Meaning
The Arabic word HAJJ means 'to leave for'
It is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month
of Dhu al-Qadah; at least once in a lifetime a Muslim is expected to
make a religious journey to Mecca and the Kaaba
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
In Quran
“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a
nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the
ceremonies of pilgrimage - Hajj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our
repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most
Merciful.” (Quran: 2/128)
Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two
mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin
on him who performs Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the
Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa
and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah
is All-Recognizer, All-Knower. (Quran: 2/158)
And
complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah . But if you are prevented,
then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.
And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached
its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an
ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of
fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are
secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months]
followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of
sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an
animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you
have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for
those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear
Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty. (Quran : 2/196)
And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you
on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and
distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). (Quran: 22/27)
In Sunnah
Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Apostle
said: “Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 1. To
testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and
Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. 2. To offer the (compulsory
congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat
(i.e. obligatory charity). 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to
Mecca) 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.” (Bukhari:
Book 2, Hadith 7)
“Sound Hajj has no reward except Paradise”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Narrated Ibn Umar: A man asked the
Prophet: "What (kinds of clothes) should a Muhrim (a Muslim
intending to perform Umrah or Hajj) wear? He replied, ‘He should
not wear a shirt, a turban, trousers, a
Kinds of Hajj
1.
Hajj e Tamattu’
The performance of Hajj &
'Umra together is the convenient way for Pilgrims who arrive
early for Hajj. This type of Hajj is called Tamattu' and the Pilgrim
Mutamatti’ (Tamattu' in Arabic means to take advantage of a
facility).
2.
Hajj e Qiran
Ihram for Tamattu' is
adopted from Miqat with the declaration of intention for 'Umra
first. When 'Umra has been performed, the lhram is taken off and all
that was unlawful in the state of Ihram is now lawful until the first
day of Hajj i.e. 8th of Dhul Hijja arrives. Then the usual
garments and normal activities of Hajj are resumed. On this day the
Ihram is again adopted with the intention of Hajj and the Manasik of
Hajj performed. In this type of Pilgrimage, a concession of taking
off the lhram is provided in the interim period between 'Umra and
Hajj. Pilgrims availing themselves of this convenience should make a
sacrifice. Those who cannot afford a blood sacrifice should fast
three days during Hajj and another seven days after its completion
i.e. in all ten days.
This is the
combination of 'Umra and Hajj in the month of Hajj. The Pilgrim
adopts the lhram from Miqat with the
declaration of intention of Hajj and 'Umra. Then on entering Mecca,
he performs 'Umra and remains in the state of Ihram till he performs
all the Manasik of Hajj in the same state of lhram. This is true for
a Pilgrim who brings an animal of sacrifice along with him from
Miqat. In case a Pilgrim has no animal of sacrifice from Miqat, he
can perform Tamattu'. On the other hand if a Mutamatti’ changes his
mind to perform Hajj e Qiran i.e. without abandoning Ihram
after 'Umra for the interim period, he can do so before the 4th
circuit of Tawaf of the Ka'ba during 'Umra. For travelers from
abroad, who cannot bring animal of sacrifice with them, they can
perform
Hajj e Qiran provided that they buy the animal in Mina and
offer sacrifice. The sacrifice for a Qiran is Wajib.
3.
Hajj e lfrad
This is when a Pilgrim does
not intend to perform 'Umra before Hajj but intends only to perform
Hajj. (He may not have enough time or means or convenience to perform
'Umra and Hajj together). A Pilgrim who performs Hajj e lfrad
is called Mufrid. For this kind of Hajj when the lhram is adopted
from Miqat the intention of lhram declares the intention of Hajj
only.
Pillars of Hajj
Ihram - The first pillar of Hajj is the state of Ihram. Although, the
word Ihram is often referred to as the two pieces of white cloth that
men wear while doing Hajj and Umrah, it is more than that. Ihram is
actually a state one is in while performing the rituals of Hajj and
Umrah. The dress of Ihram just represents the state that one is in;
two unstitched cloths for men, and regular loose clothing for women.
However, it is important to note that the pilgrim is allowed to bathe
and use the washroom as they require so the Ihram may be removed and
put back on for such circumstances. The key element to the Ihram is
to make the intention of Ihram, after taking a bath and praying two
raka'h of prayers. Once the intention is made, and the necessary
clothing are put on
Tawwaf - The second pillar of Hajj is Tawwaf. Tawwaf is the action of
circuiting and circumambulating seven times around the Ka'bah in an
anti-clockwise direction. Allah Almighty says, "Then let them
complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and
(again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (22:29)
Say'ee - The third pillar of Hajj is the Say'ee which is the walking
between mount safa and marwa. Although the history of such a noble
act is very rich and enlightening to know, Hajjplans.com will only
look at the required acts in this section. Further information should
be studied under your leader/teacher.
