Hajj 2027 dates: day by day

Hajj 2027, the Hajj of 1448 AH, is expected to begin on Friday 14 May 2027 (8 Dhul Hijjah) and end on Wednesday 19 May 2027 (13 Dhul Hijjah). The Day of Arafah, the heart of Hajj, is expected on Saturday 15 May, and Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May in Saudi Arabia. These dates follow the expected start of Dhul Hijjah on Friday 7 May, and the moon sighting will confirm them.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime on every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able. Allah says, "Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to find a way to it" (Surah Al Imran, 3:97). This guide sets out each day, what pilgrims do on it according to the Hanafi school, and what Muslims around the world can do from home.

What are the expected Hajj 2027 dates day by day?

• 1 Dhul Hijjah 1448. Expected Friday 7 May 2027 in Saudi Arabia, and Saturday 8 May in India, where the month usually begins a day later.
• 8 Dhul Hijjah, Yawm at-Tarwiyah. Friday 14 May 2027. Pilgrims go to Mina.
• 9 Dhul Hijjah, Day of Arafah. Saturday 15 May 2027. Pilgrims stand at Arafah, then go to Muzdalifah.
• 10 Dhul Hijjah, Yawm an-Nahr. Sunday 16 May 2027, Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia. Monday 17 May is expected in India.
• 11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, the days of Tashriq. Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 May 2027. Pilgrims stone the pillars in Mina.

The Islamic calendar is lunar, and a new month begins when the crescent is sighted after sunset on the 29th day of the previous month. If it is not seen, the month completes thirty days. Saudi Arabia announces the start of Dhul Hijjah after the sighting on the evening of the 29th of Dhul Qa'dah, and the dates of Hajj are fixed from that. Everyone outside Saudi Arabia should follow their own local masjid or moon-sighting committee for Eid and the days around it.

Hajj 2027 falls in mid-May, when daytime temperatures in Makkah and Mina are already very high. Pilgrims should plan for heat: umbrellas, water, rest in the hottest hours, and listening carefully to their group's health advice.

What do pilgrims do on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, Yawm at-Tarwiyah?

The 8th is called Yawm at-Tarwiyah, often explained as "the day of quenching", because pilgrims in the past would fill their water supplies for the days ahead. Hajj formally begins on this day.

Pilgrims performing tamattu', who completed their Umrah earlier and came out of ihram, now enter ihram again for Hajj, usually from their place of stay in Makkah. They take a ghusl, put on the ihram garments, pray two rak'ahs, make the intention for Hajj and begin the talbiyah: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Pilgrims performing qiran or ifrad are already in ihram.

Pilgrims then travel to Mina, a valley a few kilometres from the Haram, and the Sunnah is to pray Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, 'Isha and the next day's Fajr there, each at its own time. In the Hanafi school, staying in Mina on this day is a Sunnah, not a requirement, but it follows the way of the Prophet ﷺ, so pilgrims try hard to keep it. The day is spent in talbiyah, dhikr, dua and rest before the great day.

What happens on the 9th, the Day of Arafah?

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Hajj is Arafah," as reported by al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i. Standing at Arafah, called wuquf, is the one pillar of Hajj that cannot be made up. Whoever misses it has missed Hajj that year.

After sunrise on the 9th, pilgrims move from Mina to the plain of Arafah. In the Hanafi school, the time of wuquf runs from midday (zawal) on the 9th until true dawn of the 10th. Being present at Arafah for even a moment within this time fulfils the pillar, but a pilgrim who arrives in the daytime must stay until after sunset; leaving before sunset without returning brings a penalty. Pilgrims pray Zuhr and 'Asr, and the conditions for combining them are explained by their group scholars, since the Hanafi school has specific conditions for this.

The afternoon is the most precious time of the whole journey. Pilgrims stand or sit facing the qiblah, raise their hands and pour out their hearts in dua, dhikr, istighfar and recitation. It was here, during the Farewell Hajj in the tenth year after the Hijrah, that the Prophet ﷺ delivered his great sermon, and the verse "This day I have perfected your religion for you" (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:3) was revealed on the Day of Arafah, as 'Umar ibn al-Khattab confirmed (Sahih al-Bukhari, 45).

The night at Muzdalifah

After sunset, pilgrims leave Arafah for Muzdalifah without praying Maghrib on the way. In the Hanafi school, they must delay Maghrib and pray it together with 'Isha at Muzdalifah, in the time of 'Isha. They spend the night there, which is a Sunnah, and many collect pebbles for the stoning. Standing at Muzdalifah for a while between dawn and sunrise on the 10th is wajib in the Hanafi school, though the weak, the elderly and women who fear the crowds are excused. Allah says, "When you pour down from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mash'ar al-Haram" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:198).

What do pilgrims do on the 10th, the day of Eid?

The 10th is Yawm an-Nahr, the day of sacrifice and the busiest day of Hajj. Pilgrims do not pray Eid salah; their Hajj rites take its place. Four acts are performed:

• Stoning Jamrat al-'Aqabah. Seven pebbles are thrown at the largest pillar, saying Allahu akbar with each. The talbiyah stops with the first pebble.
• The sacrifice (hady). For pilgrims doing tamattu' or qiran, offering an animal is wajib as a thanksgiving for combining Umrah and Hajj. Most pilgrims now arrange this through official coupon schemes.
• Shaving or shortening the hair. Men shave the head, which is better, or shorten the hair; women cut a fingertip's length. Most restrictions of ihram are now lifted, except intimacy.
• Tawaf al-Ziyarah. Also called Tawaf al-Ifadah, this is a pillar of Hajj. In the Hanafi school its time begins at dawn on the 10th and it should be done before sunset on the 12th; delaying it beyond that without excuse brings a penalty. Sa'i between Safa and Marwah follows if it was not done earlier.

