Hajj — The Fifth Pillar
Hajj is the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Masjid al-Haram in Mecca) performed once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is physically and financially able. It takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah — the last month of the Islamic lunar year — on specific, divinely appointed days.
The Prophet (SAW) performed Hajj only once — in 10 AH, his Farewell Pilgrimage. The actions he performed and commanded became the permanent rites of Hajj.
The Bohra community follows Hajj al-Tamattu — the form of Hajj in which Umrah is performed first, then Ihram is released, and Ihram for Hajj is assumed again on 8 Dhul Hijjah. There are also specific Bohra practices described below.
Before You Arrive
Ihram Intention and Miqat
The miqat is the boundary station from which Ihram must be assumed before entering Mecca. For those arriving by air, Ihram should be assumed on the plane before crossing the miqat boundary — announce your niyyat and don the white ihram garments while still on the flight.
Ihram garments:
- Men: Two unstitched white cloths — one wrapped around the lower body (izar), one over the upper body (rida)
- Women: Normal modest clothing; face and hands are uncovered (no niqab)
Prohibited during Ihram: Cutting hair or nails, sexual relations, applying perfume, hunting, covering the head (men), quarreling, hunting.
Ihram prayer niyyat — recited before assuming Ihram: أُصَلِّي صَلَاةَ الإِحرَامِ لِحَجَّةِ التَّمَتُّعِ رَكعَتَينِ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مُستَقبِلَ الكَعبَةِ الحَرَامِ اللَّهُ أَكبَر
Then recite the Talbiyah continuously:
لَبَّيكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيكَ لَبَّيكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيكَ إِنَّ الحَمدَ وَالنِّعمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَك
Labbayk Allāhumma labbayk, labbayk lā sharīka laka labbayk. Innal-ḥamda wan-niʿmata laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
Recite the Talbiyah continuously during travel to Mecca.
Phase 1: Umrah (Before Hajj Days)
Bohra pilgrims performing Hajj al-Tamattu’ first complete a full Umrah. This consists of:
- Tawaaf — circling the Kaaba 7 times, beginning and ending at the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), counterclockwise
- Two raka’ats at Maqam Ibrahim — after completing the tawaaf
- Sa’ee — walking 7 times between Safa and Marwa
- Halq/Taqsir — shaving the head (men, recommended) or trimming hair (women)
- Tawaaf al-Nisa (Bohra-specific — see below)
After Umrah, Ihram is released and normal life resumes until 8 Dhul Hijjah.
Bohra-Specific Practices
Ihram Inside Hijr Ismail (Under the Meezaab)
In the Bohra tradition, Ihram for Hajj is assumed inside the Masjid al-Haram — specifically with a 2-raka’at prayer performed under the Meezaab (the golden waterspout of the Kaaba) inside Hijr Ismail (the semicircular enclosure adjacent to the Kaaba). Hijr Ismail is considered part of the original Kaaba structure.
This is performed on the afternoon of 8 Dhul Hijjah after Zohor prayer.
Tawaaf al-Nisa (Obligatory in Tayyibi Fiqh)
Bohra (Tayyibi Ismaili) fiqh holds that Tawaaf al-Nisa — an additional tawaaf after the main rites — is obligatory (wajib). Without it, the conjugal relationship between husband and wife remains prohibited even after the rest of Hajj is complete.
Tawaaf al-Nisa niyyat: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي نَوَيتُ أَن أَطُوفَ بِهَذَا الْبَيتِ العَتِيقِ طَوَافَ النِّسَاءِ سَبعَةَ أَشوَاطٍ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
Day 1 — 8 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)
Morning: Assume Ihram
After Fajr namaaz at your Mecca accommodation, prepare for Ihram. Perform ghusl (ritual bath), apply no perfume, don the ihram garments.
In Bohra tradition: perform two raka’ats under the Meezaab in Hijr Ismail with the ihram niyyat, then announce your niyyat for Hajj:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي نَوَيتُ حَجَّةَ التَّمَتُّعِ عَلَى كِتَابِكَ وَسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ اللَّهُمَّ فَأَعِنِّي عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَيَسِّرهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلهُ مِنِّي
Resume reciting the Talbiyah.
