The Spread of Islam
Abu Bakr Al Siddiqi Mosque in Madinah
Abu Bakr succeeded the Prophet (peace be upon him) and, in his short period as
Caliph, completed the unification of the
Arabs of the peninsula. Under the command of the second Caliph, Umar bin
Al-Khattab, the Arabs, now united and a formidable, battle-hardened force, swept north into Iraq and Syria, and west into
Egypt. In 636 CE, at the Battle of Yarmuk, the Muslims defeated the Byzantine army and Muslim control of Palestine was established. The fate of the Persian
Empire, under the Sassanids, was determined in 637 CE at the battle of
Qadisiyyah where another Muslim victory led to the fall of the Sassanid capital
Ctesiphon. In the period 639 to 641 CE,
Muslim rule was extended to Egypt. By
641 CE, the Muslim empire covered the whole of the Arabian peninsula, Syria,
Palestine and Egypt. Muslim armies then marched on along the north African coast.
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In 642 CE, the Muslim commander Amr bin al
Aas conquered Cyrenaica. By the end of the decade, Muslim control extended across all of
Libya. In 670 CE, the Muslims swept into
Tunisia, finally taking Carthage in 693 CE. By
710 CE the Muslims had reached Morocco.
Two years leter, the victorious Muslim army crossed the Meditarranean into Spain and, in three years, extended the Muslim writ to all of
Spain except for the mountainous northern region.
In one hundred years, the Muslims had grown from a small band of committed followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) into masters of a massive empire which extended from the
Atlantic in the West to the Himalayas in the east.
List of Sections:
Childhood
Marriage
Revelation
Conflict with Makkans
Migration
Consolidation
Battle of Badr
Battle of the Ditch
The Taking of Makkah
The Death of the Prophet
The Spread of Islam

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This Holy Country has the honor and privilege of providing integrated services for the pilgrims of Allah's
Inviolable House, for those performing pilgrimage Hajj or
Umrah and for all visitors of the Mosque of the Noble
Prophet, peace be upon him.
Such services begin from the moment pilgrims set foot in the territory of the Kingdom, till their return to their respective countries. Caring for the needs of pilgrims occupies first priority among the Kingdom’s concerns.
As is declared in the
Kingdom's Governance
Statutes, issued in 1414 H.,
"The State shall assume the responsibility of serving the two Holy Mosques, shall take full care of pilgrims, and shall reconstruct the two Holy
Mosques and provide services thereto. It shall provide security and care for the visitors thereof to enable them to perform Hajj, Umrah, and visit the Prophet's Mosque in peace and tranquility.

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Supreme Hajj Committee
With a view to centralizing studies, decisions and recommendations related to Hajj affairs, the ' Supreme
Hajj Committee ' was established under the chairmanship of the
Interior Minister. Its members include some of the governors of regions and ministers concerned with Hajj services and pilgrim affairs.
This Committee supervises the drafting of the annual General Hajj
Master Plan, the studies, proposals and recommendations submitted by sub-committee for developing Hajj facilities and working out the required arrangements to achieve the maximum comfort for pilgrims.
 The executive activities on Hajj affairs usually starts on the first day of the month of Rajab every year, five months before Hajj .
Assignments are implemented under the directives of the Higher
Hajj Committee according to timetables, with preparations increasing every month, reaching their peak during the month of Dhu'l-Qa'dah and Dhu'l-Hijjah, when pilgrims begin to arrive and move between
Makkah, Madinah and the Holy
Sites .

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Holy City of Makkah
Aerial view of Makkah
The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jeddah, is the place where the Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born - the place where God's message was first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after the migration to Madinah in 622 CE.
Makkah is the holiest city on earth to
Muslims. It is variously known as
Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Umm Al-Qura
(the origin of the Cities), Al Balad Al-
Ameen (the Secure City), and Al-Balad
Al-Haram (the Sacred City). Five times each day, the world's more than one billion Muslims, wherever they may be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray. And at least once in their lives, all
Muslims who are not prevented by personal circumstance perform the
Hajj , the pilgrimage to Makkah. Thus each year the Holy City of Makkah is host to some two million hajjis
(pilgrims) from all over the world.
The Holy Mosque in Makkah houses the Kaaba , in the corner of which is set the Black Stone which marks the starting point for the seven circumambulations of the Holy
Mosque which every hajji must complete. The Holy City is served by the seaport and international airport of Jeddah.

