Hajj-Fifth pillar of Islam

Hadeeth on Hajj:

1- Hajj is one of the best acts of worship and is one of the Pillars of Islam.

(Sahih Bukhari: 8)

2- Hajj purifies the sins and pilgrim becomes sinless as a newborn child.

(Sahih Bukhari: 1521)

3- Reward of Hajj Mabroor (the one accepted by Allah) is Paradise.

(Sahih Bukhari: 1773)

Q.Explain the three types of Hajj:

Hajj al-Ifrad – This essentially refers to performing the rituals of Hajj alone without the
need of a sacrificial animal (Hadee) or Qurbani. A prilgrim who undertakes this form of
Hajj is called Mufrid.

Hajj al-Qiran – In this type of pilgrimage, one performs both Hajj and Umrah together
while being in the state of Ihram. This form requires a sacrificial animal to complete the
rituals. A pilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Qaarin.

Hajj al-Tamatt’u – The most common type of Hajj pilgrimage and the one Prophet
Muhammed (PBUH) encouraged his companions to perform. It refers to performing
Umrah rituals during the Hajj season and then proceeding to complete the steps to Hajj
between the 8th and 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Hajj begins on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, when pilgrims make their intentions to
undertake the pilgrimage by donning the Ihram garments.

Assuming Ihram from Miqat – The intention to perform Hajj

Before pilgrims wish to enter the Al Masjid Al Haram (the sacred boundary of Mecca)
and move across to perform Hajj, they should wear Ihram in order to make haram and
traverse the five different areas of Miqats in the Haram boundary.
Below are the destination options and relevant Miqats for pilgrims travelling to Saudi
Arabia to perform Hajj:
• Dhu’l Hulaifah (Abbyar Ali) is for pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia from or through
Madina first to perform Hajj al-Tamatt’u
• Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh) is for pilgrims coming from or through Syria, Morocco, or
Egypt.
• Qarn-al manazil (As-Sail Al-Kabeer) is for pilgrims coming from or through Najd or
Taif.
• Yalamlam (Sa’adiyah) is for pilgrims coming from or through India, Pakistan or
Yemen.
• Dhat `Irq is for pilgrims coming from or through Iraq.

To become a Muhrim (a pilgrim that has attained the state of Ihram), a pilgrim must
prepare himself for Ihram by following the below steps as instructed by the Prophet
(PBUH):
• Performing ablutions – cleansing the body to attain physical purity, which involves
some rituals that are mandatory (Mushtahab) and others, are preferable for Ihram:
I. Ghusl (Mustahab)
II. Perfuming the head & beard. (Mustahab)
III. Clipping finger & toe nails (Preferred)
IV. Trimming moustache (Preferred)
V. Shaving off unwanted body hair (Preferred).

Q.Explain the steps of Hajj:

I. Reassume Ihram and the intention to perform Hajj
After completing Umrah rituals, pilgrims must assume the state of Ihram and declare
their intentions to do Hajj.

II. Travel to Mina

Soon after the observing the morning prayers, all pilgrims must head to Mina (a town in
Mecca), where they stay an entire day carrying out ritual prayers – Duhr, Asr, Maghrib,
Isha, Fajr and Qasr – as stated in the Quran.

III. Travel to Mt. Arafat to perform Wafuq

During the second day of Hajj, 9th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah, pilgrims travel to Arafat from
Mina reciting Istaghfar and making supplications. Upon reaching Mount Arafat, pilgrims
observe Duhr and Asr combined with Qasar prayers near the Jabal al-Rahmah from
noon to sunset. This act is known as Waquf (standing before Allah).

IV. Offer Prayers in Muzadalifah

Post sunset, pilgrims head to Muzadalifah (a town between Mina and Mt. Arafat) to
observe the evening prayers and rest the night until Fajr prayers in preparation for the
next day’s ritual of stoning the devil. Pilgrims pick up 49 pebbles of similar size for Rami.

