HAJJ

HAJJ is a pillar of Islam. It is obligatory on every Muslim to perform it, at least once in their lifetime. It they have the means. Hajj is the largest gathering of Muslims from around the world. It is a unifying process showing the brotherhood of man within Islam and their worship of the one and only God - Allah. One purpose of the rites and ceremonies of Hajj, is the Pilgrim to reject evil in every way possible, physically, mentally, verbally and spiritually. The soul of every yearns to visit Makkah; where the first house of worship was built; where Allah ordered the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to settle his family and build the Kabah with his son Ismail (AS) ; where the blessed well of Zam Zam flows; where Muslims worldwide turn to prayer; where the last Messenger and Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) was born and where the pilgrims begin their quest for forgiveness. A quest that takes them on 'The journey of a lifetime' - The Hajj.

There are 3 types of Hajj:
  1. HAJJ AL-QIRAN (combined): This applies only to people who have brought with them as animal to sacrifice (Hadi) and means entering into ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time.
  2. HAJJ Al-IFRAD (single): This applies only to people who have brought with them an animal to sacrifice (hadi) and means entering into ihram only for Hajj.
  3. HAJJ AL-TAMATT'U (interrupted): This is the type that the majority of people from the UK perform. It means entering into ihram for Umrah, performing Umrah and then taking off the ihram. Then on the 8th of Dhu Al-Hijjrah, to wear the ihram again from one's residence in Makkah.
Ihram

Men should wear the two-piece ihram. Women should wear what they have available that is decent - they should be covered except for the face and hands. The Obligations of wearing Ihram include no physical contact with one's spouse. The pilgrims wear the Ihram and make intention for Umrah or Hajj at specific places on the way to Makkah. These places are called 'Stations for Ihram' (AlMiqat) and are as follows:
  • Thu Alhulaifa (approaching Makkah from the North)
  • Qarn Al-Manazil (approaching Makkah from the East)
  • Yulamlam (approaching Makkah from the South)
  • Rabegh (approaching Makkah from the West)

    Pilgrims travelling by air from the UK can wear the Ihram before boarding the plane. About 15 minutes before landing in Jeddah (when these Pilgrims pass-by their Miqat, Rabegh they make intention for Umrah.

    Umrah

    After making the intention for Umrah, the Pilgrims proceed to Makkah.
  • In Makkah the Pilgrims perform the Tawaf Al Koudoum (Circuiting the Kabah seven times).
  • Starting the Tawaf at the 'Black Stone' (Alhaja al Aswad) saying Takbir and ending the seventh circuit also at the Black Stone. During Tawaf, the Pilgrims praise Allah and make supplifications to Him in any words they please, completing each circuit with "Rabana……"
  • It was a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) to kiss the Black Stone during Tawaf. Not being able to does not detract from Tawaf. Struggling, pushing or injuring people to kiss it, is prohibited. When parallel to it, saying Takbir and raisng the hand with the palm faced towards it, is sufficient.
  • Praying two rak'ats after the Tawaf behind the "Maqam Ibrahim" is a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). However, it is permissible to pray anywhere within the Sacred Mosque.
  • A Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) was to drink the blessed water ZAM ZAM after the Tawaf.
  • The Lady Hajar (wife of Ibraham AS) prayed for water for her infant son, Ismail (AS), whilst walking seven times, to-and-from, from the Mount of Safa to the Mount of Marwa. Allah answered her prayers and the blessed water of Zam Zam gushed forth, quenching their thirst and the thirst of millions of Pilgrims ever since.
  • The next part of umrah is for the Pilgrims to walk seven times to-and-from (brisky between the marked green posts and normally otherwise) from Safa to Marwa. This is called Sa'i.
  • After completing the Sa'i, the Pilgrims end their Umrah by shortening their hair. The state if Ihram and its Obligations are now lifted, with Pilgrims resuming their normal life.

    The next step is the Hajj itself.

    Hajj

  • On 8th Dhu Al-Hijjah, the Pilgrims re-enter into Ihram from their residence in Makkah. They make the intention for Hajj and travel to Mina. They pray Zuhr to Fajr in Mina, at their proper times, but shotening Zuhr, Asr and Isha to two rak'ats.
  • After sunrise (9th Dhu Al-Hijjah), the Pilgrims travel to Arafat. Here they shorten both the Zuhr and Asr prayers to 2 rak'ats. Praying both Zuhr time.
  • Staying within the boundaries of Arafat between noon and sunset in he most important part of Hajj. Here the Pilgrims face to Qibla and affer supplications to Allah. After the sun has set, the Pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifa.
  • After Muzdalifa, the Pilgrims pray the Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening Isha to two rak'ats. Fajr is also prayed here (though, ladies and those who are weak or ill, can proceed to Mina after Midnaight). Muzdalifais also where the Pilgrims can pick up seven pebbles for stonning the Jamrat of Aqabah. The other pebbles required can be picked up in Mina. After the sun has risen (10th Dhu Al-Hijjah), Pilgrims travel back to Mina.
  • When the Pilgrims arrive in Mina (10th Dhu Al-Hijjah), they stone the Jamrah of Aqabah. Sacrifice their Hadi, eating some of it but distributing most of it. Then, men usually shave their heads and woman cut some hair equivalent to the size of a fingertips. The state of Ihram is now lifted except physical contact with one's spouse.
  • The pilgrims then travel back to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah, pray behind Maqam Ibrahim (AS) and perform the Sa'I of Hajj. All the restrictions of ihram are now lifted with Pilgrims returning to normal life.
  • The final step for the Pilgrim is returning to Makkah to perform the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf Al Wadaa) before leaving Makkah for home. Thus ending the Pilgrimage.
  • Travelling to Mosque of the Prophet (SAW) is a Sunnah. Though it is not one of the pillars of Hajj, many people travel to it either before or after Hajj.