Afternoon: Move to Mina
After Zuhr namaaz, depart for Mina (a tent city approximately 5 km from Mecca). Spend the night in Mina. Perform all five prayers in Mina, shortening (qasr) the four-raka’at prayers to two.
This night in Mina is a sunnah — recommended but not obligatory.
Day 2 — 9 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Arafah — The Day of Hajj)
This is the heart of Hajj. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Al-Hajj hu Arafah” — “Hajj is Arafat.” Standing at Arafat (Wuqoof) is the single most essential rite; without it, there is no Hajj.
After Fajr: Recite the Takbeer of Arafat
From Fajr of 9 Dhul Hijjah through Asr of 13 Dhul Hijjah, recite after every fardh prayer:
اللَّهُ أَكبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكبَرُ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا وَاللَّهُ أَكبَرُ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَنَا مِن بَهِيمَةِ الأَنعَام
Morning: Move to Arafat
After Fajr, travel to the Plain of Arafat (approximately 20 km from Mecca). The pilgrim must be within the boundaries of Arafat before sunset and must remain until after sunset.
Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahma): The hill in the center of Arafat where the Prophet delivered his Farewell Sermon. Proceeding toward it is sunnah.
Noon to Sunset: Wuqoof (The Standing)
The time from Zuhr to sunset is the time of Wuqoof — the Standing at Arafat. This is when supplication is made and accepted. The Messenger (SAW) said no dua on any day is more accepted than the dua of the Day of Arafat.
Pray Zuhr and Asr combined and shortened (qasr + jam’).
Then stand in dua, facing the Qiblah, with hands raised:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ فَكَاكَ رَقَبَتِي مِنَ النَّار رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار رَبَّنَا ظَلَمنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّم تَغفِر لَنَا وَتَرحَمنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الخَاسِرِين أَستَغفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِجَمِيعِ الْمُؤمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤمِنَات لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ عَلِيٌّ وَلِيُّ اللَّه اللَّهُمَّ اجعَل بَاقِيَ عُمُرِي فِي الحَجِّ وَالعُمرَةِ ابتِغَاءَ وَجهِكَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِين
Spend this time in dhikr, Quran recitation, and heartfelt supplication. This is the spiritual peak of your Hajj.
After Sunset: Move to Muzdalifah
After sunset, do not rush — leave with the other pilgrims in a composed manner. Travel to Muzdalifah (between Mina and Arafat). Collect 49 (or 70) small pebbles for the stoning rites.
Pray Maghrib and Isha combined and shortened at Muzdalifah. Spend the night there. After Fajr, remain at Muzdalifah until after sunrise (sunnah), then depart for Mina.
Day 3 — 10 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr — Eid ul-Adha)
This is the Day of Sacrifice — the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Eid ul-Adha.
1. Stone the Jamrat al-Aqabah (The Big Jamra)
Upon arriving at Mina, proceed to the Jamrat al-Aqabah (the large pillar representing Satan). Throw 7 pebbles, one at a time, saying with each throw:
بِسمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكبَر
Then recite the full jamrah dua:
اللَّهُ أَكبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الحَمد اللَّهُمَّ ادحَر عَنَّا الشَّيطَانَ وَجُنُودَهُ اللَّهُمَّ تَصدِيقًا بِكِتَابِكَ وَاتِّبَاعًا لِأَمرِ نَبِيِّكَ اللَّهُمَّ اجعَلهُ حَجًّا مَبرُورًا وَسَعيًا مَشكُورًا وَذَنبًا مَغفُورًا
2. Sacrifice (Udhiyah / Qurbani)
After stoning, perform or arrange for the sacrifice (udhiyah). Today is the day of Nahr — the sacrifice of an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) in the name of Allah. The dua at the time of sacrifice:
وَجَّهتُ وَجهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرضَ حَنِيفًا مُسلِمًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشرِكِين اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّل مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلتَهُ مِن إِبرَاهِيمَ الخَلِيلِ يَا أَرحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين
3. Halq (Shaving the Head) or Taqsir (Trimming Hair)
Men: Shave the head completely (recommended and more rewarding) or trim hair significantly. Women: Cut a finger-length’s amount of hair.
