The main rituals of Hajj take six days, starting on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Tarwiyah) and ending on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah (the last day of Tashreeq).
Each day has its own name and set of significant acts of worship.
On this day, pilgrims enter ihram and travel to Mina, where they spend the day in prayer, remembrance, and recitation of Talbiyah.
They shorten their prayers and spend the night in Mina, preparing for the next day.
The name Tarwiyah comes from the tradition of pilgrims collecting enough water for Arafah and beyond, or from Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) vision of being commanded to sacrifice his son.
After sunrise, pilgrims go from Mina to Arafah.
Standing at Arafah (Wuquf) is the greatest pillar of Hajj.
Pilgrims spend the day praying, repenting, and supplicating until sunset.
They combine and shorten Dhuhr and Asr prayers.
After sunset, they travel to Muzdalifah, where they combine Maghrib and Isha prayers and spend the night.
The Day of Arafah is one of the holiest days, filled with forgiveness and mercy.
After Fajr prayer in Muzdalifah, pilgrims move to Mina.
They begin by stoning the largest Jamarah (Jamarat al-Aqabah) with seven pebbles.
Then they slaughter their sacrificial animal (Hady).
Men shave or trim their hair — achieving the first stage of release (Tahallul).
Pilgrims then travel to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa‘i (if not done earlier).
This day is called Yawm al-Nahr because it is the day of animal sacrifice.
Pilgrims remain in Mina.
After noon, they stone the three Jamarat in order: the small, middle, and large, seven pebbles each, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
They may supplicate after the first and second Jamarah.
They spend the night in Mina.
Tashreeq refers to the drying of meat under the sun during these days.
Pilgrims repeat the stoning ritual.
Those who wish may depart Mina before sunset (First Nafar).
If they remain until sunset, they must stay overnight and perform stoning again the next day.
Pilgrims who stayed in Mina perform the stoning one last time.
After this, they have completed the main rites of Hajj.
They then travel to Makkah for the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada‘) before leaving.
