Hajj 2026 has officially begun. On Monday, May 25 - the 8th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, known as Yawm al-Tarwiyah - close to 2 million pilgrims entered the sacred state of Ihram and began their journey from Makkah to the tent city of Mina, marking the start of the annual pilgrimage.

Day 1: Yawm al-Tarwiyah

From early morning, the streets of Makkah transformed into rivers of white as pilgrims donned their Ihram garments and headed toward Mina, 8 kilometres southeast of Masjid al-Haram. The movement - coordinated through the smart transport system using GPS-tracked buses and the Mashaer Metro - is one of the most complex single-day human relocations on Earth.

In Mina, pilgrims settle into their assigned air-conditioned tents for the night, spending the day and evening in prayer, dhikr, and preparation for tomorrow - the Day of Arafah, the greatest day of the entire Islamic year.

What Happens Tomorrow: The Day of Arafah

On Tuesday, May 26 (9th Dhul Hijjah), pilgrims will depart Mina after Fajr and travel to the plain of Arafat. From Dhuhr until Maghrib, they will stand in worship - making dua, seeking forgiveness, and reciting the Talbiyah. This is the pillar of Hajj: the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Hajj is Arafah" (Tirmidhi 889).

At sunset, the massive movement to Muzdalifah begins, where pilgrims will spend the night under the open sky before proceeding to the Jamarat on Eid morning.

The Rest of the Schedule

  • Wednesday May 27 (10th Dhul Hijjah - Eid al-Adha): Pilgrims depart Muzdalifah at dawn, stone Jamrat al-Aqaba, offer their sacrifice, shave or cut their hair, and perform Tawaf al-Ifadah. The first restrictions of Ihram are lifted.
  • Thursday May 28 (11th Dhul Hijjah): First day of Tashreeq. Stone all three Jamarat after Dhuhr. Return to Mina.
  • Friday May 29 (12th Dhul Hijjah): Second day of Tashreeq. Stone all three Jamarat. Pilgrims may leave Mina after stoning if they depart before Maghrib.
  • Saturday May 30 (13th Dhul Hijjah - optional): Final day for those who stayed. Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada'). Hajj concludes.

For Muslims Not Performing Hajj

Today marks the beginning of the most blessed period of the year. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said there are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days (Bukhari 969).

Key actions for non-pilgrims:

  • Fast tomorrow (Tuesday May 26 - Day of Arafah). The Prophet said fasting this day expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim 1162).
  • Increase dhikr - takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahleel (La ilaha illallah), and tahmeed (Alhamdulillah)
  • Prepare your Qurbani (Udhiyah) for Eid morning (Wednesday May 27)
  • Make abundant dua - especially during the afternoon of Arafah

A Season of Mercy

After months of preparation - visas, flights, vaccines, packing, farewells - nearly 2 million Muslims from every corner of the Earth now stand equal before Allah in identical white garments, stripped of every marker of wealth, status, and nationality. The entire apparatus of modern technology, infrastructure, and logistics that Saudi Arabia has deployed exists for one purpose: to facilitate this moment of collective worship.

May Allah accept the Hajj of every pilgrim, grant them safety and ease, and return them to their families purified as the day they were born. And may He accept the worship of every Muslim around the world during these blessed days.

Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayka la shareeka laka Labbayk. Innal hamda wan ni'mata laka wal mulk. La shareeka lak.