Makkah LiveThe Hajj pilgrimage
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam — the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah that every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform once in a lifetime. Its core rites take place from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Hijri year, gathering millions of pilgrims from every corner of the earth at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا
“And due to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House — for whoever is able to find a way there.”
The days of Hajj
The pilgrimage unfolds over five to six days:
8 Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Tarwiyah
Pilgrims enter the state of ihram and set out for the tent city of Mina, where they spend the day and night in prayer and remembrance.
9 Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Arafah
The heart of Hajj. From midday until sunset the pilgrims stand at the plain of Arafat in supplication — the Prophet ﷺ said “Hajj is Arafah.” After sunset they move to Muzdalifah and spend the night under the open sky.
10 Dhul-Hijjah — Eid al-Adha
The Day of Sacrifice: pilgrims stone the large pillar at Jamarat, offer the sacrifice, shave or shorten the hair, and perform Tawaf al-Ifadah at the Kaaba. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha on this day.
11–13 Dhul-Hijjah — Days of Tashreeq
The pilgrims remain at Mina and stone the three pillars each afternoon. Those who hasten may depart on the 12th; the rest stay through the 13th.
Upcoming Hajj dates
Expected dates for the coming Hajj seasons, per the Umm al-Qura calendar. Each is subject to the moon sighting.
| Hijri year | Day of Tarwiyah (8 Dhul-Hijjah) | Day of Arafah (9 Dhul-Hijjah) |
|---|---|---|
| Hajj 1448 AH | May 14, 2027 | May 15, 2027 |
| Hajj 1449 AH | May 3, 2028 | May 4, 2028 |
| Hajj 1450 AH | April 22, 2029 | April 23, 2029 |
| Hajj 1451 AH | April 11, 2030 | April 12, 2030 |
| Hajj 1452 AH | March 31, 2031 | April 1, 2031 |
Why Hajj moves through the seasons
Because the Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Hajj falls roughly 11 days earlier each year on the Western calendar. Over a cycle of about 33 years the pilgrimage passes through every season — scorching summer days at Arafat give way, year by year, to the mild days of winter.
Frequently asked questions
When is Hajj 2027?
Hajj 1448 AH is expected to begin on Friday, May 14, 2027 — the Day of Tarwiyah, 8 Dhul-Hijjah — according to the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia. The exact dates are confirmed by the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhul-Hijjah and may shift by a day.
When is the Day of Arafah 2027?
The Day of Arafah (9 Dhul-Hijjah 1448 AH) is expected to fall on Saturday, May 15, 2027. Saudi Arabia announces the definitive date after the moon sighting at the start of Dhul-Hijjah.
Why are the dates "expected" rather than fixed?
Islamic months begin with the sighting of the new crescent moon. The Umm al-Qura calendar pre-computes the months astronomically and matches the announced dates in most years — but the binding announcement for Hajj comes from the Saudi moon-sighting authority at the start of Dhul-Hijjah.
How long does Hajj last?
The core rites of Hajj span the 8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah — five to six days, depending on whether the pilgrim leaves Mina on the 12th or stays through the 13th.
Should Muslims not performing Hajj fast on the Day of Arafah?
Fasting the Day of Arafah is highly recommended for Muslims who are not on Hajj: the Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the past year and the year to come (Sahih Muslim). The pilgrims themselves do not fast that day.
What does this countdown measure exactly?
It counts down to midnight in Makkah (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3) at the start of 8 Dhul-Hijjah per the Umm al-Qura calendar. During the Hajj days themselves it switches to counting down to the Day of Arafah and then to Eid al-Adha.
Related links
- Hajj Live — live coverage of the Hajj season from the Holy Sites
- Makkah map — satellite view of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah
- Ramadan countdown — time remaining until the next Ramadan
- Hijri date converter — convert between Gregorian and Islamic dates
- Makkah prayer times — full-year schedule for the Holy City