Hajj Guide

The centre of Islamic world and the most important piece of architecture in Islam, Kaaba is the first place of worship constructed centuries ago by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismael (AS). Over the ages, it has undergone several changes due to natural calamities and renovations. One of the biggest renovation happened during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. It is believed that this cube-shaped stone structure was built on the same foundation where Prophet Adam (AS) constructed a sanctuary to worship Allah the Almighty. Today, thousands of people circle the Kaabah while performing tawaf 24 hours a day and millions of Muslims across the globe face the direction of Kaaba while offering salah five times a day.

Here are a few facts about Kaaba that speaks about the history of Kaaba and the importance of Kaaba in Islam:

It has been reconstructed several times over the centuries. The structure of Kaaba we see today is not the same as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismael (AS) constructed. It has gone through several changes because of natural disasters and renovations. The major renovation of Kaabah took place during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) before he achieved the Prophethood. The Prophet (pbuh) averted a major bloodshed because of his quick thinking and wisdom when he provided the solution about how to place the stone by using a piece of cloth so that every tribe could participate. The Quraish also agreed to use money from the pure sources only to complete the construction. However, there was not enough untainted money in this wealthy trading city so they had to settle for the smaller version of Kaabah.

Meeqats are prescribed places of Ihram on all the four sides of Makkah, as set for Muslims by Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). The 5 places of Meeqat for Umrah & Hajj are as follows:

1. Al- Juhfah also known as “Rabegh” (For the people coming from Egypt, Syria, or west)
2. Dhul-Hulaifah also known as Abyar Ali (For people coming from Madinah)
3. Dhatul-Irq (For the people coming from Iraq)
4. Qarn-Al-Manazel (For the people coming from Najd and Taif)
5. Yalumlum (For the people coming from India, Pakistan and Yemen by sea)

Pilgrims by Air transport: From UK/Europe:

The Nearest Miqat to Makkah for muslims traveling from UK is Rabegh. However, Pilgrims traveling by air from UK need to wear Ihram before reaching the locations of Miqat, but they should make the intention (Niyyah) and call out “Talbiyah” only upon reaching the Meeqat following the announcement. (Saudi Airlines announce about Meeqat). If travelling by other airline, Meeqat zone comes approximately one hour before arrival at Jeddah Airport.
Note: It is not permissible for pilgrims to pass through these prescribed stations without donning Ihram, whether they arrive by Road, Air or Sea.

The meaning of Ihram is to declare a lawful thing as Haram (unlawful) on oneself. After pronouncing niyyah and talbiyah by a pilgrim, certain permissible things becomes prohibited such as like wearing stitched garments, use of perfume, and hair cut are some of the things which are not allowed in Ihraam. The combined state of niyyah and talbiyah is called Ihram.

Usually two white sheets of clothes are worn when a pilgrim enters the state of Ihram but the real Ihram is the intention and talbiyah. Women can enter ihram in their ordinary clothes. Women are required to perform all the rituals of Hajj like men. Similarly, there is not much difference in ihram for men and women except the different Ihram clothing for male and female. People are usually confused about when to assume Ihram. It is obligatory to assume ihram from the prescribed Meeqat which is Rabegh for pilgrims travelling from UK.

It is also a wrongful thinking that once you put on the ihram sheets, you cannot take them off. By taking them off or by changing them, a person does not relinquish Ihram. The pilgrim comes out of the state of Ihram in which he had entered with the intention of performing Hajj, only when he completes all the essential rites of Hajj and has his head shaved or hair cut short.

There are three different types of Hajj namely:
1. Hajj-ul-Ifrad
2. Hajj-ul-Qiran
3. Hajj-ul-Tamattu

What is Hajj-ul-Ifrad?

It is the simplest form of Hajj. A pilgrim enters into the state of Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj only before passing through the Meeqat (place for assuming ihram). The pilgrim does not combine Hajj with Umrah and makes sure not to perform umrah in the months of Hajj. The person performing Hajj-ul-Ifrad is called Mufrid.

What is Hajj-ul-Qiran?

During this kind of Hajj, a pilgrim who performs Hajj-ul-Qiran combines Hajj and Umrah. He assumes Ihram with the intention to accomplish both. The pilgrim who performs this kind of Hajj is called a Qarin.
Qarin wears Ihram first for Umrah and then for Hajj making his intentions for Hajj just before performing Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing Hajj-ul-Qiran are the same as the one performing Ifrad, except that the former must slaughter whereas the latter is not obligated to do so.

First Day of Hajj (8th Dhul Hijjah)

Hajj starts after the maghrib prayers of 7th Dhul Hijjah. Pilgrims make same preparations for Hajj as they make for Umrah like taking Ghusl, declare intention, wear Ihram and recite Talbiyah. Complete all the Hajj preparations during the night hours.
Enter into the state of Ihram from Miqat or from the staying place at Mecca. After offering Fajr salah, proceed towards Mina while reciting talbiyah and pronouncing it on the way as often as possible.
After reaching Mina, offer Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. Spend the night in Mina doing zikr and ibadah.

Second Day of Hajj (9th Dhul Hijjah)

Offer Fajr prayer in Mina and set out for Arafat after saying Takbir and Talbiyah. Reach Arafat by zawal (declining of the sun) and spend this time of Waquf-e-Arafat repenting for your sins, seeking forgiveness of Allah, praying and supplicating. It is better to do Waquf while standing but sitting down is also allowed. Later, proceed to Arafat ground to offer combined prayers of Zuhr and Asr with Jama’at.