4. Return to Mecca — Tawaaf al-Ifadha
Return to Mecca and perform Tawaaf al-Ifadha (also called Tawaaf al-Ziyarah) — the obligatory tawaaf of Hajj. This is a fardh rite of Hajj without which the Hajj is incomplete.
Niyyat for Tawaaf: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي نَوَيتُ أَن أَطُوفَ بِهَذَا الْبَيتِ العَتِيقِ طَوَافَ الحَجِّ سَبعَةَ أَشوَاطٍ لِلَّهِ
After the tawaaf, pray two raka’ats at Maqam Ibrahim.
5. Sa’ee
After the tawaaf prayer, perform Sa’ee — 7 rounds between Safa and Marwa.
Opening dua on Safa: أَبدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ — إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَروَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ…
Running dua (between green lights): رَبِّ اغفِر وَارحَم وَتَجَاوَز عَمَّا تَعلَمُ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الأَعَزُّ الأَكرَم
After completing 7 rounds (ending at Marwa): اللَّهُمَّ اجعَلهُ حَجًّا مَبرُورًا وَسَعيًا مَشكُورًا وَذَنبًا مَغفُورًا
6. Tawaaf al-Nisa (Bohra-Specific)
Immediately after Sa’ee, Bohras perform Tawaaf al-Nisa — 7 additional circuits of the Kaaba. This is wajib in Tayyibi fiqh.
Return to Mina to spend the nights of 11 and 12 Dhul Hijjah (required).
Days 4-5 — 11-12 Dhul Hijjah (Ayyam al-Tashreeq)
Stoning All Three Jamarat
On 11 and 12 Dhul Hijjah (and optionally 13th), stone all three jamarat in order after Zuhr:
- Jamrat al-Sughra (small pillar) — 7 pebbles
- Jamrat al-Wusta (middle pillar) — 7 pebbles
- Jamrat al-Aqabah (large pillar) — 7 pebbles
Recite the takbeer and stoning dua with each pebble. After stoning the small and middle jamarat (not the large one), face the Qiblah and make dua.
Spending the Night in Mina: Spending both nights of 11 and 12 Dhul Hijjah in Mina is required (wajib). Those who depart after Maghrib on 12 Dhul Hijjah need not stone on the 13th.
Final Rites — Return to Mecca
Farewell Tawaaf (Tawaaf al-Wada)
Before leaving Mecca, every pilgrim must perform the Farewell Tawaaf — the last act of Hajj, a final 7 circuits of the Kaaba.
Farewell Tawaaf niyyat: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي نَوَيتُ أَن أَطُوفَ بِهَذَا الْبَيتِ العَتِيقِ طَوَافَ الوَدَاعِ سَبعَةَ أَشوَاطٍ لِلَّهِ
After completing the farewell tawaaf, face the Kaaba door and make a final supplication — ask Allah for a return to His House, and bid farewell to the most sacred spot on earth.
Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque (Madinah)
Many pilgrims combine Hajj with a visit to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (Medina) to send salawat upon the Prophet (SAW) at his mosque and grave. This is not part of Hajj itself but is a beloved practice.
In Medina:
- Visit Masjid al-Nabawi and make salaam at the Prophet’s (SAW) grave
- Visit Jannat al-Baqi — the cemetery where Sayyida Fatema (AS), the Imams, and many Companions are buried
- Visit Masjid Quba — praying two raka’ats there equals the reward of one Umrah
Hajj Mabroor — The Accepted Hajj
The Prophet (SAW) said: “An accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.”
Signs of an accepted Hajj include:
- Returning with greater consciousness of Allah (taqwa)
- Changed behavior for the better
- Increased remembrance of death
- More connection with the Quran and dua
- Greater humility and generosity
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّل حَجَّنَا وَاجعَل هَذِهِ الأَيَّامَ خَيرَ أَيَّامِنَا O Allah, accept our Hajj and make these days the best of our days.
For the complete duas of each Hajj rite, see the Duas section — Hajj category.