Fiqh of Hajj

Hajj (pilgrimage)

(The Hajj is a journey of a lifetime for any Muslim and completes the fifth pillar of Islam. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic Calender. )

Source:Learn Islam(Short Courses)

Definition of hajj:

Linguistically: Going to specific sacred places.

Juridically: Going to makkah to perform specific acts, at specific times, for the purpose of worship. 

Allah said:

“ولله على الناس حج البيت من استطاع إليه سبيلا, ومن كفر فإن الله غني عن العالمين”

“.. And hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the house (Ka`bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies hajj, then he is a disbeliever of Allah, then Allah stands not in need of any of the `alamin (mankind and jinns).” (Al-Imraan: 97)

When Hajj was prescribed

According to the correct view, Hajj was made obligatory in 9AH, the year of the Delegations (al-Wufood), in which Soorat Aal ‘Imraan was revealed, in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence).”  [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

The ruling on Hajj

Hajj is a fareedah (obligatory duty), one of the pillars of Islam.

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing regular prayer, paying zakaah, Hajj and fasting Ramadaan.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16).

Is Hajj obligatory straight away?

Yes, it should be done straight away. The evidence for this is the aayah referred to above. This (doing things straight away) is the guiding principle concerning the commands of sharee’ah. The evidence in the Sunnah which indicates this is as follows:

1. Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave a sermon (khutbah) and said: “O people, Allaah has enjoined Hajj upon you so do Hajj.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1337).
2. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wants to go for Hajj, let him hasten to do it, because he may fall ill or some other problems may arise.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1732, without the phrase “because he may…”’ also narrated by Ibn Maajah, 2883 and Ahmad, 1836).
3. According to a report narrated by Ahmad “Hasten to do Hajj –i.e., the obligatory Hajj – for none of you knows what may happen to him.”

These two reports strengthen one another. (SeeIrwaa’ al-Ghaleel by al-Albaani, 4/168)

Conditions of the obligation of hajj:

1. Islam.
2. Rational (sane).
3. Puberty.
4. Ability to perform hajj. (Physically & Financially)
5. Non-slave.
6. For women: She has to have mahram.

The virtues of Hajj

There are many ahaadeeth which speak of the virtues of Hajj, including the following:

From Abu Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked which deed is best. He said, “Belief in Allaah and His Messenger.” He was asked, then what? He said, “Jihaad for the sake of Allaah.” He was asked, then what? He said, “An accepted Hajj.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 26; Muslim, 83).

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allaah and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), commit sin, or dispute unjustly during the Hajj, will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1449; Muslim, 1350)

‘Aa’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: I said, O Messenger of Allaah, can we not go out on campaigns and fight in jihaad with you? He said,“But the best and most beautiful of jihaad is Hajj, an accepted pilgrimage.” ‘Aa’ishah said, I never stopped going for Hajj after I heard that from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1762).

‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Hajj wipes out whatever (sins) came before it.”(Narrated by Muslim, 121).

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.”(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 810; al-Nasaa’i, 2631. The hadeeth was classed assaheeh by al-Albaani – may Allaah have mercy on him – in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1200).

Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who fights for the sake of Allaah and the pilgrim who goes for Hajj or ‘Umrah are all guests of Allaah. He called them and they responded; they ask of Him and He will give them.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 2893. The hadeeth is hasan and was classed as such by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 1820).

The benefits of Hajj

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“That they may witness things that are of benefit to them” [al-Hajj 22:28]

The benefits are both worldly and religious (spiritual).

With regard to the religious benefits, the one who goes for Hajj earns the pleasure of his Lord, and comes back with all his sins forgiven. He also earns the immense reward which he cannot earn anywhere else than in these places. One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam, for example, is equal to a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere, and Tawaaf and Saa’ee cannot be done anywhere except in these places.

Other benefits include meeting other Muslims and discussing their circumstances, and meeting scholars, learning from them and asking them about one’s problems.

Worldly benefits include trade and business, and other kinds of earnings that have to do with Hajj.

