Before the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, a person who wants to perform pilgrimage (Hajj) pronounces the intention to perform Umrah while approaching the Miqat. A second intention for the actual Hajj is pronounced at a later period. There are several rites to properly complete the Hajj and Umrah.

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The rites of Umrah and Hajj may include but are not limited to:
Putting Ihram, performing supererogatory (Sunnah) prayers, making several types of Tawaf, reciting Talbiyah, doing Sa'ee between Safa and Marwah, trimming and/or cutting hair, praying and staying in Mina, praying and standing in Arafah, praying and staying in Muzdalifah, throwing pebbles in three Jamrahs, sacrificing an animal, praying behind Maqam Ibrahim, and drinking from the well of ZamZam.

In the case ofHajj at-Tamattu, after completing the Umrah, the pilgrim trims his/her hair,showers,and changes into everyday clothes. These steps complete the Umrah portion. Allrestrictions of the Ihram are temporarily lifted. The pilgrim waits until the 8th ofDhul-Hijjah to start the rites of Hajj.

On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrim pronounces a new niyyah at the place to perform Hajj. There is no need to go to Miqat for this.The pilgrim changes into Ihram in the prescribed manner and proceeds to Mina soon after the Fajr Prayers.

All acts of worship are preceded by an appropriate proclamation of Niyyah.

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Niyyah for Hajj
O Allah! I intend to perform Hajj. Make it easy for me and accept it from me. I make the niyyah for Hajj and enter into the state of Ihram for the sake of Allah alone, theMost High.

The distinctive garb of the male pilgrim worn during Hajj or Umrah. It consists of two pieces of white, un-sewn and plain cloth. One of the pieces is wrapped around the midriff to cover his body from just above his navel to his ankles, and the other is draped around his shoulders to cover the upper body. For ladies, their ordinary and unpretentious clothes of everyday wear constitute their Ihram.

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During Ihram, the following acts are forbidden: Cutting hair, shaving any parts of the body, clipping nails, putting perfumes or colognes, killing or hunting animals, sexual intercourse, making marriage proposals, or marriage contracts.

An imaginary boundary around Makkah. A prospective pilgrim cannot cross this boundary without first changing into Ihram. The pilgrim changes into Ihram at Miqat and pronounces the intention to perform Hajj or Umrah.

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The Miqat boundary is anchored by different townships and locations in different directions around the Kaabah. They are a-Thul-Halaifa in the North, b-Yalamlam in the South-East, c-That ' Irq in the North-East, d-al- Juhfah in the North-West, e-Qarn al-Manazil in the East. For people living inside the Miqat area permanently, their place of residence is their Miqat.

The devotional act of circumambulating (i.e. walking around) the Ka'bah while reciting prayers and supplications. One complete circuit around the Ka'bah constitutes a shawt (pl. ashwat), and seven ashwat complete one Tawaf.

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During Tawaf (circumambulating), the pilgrim cannot enter the Ka'bah nor stop anywhere around it. He/she must enter into and disappear from the crowd, getting drawn into the roaring river of people who are circumambulating. This is the collective invitation to whoever wants to come to this house. Everyone is dressed in one color and pattern. There is no distinction nor personal promotion: true totality and universality is demonstrated.

Footsteps of Hajar, wife of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), during her desperate search for water for her infant son Ismail (pbuh) after they were left in the desert by Prophet Ibrahim in response to a Divine vision.

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Safa: A small knoll approximately 200 yards from the Ka'bah inside the Masjid Al-Haram
Marwah: A small knoll (i.e., hillock) located approximately one hundred and fifty yards from the Ka'bah.

A devotional recital of the following words by the piligrim during Hajj and Umrah

Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik La Sharika Laka Labbaik. Innal-Hamda, Wan-
Ni'mata Laka wal-Mulk. La Sharika Lak.

The Pilgrim goes to Mina on the 8th of Thul-Hijjah anytime after Fajr prayer but before Zuhr.

Additional Info:
Mina is a desert location approximately three miles from Makkah where several Hajj rites are performed.

After leaving Mina, the pilgrim heads toward Arafah.

Arafah is a desert location approximately nine miles from Makkah. Pilgrims don't have to get crowded on the Mount of Rahmah (Mountain of Mercy). They can stay in any place WITHIN the boundaries of Arafah.

