Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime journey for millions of Muslims worldwide. While the core rituals are obligatory, following the Sunnah— the recommended acts performed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—adds spiritual depth and completeness to the experience.
In this guide, we explore the key Sunnah acts of Hajj, helping pilgrims draw closer to God, fulfill their spiritual goals, and walk in the footsteps of the Prophet. Whether you’re learning about Islam or planning your own Hajj, understanding these traditions reveals extra beauty and discipline behind this profound journey.
What Are the Recommended and Sunnah Acts of Hajj?
The Sunnah acts of Hajj refer to the practices and supplications that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed during his pilgrimage. While not obligatory, these acts are highly recommended as they enhance the spiritual experience and align closely with the Prophet’s example.
1. Bathing and Perfuming Before Assuming Ihram
On the 8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah (the Day of al-Tarwiyah), it is Sunnah to take a full bath before entering the state of Ihram. This includes trimming nails, shaving underarms and pubic hair, and wearing a clean white garment. Even women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding are encouraged to perform this bath with the intention of entering Ihram.
Read more: What Is Ihram in Islam?
2. Saying the Talbiyah
Upon assuming Ihram, it is Sunnah to begin reciting the Talbiyah and continue it frequently until the stoning of Jamarat al-Aqabah. The talbiyah words are translated to mean:
I am here at Your service, O Allah, I am here at Your service. I am here at Your service, You have no partner, I am here at Your service. Surely the praise, and blessings are Yours, and the dominion. You have no partner. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized raising one’s voice during Talbiyah and mentioned that this action brings great reward. Neglecting it has no penalty, but it causes one to miss immense virtue.
3. Arrival Circumambulation (Tawaf al-Qudum)
For those performing Ifrad or Qiran, it is Sunnah to perform the arrival circumambulation upon reaching Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. This includes making the intention, beginning Tawaf at the Black Stone, and following the proper procedure.
4. Supplicating at Al-Mash`ar Al-Haram
On the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, after Fajr prayer at Muzdalifah, it is recommended to proceed to Al-Mash`ar Al-Haram for supplication and dhikr until the sky becomes light.
5. Raml in the First Three Rounds of Tawaf
During the arrival circumambulation, it is Sunnah for men to walk briskly (Raml) in the first three circuits around the Kaaba.
6. Observing al-Idh’tiba’
While performing Tawaf al-Qudum, it is Sunnah for men to pass the upper garment under the right armpit and place its ends over the left shoulder, exposing the right shoulder.
7. Spending the Night of Arafah at Mina
As soon as the pilgrim arrives in Mina on the afternoon of Tarwiyah i.e. 8th Dhul-Hijjah, a pilgrim is required to spend the rest of the day there. It is recommended according to Sunnah that he spends the evening of 9th Dhul-Hijjah there until he offers the dawn prayer. He is then to leave Mina on 9th Dhul-Hijjah after sunrise and proceed to Arafah.
8. Kissing the Black Stone
It is Sunnah to kiss the Black Stone during Tawaf if possible. If not, one may touch it or point towards it.
9. Praying Maghrib and Isha’ Merged at Muzdalifah
After leaving Arafah, pilgrims should reach Muzdalifah and merge Maghrib and Isha’ prayers, praying them together in shortened form. Stay there until Fajr prayer, and strive hard after Fajr in dhikr, Duaa and conversing with Allah, until it has become very light is highly recommended.
10. Spending the Night at Muzdalifah
It is recommended to stay in Muzdalifah from Fajr until sunrise, engaging in dhikr and duaa. However, those with valid excuses may leave earlier.
11. Staying at Mina During the Days of Tashriq
During the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, pilgrims are recommended to spend the nights at Mina and perform the stoning rituals for each day.
These Sunnah practices enrich the pilgrim’s Hajj and help them follow in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
What Are the Recommended Acts for Ihram?
The pilgrim should observe the Sunnahs of Ihram, namely:
1. Doing Ghusl
Perform a ritual bath before entering Ihram.
2. Applying Perfume
Apply perfume to the body (not the garments) before assuming Ihram.
3. Praying
Offer a prayer before entering into Ihram, if the time is appropriate.
4. Entering Ihram After Prayer or Upon Boarding
Enter Ihram after finishing the prayer or after boarding the means of transportation.
5. Stating the Type of Hajj
- If performing Tamattu’, say: “Labbayk Allahumma bi ‘Umrah” (Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah).
- If performing Qiran, say: “Labbayk Allahumma bi Hajjah wa ‘Umrah” (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj and ‘Umrah).
- If performing Ifrad, say: “Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan” (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj).
6. Declaring Sincerity
Though sincerity is a condition for accepting any worship, the following saying of declaration for sincerity is only recommended. Say: “Allaahumma hadhihi hijjah la riya-a fiha wa la sum’ah” (O Allah, this is a pilgrimage in which there is no showing off or seeking reputation).
These recommended acts help set the tone for a sincere, humble, and spiritually rewarding pilgrimage. Following them closely allows the pilgrim to emulate the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and maximize the rewards of Hajj or Umrah.
What Are the Recommended Sunnah Acts for Ghusl When Entering Makkah?
When the pilgrim approaches Makkah, it is recommended to perform ghusl (ritual bath) before entering, if possible. This is based on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who did ghusl before entering Makkah (Narrated by Muslim, 1259).
After performing ghusl and upon entering al-Masjid al-Haram, the pilgrim should:
- Enter with the right foot first
- Say the following supplication:
“Bismillah wa’l-salatu wa’l-salam ‘ala Rasul-Allah. Allahumma ighfir li dhunubi waftah li abwab rahmatika. A’udhu Billah il-‘Azim wa bi wajhih il-karim wa bi sultanih il-‘qadim min al-Shaytan il-rajim.”
