HAJ GUIDE


The rites to be performed at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah are an integral part of Haj. Since they are performed in all three types of Haj in an identical manner and since they require a somewhat lengthy description, they are, therefore, presented here. This keeps the treatment of Haj short, concise, and free of repetitions.

You will be staying at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah in the following sequence:

  1. Mina: From after Fajr on 8th of Zul Hijjah to after Fajr on 9th of Zul Hijjah.
  2. Arafat: From after Fajr on 9th of Zul Hijjah to slightly after sunset on the same day.
  3. Muzdalifah: From after sunset on 9th of Zul Hijjah to after Fajr on 10th of Zul Hijjah.
  4. Mina and Makkah: (10th-13th of Zul Hijjah)
    1. Arrive in Mina on 10th of Zul Hijjah, preferably before midday, for the Rummy of Jamrat ul Kubra followed by the sacrifice and Halq or Taqseer.
    2. Go to Makkah for Tawaaf ul Ifadah on 10th of Zul Hijjah.
    3. Come back to Mina the same day to stay for Rummy of the three Jamraat on 11th-13th of Zul Hijjah.

The details are as below:

Mina (8th of Zul Hijjah)

This day is called Yaum ut Tarwiyah. You will depart for Mina from Makkah in the morning after Fajr. One of the following two conditions applies to you:

  1. If you are performing Haj ul Ifrad or Haj ul Qiran, you are already in a state of Ihram since you did not take off your Ihram after performing Umra.
  2. If you are performing Haj ut Tamattu, you took off your Ihram after Umra. Therefore, you will now shower and pronounce a new niyyah for Haj after changing into Ihram afresh at your place of residence. You will offer the Fajr prayers in Makkah before leaving for Mina:
  3. Proceed to Mina after sunrise so as to arrive there before midday. Recite the Talbiyah often and with devotion and fervor during your journey.
  4. After you settle down in your tents, you will offer Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers in the "qasr" mode by shortening them as if you are in the course of a journey. This applies to every one regardless of whether he is a resident of Makkah or is an outsider. While in your tent, spend as much time as you can in prayers, and supplications to Allah.
  5. After spending the night in Mina, you will offer the Fajr prayers there in the morning. Thus, you will have offered a total of five obligatory prayers at Mina before departing for Arafat after sunrise on the morning of the 9th of Zul Hijjah.

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Arafat, and Muzdalifa (9th of Zul Hijjah)

(I) Arafat:

You will have arrived at Arafat before midday. This is the Day of Arafat! Your Haj will not be complete without Qayam ul Arafat (see below) in accordance with the sunnah of Rasool Allah (pbuh). You should spend as much time in prayers and remembrance of Allah as possible. You may never see this day again in your life. Make the most of it:

After settling down in your tent, you will offer the Zuhr and Asr prayers in the qasr mode. You will also combine them, i.e. offer them at the same time with one azan and two separate takbeer, one each for Zuhr and Asr. Only two rakahs each will be offered both in Zuhr and Asr prayers. No nafl, or any other prayers, will be performed either before or after these obligatory prayers.

You will thereafter stay in Arafat until sunset. Spend your time in reading The Quran, Talbiyah, and offering supplications to Allah.

Qayam ul Arafat : In the late afternoon just before sunset, stand in the open outside your tent facing the Qiblah and raise your hands in supplication to Allah. Rasool Allah (pbuh) spent this time in submitting himself in humility and total devotion to Allah, raising his hands in prayers until after sunset. There are no prescribed prayers for Qayam ul Arafat. During these sacred moments, you are alone with Allah. Pray as you want to and ask that your sins and lifelong shortcomings be forgiven. You may pray in any language and in any manner you desire.

You will not offer Maghrib at Arafat. You will do so at Muzdalifah later tonight.

After sunset, you will depart for Muzdalifah. Keep reciting the Talbiyah and other prayers as you proceed towards Muzdalifah.

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(II) Muzdalifah:

You will stay under the sky at Muzdalifah. No tents or other residential facilities will be available. Arrangements for toilet and wudu are, however, available. They are, understandably, very crowded all the time. Give yourself plenty of time for your needs and be patient with fellow pilgrims.

You will also collect seventy pebbles at Muzdalifah for Rummy. Stay close to your bus and memorize its location with respect to a prominent and permanent landmark,such as a light pole or a wudu facility. Light poles and buildings are usually marked with identification numbers. It is very easy to get lost and equally difficult to get back "home"!

You will offer Maghrib and Isha prayers combining them in the qasr mode. Thus, after the azan, three rakahs of Maghrib will be offered following the usual "iqamah". Another iqamah (but no azan) will be called and then two rakahs of Isha will be offered.

Walk to the foot of the nearby hills, and collect seventy pea-size pebbles for Rummy. It is a good idea to collect an additional ten stones to make up for accidental losses. Do not collect the pebbles lying around the bathroom facilities.

You will spend the night at Muzdalifah and offer Fajr there. You will then leave for Mina before sunrise on the morning of the 10th of Zul Hijjah.

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Mina (10th of Zul Hijjah)

The rites to be performed on this day are as follows:

You will perform Rummy of Jamrat ul Kubra only. Preferably before midday, you will stone the pillar symbolizing the devil seven times as you recite "Bismillah, Allah-o-Akbar" with each pebble. Rummy for the elderly, the sick and women may be performed by others delegated for this responsibility.

A sacrifice is now required for Haj ul Qiran and Haj ut Tamattu, and is recommended for Haj ul Ifrad.

You may now shave, shower, and change into street clothes. You are no longer bound by the obligations of Ihram except that you may not have conjugal relations with your spouse until after Tawaaf ul Ifadah.

You will now proceed to Masjid ul Haram in Makkah for Tawaaf ul Ifadah.

You will return to Mina after Tawaaf ul Ifadah and stay there until the 12th or the 13th of Zul Hijjah for Rummy.

Mina (11th-13th of Zul Hijjah)

You will perform Rummy of Jamrat ul Oola, Jamrat ul Wusta and Jamrat ul Kubra, in that order, after midday on all three days. Rummy on the 13th of Zul Hijjah is optional. You may return to Makkah after Rummy on the 12th of Zul Hijjah to perform Tawaaf ul Wuda.

Tawaaf ul Wuda

This is the Farewell Tawaaf you will perform just before leaving Makkah for your next destination. Spend as much time as you can in Haram ash Shareef in Tawaaf un Nafl, prayers and supplications in the days preceding Tawaaf ul Wuda. Make the most of this golden opportunity Allah has provided you. You may never see these times again.

There is no Ihram, Ramal, or Sai required in Tawaaf ul Wuda. You will offer two rakah salat us sunnah after Tawaaf, offer any supplications you desire, and leave Makkah as soon as you can.

Alhamdulillah, you have now completed your Haj. May Allah accept your Haj, and may you be a better person for your efforts in His path.

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