pebbles is a worship — not a race.

Step 06 11th, 12th & 13th Dhul-Hijjah · Ayyam at-Tashreeq & Farewell

Days of Tashreeq & the Farewell Tawaf

The Days of Tashreeq are named for the practice of drying and curing meat from the Qurbani in the sun. Pilgrims remain in Mina, engaged in remembrance of Allah, eating, resting, and completing the Rami.

Each day after Zuhr time, pilgrims must stone all three Jamarat in order: the small pillar (Jamarat as-Sughra), the medium pillar (Jamarat al-Wusta), then the large pillar (Jamarat al-Kubra), throwing 7 pebbles at each. This is done on both the 11th and 12th (and 13th if remaining). Do not rush or push — be patient and remember the spiritual meaning of each throw.

Stone all three Jamarat each day after Zawal (midday)
Pilgrims who leave after 12th must depart before sunset on that day
Those who stay for the 13th gain extra reward (Sunnah to remain)
Before finally leaving Makkah, perform the Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
The Tawaf al-Wida is Wajib (compulsory) for all except menstruating women

The Farewell Tawaf

This is one of the most emotional moments of the entire journey. As you circle the Kaaba for the last time, many pilgrims weep openly, not knowing if they will ever return. Cherish every step. Ask Allah to bring you back again, and to accept your Hajj Mabrur.

Essential Supplications

Key Duas to Memorise Before You Go

These are among the most recited supplications throughout Hajj. Committing them to memory frees your mind to focus on their meaning, not their pronunciation.

Ihram · Talbiyah

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ

Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk...

The Talbiyah — recited from Ihram until the first Rami on the 10th. Signals your arrival and submission before Allah.

Entering the Haram

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik

"O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy." Recited when entering any mosque, especially the Masjid al-Haram.

Upon Seeing the Kaaba

اللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفًا

Allahumma zid hadhal-bayta tashreefan...

"O Allah, increase this House in honour, greatness, reverence and awe." The first sight of the Kaaba is a moment of answered prayer — make your Dua.

Arafat · Best Dua

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ

La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu...

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best dua is the dua on the day of Arafah, and the best that I and the prophets before me have said is: Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wahdahu la shareeka lah..."

Hajj Mabrur

May Allah Accept Your Hajj

This guide is a starting point — not a replacement for proper training. Mubarakhajj's certified scholars and experienced guides will be with you at every step, in every tent, and at every ritual.

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The Ultimate
Hajj Guide