The fifth pillar of Islam explained simply: the three types of Hajj, what happens on each day from 8 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, and how to prepare from India.
Umrah first, leave Ihram, then Hajj with a new Ihram. Sacrifice is required. Most pilgrims from India perform this.
Umrah and Hajj together in one Ihram. Sacrifice is required.
Hajj only. Sacrifice is not required.
Arrive in Makkah. Pilgrims doing Hajj Tamattu‘ (the most common from India) first perform Umrah and leave Ihram, then wait for the days of Hajj.
Enter Ihram for Hajj from your residence with the intention and Talbiyah. Go to Mina and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and the next Fajr there.
After sunrise, go to Arafat. Stand in worship and dua from after midday until sunset — this is the heart of Hajj. Pray Dhuhr and Asr together. After sunset, go to Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib on the way.
Pray Maghrib and Isha together at Muzdalifah, rest under the open sky, and collect small pebbles for the stoning. Pray Fajr there and make dua until shortly before sunrise.
Return to Mina. Stone the large pillar (Jamrat al-‘Aqabah) with seven pebbles, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each. Then the sacrifice (Qurbani), then men shave or shorten their hair and women cut a fingertip’s length. Most Ihram restrictions end.
Go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (a pillar of Hajj) and Sa‘i for Hajj. After this, all Ihram restrictions end. It can be done on the 10th or the following days.
Stay in Mina. Each day after midday, stone all three pillars — small, middle and large — with seven pebbles each. You may leave Mina before sunset on the 12th, or stay for the 13th.
Before leaving Makkah, perform a final Tawaf. Women in their menses are excused.
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia and may shift by a day after the moon is sighted. Always confirm with the Saudi authorities and your Hajj group.
| Day | Expected date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 Dhul Hijjah | Fri 7 – Thu 13 May 2027 | Arrival in Makkah; Umrah for Tamattu‘ pilgrims; best ten days — fasting (except for pilgrims on Arafah), dhikr and charity |
| 8 Dhul Hijjah · Tarwiyah | Fri 14 May 2027 | Ihram for Hajj, Talbiyah, go to Mina |
| 9 Dhul Hijjah · Arafah | Sat 15 May 2027 | Standing at Arafat until sunset; night at Muzdalifah. Non-pilgrims fast this day |
| 10 Dhul Hijjah · Eid al-Adha | Sun 16 May 2027 | Stoning Jamrat al-‘Aqabah, Qurbani, shaving/trimming, Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa‘i |
| 11 Dhul Hijjah · Tashriq | Mon 17 May 2027 | Mina; stone all three jamarat after midday |
| 12 Dhul Hijjah · Tashriq | Tue 18 May 2027 | Stone all three; you may leave Mina before sunset |
| 13 Dhul Hijjah · Tashriq | Wed 19 May 2027 | Stone all three if you stayed; Farewell Tawaf before leaving Makkah |
“There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” — Sahih Muslim 1348
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, all blessings and all sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner. (Men say it aloud; women softly. Repeat often until the stoning on the 10th.)
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allah is the Greatest — said each time you pass the corner of the Black Stone, pointing towards it if you cannot touch it.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
“And take the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.” Recite it, then pray two rak‘ahs behind the Maqam if possible.
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” Recited once, when first approaching Safa.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner; His is the dominion and the praise, and He has power over all things. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and defeated the confederates alone. (Say it three times, making dua in between.)
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“The best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone…” Spend the afternoon in your own duas, in any language.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allah is the Greatest — with every pebble. After the small and middle pillars, step aside, face the Qiblah, raise your hands and make a long dua.
Make dua in your own language at every step too. See the Dua library and Istighfar collection.
Download the Hajj & Umrah eBook (PDF)
Apply through the Haj Committee of India or a registered Hajj Group Organiser. Check the current year’s dates and rules on official sources.
Get the vaccinations required for that year and a medical check-up. Walk regularly in the months before you go.
Attend your group’s training, and read this guide and the Umrah guide more than once.
Pay debts, seek forgiveness from people you may have wronged, and write your wasiyyah (will).
Scholar review. This guide is general guidance, written to be accepted by the major schools, with differences noted where they matter. It is being reviewed by Sukon’s Scholar panel. For a question about your own situation, ask a verified scholar — always free.
