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Haji consists of entering ihram at the miqat, performing tawaf al-qudum upon arriving in Mekkah, sa'i between Safa and Marwa, standing at Arafah on the 9th of Dzulhijjah, spending the night at Muzdalifah, stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba, offering the sacrifice, shaving the head, performing tawaf al-ifadah, and completing the days of tashreeq with stoning and overnight stays at Mina.
Before departing for Haji, the jamaah haji must fulfill prerequisites: Islam, sanity, puberty, physical and financial ability, and for women, a mahram (male guardian) or safe companionship menurut jumhur ulama. The jamaah haji must repent from all sins, settle debts, write a will, and learn the essential rites. There are three types of Haji: Tamattu' (Umrah first, then Haji — sunnah by Nabi, shallallahu alaihi wa sallam, for those not bringing a sacrificial animal), Qiran (Umrah and Haji combined in one ihram), and Ifrad (Haji only, no Umrah). Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'If I were to do it again, I would not have brought a sacrificial animal, and I would have made it an Umrah' (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1651). Sheikh Ibn Baz sunnah Tamattu' as the best type for most jamaah haji.
Upon reaching the designated miqat boundary, perform mandi wajib, wear the ihram garments (two white unstitched cloths for men; modest regular clothing for women), and make the intention for Haji. For Tamattu', first make the intention for Umrah: 'Labbayk Allahumma Umratan' — perform Umrah, exit ihram, then re-enter ihram for Haji on the 8th of Dzulhijjah. For Qiran, say: 'Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan wa Umratan.' For Ifrad, say: 'Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan.' Then begin reciting the Talbiyah. The five miqat points were designated by Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih al-Bukhari (1524) and Sahih Muslim (1181).
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Upon arriving in Mekkah, proceed to Masjidil Haram and perform Tawaf al-Qudum (the arrival tawaf). This consists of 7 circuits around the Kabah beginning and ending at the Hajar Aswad. Keep the Kabah on your left. Men perform Raml (brisk walking) in the first 3 circuits and Idtiba' (exposing the right shoulder) throughout all 7 circuits. At the Hajar Aswad, say 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar' and either kiss it, touch it, or point toward it from a distance. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Hajar Aswad, recite: 'Rabbana atina fi al-dunya hasanah wa fi al-akhirati hasanah wa qina adhab al-nar' (Al-Baqarah 2:201). After tawaf, pray 2 rakaat behind Maqam Ibrahim, then drink Zamzam water.
After completing tawaf, proceed to the hill of Safa. Upon reaching Safa, face the Kabah and recite: 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah' (Al-Baqarah 2:158), then say 'Abda'u bima bada'Allahu bihi' (I begin with what Allah began with). Make takbir, tahlil, and doa three times. Walk to Marwa — this is lap 1. At Marwa, face the Kabah and repeat the doa. Walk back to Safa — this is lap 2. Complete 7 laps ending at Marwa. Men jog between the green markers. sa'i is a rukun (pillar) of Haji according to the majority, meaning it cannot be compensated by fidyah — it must be performed. Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'Perform sa'i, for Allah has prescribed sa'i for you' (Musnad Ahmad, 27394, authenticated by al-Albani).
The Day of Arafah is the greatest day of Haji. Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'Haji is Arafah' (Sunan al-Nasa'i, 3016, authenticated by al-Albani). On the morning of the 9th of Dzulhijjah, travel from Mina to the plain of Arafah after sunrise. The time of standing at Arafah begins at noon (zawal) and extends until Fajr of the 10th. Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened (2 rakaat each) at the time of Dhuhr, with one adhan and two iqamahs. Spend the rest of the day in doa, dhikr, and istighfar. Face the Qiblah, raise your hands, and supplicate with humility and hope. This is the best day for doa — Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts of the jamaah haji to the angels. The best doa of Arafah is: 'La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadir.'
After sunset on the Day of Arafah, depart for Muzdalifah calmly and with dignity. Upon arriving, pray Maghrib and Isha combined (Maghrib 3 rakaat, Isha shortened to 2 rakaat), with one adhan and two iqamahs. This combination is established in the Sunnah — Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not pray any nafl shalat between them (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1673). Spend the night at Muzdalifah — this overnight stay is wajib (wajib) menurut jumhur ulama. Collect pebbles for the stoning (7 pebbles for the 10th, or 49/70 total for all days). Pray Fajr at its earliest time, then make doa facing the Qiblah until the sky brightens. Depart before sunrise toward Mina.
The 10th of Dzulhijjah is the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), the busiest day of Haji with multiple rites. The Sunnah order is: (1) Stone Jamarat al-Aqaba (the large pillar) with 7 pebbles, saying 'Allahu Akbar' with each throw. Stop the Talbiyah upon the first throw. (2) Offer the sacrificial animal (hadyu) — wajib for Tamattu' and Qiran jamaah haji. (3) Shave the head (mencukur habis, preferable) or trim (memotong rambut). After shaving, the first tahallul (partial release) occurs — all ihram restrictions are lifted EXCEPT sexual relations. (4) Perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (the tawaf of Haji, a rukun/pillar) and sa'i (if not done earlier). After tawaf al-ifadah, the second tahallul occurs and ALL restrictions are lifted. Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was flexible about the order of these acts on this day (Sahih al-Bukhari, 83).
The days of Tashreeq are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dzulhijjah. On each day, stone all three Jamarat in order: small (7 pebbles), middle (7 pebbles), large (7 pebbles) — 21 pebbles per day. The stoning time begins after zawal (noon). After stoning the small and middle pillars, stop and make doa facing the Qiblah. After the large pillar, leave without stopping for doa. Spend the nights at Mina — this is wajib. A jamaah haji may leave on the 12th after stoning if he wishes (this is called al-nufur al-awwal, the first departure), as Allah says: 'Whoever hastens in two days, there is no sin on him' (Al-Baqarah 2:203). Before leaving Mekkah, perform Tawaf al-Wida' (the farewell tawaf) — this is wajib for all jamaah haji except menstruating women. Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'Let none of you depart until the last thing he does is tawaf around the House' (Sahih Muslim, 1327).