The 5 Main Days of Hajj Explained: What Happens at Each Stage?

Published

37 minutes ago

November 10, 2026

Shorya

The five days of pilgrimage that are observed in Dhu al-Hijjah are taken by the pilgrim on a procession comprising a series of sacred rites around Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.

The pilgrimage process starts on the 8th and continues until the 12th and 13th where it is dedicated to prayer, reflection, sacrifice and symbolic acts of devotion. The following description outlines the five major days in great detail.

5 Days of Hajj: Day 1 – Tarwiyah and the Journey to Mina

On the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims change into ihram or renew their Ihram, and they make their intention to go on Hajj. From there they go from Makkah to Mina and spend the day and night in prayer and preparation. The day is a start to the prime pilgrimage ceremonies.

5 Days of Hajj: Day 2 – Standing at Arafat

The most important day of the Hajj is the Day of Arafat, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Pilgrims go from Mina to Arafat and pray there in the afternoon, seek God’s forgiveness and request forgiveness. As soon as the sun sets, they head to Muzdalifa, where they perform ribat prayer together, of which maghrib and isha prayers are combined, and they gather pebbles here.

5 Days of Hajj: Day 3 – Eid al-Adha and Stoning

On the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims come back to Mina where the largest Jamarat is thrown with a stoning of seven pebbles. After the ritual, sacrificial hunting is performed, in memory of Prophet Ibrahim’s commitment. Then Pilgrims come and shave or cut their hair and do Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i in Makkah.

5 Days of Hajj: Day 4 – First Day of Tashreeq

The 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah begins the Days of Tashreeq. In Mina, the throws of Rami al-Jamarat (throwing seven pebbles at each of the three pillars: Small, Middle and Large Jamarat) are conducted in Mina. It’s also a day of prayer and remembrance.

5 Days of Hajj: Day 5 – Final Stoning and Farewell

On the 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah at which point pilgrims may continue with the stoning or not, stopping on the 13th or continuing on the 13th day for another day of Rami. Right before leaving Makkah, they make a Tawaf around the Kaaba, the last act of their pilgrimage.