When you have decided to go on Hajj then in all sincerity make taubah (repent for your sins) and seek Allah's forgiveness. Discharge all huqooq (rights) of others and pay all debts. Obtain the pardon of those whom you have wronged and also obtain the consent of your parents. If for some reason they are displeased with you, ensure that you make them happy and pleased with yourself. Do not allow takabbur (pride) and riya (show) to despoil your intention. Your intention in making Hajj must not be for the obtainal of the title of haajji. Your niyyat must be to only please Allah Ta'ala and not pursuit of any worldly or nafsani design. The expenses for your Hajj journey must be from only halal earnings because Allah Ta'ala does not accept a hajj performed with haram wealth. Discharge all ibadat obligations for which you are liable, e.g.Qadha Salat and Qadha Saum (fasting).

Perform two raka'ts Salat with the intention of making taubah. It is preferable to first take ghusl, then make the Salatut Taubah of two raka'ts. After the two raka'ts recite Durood Shareef and Istighfar. While shedding tears, seek the forgiveness of Allah Ta'ala.

When setting out on the journey, recite the following dua:

O Allah! We seek Your protection from the hardships of the journey, from a sorrowful return and evil affliction in wealth, family and children.

When mounting the vehicle of transport, recite:

Glory unto Him Who ' has made subservient for us this vehicle. It was not within our power to subdue it. Verily, unto our Rabb will we most certainly return.

When reaching any place, town or city, recite:

O Allah! We ask you for the good of this town and the goodness of its inhabitants and of the goodness of what is in it. We seek Your protection from the evil of this town, of its inhabitants and of what is in it.

When seated in the ship or plane, recite:

In The Name of Allah is its motion and its halting. Verily, my Rabb is Most Forgiving and Merciful.

When stopping over at some place, recite:

I seek protection by means of the perfect words of Allah from the evil of everything He created.

Upon arrival at the Meeqat have a hair-cut and remove the hairs from under the arm-pits and from below the navel. At this stage sexual relationship with one's wife is still permissible.

When you are ready to enter into the state of ihram, take ghusl (bath) with the niyyat of ihram. If you are unable to take ghusl, wudhu will suffice. The purpose of this ghusl is purely for the purpose of cleanliness, hence, even women in the state of haidh and nifas as well as children should take ghusl on this occasion. Tayammum will not suffice for this purpose on this occasion.

After this ghusl do not wear any sewn clothing. Your garments henceforth in the state of ihram will be two sheets of unsewn cloth. Wrap one sheet around the lower part of the body and cast the other sheet over the upper half of the body. If two cloths are not available, one will also suffice. It is mustahab for the cloths to be white and new. If not new then at least washed. If the sheet is sewn in the middle, it will be valid for wearing as lhram. However, it is best that there be no stitching in the cloths. Apply perfume to the body and to the clothes. Males should use perfume that leaves no color on the clothes while the perfume of women should be without fragrance, but with color. The perfume should not be such a solid substance which retains its solidity even after application.

Thereafter perform two raka'ts. Be careful that it is not a makrooh time. If the niyyat for ihram is made even after Fardh Salat, it will be valid. In the first raka't of the Ihram Salat, recite Surah Kafiroon and in the second raka't recite Qulhuwallaahu Ahad (Surah Ikhlas). This Salat is performed with the head covered and without idhtiba. (Meaning of idhtiba appears in the glossary). After the Salam, sit facing the Qiblah and uncover the head.

Now in your heart make the niyyat of ihram. It is permissible to make the niyyat while standing as well as while seated in a vehicle. Niyyat or intention is actually a condition of the heart. It is not compulsory to utter words for the niyyat. However, one can also recite the niyyat verbally. The following is the niyyat.

O Allah! I intend to make Hajj. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.

After having made the niyyat, recite the Talbiyah as follows:

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa sharika laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. Laa shareeka lak.

It is wajib (compulsory) to recite the Talbiyah once and Mustahab to recite it thrice. Men should recite the Talbiyah audibly while women have to recite it silently.

Once the Talbiyah has been recited, one has entered into the state of ihram.

Henceforth during the state of Ihra'm, recite the Talbiyah in abundance, especially when conditions, occasions and circumstances change, e.g. while mounting a vehicle, while dismounting, while climbing on an ascent, while descending, in the morning, in the evening, at night, when the eyes open from sleep, when meeting anyone, after every Salat, etc.

During the state of Ihram particular attention should be paid to the prohibitions, wajibat (compulsory acts) and mustahabbat (preferable and meritorious acts) of Ihram. Besides these, there are no other specific acts of ibadat until entry into the Haram.

For those approaching from Jiddah, the Haram commences at a distance of 10 miles from Makkah Mukarramah. At this distance two white pillars mark the beginning or the boundary of the Haram. When about to enter the precincts of the Haram, get off from the vehicle and walk bare-footed into the Haram as far as you are able to. Nowadays entry into the Haram as well as the journey to Makkah Mukarramah is generally by means of motor transport, the vehicle-drivers do not halt at all places. The hujjaj should therefore not be perturbed if the vehicle in which they are travelling does not stop. Furthermore, the vehicle does not enter by way of Babul Mualla. It is therefore best to make ghusl, etc., in Jiddah because of the difficulty along the route.

