19, Oct 2024
How to Perform Hajj & Umrah in 2024 | Hajj & Umrah

## How to Perform Hajj & Umrah in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

**Hajj** and **Umrah** are two of the most significant acts of worship for Muslims around the world. These spiritual pilgrimages offer believers a unique opportunity to come closer to Allah, cleanse their souls, and renew their faith. While both Hajj and Umrah involve traveling to the holy city of **Makkah** in Saudi Arabia, they differ in terms of the rituals and obligations.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps and procedures for performing Hajj and Umrah in 2024, along with important tips for planning and preparing for your pilgrimage.

### **What is Hajj?**
Hajj is one of the **Five Pillars of Islam** and is obligatory for all financially and physically capable Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place annually in the Islamic month of **Dhul Hijjah**, and millions of Muslims from across the globe gather in Makkah to perform a series of rituals.

### **What is Umrah?**
Umrah, often referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” can be performed at any time of the year and is not obligatory. While Umrah shares some rituals with Hajj, it is shorter in duration and has fewer obligatory actions.

### **Steps to Perform Umrah**

**1. Ihram (State of Purity)**
– Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must enter the state of **Ihram**, a condition of purity. This involves wearing special white garments for men (two unstitched cloths) and modest clothing for women.
– Before wearing Ihram, pilgrims perform **Ghusl** (full-body purification) and declare their intention (**Niyyah**) for Umrah by reciting:
_“Labbayk Allahumma Umrah”_ (Here I am, O Allah, performing Umrah).
– Pilgrims must abstain from certain actions, including cutting hair/nails, using perfume, and engaging in marital relations during Ihram.

**2. Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)**
– Upon arriving at **Masjid Al-Haram**, pilgrims perform **Tawaf**, which involves walking around the **Kaaba** seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
– Pilgrims should recite supplications while performing Tawaf, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
– After completing the seven rounds, perform **Salat al-Tawaf** (two units of prayer) near **Maqam Ibrahim**.

**3. Sa’i (Walking between Safa and Marwah)**
– After Tawaf, pilgrims perform **Sa’i**, which involves walking seven times between the hills of **Safa** and **Marwah**, in remembrance of Hagar’s search for water for her son, Prophet Ismail.
– Pilgrims begin at **Safa** and end at **Marwah**, reciting prayers throughout.

**4. Cutting Hair (Tahalul)**
– To complete Umrah, men are required to shave their heads (**Halq**) or trim their hair, while women should trim a small portion of their hair.
– This marks the end of the state of Ihram, and pilgrims are free from its restrictions.

### **Steps to Perform Hajj**

Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 12th of **Dhul Hijjah**, and it consists of specific rituals performed in a particular order. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform Hajj:

**1. Entering Ihram**
– Similar to Umrah, pilgrims begin Hajj by entering the state of Ihram from the designated **Miqat** points (depending on their location).
– The intention for Hajj is made by saying:
_“Labbayk Allahumma Hajj”_ (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj).
– Pilgrims should follow the same rules as during Umrah regarding the prohibitions of Ihram.

**2. Day 1: 8th Dhul Hijjah (Day of Tarwiyah)**
– On the first day of Hajj, pilgrims travel to **Mina**, a small town near Makkah, where they spend the day in worship and reflection, praying **Dhuhr**, **Asr**, **Maghrib**, **Isha**, and **Fajr** prayers.
– Pilgrims remain in Mina overnight, preparing for the most important day of Hajj.

**3. Day 2: 9th Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafat)**
– On the second day, pilgrims make their way to the plains of **Arafat**, where they engage in **Dua** and seek forgiveness from Allah. This day is the core of Hajj, as standing at **Mount Arafat** symbolizes the essence of submission to Allah.
– The pilgrims spend the afternoon in Arafat, reciting prayers and supplications.

**4. Day 2 (Night): Muzdalifah**
– After sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims leave Arafat for **Muzdalifah**, where they perform **Maghrib** and **Isha** prayers.
– Pilgrims spend the night under the open sky, collecting small stones that will be used for the **Ramy al-Jamarat** ritual.

**5. Day 3: 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha)**
– On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims return to Mina and perform **Ramy al-Jamarat**, which involves throwing seven small pebbles at the largest pillar, symbolizing the rejection of the devil’s temptations.
– After completing the stoning, pilgrims perform the **Qurbani** (animal sacrifice) to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
– Male pilgrims then shave their heads, while women trim a small portion of their hair.
– Pilgrims return to Makkah to perform **Tawaf al-Ifadah**, a mandatory circumambulation of the Kaaba during Hajj.

**6. Day 4-5: 11th-12th Dhul Hijjah (Ramy al-Jamarat)**
– Over the next two days, pilgrims continue stoning the **Jamarat**, throwing seven pebbles at each of the three pillars.
– Pilgrims may leave Mina on the 12th Dhul Hijjah after completing the stoning, marking the completion of the major Hajj rituals.

**7. Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada)**
– Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform a final circumambulation of the Kaaba, known as **Tawaf al-Wada**, as a farewell gesture to the sacred mosque.

### **Important Tips for Hajj & Umrah 2024**

1. **Plan Early:** Secure your visas, accommodations, and flights well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
2. **Stay Hydrated:** The climate in Saudi Arabia can be hot, so drink plenty of water throughout your pilgrimage.
3. **Stay Organized:** Keep important documents, such as your passport, ID, and travel tickets, secure and accessible.
4. **Travel Light:** Pack only essentials, as you will be walking long distances during Hajj and Umrah.
5. **Focus on Worship:** This journey is about spiritual renewal, so focus on prayer, patience, and humility.

### **Conclusion**

Hajj and Umrah are deeply spiritual journeys that hold great significance in the lives of Muslims. By understanding the rituals and preparing adequately, you can make the most of your pilgrimage in 2024. Whether you are performing the **mandatory Hajj** or the **voluntary Umrah**, this guide will help you navigate the steps, ensuring that your journey is spiritually fulfilling and rewarding.

**Contact** **Al Ghazi Tour & Travels** today at **+91 93113 72136** to book your 2024 Hajj or Umrah package and let us take care of all the details, from visa arrangements to accommodations, so you can focus on your spiritual connection with Allah. 🌟

### **FAQs**

– **Can I perform both Hajj and Umrah in 2024?**
Yes, many pilgrims choose to perform **Umrah** before Hajj, a practice known as **Hajj al-Tamattu**.

– **Is Hajj more difficult than Umrah?**
Hajj is longer and involves more physically demanding rituals than Umrah, but both require spiritual dedication.

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