Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and undoubtedly, it is a profound spiritual journey for which the pilgrims must prepare physically and mentally. Undertaking the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all the muslims who are financially and physically capable.
Throughout Hajj, pilgrims follow the path of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to perform various rituals which represent Muslim devotion, submission to God and a sense of unity amongst Muslims globally.
Hajj is not just a physically challenging journey but a profound spiritual experience which cleanses the human soul, deepens commitment to faith and draws believers closer to Allah. An important practice during this sacred journey requires believers to recite and grasp essential supplications (dua for going to hajj).
These duas involve Allah’s guidance, forgiveness and blessings, which ensure that every pilgrim has a fulfilling hajj experience.
Reciting the correct hajj dua at different stages of the pilgrimage enhances the experience and ensures a spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage. In this blog, we will outline all the best duas for Dhul Hijjah for every Muslim planning to undertake the beautiful journey of Hajj.
Also Read:- Riazul Jannah – A Garden of Paradise
Duas to Recite Before Embarking on Hajj
From the very beginning, pilgrims can start reciting various duas depending on what they are doing. For example, even before starting the pilgrimage journey, essential duas can be recited. Here are some examples in different scenarios;
1. Dua for Intention (Hajj Niyyah)
Before a Muslim can set out on the Hajj pilgrimage, they must have a sincere intention to perform it. The dua for intention helps the pilgrims seek Allah’s acceptance of their pilgrimage.
اللهم إني أريد الحج فيسره لي وتقبله مني
Allahumma inni ureedul hajj fa yassirhu li wa taqabbalhu minni.
Meaning of the Dua – “O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
2. Dua for a Safe Journey
The journey to Mecca is a long one for a lot of pilgrims. This dua is aimed at seeking blessings from Allah to keep the pilgrims safe during the journey.
Also read:- Umrah ki Niyat
اللهم إنا نسألك في سفرنا هذا البر والتقوى ومن العمل ما ترضى، اللهم هون علينا سفرنا هذا واطوِ عنّا بعده، اللهم أنت الصاحب في السفر والخليفة في الأهل
Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa wa minal ‘amali ma tardha. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu’dahu. Allahumma Anta as-sahibu fi as-safar wal-khaleefatu fil-ahl.
Meaning of the Dua – “O Allah, we ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey, and deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family (left behind).”
3. Dua for Boarding a Vehicle
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommends reciting this Surah together with proper intentions to ensure safe travels for yourself and everyone accompanying you.
بِسْـمِ اللهِ وَالْحَمْـدُ لله، سُـبْحانَ الّذي سَخَّـرَ لَنا هذا وَما كُنّا لَهُ مُقْـرِنين، وَإِنّا إِلى رَبِّنا لَمُنـقَلِبون، الحَمْـدُ لله، الحَمْـدُ لله، الحَمْـدُ لله، اللهُ أكْـبَر، اللهُ أكْـبَر، اللهُ أكْـبَر، سُـبْحانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ إِنّي ظَلَـمْتُ نَفْسي فَاغْـفِرْ لي، فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِـرُ الذُّنوبَ إِلاّ أَنْـت
Bismillah, walhamdulillah. Subhanal-ladzi sakh-khara lana hadza wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin. Wa inna ila Rabbina lamun-qalibun.
Meaning of the Dua – “In the name of Allah and all praise is for Allah. How perfect He is, the One Who has placed this (transport) at our service and we ourselves would not have been capable of that, and to our Lord is our final destiny.”
4. Dua Upon Entering Mecca
Once the pilgrims enter the holy city of Mecca, the following dua should be recited to express gratitude and seek Allah’s blessing;
اللهم هذا حرمك وأمنك فحرمني على النار وأمنّي من عذابك يوم تبعث عبادك
Allahumma haza haramuka wa amnuka faharrimni ‘ala an-nar wa amminni min ‘adhabika yawma tab’athu ‘ibadak.
