Hajj Rituals Explained, Day by Day

Hajj compresses a lifetime of devotion into five extraordinary days. Understanding the sequence beforehand transforms the experience.

8th Dhul Hijjah — Yawm at-Tarwiyah

Pilgrims enter ihram and move to Mina, spending the day and night in prayer and preparation.

9th — The Day of Arafah

The heart of Hajj. From noon to sunset pilgrims stand at Arafat in supplication. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hajj is Arafah."

The Night at Muzdalifah

After sunset, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha combined, and collect pebbles for the days ahead.

10th — Yawm an-Nahr

Stoning of the large Jamarah, the sacrifice, shaving or trimming the hair, then Tawaf al-Ifadah in Makkah.

11th–13th — The Days of Tashreeq

Pilgrims remain in Mina and stone all three Jamarat each afternoon, before the farewell Tawaf concludes the Hajj.