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Holy City of Mecca (Makkah)
The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jeddah, is the place where the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born - the place where God's message was first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after the migration to Madinah in 622
CE. Makkah is the holiest city on earth to
Muslims. It is variously known as Makkah Al-
Mukarramah, Umm Al-Qura (the origin of the
Cities), Al Balad Al-Ameen (the Secure City), and Al-Balad Al-Haram (the Sacred City). Five times each day, the world's more than one billion Muslims, wherever they may be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray. And at least once in their lives, all Muslims who are not prevented by personal circumstance perform the Hajj , the pilgrimage to Makkah. Thus each year the Holy City of Makkah is host to some two million hajjis (pilgrims) from all over the world. The Holy Mosque in Makkah houses the
Kaaba , in the corner of which is set the Black
Stone which marks the starting point for the seven circumambulations of the Holy Mosque which every hajji must complete. The Holy City is served by the seaport and international airport of Jeddah.
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Holy City of Medina (Madinah)
Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
The Holy City of Madinah, which lies in the central
Hijaz 447 kilometers north of the Holy City of Makkah, is 625 meters (2,050 feet) above sea level. Sited on a fertile oasis, it is bounded on three sides by hills which form part of the Hijaz mountain range. The highest of these hills, Mount Uhud, rises more than 2,000 meters above the oasis. Madinah is the second holiest city in
Islam. It was to Madinah that the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) and his followers, faced by the hostility and persecution of the Makkan merchants, departed in 622 CE - and, when the citizens of Madinah asked the Prophet to live amongst them and to arbitrate in their affairs (an invitation taken to mean their rejection of polytheism and submission to the will of the one God, Allah), it was in Madinah that the
Islamic era began. Madinah is then the city of the
Prophet. As the place in which the Holy Qur'an was compiled and from which the Prophet's companions administered the affairs of the Muslim community, it was the seat of the first Islamic state. From Madinah, armies, spreading the word of the Prophet, were dispatched to Egypt, Persia and Syria. Madinah is also the place in which the Prophet, peace be upon him, was buried. Madinah is the Arabic for "city". The full name of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah means
"Enlightened City". A visit to Madinah is not part of
Umrah or Hajj but the deep affection in which the
Prophet held the city and its intimate connection with the birth of Islam puts it on the itinerary of most pilgrims performing Hajj .

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The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj (1)
The rites of the Hajj were laid down by Allah to mark historic events in the life of
Prophet Ibrahim, which show his absolute and total submission to the will of
Allah. Allah commanded the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), on one of his visits to see Haajar and Ishmael, to build the House of God (the Holy Kaaba ). With the help of his son Ishmael, Ibrahim built the House of God on the ground where the Kaaba stands to this day.
The Archangel Gabriel brought from Paradise a stone, known as the Black
Stone (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad), which was set into one corner of the Kaaba .
Behold! We gave the site To Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House, (Saying):
"Associate not anything (In worship) with Me; And sanctify My House For those who compass it round Or stand up Or bow, or prostrate themselves (Therein in prayer).
"And proclaim the Pilgrimage Among men: they will come To thee on foot and
(mounted) On every kind of camel, Lean on account of journeys Through deep and distant Mountain highways;
"That they may witness The benefits (provided ) for them, And celebrate the name Of God, through the Days Appointed, over the cattle Which He has provided for them (For sacrifice): then eat ye Thereof and feed the distressed
Ones in want.
"Then let them complete The rites prescribed For them, perform their vows,
And (again) circumambulate The Ancient House."
Surah Al Hajj 22: 26 - 29
Ibrahim abandons Haajar and Ishmael
The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj (2)

