حج — مکمل

## Projected Dates for حج 2026

حج 2026 corresponds to the حج of 1448 AH in the Islamic calendar. Based on astronomical calculations, the month of Dhul Hijjah 1448 is projected to begin around May 18-19, 2026, placing the core حج days in late May. The Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) is projected for approximately May 26, 2026, and Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah) 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 Dhul Hijjah begins.

## The Complete حج Schedule

حج 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 Dhul Hijjah is typically when حجاج performing حج al-Tamattu' re-enter احرام from their hotels in مکہ مکرمہ, prepare their day bags for the حج 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 Dhul Hijjah — Yawm al-Tarwiyah

On the morning of the 8th, حجاج in احرام depart مکہ مکرمہ for منیٰ, approximately 8 kilometers away. Travel is by bus organized by your حج operator. Upon arriving in منیٰ, you settle into your assigned tent and perform the five daily نمازs — Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and the following Fajr — each shortened to two rak'ahs (for four-rak'ah نمازs) but prayed at their normal times, not combined. This day is relatively calm and serves as a preparation day. Rest, recite قرآن, make دعا, and conserve energy for the monumental day ahead.

## Day 2: 9th Dhul Hijjah — Yawm al-Arafah

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

## Day 3: 10th Dhul Hijjah — Yawm al-Nahr (Eid al-Adha)

The busiest day of حج. After Fajr at مزدلفہ, depart for منیٰ. Four rituals are performed (the sequence is مستحب but flexible): stone the جمرات 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 احرام; then travel to مکہ مکرمہ for طواف al-Ifadhah and سعی, after which all احرام restrictions are fully lifted. Return to منیٰ to spend the night.

## Days 4-5: 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah — Ayyam al-Tashriq

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

## After the حج Days

Once you return to مکہ مکرمہ from منیٰ, perform طواف al-Wada (the Farewell طواف) before departing the city. This is the final ritual of حج. If you plan to visit مدینہ منورہ (highly مستحب but not part of حج), travel there after completing your مکہ مکرمہ stay. Most حاجی itineraries include 3-7 days in مدینہ منورہ either before or after the حج 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 حج dates to plan your travel. Arrive in مکہ مکرمہ at least 3-5 days before the 8th of Dhul Hijjah to acclimatize to the heat, familiarize yourself with the city and Haram layout, perform عمرہ (for حج al-Tamattu'), and attend your operator's orientation sessions. After حج, allow 2-3 days in مکہ مکرمہ for rest and farewell طواف, plus your مدینہ منورہ visit if planned. Most حجاج need a total of 18-25 days for the complete حج trip. Book your flights accordingly, leaving buffer days on both ends for unexpected delays.