Poriborton Kalyan Foundation

❌ Mistake: Many pilgrims go without proper knowledge of the rituals, relying entirely on their group leader.

✅ Correct Practice: Study Hajj before you go. Read authentic guides, watch educational videos, and understand each ritual's significance and method. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Learn from me your rituals." Knowledge empowers you to perform Hajj correctly even if your group leader makes errors.

❌ Mistake: Some enter Ihram at the airport or at home, thinking it's more virtuous.

✅ Correct Practice: Enter Ihram only AT or AFTER reaching your Miqat (designated boundary). Entering before unnecessarily prolongs Ihram restrictions. If traveling by plane, enter Ihram when you're within an hour of flying over the Miqat, or when the pilot announces.

❌ Mistake: Rushing to perform Tawaf immediately after arrival, even when exhausted or during peak crowds.

✅ Correct Practice: Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival Tawaf) is Sunnah, not obligatory. You can rest first and perform it when you're ready and crowds are lighter. The Prophet ﷺ arrived on the 4th of Dhul-Hijjah but stayed in Makkah peacefully before Hajj began.

❌ Mistake: Wiping hands on Kaaba walls, fabric, or corners (except Hajar al-Aswad and Rukn al-Yamani).

✅ Correct Practice: Only touch/kiss the Black Stone if possible without harm. Touch the Yemeni Corner without kissing it. Do not touch, kiss, or wipe other parts of the Kaaba. The Prophet ﷺ only touched these two points. Barakah (blessing) comes from following the Sunnah, not from physical contact with walls.

❌ Mistake: Following printed du'a books that prescribe specific supplications for each of the seven circuits.

✅ Correct Practice: There are NO specific du'as prescribed for each circuit. Make any du'a you wish during Tawaf in your own language. The only fixed supplications are: "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" when passing the Black Stone, and "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah..." between Yemeni Corner and Black Stone.

❌ Mistake: Some perform Raml (quick, short steps) in all seven circuits of Tawaf.

✅ Correct Practice: Men should perform Raml only in the FIRST THREE circuits of Tawaf al-Qudum and Tawaf al-Ifadah. Walk normally in circuits 4-7. Women do not perform Raml. Raml is not done in Tawaf al-Wada (farewell Tawaf).

❌ Mistake: Waiting a long time or struggling through crowds to pray exactly behind Maqam Ibrahim.

✅ Correct Practice: It's Sunnah to pray two Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim ONLY if easy. If crowded, pray anywhere in the Haram. The prayer can even be delayed until you return to your hotel if necessary. Don't cause harm or inconvenience to reach that specific spot.

❌ Mistake: Running throughout the entire distance between Safa and Marwah.

✅ Correct Practice: Men should walk normally except between the TWO GREEN LIGHTS where they should run/jog. Women walk normally throughout the entire Sa'i. The green lights mark where Hajar ran frantically searching for water - this is the only section where men emulate her urgency.

❌ Mistake: Leaving Arafat before the sun has completely set on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah.

✅ Correct Practice: You MUST stay at Arafat until AFTER sunset. Leaving early invalidates a major component of Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ specifically stayed until after sunset and commanded his companions to do the same. If you leave early intentionally, you must sacrifice an animal as expiation.

❌ Mistake: Struggling to climb the mountain (Jabal ar-Rahmah) believing standing there is superior or required.

✅ Correct Practice: The ENTIRE plain of Arafat is the standing place. The Prophet ﷺ said, "All of Arafat is a standing place." You don't need to be on the mountain or even see it. Stand anywhere within the boundaries of Arafat and make du'a.

❌ Mistake: Spending the day of Arafat sleeping, socializing, or taking photos instead of making du'a.

✅ Correct Practice: The Day of Arafat is THE BEST day for du'a in the entire year. The Prophet ﷺ spent it continuously in supplication with raised hands. Make du'a for yourself, family, the Ummah. This is the essence of Hajj - don't waste it!

❌ Mistake: Believing pebbles MUST be collected from Muzdalifah and cannot be from anywhere else.

✅ Correct Practice: While it's good to collect pebbles at Muzdalifah, they can be collected from anywhere within the Haram boundaries, including Mina itself. The pebbles don't need to be washed, specific colors, or from a particular location. Simple, small stones (chickpea-sized) suffice.

❌ Mistake: Throwing shoes, rocks, large stones, or multiple pebbles at once at the Jamarat.

