# How to Perform Hajj — Step-by-Step UK Guide | UKPT > A complete Hajj guide for UK pilgrims: ihram and tawaf, Mina, the Day of Arafah, Muzdalifah, stoning and sacrifice, plus Nusuk booking, vaccines and… *Source: https://prayer-times.co.uk/hajj · Independent, free UK prayer times.* --- 🕋 Hajj Guide # How to Perform Hajj 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 - 🛂 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. - 🛡️ 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. - 💉 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. - 🥾 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. - 💷 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](/umrah). ## Hajj Day by Day Every rite in order — tamattu route 1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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](/umrah) [🐑 Eid al-Adha times in the UK](/eid-prayer-times) [🌙 How dates are confirmed](/moon-sighting)