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Ibrahim Abandons Haajar and Ishmael
The Holy Qur'an tells us that the Prophet Ibrahim was given the task of leading mankind.
And remember that Ibrahim Was tried by His Lord With certain Commands Which he fulfilled: He said: "I will make thee An Imam to the Nations."
Prophet Ibrahim was ordered to go Makkah. When he reached Makkah, he was commanded by Allah to abandon his second wife, Haajar, and his first-born son Ishmael in this barren, rocky, uninhabited valley.
O our Lord! I have made Some of my offspring to dwell In a valley without cultivation, By The Sacred House; In order, O our Lord, that they May establish regular Prayer: So fill the hearts of some Among men with love towards them, And feed them with Fruits So that they may give thanks. S 14.37
Soon Haajar's meager provisions of dates and water were exhausted and both mother and child became thirsty.
Seeing the suffering of her son, Haajar became desperate to find water. She ran to the hill of Safa but found nothing.
She then ran to the hill of Marwah. But again she was disappointed. Seven times she ran between the two hills.
Suddenly, close to where Ishmael lay, water sprang from the earth by the command of Allah. This source of water was to become known as the well of Zamzam.
The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj (1)
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The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj
(1)
The rites of the Hajj were laid down by Allah to mark historic events in the life of Prophet Ibrahim, which show his absolute and total submission to the will of Allah. Allah commanded the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), on one of his visits to see Haajar and Ishmael, to build the House of God
(the Holy Kaaba ). With the help of his son Ishmael, Ibrahim built the House of God on the ground where the Kaaba stands to this day.
The Archangel Gabriel brought from Paradise a stone, known as the Black Stone (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad), which was set into one corner of the Kaaba .
Behold! We gave the site To Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House,
(Saying): "Associate not anything (In worship) with Me; And sanctify My House For those who compass it round Or stand up Or bow, or prostrate themselves (Therein in prayer).
"And proclaim the Pilgrimage Among men: they will come
To thee on foot and (mounted) On every kind of camel,
Lean on account of journeys Through deep and distant
Mountain highways;
"That they may witness The benefits (provided ) for them,
And celebrate the name Of God, through the Days
Appointed, over the cattle Which He has provided for them
(For sacrifice): then eat ye Thereof and feed the distressed
Ones in want.
"Then let them complete The rites prescribed For them, perform their vows, And (again) circumambulate The
Ancient House."
Surah Al Hajj 22: 26 - 29
Ibrahim abandons Haajar and Ishmael
The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj (2)

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Period of Idolatry
Kaaba
Over the centuries, the pure monotheism of
Ibrahim was gradually diluted and debased and the Hajj rites as transmitted by Allah to Ibrahim became adulterated with pagan rites.
In this way, the purity of worship for God which
Ibrahim had performed and passed to his firstborn son was eroded over the centuries until, by the time of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) , there was nothing much left and the darkness of paganism and idolatry lay across the land. Matters could not be set right until the prayer was answered:
"Our Lord! Send amongst them A Messenger of their own, Who shall rehearse Thy Signs To them and instruct them In Scripture and Wisdom. And sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might,
The Wise.
S. 2:129
After Ibrahim
The Kaaba rebuilt once more

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After Ibrahim
Southern corner of Kaaba (Yamani corner)
When Ishmael grew up, he married the daughter of the chief of the Banu Jurhum, a tribe which had settled in the
Makkah valley.
When Ibrahim died, Ishmael continued to perform Hajj each year and to look after the Kaaba .
After the death of Ishmael, the Kaaba came into the possession of the Banu Jurhum tribe. It remained with the
Banu Jurhum tribe for many centuries until the Khuza'ah tribe took it over.
Throughout this period the Kaaba was vulnerable to flooding for it stood in a valley which, from time to time, experienced heavy rainfall. One such flood virtually destroyed the building.
Seeing the Holy Kaaba in a state of disrepair, Qusay bin
Kilaab, of the Quraysh tribe, rebuilt it, according to the original design but adding a roof to protect it from the extremes of weather . Qusay, who was born around 400 CE, was renowned for his wisdom. He built the first "town hall" in the Arabian Peninsula where leaders of the tribes could discuss and resolve political, social and commercial issues.
He also set out rules for the supply of food and water to the pilgrims who came to Makkah, and he even persuaded the indigenous Arabs to pay a tax towards their support.
The Prophet Ibrahim builds the Kaaba and performs Hajj (2)
Period of Idolatry

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The Kaaba rebuilt once more
Schematic Kaaba
About 600 CE, the Quraysh tribe, which was now in the ascendant, decided to gather sufficient funds to rebuild the Kaaba . Once again, the structure had been weakened by periodic floods and, on one occasion, partially destroyed by fire when a woman spreading incense in the Kaaba had inadvertently set the place alight. The new structure was built out of wood and stone, in alternate layers.
When the time came, the positioning of the Black
Stone in its accustomed place was the cause of some disagreement, since all the tribes engaged in the rebuilding sought the honor of placing the Black Stone themselves. To resolve the issue, it was agreed that the first man to enter the Haram should make the decision. The first man to enter the Haram was the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and he accepted the role of arbiter. He told them to place the
Black Stone in the middle of a strong cloth. A representative from each tribe should then take hold of the edge of the cloth and raise the stone. Once raised in this way by all the tribes, Muhammad himself fixed the Black Stone in position.
Period of Idolatry
The cleansing of the Kaaba

