The rules of Hajj and Umrah

Praise be to Allah, who made it mandatory for every able Muslim to perform Hajj to His Sacred House and who made the accepted Hajj a way to forgive sins and wrongdoings. Blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad, who performed the rituals of tawaf and sa'i excellently, and who praised and supplicated to Allah nobly. May these blessings also extend to his family, companions, and all those who followed his example.

Welcome, dear pilgrim, to this secure city. May Allah help you complete the rites of Hajj and Umrah in a way that is pleasing to Him, with pure intentions and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. May Allah accept your efforts and include them in your good deeds.

My dear pilgrim, just like every group has a leader and every journey has a guide, Prophet Muhammad is the leader of the Hajj group and his example and Sunnah is the guide. He once said, "Take from me the rites of Hajj." It is important for everyone who performs Hajj or Umrah to learn how to do it correctly by following accurate guidebooks and seeking guidance from scholars if needed.

This book in your hand, dear pilgrim, is written in simple language and has a new format that makes it easy to understand the rules of Hajj and Umrah. I hope you will find it helpful as your guide.

 

If you have any questions or concerns. You need to find knowledgeable scholars who can guide you, as Allah says, "Ask the people of knowledge if you don't know."

I would like to give my sincere thanks to my brother Mufti Hasan Raza for putting together this guidebook. I pray that Allah will include it and all his efforts in this field in his good deeds and increase his reward and that of his colleagues in the Committee for Distribution of Religious Publications to Pilgrims in Jeddah for their great work.

If I may offer some advice, dear guest of Allah, I would like to remind you and myself to use this special time to please Allah and avoid anything that might make Him angry. As Allah says, "Anyone who plans to do wrong or go astray will face a painful punishment."

 

 

Ihram

 

Before starting the ihram, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Trim your nails, and moustache, and remove underarm and pubic hair.
2. Take a bath if possible, but it's okay if you don't.
3. Men should take off their regular clothing and wear the ihram garments.
4. Women should remove their face coverings, but they can cover their faces with a headscarf.
5. After bathing, men should apply perfume to their bodies, but not the ihram garments. Women should use a faint scent that is not noticeable.
6. Once the above steps are completed, make the intention to perform Hajj or Umrah, and you have entered the state of ihram, even without pronouncing anything out loud. If you're performing Hajj or Umrah on behalf of someone else, make that intention at the time of ihram.

"Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wa n-nima talaka wa al-mulk. La shareeka lak."

(I respond to You, O Allah, I respond. I respond, there is no partner to You I respond. All praise and favour are Yours and sovereignty. There is no partner for You.)

These are the words of the Talbiyah, which is a declaration of the state of ihram for Hajj or Umrah. The Talbiyah is recited from the moment of ihram until certain points in the pilgrimage, depending on whether the pilgrim is performing Umrah or Hajj.

 

 

Ihram is the first rite of Hajj and Umrah. It signifies the intention to enter a state of consecration for either Hajj or Umrah. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, while Hajj is performed during the months of Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

The process of Hajj and Umrah begins with the ihram at the meeqat, which is a designated point some distance from Makkah. When someone arrives at the meeqat by land, they should take a complete bath (ghusl) and use scent if it is possible, but there is no sin if they do not. Then, they wear two clean white ihram garments, one around the waist and the other over the shoulders. Women can wear any colour of clothing that covers their body, as long as it is not too decorative.

The person then makes the intention of ihram for either Umrah or Hajj by saying the Talbiyah, which announces that they have entered the state of ihram. If the person travels by sea or air, the captain or crew will announce the approach to the meeqat so that the pilgrims can prepare for ihram. When they reach the meeqat, they begin the Talbiyah for either Hajj or Umrah. It is also acceptable to put on the ihram garments at home and start the rituals on the ship or plane, with the pronunciation of the Talbiyah upon reaching the meeqat.

Men recite the Talbiyah out loud, while women recite it quietly to themselves.

 

"Labbayk for Umrah",

 

"Here I am, for Umrah" is the declaration made by a person who intends to perform only Umrah. This declaration signifies their intention to enter the state of consecration and begin the rites of Umrah.

 

"Labbayk for Umrah with the release until Hajj",

 

"Here I am, for Umrah with the intention of performing Hajj later" is the declaration made by a person who intends to perform Hajj at-Tamattu'. This declaration signifies their intention to perform Umrah first, followed by Hajj later on. The term "release" refers to the act of ending the state of consecration after completing Umrah and resuming normal activities before returning to perform Hajj.