“O Allah, this is Your sacred land and sanctuary; protect me from Hellfire and grant me security from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”
Duas for Various Hajj Rituals
Pilgrims are required to pray and recite various duas art different times in the hajj pilgrimage while undertaking numerous rituals. Here is a list of duas for the hajj rituals;
1. Dua for Wearing Ihram
Pilgrims recite the Talbiyah before entering the sacred state of Ihram to announce their intention to start worship for the Hajj pilgrimage.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
Meaning of the Dua – “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
2. Dua Upon Seeing the Kaaba
Upon entering Masjid al-Haram and seeing the Kaaba for the first time, a pilgrim should make any personal supplication, as this moment is considered auspicious.
اللهم زد هذا البيت تشريفًا وتعظيمًا وتكريمًا ومهابةً، وزد من شرفه وعظّمه من حجّه أو اعتمره تعظيمًا وتشريفًا وتكريمًا وبرًّا
Allahumma zid hadha al-bayta tashreefan wa ta‘dheeman wa takreeman wa mahabah, wazid man sharrafahu wa ‘azzamahu mimman hajjahu awi ‘tamara ta‘dheeman wa takreeman wa birra.
Meaning of the Dua – “O Allah, increase this House in honor, greatness, nobility, and awe, and increase the honor, dignity, and righteousness of those who honor and perform Hajj or Umrah here.”
3. Dua for Tawaf (Circumambulating the Kaaba)
The ritual of Tawaf involves walking around the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction. Each circumambulation starts and ends at the Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone). While facing the Black Stone to start their Tawaf, candidates can say Takbir to show their intention.
بسم الله الله أكبر ولله الحمد
Bismillahi Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd
Meaning of the Dua – I start in the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Him.
4. Dua to Recite Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone
While performing Tawaf, pilgrims can recite the following Dua;
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Meaning of the Dua – “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
5. Dua for Sa’i (Walking between Safa and Marwah)
There isn’t a specific prescribed dua for this act, but pilgrims can make supplication (dua), do dhikr (remembrance of Allah), or recite the Quran. One example is as follows;
إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Innassafaa wal marwata min sha’airillah, faman hajj al baeeta awi’tamara falaa junaaha a’laihi aiyattawwafa bihi maa, wa man tatawwa’a khairan fa innAllaha shaakirun a’leem
Meaning of the Dua – “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158)
6. Dua at Arafat (dua for 9th dhul hijjah)
The Day of Arafat is the most significant part of the Hajj. The best dua for day of Arafat is mentioned below.
As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “The best of supplications is the supplication on the day of Arafah and the best which I and the Prophets before me have said is:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.
Meaning of the Dua – “There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over everything.”
7. Dua for Stoning the Jamarat
Pilgrims, when throwing pebbles at Jamarat, should recite Talbiyah.
اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.
“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest! Despite the Shaytan and his supporters.”
8. Dua for Returning from Hajj
آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Ayibun, ta’ibun, ‘abidun, sajidun, lirabbina hamidun.
“We return, repentant, worshipping, prostrating and praising our Lord.”
Conclusion
The Hajj pilgrimage is a journey of faith, devotion and patience. During this important journey, pilgrims need to memorise these essential hajj duas to ensure their heart and mind remain connected to Allah at every stage of their journey while performing different rituals. Pilgrims who memorise and repeat these supplications will experience heightened spiritual benefits and immense blessings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I make personal duas during Hajj?
A. Yes, pilgrims can make personal duas at any time during Hajj, especially at significant moments like seeing the Kaaba or standing at Arafat.
Q. Do I need to memorise all the duas?
A. While it is recommended that you memorise the duas, it is not mandatory. You can read the duas from a book or an app if you find it difficult to memorise them.
Q. Is it necessary to recite duas in Arabic?
A. Making supplication in Arabic is preferred, but pilgrims can also do so in their own language if needed.
Q. Can women recite the same duas as men during Hajj?
A. All the Hajj duas that are to be recited during various rituals of Hajj are the same for men and women.