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The Cleansing of the Kaaba
Pilgrims praying in front of
Kaaba
When the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) took control of Makkah in 8 AH (630
CE), he left the Kaaba building as it was, but he destroyed all the idols and removed the paintings and all other pagan decorations from the inner walls.
Thus, once more, the Kaaba , the
House of God, was dedicated to the simple and pure worship of the one true God.
The Kaaba rebuilt once more

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Moving from Mina to Makkah
Roads connecting Mina to Makkah through tunnels
Definition of Service
Grouping of pilgrims from Mina to Makkah
(second nafrah), which signals the completion of the Hajj rituals. This takes place during the twelfth or thirteenth days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, before sunset. The grouping of pilgrims with their belongings from Mina is performed in the buses of the transport companies that use standard name that are affiliated to the
General Cars Syndicate in coordination with the Ministry of Pilgrimage and the Traffic
Department, for drawing up the nafrah plan.
How the service is provided:
- Buses arriving from Muzdalifah enter the appropriate roads that are close to the pilgrims' camps.
- Provision of adequate labor for loading pilgrims' belongings.
- Organizing the process of embarking pilgrims according to their residence location in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
- Proceeding to pilgrims' residences in
Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

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Plan of Dispatching Pilgrims to the Jamarat Bridge
The Jamarat Bridge during peak hours
Definition of Service:
Preparation and follow up of the plan of grouping and dispatching of pilgrims heading to the Jamarat
Bridge from their camps at Mina according to the time tables that are designated pursuant to the operation capacity of the Jamarat Bridge, to ensure the safety of pilgrims and the flow of movement on the Bridge.
How the service is provided
- Designating specific times for jamarat casting that are not in the peak days on the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijjah.
- Coordination with Hajj missions and officials of tourist companies and agencies.
- Drawing up flexible schedules for grouping and dispatching of participating pilgrims to the Jamarat
Bridge.
- Involving all Tawafa Establishments and stressing the need for them to adhere to the designated schedules.
- Commencing the organized grouping on schedule with the accompaniment of the establishment officials and the field service groups.
- Coordinating with all participating security authorities through the Joint Coordination Chamber.
- The field monitoring and follow up of the actual conditions and taking appropriate decisions on the spot.

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Kingdom as Guardian of the Holy
Places
Kaaba in the Grand Mosque
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the site of Islam's two holiest places.
From the inception of the Kingdom, the
Saudi royal family has seen guardianship of the Holy Places and facilitating pilgrimage as two primary duties.
During his reign, King Abdul Aziz (Ibn
Saud) made clear in no uncertain manner that attacks by brigands on pilgrims would not be tolerated and, within available resources, every effort was made to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
In successive reigns, no expense has been spared in developing the two Holy
Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and doing everything to ensure the ease and security of the millions of pilgrims who visit the holy sites each year.
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In the late King Fahd's reign, this tradition was maintained and, with the benefit of increased revenues, a program of expansion and refurbishment on an unprecedented scale was implemented. Of all the projects with which the late King Fahd was personally identified, none was closer to his heart than the expansion of the Holy Mosques in Makkah and
Madinah. To emphasize the monarchy's commitment, and his own, to this responsibility, in 1986 King Fahd adopted the title of Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques in preference to the title of His Majesty.
On the death of King Fahd on 1st
August, 2005, the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was assumed by
King Fahd's successor, King Abdullah.

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Muzdalifah
Hajj route
Muzdalifah is a valley between Mina and
Mount Arafat in which pilgrims on Hajj spend the night in the open. It is here they gather pebbles to hurl at the pillars of Mina .
Holy Mosque in Makkah
Panoramic view of Haram in Makkah
The religious center of the Holy City of
Makkah is the Haram Mosque (al Masjid al
Haram) and the well of Zamzam. The present
Haram, meaning "sanctuary", dates from 1570
CE (978 AH), and takes the form of a central quadrangle surrounded by stone walls.
Around the inner sanctuary is a marble pavement, the al-Mataf. The holiest shrine of
Islam, the Kaaba , is situated at the heart of the Holy Mosque's central courtyard. The
Haram Mosque (al Masjid al Haram) has a long and glorious tradition of expansion, dating back to 638 CE (7 AH) when the ever increasing number of Muslims led the second caliph, Umar bin al-Khattab, to develop the site.
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Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah contain the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is therefore one of Islam's most sacred shrines.
Mina
City of tents, Mina
Mina , which lies between the Holy City of
Makkah and Muzdalifah , is now known as tent city. Here are the white pillars representing the devil at which the pilgrims cast the pebbles they gathered at Muzdalifah .

