Describe how Ḥajj is performed.

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime on every Muslim who is able. It is performed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah in the following steps.

1. Ihram: At the appointed boundary (miqat) the pilgrim makes the intention for Hajj, puts on the two white unsewn sheets (men) or modest dress (women), and begins reciting the Talbiyah: Labbayka Allahumma labbayk...
2. Tawaf of arrival: On reaching Makkah the pilgrim circles the Ka'bah seven times, starting and ending at the Black Stone, keeping the Ka'bah on his left.
3. Sa'y: He then walks and trots seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, in remembrance of Hajar's search for water for her son Isma'il.
4. Going to Mina: On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah) the pilgrims proceed to Mina and stay there, offering the prayers.
5. Standing at 'Arafah (Wuquf): On the 9th they move to the plain of 'Arafah and stay from midday till sunset, praying and supplicating. This standing is the most essential rite of Hajj, without which Hajj is invalid.
6. Muzdalifah: After sunset they proceed to Muzdalifah, combine the Maghrib and 'Isha prayers, spend the night and gather pebbles.
7. Stoning at Mina (Rami): On the 10th (Yawm an-Nahr) they return to Mina and stone the largest pillar (Jamratul-'Aqabah) with seven pebbles.
8. Sacrifice and shaving: They then offer the animal sacrifice and shave or shorten the hair, coming partly out of Ihram.
9. Tawaf al-Ifadah: They go to Makkah to perform the main Tawaf and Sa'y.
10. Days of Tashriq: Returning to Mina, they stay on the 11th, 12th and 13th, stoning the three pillars each day.
11. Tawaf of farewell (Tawaf al-Wada'): Before leaving Makkah the pilgrim performs a final Tawaf of the Ka'bah.

With these rites completed, the Hajj is fulfilled and the pilgrim, if sincere, returns cleansed of sin like a newborn.