MAKKAH: The Hajj pilgrimage begins today as millions of pilgrims from around the world move to the tent city of Mina before noon (Zuhr) prayers. They will stay in Mina until Thursday morning, focusing on worship.
Today, pilgrims will don the white garments of Ihram, pray, and travel to Mina. They will perform their Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers there.
The core ritual, Wukuf (standing at Arafat), occurs on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. After listening to the Hajj sermon and praying Zuhr-Asr combined, pilgrims will stand in prayer on the plains of Arafat until sunset.
After sunset, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib. In Muzdalifah, they will combine Maghrib and Isha prayers, collect pebbles for the stoning ritual (Rami), and spend the night under the open sky.
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha), pilgrims proceed to Mina. They perform the stoning ritual at the largest pillar (throwing 7 pebbles), sacrifice an animal, shave their heads, and exit the state of Ihram.
Over the next days (11th-13th Dhul Hijjah), pilgrims complete the stoning ritual at all three pillars. After stoning on each day, they perform Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Kaaba and Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwa). Pilgrims depart from Mina after the stoning on the 13th.