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Kaaba
Al-Moltazam
The Kaaba , a large stone structure constituting a single room with a marble floor, lies at the heart of the Holy Mosque (al Masjid al Haram) in the Holy
City of Makkah. The Kaaba is Islam's holiest building. It now stands some 60 feet high and each side is approximately 60 feet in length. The Kaaba is the focal point around which the Holy Mosque is built. The four walls of the Kaaba are covered with a black curtain (the Kiswah ) which reaches to the ground and is fastened to the Shadharwan with copper rings. The door of the Kaaba is set in the south-east wall, about seven feet from the ground.
Inside, there are pillars, which support the roof.
The interior is furnished with many gold and silver lamps. On the inner walls, there are several bands of inscriptions which record the many repairs done to the Kaaba . The Holy Qur'an makes it clear that
Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ishmael were the true founders of the Kaaba , together building the holy shrine dedicated to the worship of the one true God. Five times each day more than a billion
Muslims around the world turn to face the direction of the Kaaba to offer their prayers to the one true God.
 It is also, of course, the focal point of the Hajj when, once each year, some two million pilgrims converge on the Holy City of Makkah. Set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone (al-
Hajar al-Aswad). The Black Stone predates the birth of Islam but now, set in gold, forms an integral part of the Kaaba . In the course of the pilgrimage, the Hajjis will kiss or touch the Black
Stone , not because the Black Stone is holy in itself but because it was kissed by the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) . On the roof of the Kaaba is a gilt water spout (al-Masabb) which projects out from the north-west wall. Opposite the north-west wall of the Kaaba , but not joined to it, is a semi-circular wall (Al-Hateem) which is 5ft high and 3ft thick. This area is also known as Hijr
Ishmael. To the north-east side of the Kaaba is the
Maqam Ibrahim , a small kiosk of glass and metal topped by a small dome. In it is kept the stone on which Ibrahim stood while building the Kaaba .
Nearly opposite the Black Stone , near the Maqam
Ibrahim , is the well of Zamzam.

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Notes on different types of Tawaf
Haram during peak season
Tawaf is the circumambulation seven times of the
Holy Kaaba .
Each circumambulation (shawt) starts from the
Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad).
You should move off from the Black Stone counter-clockwise.
Each circuit is completed when you return to the
Black Stone and perform the Istilam (the kissing, touching or pointing to the Stone).
On completion of seven circuits, continue to move counter-clockwise until you reach your point of exit.
There are five types of Tawaf.
Tawaf al-Qudum
Tawaf al-Ifadha
Tawaf al-Wadaa
Tawaf al-Nafl
Tawaf al-Umrah

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Zakat (Charitable Giving)
Al Masjid al Haram at night
In various parts of the Holy Qur'an great stress is laid on the Zakat, that is, almsgiving to those who deserve it. Each able Muslim should give a certain percentage of his annual income, either in money or kind, to the poor and the indigent. In Saudi Arabia, the religious obligation of Zakat has been officially recognized by the establishment of the Department of Zakat under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance. Zakat on the individual's annual income from any legal source amounts to almost 2.5%, subject to strict conditions.
It is believed that one of the reasons for the imposition of Zakat is that Islam calls for the purity of both the soul and the body. (Zakat means purification, and the payment of Zakat is regarded primarily as an act of worship of God.) Since it is required of the rich that they satisfy the needs of the poor, the paying of Zakat no doubt enhances amity and caring within society and strengthens the relationship between the wealthy and the indigent. It reflects fulfillment of an early concept of social justice, as it is taken from each person according to his capacity. The Book of God, the Holy
Qur'an , says "Take of their wealth a portion (as charity) to purify them by it".