WISDOM BEHIND HAJJ

There are many benfits of the rituals of Hajj, and much wisdom behind them. Whoever is blessed with proper understanding of them is blessed with much goodness. For example:

• When a person travels to carry out the rituals of Hajj, he is reminded of his journey to Allaah and the Hereafter. When he travels, he leaves behind his dear friends, wife, children and homeland, and the journey to the Hereafter is like that.
• The one who goes on this journey equips himself with enough provision to help him reach the sacred land, so let him remember that for his journey to his Lord, he needs to have sufficient provision to help him get there safely. Concerning this, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwaa (piety, righteousness, etc.).” [al-Baqarah 2:197]
• Travelling is a kind of torment, and the same is true of the journey to the Hereafter, only much more so. Ahead of man there is his dying, death, the grave, the gathering, the accounting, the scales and al-Siraat, followed by either Paradise or Hell. The blessed one will be the one whom Allaah saves.
• When the pilgrim puts on the two garments of his ihraam, he cannot help but be reminded of the shroud in which he will be wrapped [after he dies]. This prompts him to give up disobedience and sin. Just as he has given up his regular clothing [for Hajj], so he has to give up sin. Just as he has put on two clean, white garments, he has to make his heart clean and white [pure], and keep his faculties clean and pure, uncontaminated by the stain of sin and disobedience.
• When he says “Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk” at the Meeqaat[station of entering ihraam], he means that he has responded to his Lord, so how can he insist on still sinning and not respond to his Lord’s call to give it up? When he says “Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk”, he means, “I am responding to Your prohibition of it and this is the time I am giving it up.”
• When he gives up haraam things during his ihraam, and keeps himself busy with the talbiyah and dhikr, this shows him how the Muslim should be. He trains himself to give up some things which in principle are halaal, but Allaah has forbidden them to him at this time [during his ihraam], so how can he violate the prohibitions of Allaah by doing things which are haraam at all times and in all places?
• When he enters the Sacred House of Allaah, which Allaah has made a sanctuary for mankind, he remembers the sanctuary of the Day of Resurrection, which no one can reach without striving hard and making a concerted effort. The greatest thing which will keep a person safe on the Day of Resurrection is Tawheed and avoiding Shirk (associating others with Allaah). Concerning this, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their Belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allaah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.” [al-An’aam 6:81].
• Kissing the Black Stone, which is the first ritual to be undertaken, teaches the visitor to honour the Sunnah and not to oppose the laws of Allaah with his feeble reasoning. He recognizes that there is wisdom and goodness behind the laws and rituals which Allaah has prescribed for mankind, and he trains himself to submit himself totally to his Lord, may He be exalted. Concerning this, ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, after he kissed the Black Stone:“I know that you are only a stone and that you can neither benefit nor harm. If I had not seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kiss you, I would not have kissed you.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1520; Muslim, 1720).
• When he does Tawaaf, he is reminded of his father Ibraaheem (peace be upon him), who built the House to be a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety, and that he called them to perform pilgrimage to this House. And our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also called them to perform pilgrimage to this House. Moosa, Yoonus and ‘Eesaa (peace be upon them) also performed pilgrimage to this House. This House was a symbol and a meeting place for these Prophets; how could it be otherwise, when Allaah had commanded Ibraheem (peace be upon him) to build it and venerate it?
• When he drinks the water of Zamzam, he is reminded of the blessing which Allaah has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water, from which millions of people have drunk throughout the long ages, but it has never dried up. He is encouraged to make du’aa’ when he drinks it by the hadeeth which has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)” “The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3062; Ahmad, 14435. This is a hasan hadeeth; classed as hasan by Ibn al-Qayyim – may Allaah have mercy on him – in Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/320).

