Saudi Arabia confirms Hajj 2026. When does it start?
Saudi Arabia confirms Hajj 2026. When does it start?
Mariyam Muhammad, USA TODAY NETWORKSun, May 24, 2026 at 7:41 PM UTC
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The final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, has begun. Some Muslims will prepare to make their way to Saudi Arabia to perform the obligatory spiritual journey called Hajj, or pilgrimage.
The month of Dhul Hijjah began on May 18 with the sighting of the waxing crescent moon.
So, what is Hajj? When does it start? When is Eid al-Adha? Here are the details.
When is Hajj 2026? Officials from Saudi Arabia confirm start date
The period of Hajj is to begin on the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah and end on the thirteenth day, lasting five to six days. According to Al-Jazeera, observatories from Saudi Arabia have determined Hajj will start on May 25.
What is Hajj?
Hajj, or pilgrimage, is one of the basic foundations of Muslim beliefs and is one of the five pillars of Islam, according to Islamic Relief. It takes place at holy sites in and ariound Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The five pillars of Islam include:
Profession of faith (Shahadah)
Prayer (Salah)
Charity (Zakat)
Fasting (Sawm)
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The history of Hajj dates back thousands of years to the Prophet Abraham, who built the Kaa'ba. Later, Prophet Muhammad began the pilgrimage in 628 CE during the month of Dhul Hijjah.
What is the Kaa’ba?
The Kaa’ba, known as the ‘Baitullah’ or the House of God, is ultimately a mosque — Muslims do not worship it.
It was built by Prophet Abraham and his son Prophet Ishmael. It was later used by polytheistic Pagan Arabs until the founding of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad made it a holy site, initiating the Islamic duty of pilgrimage.
Now, as Muslims observe their five daily obligatory prayers, they specifically pray in the direction of the Kaa’ba in any part of the world.
Muslim worshippers gather to pray around the Kaa'ba, Islam's holiest shrine, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.Who goes to Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory and is required to be done once in a lifetime, but only for adult Muslims with the financial capacity to travel and who are healthy enough to perform it, both physically and emotionally. Muslims also have the option to go more than once if they have the means.
Approximately 2–3 million Muslims participate in Hajj every year. Anyone performing Hajj is called a pilgrim.
Where is Hajj done?
Hajj takes place at holy sites in and around Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
How do Muslims prepare for Hajj? What happens at Hajj?
Hajj is a special, spiritual time for pilgrims; many have spent their lives waiting for an opportunity to partake. Some may have spent years saving money to finally attend Hajj, or are waiting for a permit from Saudi authorities.
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To perform Hajj correctly, pilgrims must follow step-by-step rules to fulfill the journey, according to Islamic Relief. This includes maintaining a state of intention — to please God and fulfill the religious duty — and entering a state of Ihram, or spiritual state, to perform Hajj.
To maintain a state of Ihram, pilgrims must refrain from wrongdoings and be mindful of their words and actions. Pilgrims must refrain from smoking, engaging in sexual relations, swearing, shaving hair, and cutting nails.
Ihram includes wearing the proper clothing for Hajj. Men wear a two-piece white cloth wrapped around the waist and over the shoulder, and women observe the rules of hijab, which require a head covering (hijab) and loose clothing that covers the body from head to toe. Footwear must be in the form of sandals. Because Hajj brings unity to the Muslim community, rich and poor, all pilgrims must dress simply without any stitching on the garments.
Though Ihram is simple, it must be followed and adhered to.
What happens when pilgrims enter Mecca to begin their Hajj pilgrimage?
It begins with Tawaf, which is walking around the Kaa’ba counterclockwise seven times. Then, pilgrims will perform S’ai, which is walking or running between the hills of Safa and Marwah, which reenacts the struggle of Prophet Abraham’s wife, Hagar, searching for water for her son, Ishmael. Both of these actions take place in Mecca’s Grand Mosque, known as Masjid al-Haram.
Hajj is a long journey comprising 17 steps. A more detailed description of these steps can be found on Islamic Relief’s website, which is verified by Islamic scholars.
Muslim worshippers circle the sacred Kaa'ba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in March 2020.What is the meaning of Hajj?
Not only does performing Hajj fulfill one of five religious duties, but it also demonstrates the struggles Prophet Abraham and his family went through in Mecca and serves as a reminder to Muslims of Prophet Abraham’s devotion to God.
The completion of Hajj wipes away a Muslim’s sins, builds spirituality, demonstrates submission to God and brings unity to those in attendance.
Is pilgrimage allowed only during Hajj?
Hajj, the major pilgrimage, can only be done between the eighth and 13th days of Dhul Hijjah and is to be completed in five to six days. However, there is a minor pilgrimage called Umrah, which can usually be completed in a day.
Umrah is not obligatory but is highly encouraged for those who have the financial capacity and are in good health. It has fewer steps than Hajj and can be done at any time of the year.
When is Eid al-Adha 2026? More on second major holiday for Muslims
After the Day of Standing during Dhul Hijjah comes Eid al-Adha, the second major holiday of the year for Muslims.
Eid al-Adha is to begin the night of May 26 and will be celebrated worldwide on May 27. On this day, Muslims will attend a community prayer in the morning, often in a mosque or Islamic center, donate to those in need, and spend the day with friends and family, eating and enjoying each other’s company.
Eid al-Adha translates to "Festival of Sacrifice," as this day commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, for God. But God stopped him and sent him a ram to sacrifice instead.
Specifically for Eid al-Adha, Muslims are encouraged to participate in Qurbani, which is the slaughtering of a permitted animal, reflecting the sacrifice Prophet Abraham was willing to make. Goats, cows, lambs and camels are some of the animals permitted to be sacrificed. It is mandatory for a portion of the meat to be donated to the needy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Saudi Arabia confirms Hajj 2026 start date, more on Islamic pilgrimage
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