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Arafat
Al-Rahmah Mountain in Arafat
Mount Arafat which stands about 70 meters high, is a granite hill to the east of the
Holy City of Makkah. It was on
Mount Arafat that Adam and
Eve, separated for 200 years following their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, recognized each other and were reunited.
Here too they were forgiven by
Allah, the Merciful, for their transgression. And here, in present times, the pilgrim performing Hajj must spend an afternoon in a state of Ihram .

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Going to Arafat from Mina
Arafat
9th of Dhu'l-Hijjah: This is the Day of Arafat. You will be in Arafat from after dawn until after sunset on
9th Dhu'l-Hijjah.
After performing the dawn (Fajr) prayer at Mina , leave for Arafat on the morning of the 9th of Dhu'l-Hijjah.
When you reach Arafat , you may stay anywhere in
Arafat , except in 'Batn Arafah, the valley immediately after the Namirah Mosque in the direction of Qibla.
Devote as much of your time as possible to prayer.
Repent your sins, and seek the forgiveness of Allah.
At the Namirah Mosque listen to the Arafat day sermon.
From after noon onwards, perform Wuquf at Arafah.
This is the most holy of times when you stand alone with Allah. Go outside your tent, and face towards the
Qibla in the Holy City of Makkah, raise your hands and pray to Allah, pray as you wish, pray in your own language , pray for the forgiveness of sins, pray with all your heart.
When the sun has set, leave Arafat for Muzdalifah .
Going to Mina from Makkah
Going to Muzdalifah from Arafat

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Mina

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Proceeding to Mina from Muzdalifah
Casting of the Jamarat stones at the Jamarat pillar
10th of Dhu'l-Hijjah: You will be in Mina for the stoning
(ramy) of Jamarat ul Kubra; the stoning must be performed according to pre-determined schedules. The stoning is followed by shaving/cutting of hair
(Halq/Taqseer).
Here seven times you will stone the pillar that represents the devil, saying "Bismillah, Allahu akbar" each time you throw a pebble. "Bismillah" means "in the name of Allah".
"Allahu akbar" means "God is great".
Women and those who are old or otherwise infirm need not themselves perform ramy, leaving it to those delegated to perform it on their behalf.
You will now leave the state of Ihram . Shave your hair (or if you are a woman clip your hair). You may now shower, shave, and change into your normal clothes. The prohibitions imposed by Ihram are now removed, except that you must not have sexual relations. (Husband and wife may not enjoy conjugal relations until after Tawaf al-Ifadha
- the Circumambulation of the Kaaba , central to the Hajj rites.)
You will now proceed to the al Masjid al Haram in Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadha.
Going to Muzdalifah from Arafat
Tawaf al-Ifadha in the Holy City of Makkah

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Performance of the Rituals of Slaughtering
Definition of the Service:
Provision of the necessary facilities to enable pilgrims to perform the rituals of slaughtering the cattle designated as gifts in coordination with the
Committee in charge of benefiting from the meat of the gifts and sacrificed cattle, the Islamic
Development Bank and the Hajj missions.
How the service is provided:
- The pilgrim's agents are grouped and scheduled on pre-designated dates, and within the framework of the agreement concluded with the
Islamic Development Bank, the Hajj mission or the representative of tourist companies.
- The missions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are urged to apply the principle of delegation (of the performance of cattle slaughtering) or the scheduling of the grouping of pilgrims heading for slaughtering houses, and signing protocols with the Islamic Development Bank.
- Applying the principle of delegation in the slaughtering and casting of jamarat (stones) as a precaution to protect elderly pilgrims of all nationalities and to spare them exposure to exhaustion.
- Encouraging Turkey's Hajj mission to continue to apply the method of purchase of coupons for cattle slaughtering from Al-Rajhi Bank.
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Sacrificing
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If I need to sacrifice an animal, how do I arrange it?
Booths around Makkah and Mina have been set up by the Islamic Development Bank to facilitate buying coupons for slaughtering and distributing sacrificial animals.
During Hajj , the sacrifice can be made in Mina or
Makkah, after the stoning of the largest Jamarat. The sacrifice can be done by your agent on your behalf.
The types of animals which may be sacrificed are camels, cows, sheep and goats.
A sheep or goat can be sacrificed on behalf of only one person; whereas, a cow or camel can be shared by seven people.
The age of the goat or sheep should be at least one year, the cow two and the camel at least five.
It is forbidden to sacrifice sick, crippled or wounded animals.
The sacrifice should be performed on the 10th of
Dhu'l-Hijjah but it is allowed to sacrifice up until the dusk of the 13th.
The pilgrim should say the following Du'aa when slaughtering the animal: "In the name of Allah and
Allah is the Greatest. O Allah! This is from You and for
You." The animal should be turned on its left side facing the Kaaba , but this is not a strict rule and is recommended practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The one performing the sacrifice should eat a part of the meat and a portion should be distributed to the needy and the poor. The butcher should not be given any part of the animal in lieu of his wages, as it is meant for charity.