• When he does al-Saa’ee, running between al-Safaa’ and al-Marwah, he is reminded of the trial endured by Haajir, the mother of Ismaa’eel and the wife of al-Khaleel [Ibraaheem] (peace be upon him), and how she ran back and forth between al-Safaa’ and al-Marwah, searching for water which would save her from what she was suffering, and especially so that she could give her little son – Ismaa’eel – water to drink. Since this woman was patient in the face of this adversity and turned to her Lord, this teaches man that doing this is better and more appropriate. When a man remembers the struggle and patience of this woman, it makes it easier for him to bear his own problems, and a woman who is of her own kind will find her problems easier to bear.
• The standing (wuqoof) in ‘Arafaah reminds the pilgrim of the throngs of people on the Day of Gathering. If the pilgrim feels tired from being in a crowd of thousands, how will it be in the crowds of barefoot, naked, uncircumcised people, standing for fifty thousand years?
• When he throws the pebbles at the Jamaraat, the Muslim trains himself to obey Allaah unquestioningly. Even if he does not understand the reason and wisdom behind this throwing (ramy), and cannot make the connection between rulings and their purpose, this is a manifestation of complete submission (‘uboodiyyah) to Allaah.
• When he slaughters his sacrifice (hady), he is reminded of the great event when our father Ibraaheem submitted to the command of Allaah to sacrifice his only son Ismaa’eel, after he had grown up and become a help to him. He is also reminded that there is no room for emotions which go against the commands and prohibitions of Allaah. This teaches him to respond to what Allaah commands, as Ismaa’eel said (interpretation of the meaning): “ ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded. In shaa Allaah (if Allaah wills), you will find me of al-saabireen (the patient ones).’” [al-Saaffaat 37:102].
• When he comes out of his ihraam and things that had been forbidden to him once again become permissible, this teaches him about the consequences of patience and that after hardship comes ease. The one who responds to the call of Allaah will have joy and happiness, and this joy cannot be known by anyone except those who have tasted the sweetness of obedience, such as the joy felt by the one who fasts when he breaks his fast, or by the one who prays Qiyaam during the last part of the night, after he has finished praying.
• When he has finished performing all the rituals of Hajj as they were prescribed by Allaah and in the manner that Allaah loves, he has the hope that his Lord will forgive him all his sins, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) promised in the hadeeth, “Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allaah and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), commit sin, or dispute unjustly during the hajj, will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1449; Muslim, 1350).This invites him to start a new page in his life, free of sin.
• When he comes back to his wife and children, and experiences the joy of meeting them again, this reminds him of the greater joy of meeting them in Paradise. This also teaches him that the greatest loss is losing oneself and one’s family on the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):“The losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, that will be a manifest loss!” [al-Zumar 39:15]. 

Hajj pillars (arkaan):

1.  Ihraam.

2.  Standing in ‘Arafah.

3.  Tawaaf al-ifadah.

4.  Sa’y. 

Hajj obligatories (waajibaat): 

1.  Ihraam from meeqaat

2.  Standing in ‘Arafah till sunset.

3.   Sleeping in Muzdalifah.

4.  Sleeping in Mina.

5. Stoning the jamaraat.

6.   Shaving or cutting the hair.

7.  Tawaaf al-wadaa’ (last tawaf).

Note: – If he misses a waajib, he has to sacrifice a sheep (or 1/7 of a camel or 1/7 of a cow).

 

Definition of ihraam:

The intention to enter the state of hajj.

Muhrim: The person in the state of ihraam.

Ihraam restrictions:

Same as that of Umrah. Click here.

Hajj is one of the best acts of worship. It is one of the pillars of Islam with which Allaah sent Muhammad and without which a person’s religious commitment is incomplete.

Worship cannot bring a person closer to Allaah and cannot be accepted unless it meets two conditions:

1 – Sincerity towards Allaah alone, i.e., it is done to seek the Countenance of Allaah and the Hereafter, and is not done to show off, to enhance one’s reputation or for worldly gain.

2 – Following the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in word and deed. Following the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) can only be achieving by knowing his Sunnah.

Types of Hajj 

There are three types of Hajj: Tamattu’, Ifraad and Qiraan.

Tamattu’ Performing umrah in the months of hajj and detach oneself from umrah and in the 8th day of Dhul-hijjah make ihraam to perform hajj.

Tamattu’ means entering ihraam for ‘Umrah only during the months of Hajj (the months of Hajj are Shawwaal, Dhu’l-Qi’dah and Dhu’l-Hijjah; see al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 7/62). When the pilgrim reaches Makkah he performs tawaaf and saa’i for ‘Umrah, and shaves his head or cuts his hair, and exits ihraam. Then when the day of al-Tarwiyah, which is the 8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, comes, he enters ihraam for Hajj only, and does all the actions of Hajj. So Tamattu’ involves a complete ‘Umrah and a complete Hajj.

