Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform it once in their lifetime. The Hajj takes place over 5 days starting 8 Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. It involves specific rituals at specific places: Ihram (sacred state), Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, standing at Mount Arafah (the peak ritual), spending the night at Muzdalifah, Rami al-Jamarat (stoning the devil pillars), and ritual sacrifice. Over 2 million pilgrims perform Hajj each year.

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Hajj is an obligation (fard) performed only during specific days in Dhul Hijjah. Umrah is a voluntary 'lesser pilgrimage' that can be done at any time of the year. Umrah consists of Ihram + Tawaf + Sa'i + shaving/trimming hair — that's it, takes ~3 hours. Hajj includes all of Umrah PLUS Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Rami al-Jamarat, sacrifice, and Tawaf al-Ifadah, spread over 5 days. You can perform Umrah many times in your life; Hajj is required once.

When is Hajj 2026 / 2027?

Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (8 Dhul Hijjah) and end on Sunday, May 31, 2026 (13 Dhul Hijjah). The Day of Arafah falls on Wednesday, May 27, and Eid al-Adha on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Hajj 2027 (1448 AH) is expected May 15–20, 2027. These dates are estimates based on astronomical calculations — official dates are confirmed by the Saudi Hilal Sighting Committee on the 29th of Dhul Qa'dah.

How much does Hajj cost?

Hajj costs vary widely by package and country of origin. From the US, packages typically range from $7,500 (basic) to $25,000+ (premium with hotels near the Haram). UK packages range £5,000–£15,000. From Indonesia or Pakistan, the cost is lower but the waiting list can be 25+ years. The total includes: visa, flight, ground transportation, tents at Mina, hotel in Mecca and Madinah, food, and Hajj operator fees. Saudi Arabia in 2024 introduced the Nusuk Hajj online portal that handles the visa and accommodation booking, with prices set by package tier.

Can women perform Hajj alone?

Traditional jurisprudence (the four Sunni madhabs) requires women to travel with a Mahram (a male relative they cannot marry — husband, father, brother, son, etc.). However, in recent years Saudi Arabia has permitted women over 45 to travel for Hajj in organized groups without a Mahram. Many contemporary scholars accept this for safety reasons given modern transportation. Single women under 45 should consult their local imam — some accept group-travel without Mahram if safety is guaranteed, others maintain the traditional requirement.

What is the Day of Arafah?

The Day of Arafah is the second day of Hajj (9 Dhul Hijjah) — the absolute peak of the pilgrimage. From midday to sunset, all pilgrims stand on or near Mount Arafah, just outside Mecca, in dua. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Hajj is Arafah' (Tirmidhi 889) — meaning standing at Arafah is the single essential ritual; missing it invalidates the entire Hajj. Even non-pilgrims worldwide are encouraged to fast on the Day of Arafah — the Prophet said it expiates sins of the past year and the coming year (Muslim 1162).

Hajj: The 5-Day Pilgrimage Step-by-Step (Ihram → Tawaf al-Wada')

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform it once in their lifetime. Spread over 5 days starting 8 Dhul Hijjahin the Islamic calendar, Hajj involves specific rituals at specific places — Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Rami al-Jamarat, sacrifice, and the farewell Tawaf. Over 2 million pilgrims perform Hajj annually. This is the complete day-by-day walkthrough.

Hajj is the Fifth Pillar

The Quran states the obligation directly: "Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who are able to make the journey."(Quran 3:97). The Prophet ﷺ specified the conditions for "able":

Muslim (basic prerequisite)
Adult and sane
Free (not a slave)
Physically capable — health permits the journey and rituals
Financially capable — has enough money for the journey AND for dependents back home
Safe travel possible — the route to Mecca is accessible
For women: a Mahram (traditionally; see FAQ)

Once all conditions are met, Hajj should be performed without delay.