On the 10th day Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave for Mecca before sunset to do Tawaf al-
Ifadah and Sa’iy and get back to Mina to perform Rami, Nahr and Halq.
V. Perform Rami in Mina
On the 11th and 12th days of Hajj, pilgrims must complete the stoning of the Devil or
Rami. Before Sunrise, pilgrims head back to Mina and participate in a ritual known as
‘Stoning the devil’. Seven pebbles (of similar sizes) are thrown at a stone structure
known as Jamrat al-Aqabah. This is an act carried out at noon on each day.

VI. Animal Sacrifice – Nahr

The culmination of the stoning ceremony calls for an animal sacrifice. For this pilgrims
can purchase sacrifice voucher or a coupon, which states that a sacrifice has been
made in their name. the sacrificial animal is either a lamb or a camel.

VII. Halq (shaving the head) or Taqsir (clipping or shortening of the hair for men
and women)
Men should get their head completely shaved, or get their hair clipped. While women
are forbidden to shave their heads and only allowed to have a lock or strand of their hair
clipped.
VIII. Perform Tawaf and Sa’iy

IX. Repeat Stoning at Mina After Sunset On the 11th and 12TH day of Dhu al-Hijjah
The stoning ritual is repeated by throwing pebbles at two other monuments other than
Jamrat al Aqabah – Jamrat Oolah (the first Jamrat) and Jamrat Wustah (middle Jamrat).
Pilgrims face the Jamarah (main pillar).

X. Perform the Farewell Tawaf

The next and the final step is the farewell Tawaf, circumambulating the Kaaba anti-
clockwise seven times and touching or kissing the Kaaba if possible. Pilgrims reflect on
their experience and thank Allah for everything, while circumambulating the Kaaba.

Q- Why has Allah ‫ سبحان وتعاىل‬chosen Makkah rather than any other city for Hajj?
Ans: Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬chose Makkah for Hajj because it is the holiest city, home to the Ka‘bah,
the first house of worship built for mankind.
Q- Who was the first to proclaim Hajj to people?
Ans: Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) was the first to proclaim Hajj to people by Allah’s command.
Q- Did the Arabs use to go on pilgrimage before Islam?
Ans: Yes, the Arabs used to go on pilgrimage to the Ka‘bah before Islam, but their practices
were mixed with shirk (idol worship) and innovations.
Q- How many times did the Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬perform Hajj and Umrah?
Ans: Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬performed one Hajj and four Umrahs in his lifetime.
Q- Why do Muslims sacrifice a lamb or other animal during the festival of Eid ul-Adha?
Ans: Muslims sacrifice a lamb or other animal during Eid ul-Adha to commemorate Prophet
Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. Allah replaced
his son with a ram, showing His mercy and acceptance of Ibrahim’s devotion. The sacrifice
reminds Muslims of the importance of faith, obedience, and submission to Allah. The meat is
shared with family, relatives, and the poor, promoting charity and community spirit.
Q- What do Muslims believe they gain from Hajj?
Ans: Muslims believe that by performing Hajj, they gain the forgiveness of sins and a chance to
start a new life with a purified heart. It strengthens their faith and brings them closer to Allah
through sincere worship and sacrifice. Hajj also helps them develop patience, humility, and self-
discipline by enduring hardships for the sake of Allah. Moreover, it unites Muslims from all over
the world, reminding them of equality, brotherhood, and the Day of Judgment.
Q- How should non-Muslim friends and co-workers interact with someone who is going on
Hajj or celebrating at home?
Ans: Non-Muslim friends and co-workers should show respect and kindness to someone going
on Hajj or celebrating at home. They can offer good wishes such as “safe journey” or
“congratulations” to acknowledge the importance of the occasion. It is thoughtful to avoid
scheduling unnecessary work or social events that may conflict with their religious practices.
Sharing in their happiness with polite gestures strengthens mutual respect and harmony.

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