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Pilgrimage guide

Hajj and Umrah guide

Read in one place about the difference between Hajj and Umrah, the main order of worship, the documents to check before travelling and the points to watch when choosing a tour.

Stages of HajjPrices 2026/2027

Sections of the guide

Everything needed to plan the trip is on separate pages: stages, prices, agency selection and a cost calculator.

Key differences between Hajj and Umrah

Both acts of worship are performed around the Kaaba in Mecca, but they are not the same in terms of ruling, timing, duration, permission and order of performance.

  • Ruling

    Hajj

    It is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who is able to do so.

    Umrah

    The schools of jurisprudence give different explanations of its jurisprudential ruling; you should ask a reliable scholar about your own situation.

  • Time

    Hajj

    It is performed on specific days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

    Umrah

    It can be performed at various times of the year; during the Hajj season, entry, visa and permit rules can change according to official announcements.

  • Main stages

    Hajj

    It consists of a broader sequence that includes ihram, tawaf, sa'i, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, the hady sacrifice and the farewell tawaf.

    Umrah

    It is completed with ihram, tawaf, the sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or shortening the hair.

  • Preparation

    Hajj

    Requires a quota, an official permit, group management, Mashair services, and longer physical preparation.

    Umrah

    It is a shorter trip, but the visa, official permit, health documents, and travel plan must still be checked.

Order of worship

This summary is a general guide. For practical fiqh details, exceptions, and personal circumstances, consult your group leader or a trustworthy scholar.

Umrah

How is Umrah performed?

Umrah is a shorter sequence of worship and mainly consists of four stages.

  1. 1

    Entering the state of ihram

    Before the miqat, the intention is made, the talbiyah is recited, and attention is paid to the prohibitions of ihram.

  2. 2

    Performing tawaf around the Kaaba

    After entering the Masjid al-Haram, seven circuits of tawaf are made around the Kaaba.

  3. 3

    Performing sa'i between Safa and Marwah

    The sa'i begins at Safa, ends at Marwah, and consists of seven trips in total.

  4. 4

    Shaving or shortening the hair

    Men shave or shorten their hair, while women cut a small amount from the ends of their hair; this completes the Umrah.

Hajj

How is Hajj performed?

Hajj is carried out in stages on specific days of Dhul-Hijjah and has a more extensive sequence than Umrah.

  1. 1

    Ihram and intention

    One enters the state of ihram with the intention for Hajj, recites the talbiyah, and observes the etiquette of ihram.

  2. 2

    Tawaf al-Qudum and sa'i

    On arriving in Makkah, tawaf al-Qudum is performed; when the sa'i is done is clarified according to the type of Hajj and the group leader's explanation.

  3. 3

    The day of Mina

    On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, movement is made toward Mina, and the day is spent in worship, dua, and preparation.

  4. 4

    Arafat

    Standing at Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah is among the most important stages of Hajj.

  5. 5

    Muzdalifah

    After sunset one moves on to Muzdalifah, spends the night there, and gathers pebbles for the Jamarat.

  6. 6

    Jamarat al-Aqabah, the sacrifice, and the hair

    On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, seven pebbles are thrown at Jamarat al-Aqabah, the sacrifice is offered, and the hair is shaved or shortened.

  7. 7

    Tawaf al-Ifadah

    Returning to Makkah, the main tawaf of Hajj is performed.

  8. 8

    Jamarat during the days of Tashriq

    On the 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, and on the 13th if needed, pebbles are thrown at the three Jamarat in Mina; for crowd and group movement, official guidance should be followed.

  9. 9

    Farewell tawaf

    Before leaving Makkah, the farewell tawaf is performed; for special cases, the fiqh ruling should be asked of a scholar.

Day-by-day detailed guide

Pre-departure preparation checklist

Before choosing tickets and a hotel, it is safer to check the document, health, and official permission stages separately.

  • Passport and visa

    Check the validity period of the passport, the type of visa, and whether the travel dates comply with the Hajj and Umrah regulations.

  • The Nusuk app and permit

    For Umrah, visiting the Rawdah, and Hajj registration, check the reservation and permit stages required on Nusuk and the relevant official channels.

  • Health and vaccinations

    Before the trip, clarify the vaccinations required in the official health documents, any additional conditions depending on your country and risk group, chronic illness documents, and medical advice.

  • Medications and medical documents

    Carry medications in their original packaging and keep copies of the prescription and diagnosis documents.

  • Physical preparation

    Tawaf, sa'i, and moving through crowds can require long walking; plan your footwear, water, rest, and movement in advance.

  • Travel documents

    Keep digital and printed copies of your passport, visa, permit, insurance, hotel, flight, and group leader information separately.