Hajj 2026 dates

Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) — provisional astronomical dates:

8 Dhul Hijjah (Day 1): Tuesday, May 26, 2026 — Yawm al-Tarwiyah
9 Dhul Hijjah (Day 2): Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — Day of Arafah
10 Dhul Hijjah (Day 3): Thursday, May 28, 2026 — Eid al-Adha
11 Dhul Hijjah (Day 4): Friday, May 29, 2026 — Tashriq
12 Dhul Hijjah (Day 5): Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Tashriq + Tawaf al-Wada'
13 Dhul Hijjah (optional): Sunday, May 31, 2026

Official dates are confirmed by the Saudi Hilal Sighting Committee on the 29th of Dhul Qa'dah. Dates may shift ±1 day.

Day-by-day walkthrough

Day 1 — 8 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)

Enter Ihram & travel to Mina

Enter the state of Ihram from your Miqat (boundary point) — for most arrivals, this is Yalamlam or the airport. Wear the two-piece white cloth (men) or modest covered clothing (women).
Make the niyyah (intention) for Hajj and recite the Talbiyah: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk...'
Travel from Mecca to the tent city of Mina (8 km east). Pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and the next day's Fajr in Mina — each at its own time, shortened (Qasr) but not combined.

Day 2 — 9 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm Arafah)

The Standing at Arafah — the peak of Hajj

After sunrise, travel from Mina to the plain of Arafah (~14 km).
From Dhuhr through sunset, stand in Arafah making dua. This is the heart of Hajj — 'Hajj is Arafah' (Tirmidhi 889).
The Imam delivers the Khutbah of Arafah from Masjid al-Namira. Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened.
At sunset, immediately depart toward Muzdalifah (~9 km) — DO NOT pray Maghrib at Arafah.
Arrive at Muzdalifah. Pray Maghrib and Isha combined. Sleep there. Collect 49 small pebbles for Rami al-Jamarat (some pilgrims collect 70).

Day 3 — 10 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr / Eid al-Adha)

Stoning, Sacrifice, Tawaf al-Ifadah

After Fajr at Muzdalifah, travel to Mina (~7 km).
Rami al-Jamarat al-Kubra — throw 7 pebbles at the largest of the three pillars (Jamrat al-Aqaba). Each pebble accompanied by 'Allahu Akbar'.
Slaughter the sacrifice (Hadiy) — usually arranged through a coupon system run by the Saudi authorities. Cost is included in your Hajj package.
Men shave their head (Halq, preferred) or trim hair (Qasr). Women trim a fingertip's length.
First state of Ihram is now lifted — can wear regular clothes.
Travel to Mecca for Tawaf al-Ifadah (the 'pouring forth' circumambulation) — 7 circuits of the Kaaba.
Followed by Sa'i — 7 trips between the hills of Safa and Marwa (within the Haram).
After Sa'i, the full Ihram state is lifted — can resume marital relations.
Return to Mina to spend the night.

Day 4 — 11 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tashriq 1)

Stoning all three pillars in Mina

Spend the day in Mina. Pray all 5 prayers in Mina.
After Dhuhr, perform Rami al-Jamarat at ALL THREE pillars — 7 pebbles at each, in order: small (Sughra) → middle (Wusta) → large (Kubra). 21 pebbles total.
Make dua after each of the first two; no dua after the large one.
Spend the night in Mina.

Day 5 — 12 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tashriq 2)

Repeat stoning + Tawaf al-Wada'

Repeat Rami al-Jamarat as on Day 4 — 21 pebbles, three pillars in order.
Pilgrims may leave Mina after sunset, OR stay one more day (13 Dhul Hijjah, optional but Sunnah).
Return to Mecca and perform Tawaf al-Wada' (the Farewell Tawaf) — 7 final circuits of the Kaaba as the last act before leaving the holy city.
Hajj is now complete. Many pilgrims travel north to Madinah to visit Masjid an-Nabawi.

