The days

The trip

Millions of Muslims from around the world gather on the 12th Islamic month (called Dhul-Hijjah) to fulfil the 4th pillar of Islam, Hajj. This is a Muslim pilgrimage where many Muslims copy the actions of the Prophet Muhammad nearly 100 years ago

Taking part in the pilgrimage at least once in one's lifetime is something you have to do, unless you have financial problems or if you have a disability which means you are not able to travel. Almost two to three million people participate in Hajj every year! This will give you a step by step guide of Hajj through the six days.

Day 1 

Entering a sacred state (Ihram)

When you are crossing into Mecca , you must enter a 'sacred state', meaning you are not allowed to give into anger. You must also wear Ihram clothing (The plain white garments which are worn to show no signs of wealth or power) to show equality and peace.

Head to Mina

You will then head to Mina, which is a city of tents. It is an 8km journey and you will stay there for one day. Most of the time, you will be praying to Allah (god).

Day 2 

Arafat

The next day, you will set out on a journey at dawn. This journey is around 14.4km  leads to Arafat. This day is considered very special in the entire trip of the Hajj. Today was when the prophet Muhammad said his final lecture. You will be praying here and maybe fasting.

Muzdalifah

After sunset, you will be travelling once again to Muzdalifah. You will stay and spend the night watching the stars. Many people will also be collecting pebbles for the next day.

After sunset, its time to move again, this time to Muzdalifah - a 9 km trip - where they spend the night under the stars. Many will also begin collecting pebbles here for tomorrow's rites, departing again just before sunrise. 

Day 3 

Throw stones at the pillars

For people on the Hajj, this is a very big day. It is also the longest and most dangerous. The day is known as yawm-ul hajj al-akbar (This translates to: the big Hajj day). You will walk back to Mina, the tent city, before sunrise. The first thing you will do there is known as the first Rami, throwing seven rocks at three columns called Jamarat. This is an act based off of an ancient story and tradition called stoning the devil. The story is that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son to show his worthiness and faith. It is said that, where Jamarat is, was where the devil appeared to Abraham to try and stop him from doing this. Abraham threw stones at the devil to scare him off so Muslims remember this moment by throwing stones at the pillars symbolising the devil.

After doing this, you must make a sacrifice just like Abraham. After Abraham scared of the devil, he went to sacrifice his son but found that God had placed a sheep there instead. You must then slaughter an animal that you have e.g. a sheep or cow or even a camel. However, most people pay for a sacrifice to be done in their names. After this, men shave their haired everyone remove their white Ihram clothing. The pilgrims will then perform tawaf, which is circling the Kaaba (the small building in Mecca which contains a sacred black stone) 7 times, and sa'ee which is walking in the valley between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times.

Days 4 - 5

The Final days

On the remaining days, Pilgrims will throw stones at the devil. after doing so, they will do a final circulation of the Kaaba as a farewell.

On each day, they will again symbolically stone the devil - this time throwing seven pebbles at each of the three pillars.With the hardest part behind them, pilgrims will now spend the next two or three days in Mina. Some people also choose to visit the second holiest city in Islam, Medina , however it is not required on the pilgrimage.