Enter the Haram with the greatest of humility and  reverence, reciting Talbiyah, Thikr and Tahleel in abundance. Before entering Makkah Mukarramah, take ghusl. Enter Makkah Mukarramah by the way of the Qabrustan (cemetary) via Babul Mualla and recite:

"O Allah! Grant for me therein an abode and grant me therein a halaal Rizq."

Between Musjidul Haram and Makkah Mukarramah is a place called Mad'a where dua should be made. Upon entering Makkah Mukarramah, it is Mustahab to make dua at Mad'a. Thereafter, if arrangements have already been made about your luggage, proceed directly to Musjidul Haram. If such arrangements have not yet been made then first attend to your luggage. Enter Musjidul Haram by the entrance known as Babus Salam. Enter with your right foot first and with great humility. Recite the Talbiyah as you enter and the following dua:

"O Allah! Open for me the Doors of Your mercy."

As Your gaze falls on the Baitullah Shareef, recite:

Thereafter make the following Masnoon dua:

While reciting Talbiyah approach Hajr-e-Aswad and now perform Tawaaf. This Tawaaf is called Tawaaf Qudoom which consists of seven shauts or circumbulations. After completing the seven rounds (shauts) of the Tawaaf, kiss Hajr-e-Aswad (The Black Stone). Tawaaf Qudoom is now complete.

After Tawaaf Qudoom, while reciting the ayat:

proceed to Maqam-e-Ibraheem which is in the eastern side of the Baitullah on the edge of the Mataaf. Mataaf is that area where the tawaaf is made. Perform two raka'ts Salat in such a way that Maqame Ibraheem comes in between you and the Baitullah Shareef. Recite Surah Kaafiroon in the first rakat after Surah Faatihah. In the second rakat recite Surah Ikhlas (Qulhuwallahu) after Surah Faatihah. If a place is not available here then perform the two rakats inside Baitullah Shareef or in the Hateem or wherever place is available. This Salat is the Salat of the Tawaaf.

After the Salat of the Tawaaf go to the Multazam and embrace it. In embracing it, place at times the right cheek on it and at times the left cheek. Raise both hands and make dua with great fervor and feeling.

Now go to the Well of Zam Zam. Facing the Qiblah drink as much of its water as you are able to. Drink the water in three draughts. Also pour of its water over your body and recite the following dua:

Sa-ee is best (afdhal) after Tawaaf-e-Ziyaarat for those who are performing only Hajj. However, if you intend to perform Sa-ee now, then after having drunk of the water of Zam Zam, make Istilam of Hajr- e-Aswad. Thereafter emerge from Babus Safa. Come out with the left foot first and recite the following dua:

When you are near to Safa' recite the following:

Climb onto Safa only so high that you are able to see the Baitullah Shareef through Babus Safa. Do not climb higher. Now face the Qiblah and raise both hands until the shoulders in the way in which hands are raised while making dua. Then recite the following dua silently thrice:

Recite Durood Shareef, then the following dua:

You are not restricted to these dua. You may make any dua you wish. if you have not memorized the above dua ask any dua in your own language. Dua is in actual fact to petition and ask of Allah Ta'ala. Therefore, do so from the bottom of your heart and ask whatever you desire. Every now and again recite the Talbiyah. Remain here engaged in dua for quite a long time. The duration of your dua at this place should be about the time it will take to recite twenty five ayat.

After having made the dua, descend from Safa. Walk at your normal pace and engage in thikr and dua. In this way walk towards Marwah. Recite the following dua between Safa and Marwah

"O my Rabbi Forgive me and have mercy. You are the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious."

Besides this dua, make any dua of your heart's desire. Dua is readily accepted on this occasion. When you are about 3 metres from Sabz Meel (The Green Mile) which is located at the corner of the Musjid, start running at a medium pace.After passing the two Sabz Meel known as Meelain Akhzarain, walk again normally until you reach Marwah. Only men should run here.

On the first or second step of Marwah turn slightly towards the right and stand facing the direction of Baitullah. Remain standing so for a while and engage in thikr and dua in a similar manner as you did on Safa. This too is an occasion on which dua is accepted readily.

The distance from Safa to Marwah is called one shaut or circuit.

On the way back from Marwah to Safa, again run a bit between Meelain Akhzarain (the two Sabz Meel). When climbing on Safa again make dua and thikr as you did in the beginning. The second shaut or circuit is now complete. Complete seven shauts (circuits) in this way. The seventh circuit will end on Marwah. In every shaut recite tasbeeh, dua and any form of thikr you are aware of. These seven circuits consist of the Sa-ee. After having completed the Sa-ee go to the edge of the Mataaf and perform two raka'ts Nafl Salat.