Ifraad means entering ihraam for Hajj only. When the pilgrim reaches Makkah he performs tawaaf al-qudoom (tawaaf of arrival) and saa’i for Hajj, but he does not shave or cut his hair and does not exit ihraam, rather he remains in ihraam until he exits ihraam after stoning Jamarat al-‘Aqabah on the day of Eid.  If he delays the saa’i of Hajj until after the tawaaf of Hajj, there is nothing wrong with that.

Qiraan means entering ihraam for ‘Umrah and Hajj both together. Or entering ihraam for ‘Umrah first then including Hajj in that before starting the tawaaf of Hajj. That is done by intending that his tawaaf and saa’i will be for both Hajj and ‘Umrah.

The actions done in Qiraan are the same as those done in Ifraad, except that the pilgrim doing Qiraan has to offer a hadiy (sacrifice) whereas the pilgrim doing Ifraad does not.

The best of these three types of Hajj is Tamattu’. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined upon his companions and urged them to do. Even if a person enters ihraam for Qiraan or Ifraad, then it is strongly recommended for him to change his intention to ‘Umrah, then complete ‘Umrah and exit ihraam, so that he will then be doing Tamattu’. He may do that after doing tawaaf al-qudoom and saa’i  – because when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did tawaaf and saa’i during his Farewell Pilgrimage, and his companions were with him, he told everyone who did not have a sacrificial animal (hadiy) to change his intention and make his ihraam for ‘Umrah and to cut his hair and exit ihraam, and he said, “Were it not that I have brought the hadiy with me, I would do what I have commanded you to do.”

Performing the Hajj

Dear Brothers & Sisters, in what follows you will find some simple symbols indicating what is a rukn (pillar), a waajib or a sunnah. These symbols are as follows: (***) for rukn, (**) for waajib, (*) for sunnah. Be aware that whoever leaves out something which is a rukn, their Hajj is incomplete and cannot be compensated for unless that rukn is done. And whoever leaves out a waajib, they will have to expiate for it.

Eighth Thul Hijjah (1st Day of Hajj)

The eight day of Thul Hijjah is known as Yawm at-Tarwiyah.

*For the one doing Hajj at-Tamattu’, then before entering the state of ihraam it is prescribed for them to do the following: take a bath, clip nails, trim moustache, remove unwanted hair (armpits and pubic) and wear two pieces of white cloth (towels/sheets). However, women wear “normal” clothing without wearing gloves or the niqaab. As for the one doing Qiraan or Ifraad, they are already in ihraam so they cannot trim their hair or clip nails etc…

*At the time of Dhuhaa (late morning), make your intention for Hajj from the place you are at (i.e. residence) saying Labbayka Hajjan

*If you fear that something may prevent you from completing the Hajj, then place the following condition upon intending the Hajj: (and if I am prevented by an obstacle then indeed my place is where You prevented me). If you do not have such a fear, then don’t place this condition.

**After intending Hajj, you must refrain from doing those things which are prohibited while in ihraam.

*Recite the talbiyah often:

Continue saying it until you pelt the large Jamarah (stone pillar) on the tenth of Thul Hijjah.

*Proceed towards Minaa while reciting the talbiyah and offer Thuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Ishaa and Fajr at Mina (all at their appointed times). Shorten the prayers (two raka’ah for the ones which are normally 4) but do not combine them. This applies to everyone.

*Be keen to recite the athkaar (words of remembrance) after the prescribed prayers as well as the athkaar of the morning and evening.

*Sleep the night in Minaa.

Some Errors Committed on the Eighth

1. Not educating oneself about the proper manner of performing Hajj (through authentic books and asking scholars). Rather, we find that many people set out for the Hajj and make their way through it looking at what others (laypeople) are doing. It is as though they are saying: ”I’ll do as I see the people doing”. This is true ignorance and those who err due to this attitude will not be excused. Allaah has made it a duty on us to seek knowledge concerning that which we are ignorant of as He says:

…so ask the people of the message (i.e. scholars) if you do not know. (21:7)

2. Many pilgrims expose their right shoulders from this day until the end of the Hajj, but this is incorrect as this act is only prescribed at the time of the initial tawaaf (al-qudoom).

3. Many women think that their ihraam clothing must be of a particular colour (white or green for example), but this is incorrect. Rather, she wears “ordinary” clothing, observing the rules of hijaab and refraining from wearing gloves and the niqaab (as stated previously).