Hajj vs Umrah — at a glance

	Hajj	Umrah
Obligation	Fard (once in lifetime if able)	Sunnah / recommended
Timing	8–13 Dhul Hijjah only	Any time of year
Duration	5 days	~3 hours
Rituals	Ihram + Tawaf + Sa'i + Arafah + Muzdalifah + Rami + Sacrifice + Tawaf al-Ifadah + Tawaf al-Wada'	Ihram + Tawaf + Sa'i + hair
Typical cost (US)	$7,500–$25,000	$2,500–$6,000

Practical tips

Vaccinations: Meningococcal ACWY required for Saudi visa
Hydration: drink water constantly — Mecca regularly hits 45°C+ in summer
Comfortable sandals: you will walk 30+ km over 5 days
Small backpack: phone, charger, snacks, prayer mat, sunscreen
Money belt: Saudi Riyal in small denominations for water/food
Patience: the most important quality. Crowds, queues, language barriers — all part of the test.

Get prayer times for Mecca

View prayer times for Mecca and Madinah. Learn about the Kaaba, Masjid an-Nabawi, and use our Qibla finder from anywhere in the world.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hajj?: Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform it once in their lifetime. The Hajj takes place over 5 days starting 8 Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. It involves specific rituals at specific places: Ihram (sacred state), Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, standing at Mount Arafah (the peak ritual), spending the night at Muzdalifah, Rami al-Jamarat (stoning the devil pillars), and ritual sacrifice. Over 2 million pilgrims perform Hajj each year.
What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?: Hajj is an obligation (fard) performed only during specific days in Dhul Hijjah. Umrah is a voluntary 'lesser pilgrimage' that can be done at any time of the year. Umrah consists of Ihram + Tawaf + Sa'i + shaving/trimming hair — that's it, takes ~3 hours. Hajj includes all of Umrah PLUS Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Rami al-Jamarat, sacrifice, and Tawaf al-Ifadah, spread over 5 days. You can perform Umrah many times in your life; Hajj is required once.
When is Hajj 2026 / 2027?: Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (8 Dhul Hijjah) and end on Sunday, May 31, 2026 (13 Dhul Hijjah). The Day of Arafah falls on Wednesday, May 27, and Eid al-Adha on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Hajj 2027 (1448 AH) is expected May 15–20, 2027. These dates are estimates based on astronomical calculations — official dates are confirmed by the Saudi Hilal Sighting Committee on the 29th of Dhul Qa'dah.
How much does Hajj cost?: Hajj costs vary widely by package and country of origin. From the US, packages typically range from $7,500 (basic) to $25,000+ (premium with hotels near the Haram). UK packages range £5,000–£15,000. From Indonesia or Pakistan, the cost is lower but the waiting list can be 25+ years. The total includes: visa, flight, ground transportation, tents at Mina, hotel in Mecca and Madinah, food, and Hajj operator fees. Saudi Arabia in 2024 introduced the Nusuk Hajj online portal that handles the visa and accommodation booking, with prices set by package tier.
Can women perform Hajj alone?: Traditional jurisprudence (the four Sunni madhabs) requires women to travel with a Mahram (a male relative they cannot marry — husband, father, brother, son, etc.). However, in recent years Saudi Arabia has permitted women over 45 to travel for Hajj in organized groups without a Mahram. Many contemporary scholars accept this for safety reasons given modern transportation. Single women under 45 should consult their local imam — some accept group-travel without Mahram if safety is guaranteed, others maintain the traditional requirement.
What is the Day of Arafah?: The Day of Arafah is the second day of Hajj (9 Dhul Hijjah) — the absolute peak of the pilgrimage. From midday to sunset, all pilgrims stand on or near Mount Arafah, just outside Mecca, in dua. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Hajj is Arafah' (Tirmidhi 889) — meaning standing at Arafah is the single essential ritual; missing it invalidates the entire Hajj. Even non-pilgrims worldwide are encouraged to fast on the Day of Arafah — the Prophet said it expiates sins of the past year and the coming year (Muslim 1162).