End of Hajj – 11th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah
Hajj spans over 6 days, i.e., the 8th of Dhul Hijjah to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The three days after the 10th Dhul Hijjah (Eid-ul-Adha) signify the end of Hajj and are known as Ayyam al-Tashreeq (Days of Drying Meat). The early pilgrims preserved the meat they obtained from the ritual animal sacrifices on Yawm al-Nehr. They would season it with salt and leave it to dry in the sun, hence the name “Days of drying meat.”
About the Ayyam al-Tashreeq, Nubaisha al-Hudhali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ أَيَّامُ أَكْلٍ وَشُرْبٍ
The days of Tashreeq are the days of eating and drinking.
Hajj is a test of patience and endurance and is a means to strengthen one’s connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The Days from 11 – 13th Dhul Hijjah are meant to be those of relaxation, in which the pilgrims perform just a handful of Hajj rituals.
This article will guide you through the step-by-step rituals and practices of the three days leading to the end of Hajj.
Day 4: 11th of Dhul Hijjah – Ramial-Jamarat
After Zawwaal (midday), pilgrims go to the Jamarat for the pelting ritual.
Although seven stones are required for each of the three Jamarat, it is recommended that you carry at least 30 stones in case you misplace some or some don’t hit the mark. The preferred time to go for pelting is immediately before or after the Asr prayer since the crowds are thin at this time.
It is Sunnah to start with the Jamarah al-Ula (small pillar), make dua, then proceed to the Jamarah al-Wusta (middle pillar), make dua, and finally pelt the Jamarah al-Aqaba (big pillar), with no dua at the end. While making dua, make sure to stand away from the crowd and face the Ka’bah.
However, if you perform Rami in a different order, i.e., starting with the big Jamarat, you don’t have to repeat the ritual or pay the penalty.
When to Perform Rami?
As mentioned, the time for Rami begins after Zawwaal (midday) on the 11th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts till before the Fajr prayer on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
However, there are certain times during the day when pelting is considered more virtuous:
- Beginning time of Zuhr prayer until sunset– It is Sunnah to perform Rami during this time.
- Between sunset and the Fajr prayer– It is Makruh (disliked) for pilgrims to perform Rami during this time; however, it is permissible for women, the sick, and the elderly.
After Completing Rami
After completing Rami, pilgrims return to their camps in Mina. The remainder of the day should be spent in Ibadah and Astaghfar. In addition, pilgrims should complete any rituals of the previous day.
Day 5: 12th of Dhul Hijjah – Rami and Going to Makkah
On the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, Rami is performed exactly the same way as the previous day – all three Jamarat are pelted after midday and before the Fajr prayer on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
Moreover, make sure that you have completed any remaining rituals before sunset on this day. Otherwise, a penalty will be due for each missed rite.
Going to Makkah
After completing Rami, pilgrims must depart for Makkah before sunset. Leaving for Makkah after sunset is considered Makruh (disliked); however, there is no penalty.
Traveling to Makkah on foot is recommended since buses and taxis are generally overcrowded during this time.
If a pilgrim is still within the boundaries of Mina after the beginning of the Fajr prayer on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, it is Wajib (obligatory) for them to perform Rami. Not performing Rami will incur a penalty. However, keep in mind that the Jamarah al-Aqabah is inside the boundaries of Makkah, so if pilgrims reach this point before the Fajr prayer on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, they will not be bound to perform Rami.
Stopping at Wadi al-Muhassab
On the way to Makkah, it is Sunnah to stop at a place known as Wadi al-Muhassab. Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
حَدَّثَنَا أَصْبَغُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، أَنَّ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ، وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ، ثُمَّ رَقَدَ رَقْدَةً بِالْمُحَصَّبِ، ثُمَّ رَكِبَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَطَافَ بِهِ. تَابَعَهُ اللَّيْثُ حَدَّثَنِي خَالِدٌ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، أَنَّ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ حَدَّثَهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
“The Prophet (ﷺ)offered the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers and slept for a while at a place called al-Muhassab and then rode to the Ka’bah and performed Tawaf around it.”
Day 6: 13th of DhulHijjah – Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
Although not obligatory, and as mentioned above, most pilgrims have already gone back to Makkah, it is desirable to stay in Mina on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah and perform Rami. Moreover, all the rites of Hajj must be completed by this time. The procedure and regulations for Rami are the same as for the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
After completing Rami, pilgrims should leave for Makkah before sunset. Private transport can be used on this day since crowds are comparatively less.
Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf)
Tawafal-Wida, also known as Tawaf al-Sadr, is the last rite of Hajj. It is a Wajib (must, but lesser than obligatory) rite that must be performed before exiting the boundaries of the Haram. Not performing Tawaf al-Wida without a genuine reason will incur a penalty. However, residents living inside the Haram’s boundary and women in a state of major impurity are not obliged to perform Tawaf al-Wida.
It is narrated by Ibn Abbas(رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
ـ قَالَ أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَكُونَ آخِرُ عَهْدِهِمْ بِالْبَيْتِ، إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ خُفِّفَ عَنِ الْحَائِضِ.
The people were ordered to perform the Tawaf of the Kaaba (Tawaf al-Wida) as the last thing before leaving (Makkah), except the menstruating women who were excused.
Performing Tawaf al-Wida
Pilgrims complete seven rounds around the Ka’bah and offer two Rakats of Nafl at the Maqam-e-Ibrahim.They should then drink some Zamzam water.For men, Raml (uncovering the right shoulder in Ihram) or Idtiba (walking briskly) is not required during Tawaf al-Wida. Moreover,there is no Sa’i or hair cut after this Tawaf.
It is preferable to perform Tawaf al-Wida before you intend to leave Makkah. Hence, if you stay in Makkah for a few days after the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, perform routine Ibadah like you did before the days of Hajj began, and perform Tawaf al-Wida just before you depart from Makkah.
However, any Tawaf done after Tawaf al-Ziyarah will count as Tawaf al-Wida, even if it was not intended to be the Farewell Tawaf and was just a Nafl Tawaf.
Hajj is now complete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the 11th, 12th, and 13th days of Dhul Hijjah called?
The 11th, 12th, and 13th days of Dhul Hijjah are known as Ayyam al-Tashreeq (Days of Drying Meat).
What is Ayyamal-Tashreeq?
Ayyam al-Tashreeq (Days of Drying Meat) are the three days after the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, i.e., the 11th, 12th, and 13th. Historically, pilgrims used to dry and preserve the meat obtained from the sacrifice they performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
Is Takbeer Tashreeq compulsory?
Yes, it is Wajib (must) for all pilgrims to recite the Takbeer Tashreeq starting from the 9th of Dhul Hijjah to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah after every Farz prayer; men should recite it loudly while women should recite it softly.
What is Takbeer Tashreeq in Arabic?
The Takbeer Tashriq in Arabic is:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
What happens on the fifth day of Hajj?
On the fifth day of Hajj, i.e., the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims perform Rami of all three Jamarat. They can either return to Makkah before sunset or stay in Mina for another night.
What is Tawaf al-Wida?
Tawaf al-Wida, the Farewell Tawaf, is the last rite of Hajj and is performed just before leaving Makkah.
Conclusion for Days of Tashreeq: End of Hajj – 11th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah
Once all the rituals of the Days of Tashreeq are performed, Hajj is complete. Pilgrims must now offer thanks to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and pray for the acceptance of their Hajj and Ibadat.
May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) bless everyone who performs Hajj this year, ameen.
