The Days of Hajj — 8th to 13th Dhul Hijjah
8th — Yawm al-Tarwiyah (Day of Watering)
Pilgrims enter ihram from Makkah (or their residence) with the intention for Hajj, reciting the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk…" They proceed to Mina and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr there in shortened form, spending the night.
9th — Yawm al-Arafah (The Day of Hajj)
After sunrise, pilgrims move to Arafat and combine Dhuhr and Asr. The standing (wuquf) from midday until sunset is the essence of Hajj — spent in dua, dhikr and repentance. At sunset they depart for Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib on the way.
9th night — Muzdalifah
At Muzdalifah, pilgrims combine Maghrib and Isha, collect pebbles for the rami, and rest under the open sky until Fajr.
10th — Yawm al-Nahr (Eid day)
After Fajr, pilgrims return toward Mina for four rites: rami (stoning the Jamarat al-Aqaba with seven pebbles), sacrifice, halq/taqsir (shaving or trimming hair), and Tawaf al-Ifadah in Makkah followed by Sa'i.
11th–13th — Ayyam al-Tashreeq
Pilgrims stone all three jamarat each day after midday, starting with the smallest. Those in a hurry may leave after the 12th; completing the 13th is better.
Azkaar & Takbeerat of the Hajj days
The Talbiyah is recited from ihram until the stoning on the 10th. During the ten days of Dhul Hijjah and the Tashreeq days, pilgrims and non-pilgrims increase takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahleel (La ilaha illa Allah) and tahmeed (Alhamdulillah). It is reported that Ibn Umar and Abu Huraira would go to the marketplace in these ten days reciting takbeer aloud (a chapter report in Sahih al-Bukhari's Book of the Two Eids).
"Whoever performs Hajj without engaging in rafath (obscene speech) or sinning will return like the day his mother gave birth to him."
Sahih al-Bukhari 1521 — agreed upon
"The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Hajj Mabrur is nothing except Paradise."
Sahih al-Bukhari 1773
Frequently asked questions
What are the days of Hajj?
The rites run from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah: Tarwiyah (8th, Mina), Arafah (9th), Muzdalifah (night of 9th), Eid day rites (10th), and the Tashreeq days (11th–13th) for stoning the jamarat.
What is the most important day of Hajj?
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah — the Day of Arafah. The standing (wuquf) at Arafat from midday to sunset is the essence of Hajj.
What takbeer is recited during Hajj days?
Pilgrims recite the Talbiyah from ihram until the 10th. In the ten days of Dhul Hijjah and Tashreeq days, increase takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahleel and tahmeed.
Can non-pilgrims benefit from the Hajj days?
Yes — the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the best days for good deeds, fasting (especially the 9th for non-pilgrims), charity and dhikr.
Hadith references verified on sunnah.com. This guide is for orientation only — rites have scholarly details; consult a qualified scholar and your Hajj group before traveling. Disclaimer