4. Some pilgrims prepare themselves for the ihraam by doing things forbidden in the Sharee’ah such as shaving their beards and wearing the lower garment below the ankles. These are forbidden and diminish the rewards of the Hajj.

5. Some pilgrims do not spend the night in Minaa, but rather proceed directly on this night to ‘Arafah. This conflicts with the guidance of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

6. Many pilgrims supplicate using supplications they do not understand nor know the source of. Very often, they simply repeat supplications found in books that happen to fall into their hands. However, one should supplicate using authentic supplications found in the Quraan and Sunnah as well as supplicating in one’s own language, asking for what they need from the bottom of their hearts.

Ninth Thul Hijjah (2nd day of Hajj)

*After praying Fajr and after the sun has risen, proceed towards ‘Arafah while reciting the talbiyah and glorifying Allaah saying: Allahu Akbar (Allaah is Great, there is no deity besides Allaah, Allaah is Great and all praise is for Allaah)

*It is disliked to fast on this day as the Prophet S.A.Wspent the day while he was not fasting.

*It is sunnah to remain at Namirah until zawaal (after sun passes by its zenith) if possible.

*There is a khutbah (sermon) delivered at that time and it is followed by praying Thuhr and ‘Asr combined with one athaan and two iqaamahs.

***Enter into ‘Arafah making certain that you are within the boundaries of ‘Arafah. Note that a large part of masjid Namirah is not inside ‘Arafah.

*Spend your time remembering Allaah, humbling yourself before Him and supplicating to Him with sincerity, submissiveness and presence of heart.

*All of ‘Arafah is a place to “stand”. However, if possible, stand at the foot of the mountain (hill) known as Jabal Rahmah placing it between yourself and the qiblah.

*It is not from the sunnah to climb the mountain as many do.

*Make du’aa (supplicate) until Maghrib, facing the qiblah with hands raised. Be humbly submissive and try to always be present with your heart. Don’t make the mistake of wasting your time, laughing, joking, sleeping and engaging in useless talk.

*Say the following in abundance: the talbiyah, invoke salaah and salaam on the Prophet S.A.W. and say

LA ILLAAHA ILL ALLAH WAHDAHUU LAA SAHRIKAH, LAHULL MULKUU WA LAHUL HAMDUU WA HUWA A’LAA KULLI SHAIY’IN QADEER.

(There is no deity besides Allaah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the Dominion, to Him belongs all praise and He is over all things capable) 

**Do not leave ‘Arafah before sunset.

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alyhi wa sallam) said: “On no other day does the Satan feel so belittled, humiliated, and angry as he does on the Day of Arafah.” The reason for this is the mercy of Allaah that descends (this day) and the forgiveness that He grants to people for major sins (Maalik)

**After sunset, proceed calmly towards Muzdalifah.

**When you arrive at Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and ‘Ishaa combined. In the event you are stuck on route and fear you will only reach Muzdalifah after half the night has passed, then pray wherever you are.

**Sleep until Fajr.

Some Errors Committed on the Ninth

1. Some pilgrims stand outside the boundary of ‘Arafah. Make certain that you are not in that situation since if this happens to you, you will have to complete the remaining rites of Hajj but would have to repeat the entire Hajj the following year. This Hajj will not count.
2. Some pilgrims fast on this day and this is in contrast with the sunnah.
3. Making unreasonable efforts to reach Jabal ar-Rahmah and to climb it.
4. Wasting time in joking, sleeping, and useless talk instead of keeping busy with du’aa and thikr.
5. Rushing and pushing and shoving while leaving ‘Arafah. One should leave calmly.
6. Not determining the direction of the qiblah when praying in Muzdalifah.

Tenth Thul Hijjah (3rd Day of Hajj, the Day of ‘Eid)

**Pilgrims must pray salaat al Fajr in Muzdalifah (with the exception of the weak and women who may leave early if necessary).

*After salaat al Fajr and the prescribed athkaar (words of remembrance), face the qiblah, praise Allaah, magnify Him, glorify Him and supplicate to Him until it starts getting bright (but before sunrise).

*Proceed towards Minaa before the sun rises, repeating the talbiyah and going calmly.

*If possible, speed up through Wadi Muhassir (a valley between Muzdalifah and Mina)

*Gather seven pebbles from anywhere on the way to Minaa or even from Minaa and continue repeating the talbiyah and takbeer.

