الحج — شامل

## Projected Dates for الحج 2026

الحج 2026 corresponds to the الحج of 1448 AH in the Islamic calendar. Based on astronomical calculations, the month of ذو الحجة 1448 is projected to begin around May 18-19, 2026, placing the core الحج days in late May. The Day of Arafah (9th ذو الحجة) is projected for approximately May 26, 2026, and Eid al-Adha (10th ذو الحجة) for approximately May 27, 2026. However, it is essential to understand that these are projections — actual dates are confirmed by the Saudi authorities based on the sighting of the crescent moon, which can shift dates by a day or two. Final confirmation typically comes 1-2 days before the month of ذو الحجة begins.

## The Complete الحج Schedule

الحج follows a precise sequence over five to six days. Understanding this schedule allows you to mentally prepare for each day's demands. The 7th of ذو الحجة is typically when الحجاج performing الحج al-Tamattu' re-enter الإحرام from their hotels in مكة, prepare their day bags for the الحج days, and attend final briefings from their tour operators. This is your last day of normal hotel accommodation before the intense ritual days begin. Use it to rest, hydrate, finalize your packing, and make your spiritual preparations.

## Day 1: 8th ذو الحجة — Yawm al-Tarwiyah

On the morning of the 8th, الحجاج in الإحرام depart مكة for منى, approximately 8 kilometers away. Travel is by bus organized by your الحج operator. Upon arriving in منى, you settle into your assigned tent and perform the five daily الصلوات — Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and the following Fajr — each shortened to two ركعةs (for four-ركعة الصلوات) but prayed at their normal times, not combined. This day is relatively calm and serves as a preparation day. Rest, recite القرآن, make دعاء, and conserve energy for the monumental day ahead.

## Day 2: 9th ذو الحجة — Yawm al-Arafah

The most important day of the entire الحج. After Fajr الصلاة in منى, الحجاج travel to the plain of Arafah, approximately 14 kilometers from منى. You must be within the boundaries of Arafah between Dhuhr and Maghrib — this is the single most critical requirement of الحج. Dhuhr and Asr are prayed combined and shortened at Arafah. The afternoon from after Dhuhr until sunset is devoted entirely to دعاء, dhikr, and الدعاء. After sunset, الحجاج depart for مزدلفة, where Maghrib and Isha are prayed combined and shortened. Spend the night at مزدلفة, collecting pebbles for the stoning.

## Day 3: 10th ذو الحجة — يوم النحر (Eid al-Adha)

The busiest day of الحج. After Fajr at مزدلفة, depart for منى. Four rituals are performed (the sequence is مستحب but flexible): stone the الجمرات al-Aqabah (large pillar) with seven pebbles; arrange or confirm your Hadi (animal sacrifice); shave your head (men) or trim your hair (women) — this achieves partial exit from الإحرام; then travel to مكة for الطواف al-Ifadhah and السعي, after which all الإحرام restrictions are fully lifted. Return to منى to spend the night.

## Days 4-5: 11th and 12th ذو الحجة — Ayyam al-Tashriq

These are the Days of Tashriq, spent in منى. Each day after Dhuhr (or after Zawal عند some scholars), stone all three الجمرات pillars in sequence — the small, then the medium, then the large — with seven pebbles each. After stoning on the 12th, you may depart منى before sunset (this is called al-Nafr al-Awal, the first departure). If you remain in منى past sunset on the 12th, you must stay for the 13th and stone again. Most operators arrange departure on the 12th.

## After the الحج Days

Once you return to مكة from منى, perform الطواف al-Wada (the Farewell الطواف) before departing the city. This is the final ritual of الحج. If you plan to visit المدينة (highly مستحب but not part of الحج), travel there after completing your مكة stay. Most الحاج itineraries include 3-7 days in المدينة either before or after the الحج days. The entire trip typically spans 2-4 weeks depending on your package and personal preferences.

## Planning Your Travel Timeline

Work backward from the projected الحج dates to plan your travel. Arrive in مكة at least 3-5 days before the 8th of ذو الحجة to acclimatize to the الحرارة, familiarize yourself with the city and Haram layout, perform العمرة (for الحج al-Tamattu'), and attend your operator's orientation sessions. After الحج, allow 2-3 days in مكة for rest and farewell الطواف, plus your المدينة visit if planned. Most الحجاج need a total of 18-25 days for the complete الحج trip. Book your flights accordingly, leaving buffer days on both ends for unexpected delays.