What to look for when choosing a tour and package?

When making a choice, it is healthier to ask for the following criteria in writing. We have separate pages for price ranges and agency selection.

  • Official authorisation

    Check that the provider works through official channels and authorised service providers for Hajj or Umrah, and how they handle the permit and visa process.

  • Services included in the package

    Confirm separately the items for flights, visa, hotel, intercity transport, meals, visit guide and insurance.

  • Location and distance

    The hotel's distance in Makkah and Madinah, the shuttle frequency and its suitability for elderly pilgrims all matter.

  • Group leader and language

    Ask whether the leader explains things in Azerbaijani and how they handle answering religious questions.

  • Refund and change terms

    Payment, cancellation, date changes and force-majeure cases should be clearly written in the contract.

  • Support channels

    Know in advance how support works for round-the-clock contact, emergencies, lost documents and medical cases during the trip.

Partner application

Do you provide Hajj and Umrah services?

To be added to the list on the agencies page, take part in educational materials, or send a partnership proposal, apply via WhatsApp.

Apply as a partnerView the contact page

Official sources

  1. Official body·Nusuk Hajj Platform
    It is the main official portal for Hajj registration, package categories and authorised service providers.
  2. Official body·Nusuk Hajj: The Journey
    It explains the general sequence of the Hajj stages and the main worship steps.
  3. Official body·Nusuk Umrah: Umrah Journey
    It presents the stages of Umrah - ihram, tawaf, sa'i and shortening the hair - step by step.
  4. Official body·Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: Umrah Visit Guide
    It provides an official guide about the Umrah permit, the Nusuk app and visit preparation.
  5. Official body·Nusuk Hajj: Health Guidelines
    It sets out vaccination, health, hygiene and safety recommendations for the Hajj journey.
  6. Official body·Saudi Ministry of Health: Pilgrim's Health
    It provides a link to updated health requirements and official documents for Hajj and Umrah visitors.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are Hajj and Umrah?

    Hajj is one of the main acts of worship in Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who is able to do so. Umrah, on the other hand, is a shorter devotional visit completed by visiting the Kaaba, performing tawaf, sa'i and shortening the hair.

  • What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

    The main difference is in timing, ruling and stages. Hajj is performed on specific days of Dhul-Hijjah and includes stages such as Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah and Jamarat. Umrah, on the other hand, consists of the shorter sequence of ihram, tawaf, sa'i and shortening the hair.

  • How is Umrah performed?

    Umrah begins with the intention and ihram, then is completed with seven circuits of tawaf around the Kaaba, seven trips of sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or shortening the hair.

  • How is Hajj performed?

    Hajj begins with ihram and intention, then continues through stages such as tawaf and sa'i in Makkah, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, the Jamarat, the hady sacrifice, Tawaf al-Ifadah, the Days of Tashriq and the farewell tawaf. The exact sequence should be confirmed with the group leader depending on the type of Hajj.

  • When is Umrah performed?

    Umrah can be performed at various times of the year, but during the Hajj season and on certain dates the visa, entry and permit rules can change. You should check official channels before planning a trip.

  • Is a permit required for Umrah?

    The permit and reservation requirements for Umrah, visiting the Rawdah and booking packages can change according to the announcements of the official Nusuk and Saudi authorities. Check the app and official portal information before booking.

  • Can Hajj be performed on a tourist visa?

    According to official Nusuk Hajj terms, a Hajj visa must be obtained in advance for Hajj; performing Hajj on a tourist visa or any other visa is not considered possible. Check the visa requirements on the official portal.

  • What preparation is needed for Hajj?

    Passport, visa and permit documents, health and vaccination requirements, physical preparation, a supply of medication, and hotel and transport details should all be checked in advance.

  • Which vaccinations are required for Hajj and Umrah?

    In the Saudi Ministry of Health's 1447H/2026 documents, meningococcal ACYW is listed as one of the main requirements; there may be additional vaccination and health conditions depending on country, age, risk group and season. Check the final list only in the official MOH document.

  • What should you look at when choosing a tour company?

    Official authorisation, the services included in the package, hotel distance, transport, the group leader, contract terms, the cancellation policy and support channels during the trip are the main criteria.

  • How much do Hajj and Umrah cost?

    In the 2026 season, the Caucasus Muslims' Board's unified Hajj package was 6 100 USD; Umrah packages from Baku are sold at approximately 650-2500 USD depending on the level. For detailed figures, sources and a cost calculator, see our prices page.

  • How can an agency appear on molla.az?

    A verified list of agencies is prepared on the agencies page: the company name, type of service and contact details are published after being confirmed from official sources. To apply, write via the WhatsApp partner channel.