The Methods of Performing Hajj are important for all pilgrims to understand before beginning their spiritual journey.

There are three methods of performing Hajj

1. Tamatt’u Hajj (interrupted)

2. Qiran Hajj (combined)

3. Ifrad Hajj (single)

Hajj al-Tamett’u
This means entering into Ihram for Umrah during the months of Hajj, i.e., the months of Shawwal, Dhul-Q’idah and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. There is a relaxation of Ihram between Umrah and Hajj. Ihram is renewed on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah.

Hajj al-Qiran
This denotes entering into Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time, without the relaxation Ihram until the day of Sacrifice (the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah). Alternatively, one may first enter into Ihram for Umrah. Before beginning tawaf, one may make the intention of Ihram for Hajj.

Hajj al-Ifrad
This signifies donning Ihram for Hajj either from the prescribed Station of Ihram (al-miqat). If one resides in Makkah, then Ihram is from Makkah. Otherwise, Ihram is from a place in between al-miqat and Makkah.

Steps to Performing Hajj

For Hajj, whether performing al-Ifrad or Hajj al-Qiran, pilgrims should enter into Ihram status at Al-Miqat, located along the route to Makkah. If one does not pass through Al-Miqat, Ihram should be initiated from their place of residence.

For al-Tamatt’u Hajj, enter Ihram for Hajj from your place of residence in Makkah on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah. First, perform ghusl (a full-body wash), then wear the two-piece Ihram clothing; this is required for men.

Women should also perform ghusl but avoid using perfume. Women are allowed to wear any modest clothing if it does not display adornments; they must be fully covered except for their hands and face. After putting on Ihram, declare your intention (Niyah) by saying: “Labbayka Hajjan.” Then, follow this by reciting the Talbiyah.

• “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n’imata Laka Wal-mulk La Shareeka Lak”.
  Here I am at your service. O Lord, here I am. Here I am. No partner does you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor is yours, and the dominion. No partner does you have.

On the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, travel to Mina and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr prayers at their proper times. For prayers that are normally four rak’as, shorten them to two rak’as without combining any of these prayers.

Then, on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, make the way to Arafat with calm and respect. At Arafat, combine and shorten Dhuhr and Asr prayers during the time for Dhuhr. Use a single adhan and two separate iqamahs.

After sunset, move towards Muzdalifa peacefully while reciting talbiyah. Ensure you do not harm or inconvenience other pilgrims. Upon reaching Muzdalifa, perform Maghrib and Isha prayers together. Make Isha two rak’as.

• For women or weak individuals, it is permissible to proceed to Mina at any time after midnight.

At Muzdalifa, collect the required pebbles for throwing at the Stone Pillar “Jamrat” of ‘Aqaba.’ It’s also acceptable to gather the seven pebbles for the Stone Pillars of ‘Aqaba’ while at Mina.

• When you arrive at Mina, do the following:

1. At the Stone Pillar of ‘Aqaba’ (closest to Makkah), throw seven pebbles individually, saying “Allahu Akbar” each time.
2. For men, it is recommended to shave the head; for women, an appropriate practice is to trim a small portion of hair, the length of a fingertip.
3. The prescribed sequence of actions is recommended; however, completing them in an alternative order does not cause any adverse effect.
4. After the ritual of casting pebbles and the act of shaving or trimming selected portions of hair, all prohibitions associated with Ihram are lifted, except for the restriction concerning intimate relations with one’s spouse. This marks the first tahallul. At this stage, you may change into your regular attire.

Next, proceed to Makkah for tawaf al-ifadah, an essential Hajj ritual. If you are performing Hajj al-Tamatt’u, complete sa’i as well. For those doing Hajj al-ifrad or Hajj al-qiran who did not do sa’i with tawaf al-qudum, perform it now. Afterward, all restrictions, including marital relations, are lifted, and normal life resumes.

• It is allowed to postpone tawaf al-ifadah until after completing the days at Mina and stoning all three pillars.

After completing tawaf al-ifadah on the Day of Sacrifice, return to Mina and stay for the nights before the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hajjah (Ayyamu-Tashreeq). Staying only two nights in Mina is also allowed.

Starting in the afternoon of each day while staying in Mina, stone each of the three Jamarat, starting with the first Jamara (the one which is farthest from Makkah). Then, follow this with the middle Jamara and lastly the Jamara of ‘Aqaba’. Throw seven pebbles, one by one, at each of three Jamarat, saying “Allahu Akbar” at each throw.

• If an individual’s stay in Mina is restricted to two days, it is necessary to depart before sunset on the second day. If sunset occurs before departure, the individual must remain in Mina for the third night and fulfill the pebble throwing ritual once more on the following day.
• The sick and weak may appoint a proxy to throw their pebbles, with the proxy throwing for both themselves and those they represent at the same pillar.

Those who intend to return to their home country upon completing the rites of Hajj are required to perform the farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wida) before departing from Makkah. The only exemptions from this requirement are women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal discharge.