 

"Labbayk for Umrah and Hajj",

 

"Here I am, for Umrah and Hajj" is the declaration made by a person who intends to perform Hajj al-Qiran. This declaration signifies their intention to perform both Umrah and Hajj without ending the state of consecration in between.

 

"Labbayk for Hajj",

 

"Here I am, for Hajj" is the declaration made by a person who intends to perform Hajj alone (al-Ifrad). This declaration signifies their intention to enter the state of consecration and begin the rites of Hajj without performing Umrah beforehand.

 

 

Meeqat

 

 

Before entering into the state of ihram for Hajj or Umrah, there are five specific points of entry established by the Prophet. These points are known as the meeqat, and are located at various distances from the holy city of Makkah.

The first meeqat is located 450 kilometres from Makkah and is known as "Abyar Ali". This is the meeqat for those coming from Madinah.

The second meeqat is located near the town of Rabigh, which is 183 kilometres from Makkah. This meeqat is for those coming from or through Syria, Jordan, northern Hijaz, North Africa and Egypt.

The third meeqat is called "Qarn al-Manazil", and is for those coming from or through Najd (eastern Arabia). Today, it is known as "as-Sayl al-Kabeer".

The fourth meeqat is for those coming from Yemen and farther south. Today, people assume ihram from "as-Sadiyah", which is 92 kilometres from Makkah.

The fifth and final meeqat is for those coming from the direction of Iraq and is located 94 kilometres from Makkah al-Mukarramah.

It is mandatory for everyone intending to perform Hajj or Umrah to assume ihram before entering the area beyond these meeqats. Anyone who knowingly passes through without ihram must return to the meeqat to assume ihram. If the violation is not rectified, it requires the slaughter of sheep in Makkah for distribution to the poor.

 

According to Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the meeqats, or designated points of entry into the state of ihram, are for those who come from specific areas and for those beyond them who intend to perform Hajj or Umrah. Residents of Makkah are required to assume ihram for Hajj from within the city, but for Umrah, they must go to a location outside the boundaries of the haram sanctuary, the closest being at-Taneem. On the other hand, those who live within the meeqat area, such as in Jeddah, Masturah, Badr, Bahrah, Umm Salam, or ash-Shara'i, can assume ihram from their own homes as their place of residency acts as the meeqat for them.

 

The restrictions & Prohibited acts in Ihram

 

 

 

Once the pilgrim has assumed the state of ihram, there are several restrictions that must be observed. The restrictions include:

• Not removing hair or cutting nails. However, if some hair falls out or is pulled out unintentionally, or if the hair or nails are cut due to forgetfulness or ignorance of the ruling, it is excused.
• Not using perfume or scent on the body or clothing. If some scent remains on the body from before ihram, it is excused, but the scent in clothing must be washed out.
• Not hunting land animals or cooperating in hunting by chasing or pointing out the game within the boundaries of the Haram. This applies to all Muslims, regardless of whether they are in an ihram or not.
• Not cutting or uprooting any trees or green plants within the Haram boundaries that were not planted by man. This also applies to all Muslims, regardless of whether they are in the ihram or not.
• Not picking up anything dropped or lost in Mecca by anyone, unless it is to assist in finding the owner. This rule applies to all, regardless of whether they are in ihram or not.
• Not getting married, sending a marriage proposal, or arranging a marriage for oneself or another, as well as engaging in sexual intercourse or anything that stimulates desire. The Prophet said, "One in ihram must not marry, be engaged, or propose."
• A woman in an ihram is not allowed to wear gloves or a niqab or burqa. When there are unrelated men nearby, she covers her face with part of her headcover.
• A man in an ihram is not allowed to cover his head with the ihram garment or any headgear such as a cap, cloth headcover, or turban. If he does so due to forgetfulness or ignorance of the ruling, he should remove it as soon as he becomes aware of it.
• The man is also not allowed to wear clothing that is stitched to fit the body or part of it, such as a gown, shirt, pants, underwear, or shoes. If a waist wrapper for ihram is not available, he may wear loose pants, and if sandals are not available, he may wear slippers without any penalty.

 

 

Allowed activities in Ihram

 

 

While in ihram, one is allowed to perform certain activities, such as:

• Wearing a wristwatch, ring, eyeglasses, earphones, belt, and sandals that do not cover the ankles.
• Seeking shelter from the sun under an umbrella or roof, including the roof of a car or bus.
• Carrying bags, mattresses, etc. on one's head.
• Wrapping a wound.
• Changing clothes and washing them.
• Washing one's head and body. If any hair should fall out unintentionally, it is excused.