Note:

**Pelt the large pillar (jamarah) with seven pebbles (one after the other) saying the takbeer each time and stop saying the talbiyah once you have completed this pelting.

**Offer your sacrifice (hady) and eat from it if possible and distribute its meat to the poor and needy. The sacrifice is compulsory for those performing Tamattu’ and Qiraan. At the time of slaughtering one says: (Bismillaah wallaahu Akbar. Allaahumma haathaa minka wa lak. Allaahumma taqabbal minnee: In the name of Allaah, and Allaah is Great. O Allaah, this is from You and for You. O Allaah, accept from me.)

**Shave or trim your hair (from all over), but remember that shaving the head is better. Start on the right side. Note that women only shorten the hair (about an inch or so). With this, one is partially out of ihraam and thus allowed to wear their regular clothing, use perfume and do the other things not allowed in the state of ihraam with the exception of intimacy. This is not allowed until after tawaaf al ifaadhah and sa’y between as-Safaa and al-Marwah (if you still need to do it). If one has intercourse after pelting the large pillar, the Hajj is valid but they have to pay a penalty (slaughter animal to compensate).

***Proceed to Makkah and perform tawaaf al Ifaadhah (without running in the first three rounds or uncovering the right shoulder) and pray two raka’ah.

***Next, go and walk between as-Safaa and al-Marwah (this is necessary for the one doing tamattu’, and the ones doing Qiraan and Ifraad if they did not do this with the initial tawaaf-al Qudoom). With this, you are no longer in ihraam.

*If you do not follow the sequence as above, there is no blame or harm.

*Drink from the water of Zamzam and pray Thuhr in Makkah if possible.

*You need to remain in Mina for the night.

Some Errors Committed on the Tenth

1.  Some pilgrims pray salaat al Fajr even before its time enters and this is unacceptable. Praying before the prescribed time is impermissible and the prayer is invalid.
2. Some people are not careful while pelting to make certain (as much as possible) that the stones at least fall in the well around the pillar.
3. Some think that they are actually pelting the Shaytaan and this is wrong and out of ignorance. The reality is that we are pelting because the Prophet S.A.Wdid (in obedience to his command) and to raise the remembrance of Allaah.
4. Many do not realize the greatness of this day (the day of ‘Eid) and are not keen in carrying out extra acts of obedience such as giving charity, spreading the salaam and making Muslims happy.
5. If offering the sacrifice on their own, many are not careful to choose animals which meet the conditions laid down by the Sharee’ah (i.e. age, physical defects, etc…)
6. It is from the sunnah to offer your own sacrifice, however, that is not always possible these days.
7. Some are not careful and may have their sacrifice done outside the boundaries of Makkah (like in Arafah or Jeddah). If this happens, another animal must be sacrificed within the boundaries of Makkah.
8. The time for sacrifice is the day of ‘Eid and three days after it, yet some may delay this till later.

Eleventh Thul Hijjah (4th Day of Hajj)

**You must spend the night in Mina

**Make certain to offer all your prayers while in Minaa in congregation.

*These days are known as Ayyaam at-Tashreeq and one is to remember Allaah abundantly during them. It is prescribed to say takbeer after the fardh prayers on these days.

*Begin pelting the three pillars after Thuhr/zawaal once you’ve collected 21 pebbles from any place in Mina.

**Start by pelting the small pillar, then the middle one and finally the large one.

**Pelt each with seven pebbles (one after the other, saying takbeer after each pebble).

*It is sunnah when pelting the small and middle pillar to do so while facing the qiblah and the pillar being before you. Then go aside (away from the crowd) and face the qiblah and supplicate to Allaah.

*While pelting the large pillar, do so while the k’abah is to your left and Mina is to your right and leave right after that without standing to make du’aa.

Note: It is not permissible to assign someone to pelt on your behalf unless you are incapable of doing so either in the day or at night.