In the Hanafi school, pilgrims doing tamattu' or qiran must keep the order of stoning, then sacrifice, then shaving. Many pilgrims find this hard because the sacrifice is done by others at a time they do not control, so they should confirm the time with their group before shaving. After Tawaf al-Ziyarah, all restrictions of ihram end.

What do pilgrims do on the days of Tashriq?

The 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah are the days of Tashriq. The Prophet ﷺ described them as "days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah" (Sahih Muslim, 1141), and fasting on them is not allowed. Allah says, "Remember Allah during the appointed days" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:203).

Pilgrims spend these days in Mina. On the 11th and 12th, after midday, they stone all three pillars in order, seven pebbles each: the small pillar, then the middle one, then Jamrat al-'Aqabah. After the first two, the Sunnah is to stand facing the qiblah and make a long dua. In the Hanafi school, spending the nights in Mina is a Sunnah.

On the 12th, a pilgrim may leave Mina after stoning. The Hanafi position is that it is disliked to leave after sunset on the 12th, and if the pilgrim is still in Mina at dawn on the 13th, stoning on the 13th becomes wajib. Many groups now leave on the 12th, which the Qur'an permits (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:203). Before leaving Makkah for home, pilgrims who live outside the Haram area perform the farewell tawaf, Tawaf al-Wida', which is wajib in the Hanafi school. A woman who is menstruating at that time is excused from it.

What are the three types of Hajj in the Hanafi school?

Tamattu'

The pilgrim enters ihram for Umrah only, performs it during the months of Hajj, and comes out of ihram. On the 8th, they enter ihram again for Hajj. A sacrifice is wajib. If a pilgrim cannot find or afford the animal, Allah says they fast three days during Hajj and seven when they return (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196). Tamattu' is by far the most common choice today because it allows pilgrims to come out of ihram during the long wait before Hajj.

Qiran

The pilgrim enters one ihram for both Umrah and Hajj together, performs the Umrah, and stays in ihram until the 10th. A sacrifice is wajib. In the Hanafi school, qiran is the most virtuous type, followed by tamattu', then ifrad, because it keeps the pilgrim in the state of worship longest. It is also demanding, so it suits those arriving close to Hajj.

Ifrad

The pilgrim enters ihram for Hajj alone, with no Umrah before it. No sacrifice is required, though it may be offered voluntarily. Residents of Makkah perform ifrad, because the Qur'an limits tamattu' to those "whose family is not present at the Sacred Mosque" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196), and the Hanafi school applies the same to qiran.

The months of Hajj are Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197), so the Umrah of tamattu' must fall within this period. For a fuller walkthrough of every step, see our guide on how to perform Hajj.

When should you book Hajj 2027 and apply for a visa?

Hajj is not a trip you can book at short notice. Saudi Arabia sets a quota of pilgrims for each country, and a Hajj permit is required; Umrah, tourist or visit visas do not allow anyone to perform Hajj. Pilgrims caught without a valid permit face fines and being sent back.

• Start early. In many countries, registration for the next Hajj opens months ahead, often within a few months after the previous Hajj ends.
• Use the official route. Depending on where you live, this is your country's government Hajj body, a licensed Hajj operator, or the official Saudi Nusuk platform. Avoid anyone offering Hajj on a non-Hajj visa.
• Prepare documents and health. A passport with enough validity, the vaccinations required by Saudi health rules for that year, and a doctor's check for anyone with a medical condition.
• Learn the rites before you go. Pilgrims who understand each day worship with far more presence and far less stress.

Requirements change from year to year, so check the current rules with your official Hajj authority. Make sure your money for Hajj is halal, settle debts or arrange them, and write a will before travelling.

What can Muslims who are not going do during Hajj 2027?

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are for everyone. The Prophet ﷺ said there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Sahih al-Bukhari, 969). In 2027 they are expected from Friday 7 May to Sunday 16 May in Saudi Arabia, and a day later in India.

• Fast the Day of Arafah. The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting this day expiates the sins of the year before and the year after (Sahih Muslim, 1162). Those at home fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah as it falls where they live, so follow your local masjid or moon-sighting committee for the date. Pilgrims at Arafah do not fast, following the Prophet ﷺ.
• Increase dhikr. Say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah and Allahu akbar often, and make dua on the Day of Arafah. Our dua for the Day of Arafah page has the best words.
• Offer Qurbani. In the Hanafi school, Qurbani is wajib on every adult, sane, resident Muslim who owns the nisab during the days of sacrifice. It may be done from after Eid salah on the 10th until sunset on the 12th. Our free Qurbani rules sheet covers the details.
• Hair and nails. Umm Salamah reported that whoever intends to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until they sacrifice (Sahih Muslim, 1977). In the Hanafi school this is recommended, not obligatory.

The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever performs Hajj without obscenity or wrongdoing returns as sinless as the day his mother gave birth to him (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1521). If Hajj is not possible for you this year, make it your intention and your dua. For the dates of Eid and the rest of the year, download our free Islamic calendar 2027, and read about the month itself on our Dhul Hijjah page.

Sources

1. The Qur'an, Surah Al Imran (3), verse 97: the duty of Hajj.
2. The Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2), verses 196-203: the rites, months and days of Hajj.
3. Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 969: no days are better for good deeds than the ten days.
4. Sahih Muslim, hadith 1162: fasting the Day of Arafah expiates two years.
5. Sahih Muslim, hadith 1141: the days of Tashriq are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.
6. Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 1521: whoever performs Hajj without obscenity returns sinless.