Who is Hajj obligatory for?

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime on every adult Muslim who is physically able, can afford the journey and provisions, and can leave their family maintained while away — as the Quran states, "Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to undertake it" (3:97).

What is tamattu, qiran and ifrad?

The three ways to combine Hajj and Umrah. Tamattu — Umrah first, exit ihram, then re-enter ihram for Hajj on 8 Dhul-Hijjah; the most common for international pilgrims and requires a sacrifice. Qiran — Umrah and Hajj together in one ihram, with a sacrifice. Ifrad — Hajj alone, no sacrifice required.

🕋 Hajj Guide

How to Perform Hajj

Q: What are the steps of Hajj in order?

Ihram at the miqat, tawaf and sa’i in Makkah, then the days of Hajj: 8 Dhul-Hijjah at Mina; 9 Dhul-Hijjah standing at Arafah then overnight at Muzdalifah; 10 Dhul-Hijjah stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah, sacrifice, halq and tawaf al-ifadah; 11–13 Dhul-Hijjah stoning all three jamarat daily at Mina; finally the farewell tawaf before leaving Makkah.

Q: What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Umrah is the shorter pilgrimage — ihram, tawaf, sa’i and halq, taking a few hours at any time of year. Hajj is the major pilgrimage, obligatory once in a lifetime for those able, fixed to 8–13 Dhul-Hijjah, adding the days at Mina, the standing at Arafah (the essential rite), Muzdalifah, stoning and sacrifice.

Q: How much does Hajj cost from the UK?

UK Hajj packages typically run into several thousands of pounds per person — commonly £5,000 to £12,000 or more depending on hotel distance from the Haram, duration and services. Book through the official Saudi Nusuk Hajj platform or an ATOL-protected UK agent, and never pay a seller who cannot prove their licence — Hajj fraud costs UK pilgrims millions every year.

Quick Answer

Hajj runs over 8–13 Dhul-Hijjah: ihram at the miqat, tawaf and sa'i in Makkah, a night at Mina, the standing at Arafah on 9 Dhul-Hijjah — the essential pillar — overnight at Muzdalifah, then stoning, sacrifice and halq on the day of Eid, two or three more days stoning at Mina, and the farewell tawaf before leaving Makkah.

Last updated 11 August 2026

The fifth pillar, step by step — every rite in order, plus booking from the UK, vaccines, and what to expect on the ground. Next Hajj season (1448 AH): Arafah expected 15 May 2027, subject to moon sighting.

"And Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to undertake it."
— Quran 3:97 (Aal-Imran)

When Is Hajj?

Hajj can only be performed on fixed days: 8–13 Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year. For the coming season (1448 AH):

•Mina day (8th): expected 14 May 2027
•Arafah (9th): expected 15 May 2027
•Eid al-Adha (10th): expected 16 May 2027
•Days of Tashriq: 17 May – 19 May 2027

Expected dates from the Umm al-Qura calendar — UK and Saudi observance are confirmed by moon sighting.

Who Must Go?

Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime on every Muslim who is:

✓Adult and of sound mind
✓Physically able for the journey and rites
✓Financially able — journey, provisions, and the family left behind provided for
✓Travelling a route that is safe

The Prophet ﷺ said an accepted Hajj (hajj mabrur) has no reward other than Paradise — and that it wipes away what came before it of sins.

Booking From the UK — Read This First

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Nusuk Hajj platform

Saudi Arabia routes UK pilgrims through its official Nusuk Hajj platform, where licensed packages are listed and paid. Create an account well before registration windows open — places sell out within days.
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ATOL protection, always

Only book with an ATOL-protected provider, and verify the licence number on the CAA register before paying anything. UK police and trading standards warn about Hajj fraud every single year — pilgrims lose life savings to fake agents. If a price looks too good, it is.
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Vaccinations

A meningococcal ACWY certificate is required for the Hajj visa — get it at least 10 days before travel and carry the certificate. Flu and COVID vaccines are strongly recommended given the crowds.
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Get physically ready

You will walk enormous distances in heat — often 10–20 km a day, much of it on marble and tarmac. Start regular walking months ahead, break in your sandals, and pack unscented toiletries, a refillable bottle and a small umbrella for shade.
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What it costs

Packages typically run several thousand pounds per person — commonly £5,000–£12,000+ depending on hotel distance from the Haram, room sharing and duration. Shifting packages (moving to Aziziyah during the Hajj days) are cheaper than non-shifting.

Tamattu, Qiran or Ifrad?

Tamattu

Most common

Umrah on arrival, exit ihram, re-enter ihram for Hajj on 8 Dhul-Hijjah. The most common for UK pilgrims — and the one most packages assume. A sacrifice (hadya) is required.

Qiran

Umrah and Hajj together in one continuous ihram from the miqat. More restrictive — you stay in ihram for weeks — and a sacrifice is required.

Ifrad

Hajj alone, without Umrah. No sacrifice required. Least common for international pilgrims.

Your group\u2019s scholar will confirm which type your package follows — this guide assumes tamattu, the route most UK pilgrims take. The Umrah stage follows exactly the steps in the Umrah guide.