✅ Correct Practice: Throw SEVEN small pebbles (about chickpea-sized) ONE AT A TIME, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. The pillars are merely markers; you're symbolically rejecting Satan's temptations. Throwing shoes or large objects is dangerous and against the Sunnah.

❌ Mistake: Pushing violently, hitting others, or causing harm to reach the pillars, especially on the 10th.

✅ Correct Practice: Stoning can be done anytime after Zawwal (noon) until Fajr of the next day. If crowded, wait or use the multiple levels. Causing harm to others invalidates the purpose. The Prophet ﷺ was gentle even in crowds. Your pebbles don't need to hit the pillar directly - landing in the basin counts.

❌ Mistake: Procrastinating Tawaf al-Ifadah for many days after Eid.

✅ Correct Practice: Tawaf al-Ifadah (the main Hajj Tawaf) should be performed on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. While it remains valid if done later during the months of Hajj, unnecessary delay is makruh (disliked). This Tawaf is a PILLAR of Hajj - don't leave Makkah without completing it.

❌ Mistake: Leaving Mina after sunset on the 12th, thinking departure is allowed after stoning.

✅ Correct Practice: If you want to leave on the 12th, you MUST depart BEFORE sunset. If the sun sets while you're still in Mina, you're obligated to stay the night and stone on the 13th. This is not optional. Plan your departure accordingly.

❌ Mistake: Leaving Makkah without performing the Farewell Tawaf, or doing it days before departure.

✅ Correct Practice: Tawaf al-Wada MUST be the LAST thing you do in Makkah before traveling home. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Let none of you depart until his last action is at the House (Kaaba)." After this Tawaf, go directly to leave the city. Shopping or other activities after it may necessitate repeating it.

❌ Mistake: Entering Ihram from inside the Haram for Umrah after completing Hajj.

✅ Correct Practice: To perform Umrah after Hajj, you MUST exit the Haram boundaries to a Miqat (Tan'eem/Masjid Aisha is nearest) and enter Ihram there. You cannot enter Ihram for Umrah while inside the Haram boundaries of Makkah. Aisha (RA) went to Tan'eem for this purpose.

❌ Mistake: Walking backwards out of the mosque, believing this is required or more respectful.

✅ Correct Practice: Walk out normally with your left foot first. There is NO authentic evidence for walking backwards. It's actually dangerous in crowds and can cause harm to others. The Prophet ﷺ entered with his right foot and exited with his left - walking forwards.

❌ Mistake: Thinking that looking at women, shaking hands, or minor arguments invalidate your Hajj entirely.

✅ Correct Practice: Hajj is invalidated ONLY by: intentional sexual intercourse before the first Tahallul, apostasy, or abandoning an essential pillar (like Tawaf al-Ifadah). Other sins decrease reward but don't invalidate Hajj. Avoid all sins, but if you slip, seek forgiveness and continue your Hajj. Perfect for Allah's acceptance, not human standards.

❌ Mistake: Shouting "Allahu Akbar" repeatedly and loudly when passing the Black Stone.

✅ Correct Practice: Say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" once when passing the Black Stone at the start of each circuit. There's no need for excessive repetition or loud shouting. The Sunnah is to say it calmly as you pass.

❌ Mistake: Constantly turning to face the Kaaba for every supplication, even during Tawaf.

✅ Correct Practice: Face the Kaaba for du'a ONLY in specific situations: when praying at Maqam Ibrahim, on Mount Safa and Marwah, and at Arafat. During Tawaf, make du'a while walking - don't stop to face the Kaaba. At other times, du'a is accepted from any direction.

❌ Mistake: Groups holding hands, ropes, or fabric to stay together during Tawaf, blocking others' path.

✅ Correct Practice: Perform Tawaf individually. There's no requirement to stay with your group. Holding hands creates barriers that inconvenience others and contradicts the spiritual focus of the ritual. If you get separated, you can meet after completing your Tawaf.

❌ Mistake: Making long lists of du'as only during Hajj, neglecting du'a the rest of the year.

✅ Correct Practice: While Hajj is a blessed time for du'a, Allah hears your prayers every day of the year. Don't save all your du'as for Hajj. Make du'a consistently in your daily life, especially during blessed times like the last third of the night, between Adhan and Iqamah, and while prostrating.

❌ Mistake: Delaying or missing prayers because you're "busy" with Tawaf, shopping, or other activities.

✅ Correct Practice: NOTHING takes precedence over Salah. Stop your Tawaf when Adhan is called, pray, then resume from where you stopped (you don't restart). Prayer is a pillar of Islam; missing it is a major sin regardless of what "good deed" you're doing.