If a man accidentally covers his head with a cap or cloth due to forgetfulness or ignorance, he must remove it as soon as he remembers or becomes aware of it, and no ransom will be required from him.

 

Type of Hajj

 

1. Tamattu Umrah followed by Hajj: The pilgrim intends to perform Umrah during the Hajj months and says "Labbayk for Umrah with the release until Hajj". After completing the Tawaf and sa'i of Umrah and cutting the hair, the pilgrim is released from the restrictions of the ihram. On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrim assumes ihram again for Hajj from their place of residence and sets out to complete the Hajj rites. In this form of Hajj, a sacrifice of a sheep, goat, or the sharing of camel or cow is required. If the pilgrim is unable to make the sacrifice, they must fast for three days during Hajj and seven days after returning home. This form of Hajj is preferable for those pilgrims who do not bring a sacrificial animal with them.
2. Qiran Umrah followed by Hajj: The pilgrim intends to perform both Umrah and Hajj and says "Labbayk for Umrah and Hajj". Upon reaching Makkah, the pilgrim performs tawaf al-qudum and sa'i, which serves as the sa'i for both Umrah and Hajj. The pilgrim remains in the ihram until the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah when the Hajj rites begin. The pilgrim completes the Hajj without performing sa'i a second time. A sacrifice of a sheep, or goat, or the sharing of a camel or cow is required. This form of Hajj is for those pilgrims who bring a sacrificial animal with them.
3. Ifrad Hajj alone: The pilgrim intends to perform Hajj only and says "Labbayk for Hajj". In Makkah, the pilgrim performs tawaf al-qudum and sa'i for Hajj, remaining in ihram until the rites are completed. This form of Hajj does not require a sacrifice of an animal since the pilgrim did not perform Umrah. The residents of Makkah and those who bring a sacrificial animal with them usually perform Qiran.

It is important to note that the Prophet Muhammad instructed his companions to perform Tamattu, and it is considered the preferred form of Hajj for those who do not bring a sacrificial animal with them.

 

The three methods of performing Hajj are Ifrad, Qiran, and Tamattu

 

For Ifrad, a person assumes ihram from the meeqat with the intention of performing Hajj only, saying "Labbayk for Hajj". Tawaf al-qudum and sa'i are performed for Hajj and the person remains in the ihram and observes its restrictions until the Day of Sacrifice (10 Dhul-Hijjah). Tawaf al-qudum is a sunnah act and there is no problem if it is omitted.

For Qiran, a person assumes ihram from the meeqat with the intention of performing Umrah and Hajj, saying "Labbayk for Umrah and Hajj". Tawaf al-qudum and sa'i are performed for both Umrah and Hajj, and the person remains in the ihram and observes its restrictions until the Day of Sacrifice (10 Dhul-Hijjah).

For Tamattu, a person assumes ihram from the meeqat for Umrah during the Hajj months, saying "Labbayk for Umrah with the release until Hajj". After completing the Tawaf and sa'i of Umrah and cutting the hair, he/she is released from ihram and all its restrictions. Then on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, he assumes ihram again for Hajj from his place of residence and sets out to complete the Hajj rites.

For small children, the guardian recites the Talbiyah for them, putting them into the state of ihram, and they are prevented from all that is prohibited to an adult. The body and clothing of a small child must be pure during tawaf, as it is like salah which requires taharah. When the boy or girl is old enough to understand, he/she assumes ihram with the guardian's permission and does everything the adults do.

 

The Tawaf of Umrah

 

 

When a person intending to perform Umrah arrives in Mecca, it is recommended to take a bath immediately and then proceed to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, where the Holy Kaaba is located, to begin the rites of Umrah. However, if a person chooses not to take a bath, it is still acceptable. Upon entering Al-Masjid Al-Haram, one should enter with the right foot and recite the following supplication: "I seek refuge in Allah, the Supreme, and in His noble countenance and His eternal authority from Satan, the accursed... O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy." This is a general supplication that is said upon entering any mosque.

The person then heads towards the Kaaba to begin the Tawaf, which consists of seven circuits around the Kaaba. During Tawaf, it is a Sunnah for a man to bare his right shoulder and arm by passing the upper Ihram wrapper under the right armpit and covering the left shoulder with both ends. The Tawaf starts at the Black Stone, and it is recommended to kiss the Black Stone if one can do so without causing harm to others through pushing or crowding. If the area is crowded, it is sufficient to point to the Black Stone from a distance while saying "Allahu akbar" without stopping. It is not permissible to push or harm others in any way.