The Mufrid, i.e. the one who is making only Hajj without Umrah, has to remain in Makkah Mukarramah in the state of ihram after he has made Tawaaf Qudoom and Sa-ee. He should in this period engage in as much Nafl Tawaaf as possible and abstain from the prohibitions of Ihram.

On the 7th Zil-Hajj, listen to the Imaam's Khutbah.

On the 8th Zil-Hajj after sunrise, leave for Mina so that you may perform Zuhr Salat there in the Mustahab time. The night will be spent in Mina. Five Salat, viz., Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr will be performed in Mina.

On the 9th Zil-Hajj after it has become light, depart for Arafat by the route of Mount Dhabb. Recite Talbiyah and Takbeer along the way. Mount Dhabb adjoins Musjid Khaif in Mina, When your gaze falls on Jabal Rahmat in Arafat, make dua and recite Takbeer, Tasbeeh, Tahleel and Istighfar. Halt at Musjid Namrah which is at the edge of Arafat on the side of Makkah Mukarramah. Have your meals and make ghusl before zawal. Now go and sit in Musjid Namrah and listen to the Khutbah of the Imaam. Zuhr and Asr Salat will be combined here. These two Salat will be performed together during the time of Zuhr.

The following are the conditions for the validity of performing these two Salat together.

(1) The two Salat have to be performed in or near Arafat

(2) It must be the 9th Zil-Hajj.

(3) The Sultan or his representative has to be present.

(4) Ihram of Hajj in both Salats.

(5) Zuhr Salat has to be performed before the Asr Salat.

(6) Both Salat have to be performed in jama't .

This condition will be fulfilled even if part of both Salat is obtained in jama't.

If any of the above conditions is lacking, it will not be permissible to perform these two Salat together . If any of the conditions is not fulfilled, each of the two Salat will compulsorily be performed in its time. Combination of the two Salat will then not be permissible.

After having completed these Salat proceed immediately to your place in Arafat. If it is possible to find place near to Jabal Rahmat (where the ground is covered with black stones) then stay over there. This was the place where Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) halted. This place is called Musjid Sakhrah. A low surrounding wall still indicates the position. If place is not available here, stay wherever place is available. The nearer to Jabal Rahmat the better. Do not climb on top of Jabal Rahmat. It is best to stand facing the Qiblah in your mauqaf (the place where you have halted). It is permissible to also sit and lay down.

When the Imam recites the Khutbah listen with great attention and humility. While in your mauqaf engage in dua until the evening. Do not involve yourself in futility, amusement, nonsensical talk, etc. Every now and again recite the Talbiyah, repent and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta'ala in abundance.

Although it is permissible for the hujjaj to fast on the day of Arafat, it is afdhal (best) not to fast. At the same time do not indulge in excessive eating and drinking.

At sunset, reciting 'Labbaik' and making dua, set off with the Imaam for Muzdalifah along the route which leads between the two mountains. Walk peacefully and with dignity and humility. It is not permissible to depart from Arafat before sunset. Leaving before sunset will make obligatory the Shar'i penalty known as dum ( an animal to be sacrificed). However, if one returns to Arafat before sunset (i.e. after having left before sunset), the penalty falls away. If the road is spacious, walk briskly and if crowded, walk slowly without inconveniencing anyone.

On reaching Muzdalifah, make ghusl or wudhu. It is afdhal (best) to stop over near to Musjid-e-Mash'are Haraam on the right hand side of the road. Do not stop in the road. Besides Wadi Muhassar, you may stop at any place in Muzdalifah. It is not permissible to stop in Wadi Muhassar.

Before attending to your luggage, perform Maghrib and Isha Salat together with one Athaan and one Takbeer (Iqaamah) during the time of Isha. The conditions for the validity of combining these two Salat are as follows:

(1) The ihram of Hajj.

(2) Wuqoof (halting) at Arafat must first be made.

(3) To be at Muzdalifah.

(4) To be the time of Isha.

(5) To be the night of 10th Zil Hajj.

(6) To perform both Salat observing tarteeb (i.e. first Maghrib then Isha).

If any of the above conditions is lacking, it will not be permissible to combine these two Salat.

It is not permissible to perform Maghrib and Isha at Arafat or along the route. If this was done, the Salat will have to be repeated. Should you arrive at Muzdalifah before Isha, then too do not perform Maghrib Salat.

At Muzdalifah pass as much of the night as possible in ibadat because this night is superior to even the Night of Qadr.

In the morning, after Subh Saadiq, perform Fajr Salaat as early as possible while it is yet dark. Perform the Salaat with jamaat. However, if for some reason this is not possible, perform it alone. Thereafter, stand by Mash'ar-e-Haraam, face the Qiblah and engage in reciting Talbiyah, Tasbih and Tahleel. Raise the hands and make dua. About five minutes before sunrise, depart for Mina.

On reaching Wadi Muhassar, run through it , emergin