Hajj Day by Day

Every rite in order — tamattu route

1

Arrival in Makkah

Umrah first

Enter ihram at the miqat and perform Umrah — tawaf, sa’i, then halq or taqsir. You exit ihram and live normally in Makkah until 8 Dhul-Hijjah. Use these days to pray in the Haram and rest before the rites begin.
2

8 Dhul-Hijjah — Yawm at-Tarwiyah

To Mina

Re-enter ihram from where you are staying in Makkah, this time intending Hajj. Travel to Mina and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and the next Fajr there — each shortened but not combined. The night passes quietly; save your energy.
3

9 Dhul-Hijjah — the Day of Arafah

The essential pillar

After sunrise, move to Arafah. Dhuhr and Asr are prayed combined and shortened. Then: stand and make dua until sunset — this standing (wuquf) IS Hajj; the Prophet ﷺ said "Hajj is Arafah", and missing it invalidates the pilgrimage. Ask for everything; this is the greatest day of the year for dua. After sunset, depart for Muzdalifah.
4

Night of 10 Dhul-Hijjah

Muzdalifah

Pray Maghrib and Isha combined at Muzdalifah and sleep under the open sky. Collect pebbles here or later — 49–70 small stones (chickpea size) for the coming days. The weak and their carers may leave for Mina after midnight; the strong stay until Fajr.
5

10 Dhul-Hijjah — Yawm an-Nahr (Eid)

Stoning, sacrifice, halq, tawaf al-ifadah

The busiest day. Stone Jamrat al-Aqabah (the large pillar) with seven pebbles saying "Allahu Akbar" with each. Then the sacrifice — most pilgrims pay their package’s voucher scheme rather than slaughtering personally. Men shave or trim; women cut a fingertip’s length. Most ihram restrictions now lift (first release). Finally, return to Makkah for tawaf al-ifadah and Hajj sa’i — after which everything is permitted (full release).
6

11–12 (–13) Dhul-Hijjah — Days of Tashriq

Stoning all three jamarat

Stay in Mina. Each afternoon after zawal, stone the small, middle and large jamarat in order — seven pebbles each — making dua after the first two. You may leave Mina on the 12th before sunset, or stay for the 13th, which is the more complete practice.
7

Departure

Farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wada’)

The last act before leaving Makkah: a farewell tawaf — no sa’i, no two rak’ahs at Maqam Ibrahim required. Make it a genuine goodbye; the Prophet ﷺ made it the final rite so that "the last thing people do is be with the House".

The Mistakes Pilgrims Regret

✗Leaving Arafah before sunset — the one mistake that can invalidate Hajj. Stay within the boundary until Maghrib.
✗Fighting for the Black Stone — harming others for a Sunnah defeats its purpose. Point from afar; the reward is in the tawaf, not the touch.
✗Throwing shoes, buckets or abuse at the jamarat — seven small pebbles, said with takbir, is the entire rite. The pillar is a symbol, not the devil in person to assault.
✗Neglecting hydration and shade — heat exhaustion hospitalises pilgrims every year. Water constantly, umbrella up, rest between rites. May and June Hajj seasons are hot ones.
✗Arguing and raised voices — "no rafath, no fusuq, no jidal during Hajj" (2:197). The patience IS the pilgrimage.

Hajj FAQs

What are the steps of Hajj in order?

Ihram at the miqat, Umrah rites in Makkah (tamattu), then: Mina on 8 Dhul-Hijjah; Arafah on the 9th then Muzdalifah overnight; stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah, sacrifice, halq and tawaf al-ifadah on the 10th; stoning all three jamarat each afternoon on 11–13th; farewell tawaf before departure.

What is the most important part of Hajj?

The standing at Arafah on 9 Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ said "Hajj is Arafah" (Tirmidhi) — being present within Arafah’s boundary at any point from midday to dawn of the 10th is the pillar without which Hajj is invalid.

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Umrah is four rites (ihram, tawaf, sa’i, halq) taking a few hours at any time of year. Hajj is fixed to 8–13 Dhul-Hijjah, is obligatory once in a lifetime for those able, and adds Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, stoning and sacrifice.

How much does Hajj cost from the UK?

Packages typically run several thousand pounds per person — commonly £5,000–£12,000+ depending on hotel proximity, room sharing and duration. Book only via Saudi’s official Nusuk Hajj platform or a verified ATOL-protected agent, and never pay anyone who cannot prove a licence.

How long do I need off work?

Most UK packages run 2–4 weeks: a few days in Madinah, arrival in Makkah before 8 Dhul-Hijjah, the Hajj days themselves, and rest in Makkah afterwards. Book annual leave early — Hajj dates move ~11 days earlier each Gregorian year.

Can I perform Hajj for a deceased parent?

Yes — Hajj al-badal, performing Hajj on behalf of someone deceased or permanently unable, is valid and rewarded, provided you have completed your own Hajj first. The intention names the person from the miqat.

🕋 Umrah guide — step by step 🐑 Eid al-Adha times in the UK 🌙 How dates are confirmed