**You must spend the night in Mina.

Some Errors Committed on the Eleventh

1. Pelting before zawaal. One who does so must expiate by offering a sacrifice, unless they repeated the pelting at the appointed time.
2. A common error is for people to pelt in the wrong order (i.e. large to small). Whoever does so must repeat the pelting.
3. Some think you have to hit the actual pillar while pelting not realizing that the pillar has been placed there to simply point out the area in which pelting must occur.
4. Some may throw all seven stones at once and this is incorrect. If one does it, that would count as only one throw (i.e. one pebble).
5. Some pelt from very far away and they would not be able to tell whether the pebbles at least landed in the well around the pillar.
6. Wasting time in unnecessary matters while Allaah says:

And when you have completed your rites, remember Allah like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, “Our Lord, give us in this world,” and he will have in the Hereafter no share. (2:200)

Twelfth Thul Hijjah (5th Day of Hajj)

**Spend the night in Mina (night of the twelfth/evening of 11th).

*Use the time to do good, remember Allaah and benefit people.

**After Thuhr/zawaal, pelt all three pillars and do as you did on the 4th day of Hajj.

*After pelting, if you wish to leave Mina early you may do so.

**If you planned on leaving early, you must leave before sunset.

*It is better to remain another day:

(Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days – there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] – there is no sin upon him – for him who fears Allah.) Soorah (2:203). Delaying is the sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

*If possible, pray in Masjid al Khayf while in Mina as it is said that 70 prophets prayed in this masjid (mentioned by Sh. Al Albani)

Thirteenth Thul Hijjah (6th Day of Hajj)

**You should have spent the last night in Mina.

**Pelt the three pillars after Thuhr/zawaal as on the last two days.

**When you intend travelling out of Makkah, perform the farewell tawaaf (al Wadaa’). If a woman is menstruating or experiencing post natal bleeding, she does not need to do this tawaaf.

With this, the rites of Hajj have been completed.

Some Errors Committed on the Twelfth and Thirteenth

1. Leaving the place dirty and leaving garbage around without even bothering while this is far from the teachings of Islaam.
2. Some visit the Masjid of the Prophet S.A.Wthinking that it is part of the Hajj and this is wrong. The truth is that visiting al Masjid an Nabawi is sunnah either before or after Hajj and has nothing to do with the rites of the Hajj itself; the Hajj is not “more complete” with this visit.
3. Some people complain a great deal after Hajj about how tired they are and what a great thing they’ve done! They make as though they have done Allaah a favour and this is a sign of weak faith and lack of understanding.

Visiting the Masjid (Mosque) of the Prophet S.A.W.

 Visiting the Prophet’s Masjid is prescribed and recommended as it is one of the three mosques to which one may make an effort to travel to for the sake of praying and worshipping therein. Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates from the Prophet S.A.W that he said: You should not undertake a special journey to visit any place other than the three Mosques: the Sacred Mosque of Makkah, this Mosque of mine, and Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem). [Bukhaari and Muslim].

He also narrates that the Prophet S.A.W said: One prayer in this Mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers offered anywhere else except the Sacred Mosque. [Reported by the group]. And in the narration of Abdullaah ibn az-Zubayr as reported by Ahmad, he S.A.W said: …and a prayer in the Sacred Mosque is better than a hundred prayers in this one.

Abu Hurayrah (RA) also narrates that the Prophet S.A.Wsaid: Between my house and my minbar is a garden (raudhah) from the gardens of paradise, and my minbar is on my haudh (cistern). [Bukhari].

Therefore, it is sunnah for the pilgrim as well as others to visit the masjid of the Prophet S.A.W either before or after Hajj in order to offer salaah (prayers) in it. However, it is not a condition or a part of the Hajj; as a matter of fact, visiting the masjid of the Prophet S.A.W has no connection with the Hajj itself.

When entering the masjid of the Prophet S.A.W one should do so with the right foot (first) and say the prescribed du’aa for entering a masjid. Following is an example of one such du’aa: Bismillah wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillahi, Allahumma ighfir lee dhunubee wa iftah lee Abwaba Rahmatik, Allahumma Inni A’uthu Billahi Al-Adhim, Wa Wajhihi Al-Kareem, Wa Sultanihi Al-Qadim mina Shaitani rajim.

(In the Name of Allaah, O Allaah! Bless Mohammad, his family and his followers. O Allaah! Forgive my sins, and open the doors of Your mercy for me. I seek refuge with Allaah, the Supreme, with His Noble Face, and with His Eternal Dominion from the accursed devil.)

