- Hajj is the fifth of the five pillars of Islam.
- Hajj is an obligatory duty upon every sane, adult, and solvent Muslim at least once during his/her lifetime, as Allah, Almighty, says “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find thereto a way” The Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon him, says: (O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you, so perform Hajj). It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah, and authenticated by al-Bukhari, Al-Tirmidhi, and Muslim.
- Hajj was made obligatory in the ninth year of Hijrah.
- Ihraam for Hajj begins from Miqats (the appointed places and the fixed times).
- Fixed Times: They are the special months specified for Hajj, which are: Shawwal, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah.
- The appointed places are:
Dhul Hulayfah
It is the Miqat for the people of Medina and aliens who come to it. It is about 18 km away from Medina, and about 420 km from Makkah al-Mukarramah.
Al-Juhfah
It is the Miqat for the people of the Levant, Egypt, Sudan, and all countries of the Arab Maghreb. It is about 186 km away from Makkah al-Mukarramah.
Qarn al-Manazil
It is the Miqat for the people of Najd, the Arab Gulf states, and other countries beyond them. It is approximately 74 km away from Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
Yalamlam
It is the Miqat for the people of Yemen and everyone who passes by that road. It was given this name in reference to Yalamlam Mount. It is about 130 km away from Makkah al-Mukarramah.
Thatu Irq
It is the Miqat for the people of Iraq and other countries beyond it. It is about 110 km away from Makkah Al-Mukarramah
Miqat for the people of Makkah
The people of Makkah assume Ihram [ritual consecration] from their homes or the Holy Mosque of Makkah if they wish
1* Ihram is assumed at those times in case of travel by land. In case of travel by air, pilgrims cannot pass by Miqats. Therefore, they can wear Ihram clothes before boarding, or on the plane, and can make Talbiyah in parallel with Miqat. The air carrier informs the pilgrims when they reach Miqat, which can be confirmed when making the reservation for Hajj.
Pillars of Hajj
Ihram from MiqatIt is the intention to enter into rituals
Standing at Arafah
Tawaf Al-Ifadhah
Sa’y [going back and forth between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah]
- Ihram
- Standing at Arafah until the sun sets
- Spending the night in Muzdalifah: The pilgrims must stay at Muzdalifah after midnight, even if only for a while.
- Spending the night in Mina during the days of Tashreeq: The pilgrims must spend most of the night at Mina.
- Throwing of Jamaraat: Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah from the Day of Nahr (the 10th day of Thul-Hijjah) and the three Jamarat during the days of Tashreeq.
- Hair cutting or shortening
- Tawaf Al-Wadaa’ (the farewell circumambulation)
Duties of Hajj
The obligations of Hajj may not be left unperformed without an excuse. If they are left unperformed without an excuse, the pilgrim will be sinful and obliged to sacrifice, but the pilgrimage will be valid. Therefore, the pilgrim must slaughter a sheep and distribute the meat to the poor of the Holy Mosque of Makkah.
The Sunnah and recommended deeds are all deeds other than the pillars and obligations, such as Talbiyah [expressions of remembrance of Allah], spending the night in Mina on the night of Tarwiyah (the 8th day of Thul-Hijjah), the two rak‘ahs [units of prayer] of tawaf, and other deeds. Whoever does the Sunnah and recommended deeds will attain merit and perfection, and whoever leaves them unperformed will miss a lot of good deeds, but he/she is neither sinful nor obliged to sacrifice.
Airport at the pilgrim’s country
- Men wear Ihram clothes and women wear their normal clothes.
- When the pilgrims pass by Miqat on the plane, they must intend to assume Ihram.
- Going through rituals and Talbiyah when aligning with Miqat, saying: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, Innal hamda wan-ni‘amata laka wal mulk, laa shareeka laka” [In response to Your call, O Allah, here I come. In response to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders, You Have no partner. In response to Your call. All the praises and blessings belong to You, all the sovereignty belongs to You, and You have no partners with You]. The pilgrims continue Talbiyah until they reach the holy sites.
- The pilgrim chooses one of the patterns of Hajj, which are:
- Tamattu’ Hajj: The pilgrim assumes Ihram for Umrah only, saying: “Allahumma labbayka Umrah” [This statement begins the rites of Umrah]. Then, the pilgrim completes Umrah and comes out of the state of Ihram. When the time of Hajj comes, he/she assumes Ihram from Makkah and becomes obliged to bring Hady [animal sacrifice]. This pattern is the easy one.
- Ifrad Hajj: The pilgrim assumes Ihram for Hajj only, saying: “Allahumma labbayka Hajj” [This statement begins the rites of Hajj], without animal sacrifice.]
- Qiran Hajj: The pilgrim assumes Ihram for Hajj and Umrah, saying: “Allahumma labbayka Hajj and Umrah”. The Qiran pilgrim performs Hajj acts only, which are the same as Ifrad Hajj acts but no animal sacrifice is required.
- When the pilgrim assumes Ihram, he/she must avoid all prohibitions of Ihram.
Tips:
- Ihram of menstruating women is valid. Whoever wants to assume Ihram must intend saying: “I intend Hajj and Umrah, and I assume Ihram for the sake of Allah, Allahumma labbayka Hajj and Umrah, and if an impediment detains me, then, I will dissolve (my Ihram) wherever/whenever You (O Allah) detain me”. The benefit of this statement is that if the pilgrim faces an emergency, such as disease, and it is impossible to complete Hajj, he/she may come out of the state of Ihram. This is the mercy and help of Allah Almighty.
- It is permissible to take off Ihram clothes and put on another Ihram outfit, if necessary.
- Hajj remains valid if any prohibition is committed, except for sexual intercourse, and the pilgrim shall be obliged to pay a fidyah (expiation).