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Prayer Upon Entering Arafah:
O Allah! Forgive my sins, help me repent to you, and grant me all that I beseech of You. Whenever I turn, let me see goodness. Allah be praised! All Praise is due to Allah! There is no deity except Allah! And Allah is The Most Great.

After settling down in the tents at Arafah, the pilgrim offers the Zuhur and Asr prayers in qasr (shortened) and Jam' (combined) modes, that is, 2 rak'ats each prayer instead of 4 rak'ats, and the two prayers are offered at the same time, with one adhan and two separate Iqamahs, one each for Zuhur and Asr.

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Once in Arafah, the pilgrim should spend as much time in prayer and remembrance of Allah as possible. This is a very special day and the pilgrim may never see it again. Everyone must make the most of out it.

No Nafl or any other prayers are performed, either before or after the obligatory prayers.

The pilgrim stays in Arafah until sunset. It is recommended to spend the entire time reading the Quran, reciting the Talbiyah, offering supplications, and repenting to Allah.

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Standing in Arafah
In the late afternoon just before sunset, the pilgrims may stand outside the tent facing the Qiblah, and raise their hands supplicating to Allah. There are no prescribed prayers for Wuquf (standing) Arafah. During these sacred moments, the pilgrim is alone with Allah, praying to have his/her sins and lifelong shortcomings get forgiven. Communication with Allah in any language is acceptable.

After sunset, the pilgrim departs for Muzdalifah quietly, always reciting the Talbiyah and other prayers.

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Muzdalifah is a desert location approximately midway between Mina and Arafah. The pilgrim spends the night of the 10th of Thul-Hijjah here.

Toilets and ablution facilities are available. Naturally, they are very crowded at all times. The pilgrims must be patient, courteous, and understanding to other fellow pilgrims.

The pilgrim offers Maghrib and Isha prayers combining them and shortening the Isha. Thus, after the adhan is called, three rak'ahs of Maghrib are offered following the usual iqamah.
Another iqamah (but not adhan) is called and then two rak'ahs of Isha are offered.

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The pilgrim stays under the sky at Muzdalifah. No tents or other lodging facilities are available.

The pilgrim then walks to the foot of nearby hills, and collects about 70 pea-size pebbles for throwing.

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It is a good idea to collect additional pebbles to make up for accidental losses. The pebbles lying around the bathrooms facilities should not be collected. No one should leave Muzdalifah before Fajr without a legitimate excuse: only women, elderly, and weak people can leave after midnight.

The pilgrim spends the night at Muzdalifah and offers Fajr there. Before sunrise, the pilgrim leaves for Mina on the morning of the 10th of Thul-Hijjah.

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After Fajr prayer, the pilgrim goes through the al-Mash'ar al-Haram and makes du'a until brightness of the sun is widespread. The pilgrim must speed up the walk when passing by the Muhasir valley.

Due to the large crowd going to Mina, the pilgrim must remain calm, avoid pushing people, and must be respectful to others.

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Weak and sick people can appoint others to throw stones at the Jamrahs in Mina on behalf of them.

The pilgrim stones the Jamrat al-Kubra (Jamrat al-Aqabah) only, preferably before midday. Stoning the pillar symbolizes stoning the devil. the pebbles must touch the inside of the Jamrat's fence.

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The Jamrat al-Kubra is the closest to Makkah. While throwing the stones, the pilgrim recites Bismillah, Allah-u-Akbar with each pebble. The size of the pebbles should not be big: anywhere between 1-1.5 cm. The pilgrim may throw either from under the bridge or from over it.

A sacrifice is now required for the pilgrim performing Hajj al-Tamattu or Hajj al-Qiran. The choice of the animal is either a sheep, or 1/7th of a cow or a camel shared with other people.

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For the pilgrim performing Hajj al-Ifrad, sacrificing the animal is recommended but not required.

The pilgrim should always choose the best animal and avoid animals which don't look healthy or have defects. The pilgrim can slaughter him/herself or appoint someone to do it on his/her behalf.

One third of the meat can be consumed, one third offered as a gift and one third distributed to the poor people. The sacrifice can be performed between the 10th and the 13th of Thul-Hijjah but not after the 13th.

The pilgrim may now shave/trim the hair, shower, and change into everyday clothes. The hair may be shaved or trimmed for men. It is recommended to start from the right side. For women, trimming only a finger tip's length is required.