You should then pray two raka’ah tahiyyat al masjid as prescribed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit until he prays two raka’ahs. [Bukhari and Muslim].

If possible, one should try and pray in the “raudhah” due to the virtue of the place. Note that if it is too busy and securing a place there means pushing, shoving and inconveniencing others, then one is better off praying elsewhere in the masjid. One also needs to pay attention to the fact that praying the fardh (obligatory) prayer in the first row is more meritorious than praying in the raudhah. Therefore, if you can pray in the front rows it is better than praying in the raudhah for the fardh. The Prophet S.A.W said: The best of rows for the men are the front row. He also said: If the people knew what (reward) there is in the call and the first row, and there was no other way to settle the matter than drawing lots, they would draw lots for it. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Visiting the Grave of the Prophet S.A.W and the graves of his two companions.

After offering salaah in the masjid, one may proceed to the graves and greet the Prophet S.A.W and his two companions, Abu Bakr and ‘Omar R.A.

• Stand facing the grave of the Prophet S.A.W with back towards the qiblah and say: – as-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan- Nabiyyu wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh (May the peace, blessings and mercy of Allaah be upon you Oh Prophet). And if one were to add to that using some appropriate wordings it would be acceptable. Ibn ‘Omar (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu) used to go and say: – as-Salaamu ‘alayka yaa Rasoolallaah, as-salaamu ‘alayka yaa Abaa Bakr, As-Salaamu ‘Alayka yaa Abati (Peace be upon you Oh Messenger of Allaah, Peace be upon you Oh Abu Bakr, Peace be upon you Oh father… then he would leave).

• Step towards the right so you are in line with the grave of Abu Bakr and while facing it say: –As-Salaamu ‘Alayka yaa Abaa Bakr. As-Salaamu ‘Alayka yaa Khaleefata Rasoolillaah fee ummatihi. Radhiyallaahi ‘anka wa jazaaka ‘an ummati Muhammadin Khayran. (Peace be upon you Oh Abu Bakr. Peace be upon you Oh caliph of the Messenger of Allaah. May Allaah be please with you and reward you with good on behalf of the ummah of Muhammad)

• Then right again so as to be in line with the grave of ‘Omar (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu) and say: – As-Salaamu ‘Alayka yaa ‘Omar. As-Salaamu ‘Alayka yaa Ameera al Mumineen. Radhiyallaahu ‘anka wa jazaaka ‘an ummati Muhammadin Khayran. (Peace be upon you Oh ‘Omar. Peace be upon you Oh leader of the believers. May Allaah be plased with you and reward with good on behalf of the ummah of Muhammad).

One should say salaam to the prophet S.A.W and his two companions with good manners and while lowering the voice. It is not recommended that one stand for a long period of time before the grave of the Prophet S.A.W and the graves of his companions engaging in du’aa. This is not from the guidance of our pious predecessors. Note also that it is not required for one to go to the graves regularly (as some believe one needs to go after every salaah). The companions of the Prophet S.A.W did not do so and they were more knowledgeable of this deen than those who followed them and they loved the Prophet S.A.W more than others. Note also that it is unlawful (haraam) to ask anything of the prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), including asking him (directly) to intercede on our behalf before Allaah. Rather, we turn to Allaah, begging of Him to grant the Prophet S.A.Wpermission to intercede don our behalf on the Day of Judgement.

While in Madinah, it is also recommended that one goes to the baqee’ (graveyard next to the masjid) and greets the inhabitants of that graveyard using the duáas from the sunnah. For example: – Assalaamu alaikum ahlad diyaar minal mumineena wal muslimeena. Wa innaa Inshaa’allahu bikum la-laahikoon. Nas alul laaha lanaa wala kumul ‘aafiyah. ( May the Peace (of Allah) be upon you, O people of this land (the graveyard), who are among the Believers! Insha Allah, we too shall (soon) be joining you. We ask Allah protection for you and for ourselves.)

There is also no harm in one visiting sites such as Uhud in order to remember what transpired there and to greet and pray for the martyrs.

One should also make an effort to go to masjid Qubaa and offer salaah in it as the Prophet S.A.W used to visit it every Saturday. One who offers a salaah in Masjid Qubaa attains the reward of performing an ‘umrah.

To be continued.. Insha’allah