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How modern technology has been employed to facilitate the Hajj
A sophisticated broadcasting network has been installed to cope with the requirements of the Hajj .
The safety and comfort of the Hajjis has become a major concern for the authorities, necessitated by their sheer volume in recent years. The newly laid floor tiles were made of specially developed heatresistant marble, and to further ensure the comfort of worshippers the whole structure is cooled by one of the world's largest airconditioning units. To facilitate the movement of worshippers to the newly developed roof area of the Holy Mosque during the busiest seasons, additional escalators have been incorporated alongside a number of fixed stairways in the northern and southern sides of the building.
Moreover, in order to reduce the build-up of traffic around the Holy Mosque, the development project has involved the construction of a new tunnel for vehicles in the vicinity of Alsouk Alsagir. Pedestrian routes and tunnels have also been carefully planned and laid out to ensure the safety of the worshippers.
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Guidance on Visa Applications through Hajj
Travel Agents for Pilgrims Coming from Abroad
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1- Hajj visas are granted by the Saudi Government free of charge.
2- The approved travel agent will nevertheless have some administrative costs in applying for and obtaining a Hajj visa.
3- Lists of approved travel agents for both Hajj and
Umrah are published on the Ministry's website and updated each year to help pilgrims avoid being cheated by unauthorized travel agents.
4- The Ministry would like to emphasize to all pilgrims the importance of having an official written contract, signed by both the Hajj organizer and the pilgrim, that clearly states the relationship between the two parties including the rights and duties of each party, the grade of service to be provided, the grade of accommodation arranged in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites and any other details which the two parties have agreed upon.

http://www.hajinformation.com/main/b30.htm
 Isha' (Isha) the night prayer Izarr (Ezaar) the cloth covering the lower part of the body Kaaba the sacred house lying at the heart of the Holy Sanctuary (al Masjid al Haram). The building is a large stone structure constituting a single room with a marble floor. The Kaaba is Islam's holiest shrine.
Labbayk means "Here I am, at your service" Madrassa school providing religious and general education for Muslims Maghrib the evening prayer Mihrab Prayer niche, in front of which the
Imam stands when leading prayers Miqat (Meeqat) one of five places (stations) which pilgrims must not cross before they are in a state of ihram if they intend to enter al Masjid al Haram for
Umrah or Hajj. Mu'tamir (plural Mu'tamirun) one who is performing the Umrah Nafl a voluntary act of devotion such as a prayer or fast which is beyond the prescribed duty of a Muslim Niyyah intention (to perform Umrah or Hajj) or any action in general pbuh (PBUH) peace be upon him
Qasr Shortening the number of Rakaat of noon, afternoon, or isha prayers Qibla the direction in which Muslims should face in order to perform salat (prayer), namely towards the Ka'bah, in
Makkah Qur'an the Holy Book of Islam, the word of God vouchsafed to his Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) Rakaat (Rakat) one unit of Islamic prayer Rida' (Reda') the cloth covering the upper part of the body Sajdah the act of prostration, particularly in the performance of Salat Salat the Muslim practice of performing prayers five times daily in the prescribed manner Sana praise
Sa'y (Sa'yi or Sa'i) the walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah Shawt one circuit of the circumambulation of the Kaaba, or one complete walk between the hills of Safa and
Marwah during Sa'y Shariah Islamic law Sunnah the way the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived his life Talbiyah An invocation to be spoken out loud: 'Here I am O Allah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.' Tahlil to proclaim La Ilaha illa'Llah (there is no God but God)
Takbir To proclaim Allahu akbar (God is Great) Taqseer Clipping or trimming the hair on one's head
(see also Halq) Tawaf circumambulation of the Kaaba Thana' to invoke praise upon a person (or upon God) Wudu ablution Wuquf stopping at a particular place for a given period of time Zawal the time in the day when the sun is at its zenith Zuhr the noon prayer