The Hajj begins in Mecca. Here, the pilgrim enters a state of purity and performs the ritual circling of the Kaaba, a black stone that marks the ancient site of Muslim worship. The Kaaba must be circled seven times after the pilgrim kisses or touches it. This is the first of three core requirements of the Hajj. After circling the Kaaba, the pilgrim must run seven times between the small mountains of Safa and Marwah. After these rites have been completed, pilgrims are free to move about the city.
On the eighth day of the month, pilgrims must travel to the nearby city of Mina. Here they must offer certain prayers in accordance with Islamic tradition, including the Duhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Many pilgrims spend the night in Mina, preparing to undertake the journey to Arafat the next day. A pilgrim should offer the Fajr prayer before leaving Mina the following morning.
On the ninth day of the month, a pilgrim must arrive it the hill of Jabal al-Rahma in Arafat. Here, a pilgrim attends a sermon and should offer the prayers of Zuhr and Asr. Pilgrims should stay at Arafat until sunset, and then leave for the town of Muzdalifah the same night. Performing prayer at Arafat is known as Waqoof, and is one of the three core requirements of the pilgrimage. If a pilgrim fails to enter Arafat on the ninth day of the month, the Hajj is not considered complete.
Muzdalifah is a small town neighboring Mecca. Pilgrims typically spend the ninth night in Muzdalifah after leaving Arafat. In the morning, pilgrims should offer the prayer of Fjar before returning to the city of Mina.
Upon returning to Mina on the tenth day of the month, a pilgrim performs Rami, the ceremonial casting of stones. A pilgrim may then perform a sacrifice, although this is not a requirement of the Hajj. Male pilgrims should then have their heads shaven, while female pilgrims may have a small piece of their hair cut off. After these duties have been performed, pilgrims must return to Mecca.
After performing duties at Mina on the tenth day of the month, pilgrims return to Mecca to complete the Hajj by once again circling the Kaaba. This is the last of the three key requirements of the Hajj. Once this is complete, the requirements of the Hajj are fulfilled, and a pilgrim may return to ordinary life. However, many pilgrims choose to return to Mina for an additional two or three days before once again returning to Mecca and performing one final circuit around the Kaaba.