Describing the Hajj
performed by the Prophet (S), Jabir (r) narrated, "Then, he -
the Prophet (S) - got out from the door heading for As-Safaa, then,
recited the above Qur'anic aayah: "Innas-Safaa wal-Marwata min
Sha'aa'iril-Laah. Faman hajjal-Bayta awi'atamara falaa junaaha
'alayhi an yattawwafa bihimaa. Waman tattawwa'a khayran fa'inna
Allaha Shaakirun 'Aleem."(2:158)
Then, he (S) said, "We
begin with what Allah began." Then, he mounted as--Safaa until
he faced the House and there he glorified Allah (i.e. raised his
voice) saying "Allahu Akbar!" three times then" Laa
ilaaha illa Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahul-Mulku walahul-
Hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu
wahdahu, Sadaqa Wa'adahu, wa nasara 'abadahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba
wahdah!."
"There is no god but Allah. He is One and
has no partner, to Him is the dominion and all praise is due to Him.
We are returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating, and to Allah
we are very grateful. Allah is true to His promise, He gave victory
to His servant and defeated the confederates all by Himself."
Habibah bint Abi Taghrah (r) heard the Prophet (S) saying to
his companions,
"Perform Say'ee for Allah Almighty has
ordained it upon you." [Ahmad].
Arafah - The fourth pillar of Hajj is Arafah, which known as the Big
Day of hajj and is on th 9th of dhul hijja. The Prohet (S) said:
"Hajj is 'Arafah." [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]. The pilgrim
must be at 'Arafaat on the ninth of dhil Hijjah after Dhuhr time.
Anyone, who misses Arafaat day, his, or her, Hajj is void. All the
scholars said in consensus that this pillar is the most important
one. The Prophet said, "Hajj is only valid by attending
`Arafah." [At-Tirmidhi, an-Nassaa'i, Abu Dawud, Malek and
ad-Daarimi]
Route
The Hajj route in and around Mecca
Once at Mecca, the traditional Hajj route is as follows:
Miqat, or changing into the
pilgrims' ihram clothes
Tawaf az-Ziyarah, walking
around the Kaaba four times at a fast pace and three times at a slow
pace, and Sa`y, walking seven times back and forth between
the hills of Safa and Marwah (both rituals within the Masjid
al-Haram)
On the 8th day of the month,
moving to
Mina and
camping overnight
On the 9th, the Wuquf,
journey to Arafat and spending the day in prayer
Collecting pebbles and camping
overnight at
Muzdalifah
On the 10th, the stoning of the
jamraat, throwing seven pebbles at the large wall
representing the Devil, followed by the sacrifice of an animal
(often performed by proxy by buying a sacrifice voucher in Mecca)
On the 10th or 11th, Tawaf
az-Ziyarah, repeating step 2
On the 11th and 12th,
stoning of the jamraat, repeating step 6
- Tawaf Widaa, a final circumambulation of the Kaaba
The first two steps are known as the "lesser Hajj" or
Umrah, while the full course is known as the "greater
Hajj" or
al-Hajj al-Akbar.
The Rites of Pilgrimage
After sunrise on the ninth of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hajjah,
this vast crowd of nearly two million begins to walk some eight miles
to the Plain of Arafat, passing Muzdalifah on the way. Many perform
the noon and afternoon prayers at the Nimerah Mosque, a tradition set
by the Prophet.
Approaching Arafat by midmorning, the pilgrim
is amazed to find the vast plain covered by what appears to be a
thick fog, even though the temperature hovers around 90 degrees
Fahrenheit. This optical illusion is created by thousands of
sprinklers placed atop 30-foot poles and spaced some 50 feet apart,
which spread a fine mist of water to provide coolness. Millions of
containers of chilled water are distributed from refrigerated trucks
located along the pilgrim route.
Despite these precautions,
the wail of sirens is ever present as hundreds of ambulances pick up
pilgrims suffering from heat exhaustion and transport them to special
clinics for treatment. The more serious cases are evacuated by
helicopter to hospitals.
Pilgrims are required to spend the
day in the plain, performing what is called the Standing at Arafat.
Here they also visit the Mount of Mercy and ask for God's forgiveness
for any sins committed and for blessings. Facilities have also been
set up here to feed the pilgrims and meet any requirement they may
have.
After the sun has set this river of humanity retraces
its steps back toward Makkah, but stops at Muzdalifah until the
brightness of day appears on the eastern horizon. Here the pilgrims
collect seven pebbles and carry them to Mina. As they arrive in the
valley, they trek along a two-level pedestrian walkway some 100-yards
wide toward the three stone pillars called the Jamarat, which are
meant to represent Satan. The pilgrims are required to cast the
pebbles they have collected at the Stone Pillar of Aqabah while
praising God, in a symbolic rejection of Satan. As the pilgrims
approach along the walkway, they join those already at the pillar
and, after hurling their pebbles circle toward the exit ramp in the
direction of Makkah. Signs in various major languages direct the
crowds along the route.
The pilgrims then walk some four miles
along pedestrian walkways to reach Makkah, where they perform the
tawaf, circling the Ka'abah in the Holy Mosque seven times counter
clockwise. They then perform sa'ay, the running between Safa and
Marwa in an enclosed, air-conditioned structure. Male pilgrims are
then required to shave their heads, although cutting a lock of hair
is acceptable for both men and women. At this point the pilgrims
sacrifice an animal, donating its meat to the needy. Each year, over
600,000 animals are sacrificed, in modern abattoirs that complete the
processing of the meat over the three days of the Eid. Distribution
of this sacrificial meat goes to those in need in some 30
countries.
