Hajj is one of the five basic elements of Islam. Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Hajj is compulsory for every Muslim who can physically and financially afford it.
Hajj is a unique religious activity performed once a year and at a specific site, the Grand Mosque, more commonly known as Ka’aba or Baitullah, in the holy city of Mecca. It is performed in the Islamic month of Zil Hajj. Hajj comprises a sequence of religious activities and worship that starts on the 8th of Zil Hajj and ends on the 13th.
However, the main activity or actual Hajj occurs on the 9th of the Zil Hajj. The highlight of this event is the sermon (khutba-e-Hajj) delivered at Masjid-e-Nimra, plains of Arafa, near Mecca. The Pilgrims spend the whole day of the 9th Zil Hajj here.
While the Hajj is a continuous act of worship, it is highly recommended and advised by Religious Scholars to recite various Duas on different occasions during Hajj.
Importance of Duas during Hajj
Dua is an Arabic word that can be translated as “Supplication” in English. In Islam, Dua is the essence of every worship and prayer. So, a Dua is an essential part of every prayer. Additionally, many Duas are specific to certain events and occasions, such as Dua for traveling. Dua is a humble request by a person to Allah, Almighty. On the other hand, a Dua is also an act of worship.
Hajj is a very special event for a person. The main Hajj event lasts almost 6 days, but normally a person stays in the Holy cities of Mecca and Medina for around 30-40 days. It is a prime time for a Muslim. Practically he remains away from all family and business affairs during these days of Hajj.
So he can dedicate his entire time to worship and prayers. Hence it is the optimum and most appropriate time to recite Duas. This is high time to do it. And most importantly, it is highly likely that his prayers and duas will get the reward. That’s why scholars advise that maximum time should be spent during these days in prayers and duas.
10 Duas to Recite During Hajj
Hajj is a very special occasion for the Muslims. They believe that they come very close to their creator, Allah Almighty during the days spent in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
So, they need to spend maximum time reciting various Duas. Hundreds of duas are available in different Hadith books and other publications of famous and respectable Muslim Scholars. Here are some of the most common duas recited during the Hajj.
1. Talbiyah is the first and most important dua that is frequently recited throughout the course of the Hajj. It is narrated in the Hadith Book of Sahi Muslim, at 2:841
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، انَّالْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Translation:
“Ever at Your service, O Allah, every at Your service. Ever at Your Service, You have no partner ever at Your service. Verily all praise, blessings and dominions are Yours. You have no partner.”
This dua is repeatedly recited from the start of the Hajj.
2. Another most common Dua for reciting during Hajj is as under
رَبَّنآ ءَاتِنَا فِى اْلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَ فى الاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ اْلنَّارَ
Translation:
“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire”
This is one of the best duas that is recited frequently by Muslims in Prayers as well. Scholars highly recommend recitation of this dua during the Hajj.
3. Dua while leaving home for traveling to Mecca for Hajj.
بِسْمِ اللهِ، تَوَكَّلْـتُ عَلى اللهِ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُـوَّةَ إِلاّ بِالله
Translation:
“In the name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, and there is no power or might except by Allah”
4. Specific dua at the time of wearing Ahram. Ahram is normally worn before boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia, for Hajj.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ
Translation:
“O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.”
5. Dua to be recited at the time of first sight of Ka’aba. It is a very special occasion in the life of a Muslim to see the Baitullah (Ka’aba), the most worshipful place.
اللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا البَيْتَ تَشْريفًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مِن شَرَّفَهُ وكَرمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّه أو اعْتَمَرَه تَشْرِيفًا وَتَكْرِيمًا وَتَعْظِيمًا وَبِرًّا
Translation:
“O Allah! Increase this House in honour and reverence and nobility and awe, and increase those who honour and revere it as pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah in nobility and goodness and status and righteousness.”
6. Dua to be recited at the onset of Tawaf-e-Ka’aba. Tawaf is an essential part of Hajj. The Haji walks around the Ka’aba in a sequence for 7 times.
اللّهُمّ إيْمَاناً بِكَ، وَتَصْدِيْقاً بِكِتَابِكَ وَسُنّةِ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Translation:
“O Allah! Out of faith in You, conviction in Your book and Your Prophet’s way.”
7. Waqoof-e-Arafa, staying onthe plains of Arafa, is the main phase of Hajj. This is the place where you should recite a maximum of Duas. You can recite this dua while staying onthe plains of Arafa.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation:
“There is no God but Allah alone, with no partner or associate, His is the dominion, to Him all praise is due, all goodness is in His hand, He grants life and death and He has power overall things.”
8. Here’s another very good Dua that should be recited during the Hajj
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ. لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَ اللهُ أَكْـبَر لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَديرٌ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Translation:
“I begin with what Allah began with.Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without a partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His Servant and single-handedly defeated the allies.”
This dua is narrated in Book of Hadith Al-Muslim at 2:888
9. Here is second last best dua you can recite during Hajj
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٍ . اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورَاً وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورَاً وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورَاً اللَّهُمَّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَسَاوِسِ الصُّدُورِ وَشَتَاتِ الْأَمْرِ وَفِتْنَةِ الْقَبْرِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَلِجُ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَشَرِّ مَا يَلِجُ فِي النَّهَارِ وَشَرِّ مَا تَهِبُّ بِهِ الرِّيَاحُ
Translation:
“There is none worthy of worship besides Allah, He is all by Himself, He has no partner, His is the Kingdom, for Him is all praise, He has power over all things. O Allah! Make Nur in my heart, in my ears Nur and in my eyes Nur. O Allah! Open my chest (bossom), make my tasks easy and I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the chest, from disorganisation in working and from the punishment of the grave. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evils that come with the wind.”
10. This Dua should be recited before drinking Zamzam Water. Zamzam is a natural source of water thathas been running for hundreds of years—quite a miracle in this desert area.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلً
Translation:
“O Allah! I ask you for beneficial knowledge, and pure sustenance, and accepted actions.”
According to Islamic tradition, reciting Surah Yaseen during Hajj holds great significance and blessings. While the Quran as a whole is recited throughout the year, Surah Yaseen specifically is regarded as a powerful and special chapter with numerous virtues associated with it.
Conclusion
Hajj is a special event for the Muslims. It is an occasion when the pilgrims are cut off from all their family and friends and business. They spend the Hajj days in prayers and worship.
Hajj is a type of prayer itself, but it is advisable that you should recite maximum Duas during this time. There are so many Hadith in different Hadith Books that narrate different duas for this very special occasion. So, whenever you can travel for Hajj, use this time to recite different Duas.
Author Bio:
Rafia is a certified Quran scholar and Islamic content writer based in Pakistan. She is passionate about educating and inspiring others through her writing, promoting a deeper understanding of Islamic principles. She occasionally writes articles for Muslim And Quran.