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Hajj Guide UK

Hajj Guide UK / The rituals of Hajj

Hajj 2027

Umrah before Hajj (Tamattu')

For Tamattu', you perform Umrah when you arrive in Makkah: Tawaf around the Ka'bah seven times, two rak'ahs, Sa'i between Safa and Marwah seven times, then men shave or trim and women trim a little from the end of their hair. You then leave ihram until the 8th.

Last checked: November 2026. Written for pilgrims travelling from the UK.

Scholar review pendingThis page follows the mainstream position and notes where the schools of thought differ. Before launch it will be reviewed by a qualified scholar. Always follow your group's scholar on the day.

Tawaf

  1. Most scholars say you stop the Talbiyah when you begin Tawaf.
  2. Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba') for this Tawaf.
  3. Start at the line of the Black Stone, point towards it and say Allāhu akbar.
  4. Walk anticlockwise, keeping the Ka'bah on your left, for seven circuits. Men walk briskly (raml) in the first three if possible.
  5. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, say "Rabbana atina".

At the Black Stone, at the start of each circuit, point towards it and say Allāhu akbar (Sahih al-Bukhari 1613).

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba n-nār.

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Qur'an 2:201 (Arabic and Sahih International translation from the Qur'an API). The Prophet ﷺ said it between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone: Sunan Abi Dawud 1892 (hasan).

After Tawaf

Cover the shoulder again, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if you can (anywhere in the mosque is fine when it is crowded), and drink Zamzam.

Sa'i

  1. Go to Safa, recite the verse, face the Ka'bah, say the dhikr below three times and make dua in between. Do the same each time you reach Safa or Marwah.
  2. Walk to Marwah: that is one. Back to Safa is two. You finish at Marwah after seven.
  3. Men walk faster between the green lights.

إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ

Inna ṣ-Ṣafā wa l-Marwata min shaʿāʾiri llāh.

Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.

Qur'an 2:158 (Arabic and Sahih International translation from the Qur'an API). The Prophet ﷺ recited it as he approached Safa: Sahih Muslim 1218.

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Lā ilāha illā Allāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr. Lā ilāha illā Allāhu waḥdah, anjaza waʿdah, wa naṣara ʿabdah, wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.

There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things. There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and alone defeated the confederates.

The Prophet ﷺ said this on Safa facing the Ka'bah, three times, making dua in between, and did the same on Marwah: Sahih Muslim 1218. Arabic from the hadith text.

Shave or trim

Men shave the head or trim it all over. For Tamattu', the Companions trimmed after Umrah and left shaving for Hajj, and many scholars advise the same so there is hair to shave on Eid. Women trim a little from the end of their hair; scholars commonly say about a fingertip's length. You are now out of ihram.

Common mistakes

Evidence and references

Hadith numbers follow the standard numbering (Sahih Muslim: Muhammad Fu'ad Abd al-Baqi). Each reference was checked against the source text on November 2026.

Common questions

Do I need wudu for Tawaf?

Yes. Most scholars require wudu for Tawaf. If you lose it, renew it and continue where you stopped.

Do I need wudu for Sa'i?

It is recommended but not required, according to most scholars.