First Day of Hajj

Hajj is one of the five main pillars of Islam. It’s a pilgrimage that takes around 5 to 6 days, with each day having a particular significance and steps. These days last from the 8th to the 13th of Zil Hajj, the 12th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Since Hajj is a major commitment and requires traveling plus sacrifice, it’s only obligatory for adults with the relevant resources. After all, we need to prepare for every single day and step of this blessed journey. Even before the first day of Hajj, there’s a lot to prepare. Of course, the journey truly begins on Day 1, when we officially become Hajj pilgrims and embark on this spiritually cleansing path.

What is the First Day of Hajj?

The official name for the first day of Hajj is Yom al-Tarwiyyah, which translates to ‘The Day of Quenching/Satisfying Thirst’. The reason behind this is that this is the day when Hajj pilgrims were instructed to drink a lot of water and also have full water containers. This advice was given in preparation for their long and arduous journey from Makkah Mukarramah to Mina. Part of the preparation also included getting the animals ready, well-fed, and in good health for the journey ahead. 

What Happens on the First Day of Hajj?

The first day of Hajj constitutes a lot of preparation, planning, organization, coordination, and everything else one can do for such an important undertaking. At the same time, preparation for Hajj also includes a bit of spiritual alignment or realignment. Since Hajj is such an important pillar of faith and is only obligatory once for those who can perform it, we need to be ready in every way. Part of the readiness may include mentally focusing on cleansing the inner self through dhikr (remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)).

Along with tasbih and duas, a pilgrim may prepare him or herself by offering more nafl rak’aats of ritual prayer, perfecting their mandatory prayers, reciting more Quran each day, or just meditating and remembering Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in their heart (muraqabah). If there is enough time available, pilgrims may prefer to pay a visit to the Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah. Here, they can offer prayers, do tawaf, and get a spiritual boost just by looking at the Holy Ka’abah. 

• The Beginning of Hajj

On the first day of Hajj, the pilgrims first gather together in the holy site of Makkah. There, they work on their preparation for the Hajj journey, both spiritual and material. To understand the rituals on this first day, let’s first have a glance at the three main types of Hajj:

• Hajj al-Tamattu’: This hajj is when the pilgrim puts on the Ihram only for Umrah, then performs Umrah and takes the Ihram off. They then make the niyyat of Hajj on the first day of Hajj and enter the state of Ihram again.
• Hajj al-Ifrād: In this type, the Hajj pilgrim only performs Hajj in his/her ihram. They do not perform ‘Umrah before or with Hajj. 
• Hajj al-Qiran: This type of Hajj means that the pilgrim wears ihram and makes the niyyah only once, performing both ‘Umrah and Hajj in a single ihram state. 

In case a pilgrim has made the niyyat for Hajj Tamattu’, they will again enter the state of ihram on the first day of Hajj. They will then make niyyah for Hajj and recite “Labbayka Allahuma Hajjan” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Hajj). If a pilgrim is doing Hajj al-Ifrad or Qiran, they will already be in Ihram and won’t have to make a specific niyyah on the first day of Hajj. 

• Journeying Towards Mina

After the Hajj pilgrims offer the mandatory Fajr prayer, they set out from Makkah and make their way towards Mina. The distance to be covered here is approximately eight kilometers, though it might be smaller due to the expansion of the city of Makkah in this day and age.

It should be noted that the journey towards Mina is not just traveling, but a time for making dua, contemplating, and further spiritual preparation. It is also recommended that the pilgrims recite the Talbiyah or ‘Labbaik’ as much as possible, so the crowds will be chanting this dhikr out loud while they travel. 

• Stay in Mina

When these Hajj pilgrims reach Mina, they proceed to the tents provided especially for their stay overnight. These tents are not intended to be luxurious or extravagant; instead, they mark the beginning of a deeply spiritual experience, where pilgrims can set aside their worldly concerns. However, due to the heat in this part of the world, the Mina tents are usually air-conditioned. This would not be the case in most tents in Arafat, where the primary focus will be on standing under the skies and praying to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). In Muzdalifah, the pilgrims will be sleeping without any tents at all.