Throughout the seven circuits, the pilgrim should remember and mention Allah, seek His forgiveness, and make any supplications or recite the Quran as desired. However, it is important to avoid raising one's voice while reciting supplications, as this may disturb others who are performing Tawaf. As the pilgrim passes by Ar-Rukn Al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner), it is recommended to touch it with one's hand if possible. However, kissing it or wiping one's hand over it is not recommended and goes against the Sunnah of the Prophet. If it is not possible to touch it with the hand, one should continue the Tawaf without pointing to it or saying "Allahu akbar." It is also a Sunnah to recite the following verse while walking between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone: "Our Lord, give us in this world what is good and in the Hereafter what is good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Quran 2:201)

The Tawaf is completed by starting each circuit at the Black Stone and ending at it. For men, it is Sunnah to walk briskly with small steps.

 

During the Tawaf, it is important to avoid certain actions

 

 

During the Tawaf, it is important to avoid certain actions that can invalidate the Tawaf. One should not walk inside the Hijr, which is considered to be part of the Ka'bah and inside it. Touching or wiping the hands over the corners of the Ka'bah or its walls, door, covering, or Maqam Ibrahim is not lawful as it is a form of innovation in religion (bidah) that was not practised by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Additionally, one should avoid pushing or crowding during Tawaf, especially at the Black Stone and Maqam Ibrahim. To maintain the sanctity of the Tawaf, it is important to be considerate and respectful to others.

After completing the Tawaf, it is recommended to cover the right shoulder once again and pray two Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if it is possible with ease. If not, the prayer can be performed anywhere within Al-Masjid Al-Haram. This prayer is a confirmed sunnah and one should recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second Rak'ah. However, if one wishes to recite other parts of the Quran, it is also acceptable.

 

Sa'i of Umrah

 

 

After completing the tawaf, one moves to begin their seven trips of sa'i at as-Safa. While reciting, "Innas-Safa wal-Marwah min sha'air Allah," (Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah, 2:157), and saying, "I begin with that with which Allah began," which was the practice of the Prophet as narrated in Sahih Muslim.

The person stands on as-Safa facing the Kaaba, praising and glorifying Allah, and making supplications to Him. He says, "La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah. Lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadeer. La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu, anjaza wa dahu wa nasara abdahu wa hazam al-ahzaba wahdah" (There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. His is the dominion and His is [all] praise and He is over all things competent. There is no god but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise and supported His servant and defeated the [enemy] allies alone).

The person repeats this three times and makes supplications in between with anything he wishes. There is no fault if he does less than that. He raises his hands only when making supplications and does not point with them when saying "Allahu Akbar," which is a common mistake among many pilgrims.

Then, he descends from as-Safa towards al-Marwah, making supplications for himself, his family, and the Muslims in general. When reaching the green marker, men (but not women) should run until they reach the second marker, after which they walk as usual until they arrive at al-Marwah.

 

Marwah

 

 

Upon reaching al-Marwah, one faces the Kaaba and offers supplications in the same way as they did at as-Safa. They then continue walking to the green marker, where men (but not women) run between the two markers. Afterwards, they walk back to as-Safa. This completes two trips, and the process is repeated until seven trips have been completed, ending at al-Marwah. If a person is unable to complete the sai due to fatigue or illness, they are allowed to complete it using a wheelchair. Women who are menstruating or have postpartum bleeding are still allowed to complete their sai, but not tawaf, as sai is not part of al-Masjid al-Haram. It is commonly mistaken for women to run between the two green markers. Upon completing the sai, men should shave or shorten their hair, with shaving being the preferred option. When shortening the hair, some hair should be cut from every part of the head. Women should cut a length of hair equal to the width of a finger. With this, the rites of Umrah are complete, and the person is freed from all restrictions of the ihram.

 

On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah

 

On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, also known as the Day of Tarwiyah, the preparations for the Hajj begin. For those performing the Tamattu form of Hajj, they will assume the ihram in the morning, following the same steps as they did before the ihram for Umrah (such as bathing and using scent). They will make the intention for ihram from wherever they are staying. For those performing Qiran or Ifrad, they are already in a state of ihram.

All pilgrims, regardless of the form of Hajj they are performing, will travel to Mina before noon and pray the Thuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and 'Isha prayers, each at its proper time and not combined, but with the four-rakah prayers shortened to two. They will spend the evening of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah in Mina and pray Fajr there. Those staying in Mina before the Day of Tarwiyah will assume ihram in the morning on that day.

