Hajj Season 2026 Countdown

Hajj 2026 is expected to start on Monday, May 25, 2026 (8th of Dhul Hijjah). The main rites begin on the 8th (Day of Tarwiyah) when pilgrims travel to Mina, and culminate on the 9th (Day of Arafat). Hajj runs through the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah ending with the days of Tashreeq.

Hajj (Arabic: حَجّ) is the sacred annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the fifth Pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. It is the largest annual gathering of people on Earth, with 2 to 3 million pilgrims attending each year from over 180 countries.

The obligatory pillars (Arkan) of Hajj are: 1) Ihram (entering the sacred state). 2) Wuquf at Arafat (standing on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah). 3) Tawaf al-Ifadah (circumambulating the Kaaba). 4) Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwa 7 times). 5) Halq or Taqsir (shaving or trimming the hair). The most essential is Wuquf at Arafat: the Prophet (PBUH) said 'Hajj is Arafah.'

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are described in the Quran (Surah Al-Fajr 89:2) as 'the ten nights.' The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' (Bukhari). These are the best 10 days of the Islamic year for worship, fasting, dhikr, charity, and Quran recitation. The 10th day is Eid al-Adha.

Fasting the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah is Sunnah (recommended). The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast these days. Fasting on Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) expiates the sins of the previous and coming year (Sahih Muslim). Fasting on the 10th (Eid al-Adha) is prohibited. Scholars recommend fasting as many of the first 9 days as possible.

Dhul Hijjah (Arabic: ذو الحجة, also spelled Dhu al-Hijjah, Zul Hijjah, or Zilhaj) is the 12th and final month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, one of the four sacred months in Islam. Dhul Hijjah literally means 'Possessor of the Pilgrimage.' Hajj takes place from the 8th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th.

Reciting Takbeer openly during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah is a key Sunnah. The Takbeer is: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd.' It should be recited from 1 Dhul Hijjah until the last day of Tashreeq (13th Dhul Hijjah), especially after each prayer.

The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and the pinnacle of Hajj. Pilgrims gather on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca from noon to sunset for the Wuquf (standing), making dua and seeking forgiveness. This is the most essential ritual of Hajj. For non-pilgrims, fasting on Arafah expiates two years of sins.

Use the live Hajj countdown timer at the top of this page for the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds until Hajj 2026 starts on May 25, 2026. The counter updates every second.

Hajj is obligatory (fard) for every adult Muslim who is: 1) Physically healthy enough to travel. 2) Financially able to afford Hajj without hardship. 3) Able to safely reach Mecca. 4) Free (not enslaved). Women must be accompanied by a mahram (male guardian). Hajj must be performed at least once in a lifetime.

Hajj follows the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This causes Hajj to shift approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each Gregorian year, cycling through all seasons over about 33 years. This is why Hajj sometimes falls in summer heat, and other years in cooler months.

Ihram is the sacred state entered before Hajj or Umrah. For men, it involves wearing two white unstitched cloths. For women, modest loose clothing covering everything except the face and hands. Once in Ihram, pilgrims must avoid cutting hair or nails, using perfume, hunting, and sexual relations until rites are complete.

Muslims who cannot perform Hajj can: 1) Fast the first 9 days (especially Arafah). 2) Recite Takbeer, Tahmeed, and Tahleel. 3) Give charity generously. 4) Read Quran and make abundant dua. 5) Perform Qurbani (animal sacrifice) on Eid al-Adha. 6) Pray extra Sunnah prayers. The Prophet said these are the best days for good deeds.

Unlike other Islamic events, Hajj timing is unified globally based on the Saudi official moon sighting, since all pilgrims converge on Mecca. This makes Hajj one of the few Islamic events with a globally consistent date. The date may shift by 1 day based on the official Saudi announcement of 1 Dhul Hijjah.