Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it has been great virtue, along with prayer and giving charity.
Allah said in Quran:
“And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].” (2:125)
In this article, you’ll know the importance of Hajj maps and the rituals of Hijj in detail.
Hajj map guides pilgrims by showing them the places/ regions of Hajj and the rituals they should perform in each area…
Some maps include descriptive presentations for Hajj rituals like this below.
Others only show pilgrims where they should visit to perform rituals and the distance (Km) between them.
Read more: What Is Hajj? the Islamic Pilgrimage and Its Importance
Hajj Maps for pilgrims are available on several websites. In addition, they can be downloaded as PDFs, and are in many languages. Those maps help simplify to the pilgrims the steps/ rituals to perform in an easy and animated way
Below are explanations for the rituals of Hijj with details, place, and date.
Ritual | Detail | Place | Day |
entering the Masjid al Haram | -when arriving at Mecca and entering the sacred House of Allah, it’s advisable to be clean and washed up. – enter the masjid al-haram by your right foot first and pray to Allah, saying “I seek refuge in Almighty God, His Noble Face, and His ancient authority, from the accursed Satan.” -Labayk Allahuma Labayk – For men, uncover your right shoulder, pull the center part of Ihram attire below your underarm, and spread its hems on your left shoulder. | Mecca | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Tawaf upon arrival | -begin Tawaf by the Blackstone and you can put your right hand on it, kiss it, or point at it and say Bismillah, Allah Akbar – Tawaf is performed seven rounds. For men, hasten your walk in the three first rounds (known as الرمل) – If possible, place your hand on al Rukn al-Yamani, located on the right side of the Blackstone. ( If you can’t do it, continue your Tawaf with no problem) -In the distance between the black stone and Al Rukn al- Yamani, pray to Allah, saying “Our Lord, grant us what is good in this world and what is good in the World to Come and protect us from the chastisement of the Fire. – When completing the seven rounds, say Bismillah and Allah Akbar, and cover your right shoulder. | Mecca | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Maqam Ibraheem | – When you complete your Tawaf, go to Maqam Ibraheem and say this verse: ˹You may˺ take the standing-place of Abraham as a site of prayer. -If possible, Pray two Raka’at behind this Maqam or anywhere in the Masjid Al Haram. -Recite Surah Al kafiroon in the first rak’a and surah al ikhlas in the seond rakaa. | Mecca | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Drink from Zamzam | – Drink from Zamzam well and pour it onto your head. – Return to Al Masjid Al Haram and receive the Blackstone by your hand. | Mecca | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Walk between Al Safa and Al Marwa | – When you approach the hill of Al Safa, recite this verse: Indeed, ˹the hills of˺ Ṣafa and Marwah1 are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs the pilgrimage or minor pilgrimage, Let them walk between ˹the two hills˺. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is genuinely Appreciative, All-Knowing. – Walk between AL Safa and al Marwa 7 times. Begin with Al Safa and end with al Marwa (the distance between al Safa and al Marwa is counted one round and verse versa. -It’s a sunna to intensify your prayer and say this Dau three times when standing on the top of the two hills “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion, and He is the praise, and He can do all things. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone; He fulfilled His Promise, He aided His slave, and He alone defeated Confederates. – If you can’t run or walk due to a disease or any other reason, you can use a trolley | Mecca | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Spending night at Mina | – go to Mina before noon for prayer – Each salat/prayer is performed at is the exact time – Prayer that is four raka’at is shortened to 2 -spend the night at Mina | Mina | 8th Dhul hijjah |
Standing on Mount Arafat | – pray dawn (Fagar), then wait until sunrise – walk to Arafa mount, saying Labayk Allahuma Labayk -Pray zuhr and asar in masjid Nimra (shortened to two raka’a -Go to Mount Arafa and stand on it until sunset, praying to Allah and seeking his forgiveness and repentance to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of ‘Arafah.” – Upon sense, head to Muzalfa | Mecca | 9th Dhul hijjah |
Heading to Muzdulfa | – When arriving at Muzulfa, pray al-Maghrib and Isha together ( shortened to 2 raka’a). – Pick up seven peddles for Jamrat al-Aqaba. -Spend the night in Al Muzulfa to the next day ( for women, children, and un-able people, they’re allowed to return to Mina after midnight. | Muzdulfa | 9th Dhul hijjah |
Return to Mina | – When reaching Mina, go to Jamrat al-Aqaba. Then, throw the seven peddles, one after one. – Say Allah Akbar before throwing each peddles. – Then, slaughter the Hadi (sheep), and this can continue to the 13th Dhul hijrah (the fourth day of Eid al Adha. – Expiation is for the residents of Mecca; it’s not wajib to slaughter a sheep. – For men, shave your head hair or cut some of it. -Finally, take off the attire of Al Ihram, and wear your ordinary cloth | Mina | 10th Dhul hijjah |
Tawaf al Ifada | – Go to Mecca and circulate around al Kabba for seven rounds (Known as طواف الإفاضة). – Then, walk between AL Safa and Al Marwa – Then return to Mina to spend the day’s al tashreeq – ( This ritual can be delayed after the days’ al tashreeq) | Mecca | 10th Dhul hijjah |
Stoning al Gamarat | -After the sunset of 11th Dhul Hijjah (the first day of al Tashreeq), 1) Begin with Jamarat al-Soghra, al-Wusta, and then Jamarat al-Aqaba. ( each with 7 peddles) 2) Say Allah Akbar before throwing each peddles, and pray to Allah. – This ritual is repeated in the 12th and 13th Dhul Hijjah (and you’re allowed to hasten so that you can go from Mecca to Mina before sunset). – You should repeat that in the 12th Dhul hijjah, and if you can’t, you are allowed to do it in the 13 Dhul hijjah. | Mina | 11: 13 Dhul hijjah |
The last Tawaf (Farewell) | Go to Kabba and circulate it, and this is wajib for any pilgrim (except women with menstruation and puerperium) As prophet Mohammed said: “No one should leave (Mecca) until he performs the last circumambulation of the House (the Kaaba). | Mecca |
Read more: Dhul Hijjah 2022 Calendar: Virtues and Good Deeds to Do This Month
There are many features of Hijj maps that make them popular among pilgrims.
The Hajj journey can be complex, and it is essential to know what you are getting into before you go. In addition, there are specific requirements that must be met to be eligible for the pilgrimage.
These requirements are:
– being a Muslim, male or female
– being mentally and physically fit (a person who has been declared insane cannot perform Hajj)
-beings financially fit to incur the costs of Hajj
Hajj is an Islamic ritual like prayer and fasting. It should be done in a specified period. The Hajj months are Shawwal, Dhul-Qidah, and Dhul-Hijjah.
Hijj (pilgrimage) is an Islamic ritual that has been given great importance in Islam for its numerous virtues.
In this post, you’ve known information about Hijj maps and their benefits for pilgrims… Besides much detailed information about the Hajj’s rituals, place, and dates.
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