It is a Sunnah to spend the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, pray Fajr on the 9th, and wait until sunrise. After sunrise, the pilgrims will make their way to 'Arafat, calmly and quietly, praising Allah, reciting the Qur'an, and repeating the talbiya, as well as saying "La ilaha ila Allah," "Allahu Akbar," and "Alhamdulillah."

 

The day of Arafah

 

The day of Arafah is considered one of the most important and blessed days in the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafah, where they will spend the day in contemplation and supplication. This day is considered so important because it is believed that on this day Allah frees many of His servants from the fires of Hell and boasts of them to the angels. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "There is no day on which Allah frees as many of His servants from the Fire as on the day of Arafah." The pilgrims will remain at Arafah until after sunset, spending the day in prayer and asking for Allah's favour and kindness.

 

The day of Arafah is one of the most significant days of the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, the pilgrims gather in the plain of 'Arafah and spend the day in worship and devotion to Allah. It is recommended for the pilgrims to stop at Namirah for the thuhr and asr prayers and to listen to the speech if possible. However, if it is not possible, they should make sure to be inside the boundaries of 'Arafah. There are several signs and markers to indicate the location of the boundaries. The whole plain of 'Arafah is a standing place where the pilgrims can perform their prayers and supplications.

The pilgrims should use this day to the fullest, reciting the Talbiyah, seeking forgiveness from Allah, affirming His unity, and praising Him. They should direct their hearts and minds towards Allah with humility, making sincere supplications for themselves, their families, and their fellow Muslims. At noon, the imam delivers a speech to the people, reminding and instructing them on the significance of this day. He then leads the pilgrims in the thuhr and asr prayers, which are joined and shortened, with one adhan and two iqamahs, following the example of the Prophet. No other prayers should be performed before or after this.

It is important for the pilgrims to be mindful of their actions on this blessed day and to avoid any actions that could diminish the reward of this day. They should strive to make the most of this opportunity to deepen their connection with Allah and seek His forgiveness and blessings.

 

Muzdalifah

 

 

The day after the pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah, they head towards Mina while reciting the Talbiyah and focusing on their remembrance of Allah. It is recommended to collect seven pebbles, slightly larger than a pea, for the ritual stoning of the largest pillar (jamratul-aqabah) during the journey to Mina. The remaining pebbles for stoning can be taken from Mina.

It is desirable for the pilgrims to stand at al-Mashar al-Haram (a hill in Muzdalifah) or any other part of Muzdalifah and face the Qiblah before leaving. They should praise Allah and make as many supplications as possible, and then leave before sunrise after performing the fajr prayer.

Women, children, the weak, and those who are ill and their caretakers are permitted to leave for Mina after midnight. However, it is recommended for all pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah and perform the fajr prayer there.

The pilgrims should be cautious not to make the following mistakes during their stay in Muzdalifah: rushing to collect pebbles for stoning before performing the joined and shortened maghrib and isha prayers, and believing that the pebbles must only be collected from Muzdalifah.

 

Mina

 

Upon reaching Mina, the pilgrim should immediately go to the largest pillar (jamratul-aqabah), which is closest to Makkah. He/she should then stop reciting the Talbiyah and perform the following actions in the following order, although if they are done in a different order it is acceptable:

1. Throw seven pebbles at the large pillar one after another, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each one.
2. Slaughter the sacrificial animal (hadi) if required. The pilgrim may eat from it and feed the poor.
3. Shave his head (preferable) or cut his hair. The woman should cut a finger's width from the length of her hair.

It is important to note that these actions should be performed in a calm and peaceful manner, with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah.

 

After the pilgrim has completed the rami (stoning) at the large pillar (jamratul-aqabah), he/she celebrates the Day of Sacrifice, also known as the first day of the blessed Eid al-Adha. This day is a time of joy and celebration for Muslims all over the world, and for the pilgrims, it is a day of rejoicing in Allah's favour and sacrificing animals to seek closeness to Him. The pilgrim begins the takbir for Eid after completing the stoning at the large pillar, saying, "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill- Allah. Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd."

However, there are some common mistakes that pilgrims make during the rami, including:

1. Ceasing to recite the Talbiyah
2. Believing that they are actually stoning devils, leading to angry cursing and insulting
3. Throwing large stones or even sandals or pieces of wood, which is considered excessive and prohibited by the Prophet
4. Pushing or fighting near the pillars in order to get close to the rami, is a serious misdeed and goes against the obligation to treat others with kindness and gentleness
5. Throwing all of the pebbles at once, which only counts as one throw. The correct way is to throw one pebble at a time while saying "Allah Akbar" with each throw.