During the time in Mina on the first day of Hajj, pilgrims will utilize the items they had packed earlier. There are several lists available detailing what a pilgrim should pack for Mina, so it’s best to consult those before setting out on Yom al-Tarwiyyah. There aren’t any official shops in this area, so don’t depend on shopping for any necessities at this point. There are several food stalls, but locating items such as soap, prayer mats, towels, etc, might present a challenge. 

While in Mina on this first day, pilgrims should be ready for specific prayers. These include the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers of 8^th Zil Hajj. The Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers will only be two mandatory rakahs instead of the usual four. Finally, pilgrims will offer the Fajr salah on the 9^th of Zil Hajj before leaving Mina and heading towards the plain of Arafat.

What Should You Focus on in Mina?

The first day of Hajj in Mina marks the beginning of the hardships that pilgrims face during Hajj. While the time spent in Mina is a little easier than in Arafat or Muzdalifah, it is still quite different from the regular lives we lead. Pilgrims might feel exhausted from the journey and disturbed by the heat despite the air conditioning. The tents are often crowded since every pilgrim has to spend the day here after their travel.

To deal with the potential issues we might face in Makkah, it’s recommended that we keep drinking fluids and hydrate our bodies as much as we can. We should also pay attention to what our body needs–rest, food, etc–so that we don’t fall ill or faint during the Hajj days. It is the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) to keep reciting the Talbiyah repeatedly during the days of Hajj. This dhikr is the best and most recommended one during this time, so the first day of Hajj should be especially filled with the words:

لَبَّيْكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ ٱلْحَمْدَ وَٱلنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَٱلْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

“Here I am [at your service], O God, here I am. Here I am [at your service]. You have no partners (other gods); here I am. To You alone is all praise and all excellence, and to You is all sovereignty. There is no partner to You.”

With the affirmation of ‘Labbaik’, the Hajj pilgrims have a constant reminder of their niyyah to perform the pilgrimage only for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). 

What Else Should We Know for the First Day of Hajj? 

Here are a few more pointers to keep in mind on this important day:

• Bus rides: Some Hajj groups use buses as their main mode of transport to Mina and other locations. While the buses are likely comfortable and air-conditioned, they will get stuck in traffic and crowds of pedestrian pilgrims. In such cases, it’s essential to stay patient and calm, since even the 8 kilometers might take several hours to cover. 
• Taxis: For those traveling without a Hajj group, taxis might be a likely option if you don’t want to walk. However, taxi fares can soar to new heights during Hajj days, so budget for these rides accordingly. 
• Walking: If you are able to, walking the distance to Makkah might be the best choice of all. This way, the pilgrim can better recreate the original experience in some way. There are pedestrian tunnels located between Safa and Marwa; these lead to the Jamarat and also protect pedestrians from the heat and sunlight. There are toilets, medical facilities, refreshment stands, and even sitting areas available on this route. Since you'll have to walk a bit in Mina as well, make sure you’re physically able to conduct this journey on foot. Also, ensure that walking does not affect your health for the remainder of the Hajj. When walking, it is advisable to have a guide or be aware of the correct route yourself.

Why is Mina so Important in Hajj?

Also known as ‘Tent City’, Mina is a crucial stop on the Hajj journey. The meanings of this place’s name include ‘to be put to the test’, ‘to find’, ‘to be tested’, etc. It’s fitting, as the pilgrims’ test starts with the tents and heat of Mina. ‘Mina’ can also mean ‘flow’, as it is also the spot where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had sacrificed 100 camels while on Hajj. This practice set the precedent for animals being sacrificed in Mina after Hajj, marking the completion of the pilgrimage. Mina is also important because it’s the site of the First Pledge, where twelve Ansar Companions took the oath of accepting Islam. Among their oaths was that they would not commit shirk, not steal, not be adulterous, and not speak falsely about anyone. 

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