Additional Info:
Sacrificing an animal, cutting hair, and performing Tawaf al-Ifadah are alternate rituals. There is no specific order to perform them. All ritual places must be kept clean.

At this point in time, the regulations for Ihram no longer apply except that the pilgrim can not have conjugal relations with his/her spouse until after Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'ee. This is known as at-Tahalul al-Asghar, or a partial ending of the state of Ihram.

Starting from the 10th of Thul-Hijjah and on, Muslims around the world celebrate this special occasions.

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EID-AL-ADHA is celebrated on the tenth day of Zul-hijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is a very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (pbuh). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb.

The pilgrim proceeds to al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah for Tawaf al-Ifadah.

Additional Info:
The pilgrim has the option to postpone Tawaf al-Ifadah to a later time. Menstruating women should not make tawaf until their period stops. If the pilgrim selected Hajj Ifrad or Qiran and has already made Sa'ee with the first Tawaf (the visiting Tawaf), there is no need to make Sa'ee again.

After completing the prayer at Maqam Ibrahim, the pilgrim may visit the Zamzam area and drink from the water.

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Prayer at ZamZam
O Allah! I seek from You profitable knowledge and bounteous sustenance and a cure from all ailments through Your Mercy, O Most Merciful of the mercifuls!

The pilgrim returns to Mina and stays there until the 12th or 13th of Thul-Hijjah for throwing the pebbles.

Performing Prayers in Mina
Back in Mina, the pilgrim performs all of the daily prayers, shortening the 4 Rak'ats prayers to 2 Rak'ats, but without combinig them.

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The minimum stay in Mina should exceed most of the night. Otherwise, the pilgrim is required to make a sacrifice. This is one of the best opportunities to acquire knowledge from the scholars on duty.

The pilgrim stones the The first Jamrah, then the Middle, and finally the Big one in the same consecutive order, after midday on all three days.

Additional Info:
Throwing on the 13th of Thul-Hijjah is optional. The pilgrim may return to Makkah after throwing pebbles on the 12th of Thul-Hijjah to perform Tawaf al-Wada (farewell circumambulation).

Scene from the first stone pillar in the line, also known as the small one.

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Each throwing is constituted of 7 pebbles with the pilgrim reciting Allahu Akbar and making Dua.

Scene from the second stone pillar in the line, also known as the middle one.

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Each throwing is constituted of 7 pebbles with the pilgrim reciting Allahu Akbar and making Dua.

Scene from the third stone pillar in the line, also known as the big one and the al-Aqaba.

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his throwing is constituted of 7 pebbles with the pilgrim reciting Allahu Akbar but this time, without making Dua'.

The pilgrim should stay in Mina minimum from Fajr until Midnight.

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It is very important to keep Mina clean, and maintain proper contact with the pilgrims.

For the pilgrims who intend to stay only two days, they must leave before Maghrib.

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For those intending to stay more, they can collect more pebbles.

On the 12th of Thul-Hijjah, the same procedures as the 11th take place. The pilgrim stones the The first Jamrah, then the Middle, and finally the Big one in the same consecutive order, after midday on all three days.

Additional Info:
Throwing on the 13th of Thul-Hijjah is optional. The pilgrim may return to Makkah after throwing pebbles on the 12th of Thul-Hijjah to perform Tawaf al-Wada (farewell circumambulation).

Pilgrims return to Makkah before Maghrib time after completing the stoning to perform Tawaf al-Wada.

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At this point, the crowd is very large and pilgrims should not push, but instead be courteous and offer help to those who need it.

This is the farewell Tawaf that a pilgrim performs just before leaving Makkah for other destinations. It is the same as other Tawaf, going in 7 circuits, starting from the black stone line. After completing the Tawaf, it is good but not required to pray 2 Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, or, if not possible, to pray any other 2 Rak'ahs facing the Kaabah.

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Though it is neither obligatory nor related to Hajj, it is recommended for a pilgrim to visit Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Madinah. This could be done before or after performing Hajj.

This completes the Hajj journey. It is recommended to leave Makkah as soon as the pilgrim completes the pilgrimage. The pilgrim also asks Allah to accept the rituals and promises to abide by the divine commands.

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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever goes to Hajj without obscenity he or she will be forgiven as a new-born."

Another Hadith states:
"A Sound Hajj has no reward except Paradise".