After the pilgrim has completed the rami and either shaved or cut their hair, they are partially released from the ihram and can wear regular clothes. Upon completing all the necessary rituals, the pilgrim is completely freed from all the restrictions of ihram, except for marital intercourse.

 

Stone the three pillars

 

On the morning of the Eid day, after reaching Mina, the pilgrim should quickly proceed to stone the large pillar (jamratul-aqabah) using seven pebbles while saying "Allahu akbar" with each throw. During the following three days, known as ayyam at-tashreeq, the pilgrim should stone the three pillars after the adhan of the Zuhr prayer. He should start with the small pillar, then move on to the medium one, and finally, stone the large one (jamratul-aqabah). The pillars, in order, are jamratul-sugrah, jamratul-wusta, and jamratul-aqabah.

 

 

Tawaf al-Ifadhah

 

Tawaf al-Ifadhah is a crucial component of the Hajj pilgrimage and is considered to be one of its pillars. The completion of Tawaf al-Ifadhah is essential for the validity of the Hajj pilgrimage.

On the morning of Eed day, after performing the stoning of the large pillar in Mina, the pilgrim proceeds to Makkah to perform seven circuits of Tawaf al-Ifadhah. For those who have performed Tamattu Hajj, or for those who have not performed the Sai after Tawaf al-Qudum in Qiran or Ifrad, seven trips of Sai are also required after the Tawaf al-Ifadhah.

It is possible to delay Tawaf al-Ifadhah until after the days of Mina (Tashreeq) and even after the completion of stoning the pillars, however, it is preferable to perform it as soon as possible.

Once the Tawaf al-Ifadhah is completed, the pilgrim is relieved from all the restrictions of Ihram, including the restriction on marital intercourse.

 

 

The three days of tashreeq

 

The three days of tashreeq are part of the Hajj ritual and begin on the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah. After completing the tawaf al-ifadhah on the Day of Sacrifice, the pilgrim should return to Mina to spend the nights preceding the three days of tashreeq. It is recommended to spend at least two of these nights in Mina, but if the pilgrim needs to depart earlier, there is no sin in doing so. The verse from the Quran (2:203) states that whoever hastens their departure in two days or delays until the third, both are without sin as long as they fear Allah.

During these three days, the pilgrim should stone the three pillars after the decline of the sun from its meridian each day they are in Mina. With each pebble thrown, they should recite "Allahu akbar." Additionally, they should frequently praise and mention Allah, making supplications and staying calm and serene. It is important to avoid any actions that may lead to pushing, quarrelling, or disputing.

 

 

It is recommended for the pilgrim to pause after stoning the small and medium pillars during the three days of Tashreeq in Mina and turn towards the Qiblah, lift their hands and make supplications to Allah using any dua that comes to their mind. This should be done without causing inconvenience or pushing others.

However, after stoning the large pillar (Jamratul-Aqabah), it is not necessary to pause and make supplications.

For those who intend to hasten their departure after two days, they should perform the stoning of the three pillars as soon as possible and leave Mina before sunset. If they are unable to leave before sunset, they should stay for a third night and perform the stoning the following day. If they are delayed in leaving, they should stay in Mina until they are able to depart.

 

 

The farewell Tawaf (Tawaf Al-Wada)

 

The farewell Tawaf (Tawaf Al-Wada) is the final rite of the Hajj pilgrimage, and must be performed by all pilgrims before returning to their home country. This Tawaf is made around the Kaaba and is considered the last requirement of the Hajj. The Prophet Muhammad once said, "Let no one of you leave until his last rite is at the House (the Kaaba)." This statement emphasizes the importance of completing the farewell Tawaf before departing from the Sacred House.

It is mandatory for all pilgrims, except for menstruating or postpartum women, to perform the farewell Tawaf. The farewell Tawaf marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and symbolizes the pilgrim's departure from the Holy City of Makkah. The pilgrim should take care to perform the Tawaf with reverence and devotion, and to make the most of this final opportunity to visit the Kaaba and connect with Allah.

 

 

The Hajj Faraiz

 

 

The Hajj is an important pilgrimage for Muslims and has several key components, known as the pillars of Hajj. These pillars are integral to the pilgrimage and if one of them is neglected, the Hajj is considered to be incomplete. The four pillars of Hajj are:

1. Ihram: This involves the declaration of the intention to perform Hajj and the donning of the ihram garments.
2. Standing at Arafah: This involves staying at the plain of Arafah until after sunset.
3. Tawaf Al-Ifadhah: This involves performing seven circuits around the Kaaba in Mecca.
4. Sai: This involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.