The rites of the pilgrimage are now completed.
Pilgrims come out of Ihram and wear their normal clothes, but remain
at Mina for the Eid Al-Adha, the festival that signals the
culmination of the Hajj. Over the next two days, they stone the three
pillars in the Jamarat, before performing the Tawaf Al-Wida', the
Farewell Circumambulation of the Ka'abah before their departure from
the city.
While not required as part of the Hajj, most
pilgrims visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during their visit to
the Kingdom.
Prohibitions of Ihram.
After intention and Talbiyah, you are
in the status of Ihram and from this time on you should not do acts
that are forbidden in Ihram , for example, here are some of the
things a muhrim must not do:
Cover head (men), cover face
(women)
Cover the middle bone of the upper
part of the feet (Both men and women))
Shave / cut hair
Cut nails
Wear perfume
Wear stitched clothing (men) /
(Women can wear their ordinay clothes)
Hunting / killing
- sex
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Number
of foreign pilgrims by year
According to the Royal Embassy of Saudi
Arabia, the following number of foreign pilgrims arrived in Saudi
Arabia each year, to perform the Hajj:
1920: 58,584
1921: 57,255
1922: 56,319
1996:
1,080,465
1997:
1,168,591
1998:
1,132,344
2001:
1,363,992
2005:
1,534,759
2006:
1,654,407
2007:
1,707,814
2008:
1,729,841
2009:
1,613,000
2010:
1,799,601
- 2011: 1,828,195
Glossaries of Hajj
ARAFAT
An open field 9 miles
from MECCA - pilgrims spend some time here
DUM/KAFFARAH
A penalty for not doing certain acts accurately
HAJR-E-ASWAD
Black stone, fixed in the wall of the southeastern
corner of the KABAH
HALQ
Shaving of the head (men
only )
HARAM
MECCA and a small area around it is
called the HARAM
HATIM
A semi-enclosed area in the north side of the KABAH
IDHTIBA
During Umrah men’s right shoulder should
be uncovered
IFRAD
Performance of HAJJ with IHRAM for HAJJ only
IHRAM
Clothed in IHRAM and being in a spiritual state
(intention and TALBIYAH)
ISTILAAM
Kissing or touching the HAJR-E-ASWAD
(black stone)
JABAL-E-RAHMAT
A hill in ARAFAT where we should make
lots of dua
JAMARAAT
Pillars where pebbles are thrown. There are three
JAMARAATS
KABAH
The sacred house, in the center of the HARAM, QIBLA of
Muslims
MAHRAM
A male companion to whom marriage is not permissible
MAQAME-E-IBRAHIM
Encased stone with footprints of Prophet IBRAHIM, A.S.
used to rebuild KABAH
MARWAH
An hill near the KABAH where SAIEE is performed
MASJID-E-HARAM
The mosque around the KABAH
MATAF
Area around KABAH, where salat and
TAWAF is performed
MINA
An open field 3
miles from MECCA where pilgrims stay during HAJJ
MIQAT
The place (boundary) where IHRAM are
worn before going to MECCA
MIZAB-E-RAHMAT
The water outlet on the roof of the KABAH
MUALLIM/MUTAWWIF
Knowledgeable professional who guides the pilgrims
MUFRID
One who performs Hajj IFRAD
MUHRIM
One who wears IHRAM
MULTAZAM
The wall (space) between HAJR-E-ASWAD and the door of
the KABAH
MUTAMMATI
One who performs Hajj Tammattu
MUZDALIFAH
An open field 3 miles from MINA - pilgrims spend some
time here
NIYAT
Your intention before the action
QARIN
One who performs Hajj QIRAN
QASR/TAQSEER
Men shave their heads and women cut one inch of their
hair
QIRAN
Perform UMRAH and HAJJ staying in
the state of IHRAM - with the same
RAMAL
Walking like a soldier (brisk with chest
pushed out) for men only
RAMI
Throwing pebbles at the JAMARAAT
RUKN-E-IRAQI
The northeastern corner of the KABAH
RUKN-E-SHAMI
The western corner of the KABAH
RUKN-E-YAMANI
The south western corner of the KABAH
SAFA
A hill near the KAIBAH, were SAIEE is performed
SAIEE
To perform seven (7) circuits from SAFA to MARWAH
SHAUT
One circuit around the KABAH or one circuit to or from
SAFA to MARWAH
TALBILYAH
To proclaim LABBAIK ALLAHUMA LABBAIK ...
TAMATT'U
Performing UMRAH and HAJJ in the same year with a
different IHRAM
TAWAF
Going around the KABAH
TAWAF-E-QUDOM
The first TAWAF performed on arrival
into Mecca
TAWAF-E-WIDA
Farewell TAWAF performed at the time just before
departing MECCA
TAWAF-E-ZIYARAT
FARDH TAWAF which is performed after
the stay in ARAFAT
UMRAH
In the state of Ihram, perform TAWAF and SAIEE
ZAM
ZAM Water
from the well in the HARAM
FAISAL ANAS
