Hajj 2026: What Every Pilgrim Should Know Before the Sacred Journey

Behold, the first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah: it is full of blessing and a centre of guidance for the whole world. In it there are clear signs and the station of Abraham; whoever enters it becomes secure. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can make their way to it. As for those who refuse to follow His command, surely Allah does not stand in need of anything. (Qur’an 3:96 to 97)

Saving for a long time, all for a journey done for the sake of Allah; indeed, Allah is the Most worthy of every effort we make. You pack your bags, say goodbye to your loved ones, and travel thousands of miles to a place you have only ever seen in pictures or dreamed about at night. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a calling from Allah, a pilgrimage to Mecca, for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. But why is it so special?

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Hajj serves as an opportunity to wipe yourself clean, to ask for forgiveness, and to return home as if you were just born, free of sin. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said that whoever performs Hajj sincerely, without any bad behaviour, will come back as pure as the day their mother brought them into this world. That is a promise that fills hearts with hope.

Hajj 2026 is expected to begin on Monday, May 25, and will continue until Saturday, May 30, of which the most important day of all is the day of Arafat. “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to make the journey…” Quran (3:97)

Hajj is a duty for those who are Muslim, grown up, of sound mind, physically strong enough to handle the journey, and able to afford it without begging or going into debt, and not for those with a long-term illness, elderly and frail, or mentally or physically disabled in a way that stops one from completing the rites. If one is unable to go, God sees the heart and situation. Aisha (peace be upon her) narrated that the Prophet said there is no greater reward than for someone who intends to do good but is prevented by a genuine excuse. “Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” Quran (2:185)

As the Sacred days draw closer, there are a lot of things to know.

First, your body needs to be ready. Hajj is not easy, as every pilgrim will walk at least five to fifteen kilometers every single day, often under the hot sun, moving between Mecca, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah with millions of other people.

Advise: start walking now. Go for gentle walks around your neighborhood, drink plenty of water, eat properly, and if you take any medication, see your doctor for a final check-up. This is not about being an athlete; it is about being kind to your body so that you can focus on your soul. “And take provisions, but indeed the best provision is taqwa…” Quran (2:197)

Second is the state of Ihram. It is not just clothing. It is a mood, a mindset, and a promise you make to yourself and to God: “So whoever undertakes Hajj, there should be no misconduct, no disobedience, and no arguing during Hajj.” Quran (2:197) When you enter Ihram, you are saying, “I will not argue.” I will not shout. I will not fight. I will not cut my hair or nails. I will not wear perfume. For men, Ihram means two simple white sheets without seams. For women, it means modest clothing that leaves the face and hands uncovered. That is it. No designer labels, no jewelry, no signs of wealth or status. The poor and the rich all together. “Whoever commits to ˹performing˺ pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage.” Quran (2:197)

Third is safety. The biggest dangers during Hajj are not spiritual but practical. Crowds can be overwhelming. People can get lost, separated, or hurt. So make a plan with your group, carry identification, keep your phone charged, and agree on a meeting point before you go anywhere, and also listen to the Saudi authorities and your group leader because they are there to protect you.

Do not forget simple health basics like wearing a mask in crowded areas, washing your hands often, and carrying your medicines with you wherever you go.

Most importantly, check your intention deep inside your heart. Go there for God and not for show/social media because Hajj is a private conversation between you and your Creator. No one else needs to know how much you cried or how long you prayed.

What to do all begins with the intention of entering Ihram. Then you arrive in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba, that beautiful cube-shaped building that Muslims around the world turn toward when they pray. You circle it seven times, slowly, counterclockwise, and it is called Tawaf, after which you run seven times between two small hills, Safa and Marwah, remembering a desperate mother named Hajar, who ran back and forth looking for water for her baby in the burning desert.

Then you head to Mina, a tent city where you spend a night praying and resting. The next morning, you go to the plain of Arafat, and this is the heart of Hajj. You stand there from noon until sunset, praying, crying, asking, hoping. “But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haram…” Quran (2:198)

According to the Prophet (peace be upon him), if you miss Arafat, you miss Hajj entirely. After sunset, you move to Muzdalifah, where you sleep under the open sky with nothing but a small mattress or the ground itself.

Afterwards, you collect tiny pebbles to throw at the pillars representing the devil. You throw seven pebbles on the first day, then more on the following days, to remember Prophet Ibrahim, who threw stones at the devil when he tried to stop him from obeying God.

Next is the sacrifice of an animal, which is called Qurbani, to honour Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his own son before God provided a ram instead. “Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” Quran (37:102)

You shave your head if you are a man, or you clip a small bit of hair if you are a woman, as a sign of renewal. Then back to Mecca for another Tawaf, and finally, before leaving the holy city, you say goodbye with a farewell Tawaf, circling the Kaaba one last time with a heavy heart.

An important observation is that people confuse Hajj and Umrah. Umrah is a shorter, simpler pilgrimage that you can do any day of the year. It is not required, but it is beautiful and rewarding, while Hajj is required at least once in a lifetime and only during these specific five or six days of Dhul Hijjah.

It is advised to pack lightly but wisely; take your Ihram, comfortable sandals you have worn before, any medicines you need, unscented soap, a sleeping bag or blanket for the cold night at Muzdalifah, and a small backpack. Learn the Talbiyah, that beautiful prayer that pilgrims repeat over and over: “Here I am, O God, here I am.”

And when you stand on Arafat, do not forget your loved ones. Do not forget your parents, your children, your neighbours, and every Muslim everywhere who cannot be there with you, as the Day of Arafah is the best day in the entire year for prayer, in which du’a on that day is never rejected. So pray for peace, for healing, for forgiveness, and for unity.

Source: Gulf Times

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