In addition to these pillars, there are seven other requirements of Hajj that must be fulfilled:

1. Assuming ihram from the meeqat: This involves changing into the ihram garments at a designated location before entering Mecca.
2. Staying in Arafah until the sun has set: This involves spending the entire day at the plain of Arafah.
3. Staying in Muzdalifah: This involves spending the night in Muzdalifah after leaving Arafah.
4. Staying in Mina on the nights preceding the days of Tashreeq: This involves spending three nights in Mina during the days of Tashreeq.
5. Stoning the pillars (Rami): This involves throwing seven pebbles at each of the three pillars in Mina.
6. Shaving or cutting the hair: This involves cutting a portion of the hair to symbolize the end of the state of ihram.
7. The farewell Tawaf (Al-Wada): This involves performing a final circuit around the Kaaba before leaving Mecca.

If any of these requirements are neglected, compensation is required in the form of a ransom (fidyah), which is an animal sacrifice.

 

For a woman, an additional condition

 

For a man or woman to be obliged to perform Hajj, several conditions must be met:

For a woman, an additional condition is that she must be accompanied by a mahram, who is a man with whom she cannot marry, such as her husband, father, son, brother, stepfather, stepson, daughter's husband, etc. The Prophet Muhammad once said, "Let not a man be alone with a woman unless there is a mahram with her, and let not a woman travel unless there is a mahram with her."

A woman must also be of sound mind and not be a slave. The Prophet also said, "A woman must not travel for Hajj or otherwise without a mahram."

These conditions are in place to protect the woman, who is considered the weaker sex and may face difficulties or be targeted by evil individuals during travel. A mahram provides protection for her.

 

 

The conditions for a woman to perform Hajj are that she must have a mahram accompany her, be of sound mind and reach puberty. If there is no possibility of her traveling with a mahram, she must be financially able to send a substitute to perform Hajj on her behalf.

For a voluntary Hajj, a woman must have the permission of her husband. If she is on her way to Hajj and begins menstruating or gives birth, she should continue and complete her Hajj, but is exempt from performing tawaf at the Ka'bah. Before ihram, a woman should perform the same preparations as a man, including bathing, removing excess hair, and clipping nails. She may also use a light scent.

It is important to note that a woman may perform Hajj and Umrah as a substitute for either a man or another woman.

 

5. A woman making the intention for ihram must remove her burqa or niqab if she was previously wearing one. The Prophet stated that a woman in ihram should not wear a niqab. Instead, she should cover her face with something else like part of her headcover or another garment when near non-mahram men. She can also cover her hands with her garment instead of gloves, as the face and hands should be concealed from unrelated men whether or not she is in ihram.
6. A woman in ihram is allowed to wear any type of dress that is not decorative, does not resemble that of men, is not tight-fitting, does not show the body shape, is not transparent, or is too short exposing the legs or arms. Her clothing should be concealing, and ample in size and width. Scholars agree that women in ihram can wear long shirts or dresses, wide pants, head covers, slippers or shoes, etc. of any colour, and are not limited to any specific colour like green or white. She can wear black or coloured garments and can change them whenever she wishes.
7. According to Sunnah, the woman recites the Talbiyah following ihram in a voice audible only to herself. It is discouraged for her to raise her voice in case it causes distraction. Thus, she should not recite the adhan and iqamah aloud, and when drawing attention to something during prayer, she claps instead of saying, "Subhan Allah."

8. During the tawaf, women should ensure they are fully covered, speak softly and avoid crowding or pushing men, especially in the vicinity of the Black Stone and Yemeni Corner. It's recommended for women to perform tawaf on the outer edge of the circle of people, as pushing is not allowed and being close to the Kaaba or kissing the Black Stone is a sunnah act. It's a sunnah for women to indicate the Black Stone from a distance as they pass by it.
9. Women should walk during both tawaf and sai. All scholars agree that women should not run around the Kaaba or between al-Safa and al-Marwah, nor should they bare their shoulders (idhtiba).
10. If a woman is menstruating, she can perform all the rites of Hajj such as ihram, staying at Arafah, spending the night in Muzdalifah and stoning the pillars, but should not perform tawaf until she is pure. The Prophet said to Aisha, "Do whatever the pilgrim does, except do not perform tawaf at the House until you are pure." If a woman has completed her tawaf and then begins menstruating, she should perform sai, as sai does not require one to be in a state of purity.

