An Interactive Course for Young Learners
Hajj (الحَجّ) is the Fifth Pillar of Islam — the sacred pilgrimage to the Bayt Allah in Makkah al-Mukarramah. It is performed during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah — the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Linguistically, the word Hajj means "intention" or "to set out with a purpose." In Islamic law, it refers to performing specific acts of worship at specific places and specific times.
Hajj is the fifth and most rare pillar. Notice how frequency decreases — each act carries immense weight:
The noble Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) and his son Ismā'īl (عليه السلام) built the Ka'bah in Makkah by the command of Allah.
When Ibrāhīm called all of humanity to pilgrimage, Allah carried his voice to the entire earth — even souls yet to be born heard it and responded "Labbayk!" Every pilgrim until the Day of Judgement is answering that ancient call. 🌍
Hajj is Fardh (obligatory) upon every Muslim who fulfils these conditions:
A Hajj Mabrūr (accepted Hajj) is performed sincerely for Allah, following the Sunnah, free of sins and arguments, and funded from lawful (ḥalāl) earnings.
Ihrām is the sacred state of consecration that a pilgrim must enter before Hajj or 'Umrah. It consists of:
For Men: Two pieces of unsewn white cloth — Izār (lower) and Ridā' (upper). No sewn garments, no head covering.
For Women: Normal modest Islamic clothing. No Niqāb (face veil) or gloves during Ihrām.
Before Allah, king and pauper look identical in white Ihrām cloth. There is no rank or designer label. All are equal, humble servants. This is a glimpse of the Day of Judgement. ⚖️
Mawāqīt are the sacred geographical boundaries beyond which no person intending Hajj or 'Umrah may pass without Ihrām. The Prophet ﷺ designated five Mawāqīt:
Perform 'Umrah first, exit Ihrām, then re-enter for Hajj on 8th Dhul Hijjah. Two separate Ihrāms. Requires Hady. Most common today.
Combine 'Umrah and Hajj under one single Ihrām. Requires Hady. Considered superior by the Ḥanafī school.
Perform Hajj only. One Ihrām. No Hady required. Clean and straightforward.
'Umrah — the "lesser pilgrimage" — may be performed any time of year. Four acts:
Tap each circle to learn about the sacred locations.
Cross the Mīqāt in Ihrām, make Niyyah, begin Talbiyah. Perform Tawāf al-Qudūm (welcome Tawāf) upon arriving in Makkah.
Spend the day and night in Minā, the vast tent-city 5 km east of Makkah. Pray Ẓuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib and 'Ishā' shortened here.
The single most essential act of Hajj. Stand from after midday until sunset. Engage in Dhikr, Du'ā', seeking forgiveness. "Al-Ḥajju 'Arafah" — Hajj is Arafah.
Pray Maghrib and 'Ishā' combined upon arrival. Spend the night in worship. Pray Fajr here. Collect pebbles for the Jamarāt.
1. Stone only Jamarāt al-Kubrā (7 pebbles). 2. Sacrifice (Hady). 3. Shave (Ḥalq) or trim hair (Taqsīr). 4. Tawāf al-Ifāḍah + Sa'ī.
Each afternoon: stone al-Ṣughrā, then al-Wusṭā, then al-Kubrā — 7 pebbles each (21 per day). May leave after 12th before sunset.
Before departing Makkah, perform the farewell circumambulation. According to the Ḥanafī school, this is Wājib. Hajj Mabrūr, inshā'Allāh! 🌟
Walk around the Ka'bah seven complete circuits, beginning and ending at the Ḥajar al-Aswad, moving anti-clockwise with the Ka'bah on your left.
Walk seven times between Ṣafā and Marwah, beginning at Ṣafā and ending at Marwah. Commemorates Ḥajar (عليها السلام)'s desperate search for water for her infant son.
Throw pebbles at three pillars in Minā commemorating Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) driving away Shayṭān. Say "Allāhu Akbar" with each throw.
Six interactive activities to deepen your understanding of Hajj!
Each activity helps you experience and remember the rites of Hajj.
Click the pilgrim to complete each circuit anti-clockwise. Ka'bah must always be on your LEFT.
Walk between Ṣafā and Marwah seven times, as Ḥajar (عليها السلام) did. Begins at Ṣafā, ends at Marwah.
First collect 7 pebbles from Muzdalifah, then stone the three Jamarāt — Ṣughrā, Wusṭā, Kubrā — 7 each.
Collect 7 pebbles from Muzdalifah (chickpea-sized) 👇
Answer all ten questions. Take your time and think carefully!
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
This certifies that
has studied Understanding Hajj and learned the meaning, rites, and wisdom of the Fifth Pillar of Islam.
"Learn your rites of Hajj from me." — The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