(In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan.)
What Are the Recommended Acts When Shaving the Head or Cutting the Hair?
When the pilgrim shaves his head, it is recommended to shave the entire head. If he chooses to cut his hair instead, he should cut from all areas of the head. Shaving is more virtuous than cutting, as the Prophet (PBUH) made du‘a’ three times for those who shaved and only once for those who cut their hair.
Yahya b. al-Husain quoted his grandmother as saying she heard the Prophet at the Farewell Pilgrimage make supplication three times for those who had their heads shaved and once for those who clipped their hair. (Narrated by Muslim, 1303)
If the time of Hajj is near and there is not enough time for the hair to regrow, it is recommended to cut the hair during ‘Umrah so some hair remains to be shaved during Hajj.
For women, the Sunnah is to cut the length of a fingertip from their hair.
It is also Sunnah to perform ghusl, apply perfume, and pray before entering into ihram again for Hajj on the 8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah (Day of Tarwiyah), just as was done before entering ihram for ‘Umrah. The pilgrim should then form the intention and say:
“Labbayk Allahumma Hajjan.”
(Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj.)
What Are the Recommended Acts When Going to Mina?
It is recommended for the pilgrim to go out to Mina on the 8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah and pray Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’, and Fajr there.
The Sunnah is to shorten the four-rak‘ah prayers to two rak‘ahs without joining them, as the Prophet (PBUH) did. He shortened his prayers in Mina but did not combine them.
This shortening of prayers is Sunnah for both residents of Makkah and others, based on the Prophet’s practice during the Farewell Pilgrimage, when he led people—including residents of Makkah—without instructing them to pray in full.
What Are the Recommended Acts When Going to Muzdalifah?
When the sun sets, the pilgrim should proceed to Muzdalifah. Upon arrival, he should pray Maghrib and ‘Isha together with one adhan and two iqamahs.
It is recommended to stay overnight in Muzdalifah. At dawn, he should pray Fajr early, with the adhan and iqamah.
Then, he should head to al-Mash‘ar al-Haram, proclaim the oneness and greatness of Allah by saying La ilaha ill-Allah and Allahu Akbar, and make du‘a as he wishes, facing the qiblah and raising his hands. This dhikr and du‘a should continue until the light of day appears, before the sun rises.
If reaching al-Mash‘ar al-Haram is not possible, he may make du‘a from anywhere in Muzdalifah, as all of it is considered a place of standing.
What Are the Recommended Acts When Stoning the Jamarat?
After completing Tawaf and Sa’i, the pilgrim should return to Mina and stay for the nights of the 11th and 12th of Dhu’l-Hijjah. He should stone the three Jamarat on each of these days after the sun has passed its zenith.
- It is recommended to go on foot, although riding is acceptable.
1. Stoning the First Jamrah (Jamrat al-Sughra)
- Throw seven pebbles, one at a time, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
- Move forward and offer a lengthy du‘a facing the qiblah, raising the hands.
- If long supplication is difficult, a short du‘a is still recommended to fulfill the Sunnah.
2. Stoning the Middle Jamrah (Jamrat al-Wusta)
- Throw seven pebbles, one at a time, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
- Move slightly to the left, face the qiblah, and raise the hands to make a lengthy du‘a.
- Even a short pause for du‘a is recommended so as not to neglect this Sunnah.
3. Stoning Jamrat al-‘Aqabah
- Throw seven pebbles, one at a time, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
- Do not stop to make du‘a afterward; move on immediately.
On the 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, it is recommended (but not obligatory) to stay and stone the three Jamarat again after noon. Delaying departure from Mina to perform this extra day of stoning is better.
What Are the Recommended Acts When Performing Farewell Tawaf?
- The pilgrim should not leave Makkah until he performs the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada‘), as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“No one should leave (Mecca) until he performs the last circumambulation of the House (the Ka‘bah).”
(Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas – Sahih) - The last act the pilgrim does in Makkah should be circumambulating the Ka‘bah.
- It is recommended not to delay departure after Tawaf al-Wada‘. However, minor delays such as waiting for companions, loading luggage, or buying necessary travel items are acceptable and do not require repeating the Tawaf.
- If the pilgrim intends a significant delay (e.g., planning to travel in the morning but delaying until night), then it is recommended to repeat the Farewell Tawaf to ensure it is truly the last act before leaving.
- Women in menstruation or postnatal bleeding are exempt and should not stand at the mosque door to bid farewell, as this was not part of the Prophet’s Sunnah.
What is the difference between pillars, obligatory actions and the sunnah acts of hajj?
The difference between the pillars, the obligatory acts (a duty), and the Sunnah acts is that:
- Hajj is not valid without any of its pillars,
- whereas if an obligatory act (a duty) is omitted, Hajj is still valid, but the one who omits it must offer a compensatory sacrifice (a sheep), according to the majority of scholars.
- As for Sunnah’s actions, the one who omits them does not have to do anything.
The pillars of Hajj are four, and the obligatory acts of Hajj are seven. For more details about them, refer to this article.
Conclusion
To conclude, following the Sunnah— the prophetic way of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—during Hajj rituals is essential for Muslims seeking to fulfill this sacred journey in the most complete and spiritually rewarding manner. These recommended practices help align the pilgrim’s actions with the original spirit of Hajj, aiming to earn God’s mercy and blessings.
Curious about the deeper meaning of Hajj and its profound impact on Muslims around the world? Discover more about this powerful spiritual journey and what it truly represents in Islam by exploring the hajj articles.