11. Women are allowed to leave Muzdalifah for Mina along with the weak and ill people after the moon has disappeared and they have stoned the large pillar to avoid the crowdedness.
12. Women should cut a finger's width from the ends of their hair, but it is not permitted for them to shave their heads.
13. If a menstruating woman after stoning the large pillar and cutting her hair, she is partially released from ihram and she is free from its restrictions except that she is not allowed to have sexual intercourse with her husband until after Tawaf Al-Ifadhah. If she does so, she must offer a ransom of a sheep or goat to be slaughtered in Mecca and distributed among the poor.
14. If a woman begins menstruating after Tawaf Al-Ifadhah, she may travel after completing her Hajj, and is excused from performing Tawaf Al-Wada. This is based on a hadith related by A'ishah in which she said that Safiyyah bint Huyayy menstruated after she completed Tawaf Al-Ifadhah. The Prophet asked if she had held them back, and A'ishah said no. The Prophet then said, "Let us travel." And according to Ibn Abbas, the Prophet ordered the people to perform their last rite at the Kaaba, except for menstruating and postpartum women.

 

Madinah Sharif

 

Madinah is the city where the Prophet Muhammad migrated to and established his residency. It is home to the revered Prophet's Mosque, which is one of the three mosques that a person can visit during their travels. The Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying, "One should not travel except to three mosques: al-Masjid al-Haram, this mosque [the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah], and al-Masjid al-Aqsa."

While visiting the Prophet's Mosque is not a requirement of Hajj and has no direct connection to it, it is still considered a desirable and permissible act to visit the mosque at any time throughout the year. If a person has the opportunity to visit the land of the two holy mosques, it is recommended for them to also visit Madinah and offer prayers in the Prophet's Mosque. According to Hadith, prayer in the Prophet's Mosque is better than a thousand prayers performed elsewhere, with the exception of al-Masjid al-Haram. It is said that a prayer performed in al-Masjid al-Haram is equivalent to 100,000 prayers performed elsewhere.

 

When visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, it is recommended to enter with the right foot while saying "Bismillah was-salatu was-salamu ala rasulillah" (In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah). This is the correct supplication to say when entering any mosque.

Upon entering the mosque, it is advisable to immediately pray two Rak'ahs for the tahiyyatul-masjid (greeting to the mosque) prayer, preferably in the Rawdah if possible. If that is not possible, one may pray in any part of the mosque.

After the prayer, one may then go to the grave of the Prophet and stand facing it. It is recommended to greet the Prophet by saying "As-salamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (Peace be upon you, O Prophet and the mercy of Allah and His blessings). One may also make a supplication such as "Allahumma atihil-wasilata wal-fadhilata wabathhul-maqam al-mahmud alladhi waadtah. Allahum majzihi an ummatihi afdalal-jaza" (O Allah, give him the right of intercession and the highest rank and resurrect him to the honored station that You promised him. O Allah, compensate him for his service to his ummah with the best reward).

 

When visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, it is recommended to enter with the right foot while reciting the supplication, "Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu ala rasulillah." This is the appropriate supplication to recite when entering any mosque. After entering the mosque, it is recommended to pray two Rakahs for the tahiyyatul-masjid, ideally in the Rawdhah if possible, or in any part of the mosque. Then, one may go to the grave of the Prophet and stand facing it while greeting him with "As-salamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh." One may also make supplications and duaa for the Prophet.

Next, one should step slightly to the right to stand before the grave of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, greeting him with peace and making supplications for him. The same should be done for the grave of Umar bin al-Khattab. However, it is important to note that some practices, such as wiping the hands over the grill of the room containing the grave or facing the grave during supplication, are considered blameworthy innovations in the religion and have no basis in it.

In Madinah, it is also recommended to visit the graveyard of al-Baqee, which contains the graves of many companions of the Prophet, including the third caliph Uthman bin Affan, and the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, including Hamzah bin Abdul-Muttalib. While visiting the graves, it is recommended to greet the inhabitants and make supplications for them. The Prophet taught his companions to recite, "As-salamu alaykum ahlad-diyari min al-mu'mineen wa al-muslimeen, wa inna in sha' Allahu bikum lahiqun. Nasal Allaha lana wa lakum al-afiyah."

It is also recommended to visit the Quba' Mosque, the first mosque built in Islam, after making wudhu. The Prophet used to go to the Quba' Mosque, both riding and walking, and pray two Rakahs there.

It is important to avoid burdening oneself with visiting many places in Madinah that have no reward in it, and to focus on the recommended places only.