Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The First Day (8th Dhul Hijja)
The rituals begin with the Day of Deliberation or Reflection, known as
yawm al-tarwiyah
in Arabic. On this day, pilgrims leave behind their distinguishing garb and with it all iden-
tification of status, wealth and nationality, and dress in
ihram
, two seamless, unsewn
sheets that symbolise a state of consecration. This ritual is performed outside Mecca, and
is accompanied by recitation of
an-niyyah
(the stating of intent).
On reaching the holy city of Mecca, pilgrims perform
tawaf al-qudu m
, circling the
Kaaba seven times, shoulder to shoulder with fellow pilgrims in the same state of reveren-
ce and reflection. After praying between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba, pil-
grims then move to the Station of Ibrahim for further prayers.
Pilgrims drink the holy water of Zamzam before proceeding to the
sa'ee
, where they
must run or walk seven times back and forth between the two hills of Safa and Marwah.