Entering Ihram from the Meeqat: It is obligatory to form the intention of Hajj and assume the state of Ihram from the Meeqat. Rabegh is the prescribed Meeqat location for pilgrims from UK. However, pilgrims traveling by air cross the Meeqat so it is essential for them to form the intention in the flight. Saudi airlines announce about Meeqat on the plane. If you are traveling by other flights, the Meeqat comes one hour before reaching the Jeddah airport.
Wuquf at Arafat: It is essential to stop at Arafat even for a moment from zawal (declining of sun) of 9th Dhul Hijjah to the dawn of 10th Dhul Hijjah. This is an indispensable part of Hajj and must be performed in the prescribed order at its proper time and place. In case of its omission, Hajj would not be accomplished properly.
Tawafuz Ziyarah: It can be performed any time from the morning of the 10th Dhul Hijjah to the dawn of 12th Dhul Hijjah after completing the ritual of Qasr (shaving or clipping of hair). Tawafuz Ziyarah, also called Tawaf-ul-Ifadah, is an obligatory ritual of Hajj and it is performed after leaving the state of Ihram and just before returning back to Mina to perform Rami al-Jamarat. If Tawafuz Ziyarah is delayed, sacrifice of an animal (Dam) becomes essential.

Important (Wajib) acts of worship during Hajj

• Overnight Stay in Muzdalifah.
• Overnight Stay in Mina at Tashriq nights.
• Ramyul Jamar i.e. stone pelting at the Jamarats.
• Qurbani or sacrifice of an animal is only due on a Qarin or Mutamatti.
• Shaving or cutting of hair.
• Tawaf-ul-Wada or Farewell tawaf.

The Arabic meaning of Tawaf is going round and round. In the context of Hajj and Umrah, it means circumambulating around Baitullah (The House of Allah) seven times.
It is an obligatory act of Hajj and Umrah. There are seven types/kinds of Tawaf:

Tawaful Qudum: Tawaf performed upon entering Masjid-ul-Haram in the state of Ihram by those performing Hajj al-Qiran or Hajj al-Ifrad.

Tawafuz Ziyarah: Also known as Tawaf al-Ifadhah, it is the Tawaf that is performed between the dawn of 10th Dhul Hijjah to the sunset of 12th Dhul Hijjah, after leaving the state of Ihram and just before returning to Mina to perform Rami al-Jamarat. If it is delayed, Dam becomes Wajib.

Tawaful Wada: Also known as Tawafus Sadr, Tawaf el Wida (Farewell) is the farewell tawaf performed at the end of the Hajj.

Tawaful Umrah: This is mandatory for Umrah.

Tawaful Nadhr: It is mandatory when a person has made a vow to Allah to do it.

Tawaful Tahiyya: : It is not mandatory for a person but recommended to perform when he enters into Masjid-ul-Haram. If any other tawaf is performed, it becomes its substitute.

Tawafun Nafl: Can be performed any time. If you want to know how to perform nafl tawaf, it is similar to other tawaf. Pilgrims just have to form the intention (niyyah) of performing nafl tawaf.

There are no special Dua & Supplications during Hajj, A person should recite any dua he/she remembers and wishes. But one should try to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah as closely to how the Prophet (pbuh) performed. Here are some of most recommended basic Hajj duas and supplications that one should recite while on their journey for Hajj and Umrah:

Below are the misconceptions and prohibitions during Hajj that one should be careful about in order to have a blissful Hajj experience:

Mistake 1: Changing the intention of Hajj

Making intention is the most important part of Hajj. The reward of a deed depends on the intention. One is allowed to change his/her intention about the type of Hajj he/she wants to perform before assuming Ihram. If one wants to change his/her intention afterwards, he/she can change from Tamattu to Qiran but not from Tamattu to Ifrad.

Mistake 2: Not changing the ihram clothes

Some people wrongly think that changing the white sheets of ihram will relinquish their ihram. One is allowed to change the ihram whenever he/she requires. The pilgrim comes out of ihram which he/she intended only after completing all the essential rites of Hajj and shaving or clipping of hair.

Mistake 3: Touching or wiping over the Kabah or any part of Masjid-ul-Haram

Some people try to touch and wipe over any part of Kabah and Maqam-e-Ibrahim thinking that there is barakah and khair in it. This is one of the most common misconceptions and mistakes during Hajj, and has no basis in hadith or sunnah. The Prophet (pbuh) did not touch any part of Kabah except the Black stone and Yemeni corner. Innovation in religion is one of the things forbidden in Hajj and therefore, it must be prohibited.

Here are the top tips for Hajj travel and to stay healthy during the Hajj pilgrimage:

• The extreme weather conditions, the tremendous crowd of pilgrims, and the physical demands of Hajj tend to make people short tempered. Try to be patient, understanding and compassionate always. You can avoid unnecessary arguments and awkward situations by maintaining a positive attitude and remaining focused on your mission of Hajj.
• Do not get involved in unnecessary religious discussions with your fellow pilgrims. You may see slight variations in religious practices during Hajj rituals amongst different people. Someone may even point out the “wrongness” of your ways. Be patient and walk away from a difficult situation.
• Be optimistic and keep good companionship during Hajj. You will meet different kinds of people in your group; the over-excited, complainers, chit-chatters etc. keep to yourself if you feel distracted and don’t want the negativity to affect you. There might be things that you don’t like but try to keep it to your heart and share constructive criticism with the organizer.
• Most important Hajj advice is to be punctual. Take great care to perform Salah on time and with Jama’t.
• Don’t be put-off by hot weather. There are air-conditioned sections in Haram on the first and second floor (enter through King Fahad entrance and stay on the left). Pray there during the hottest part of the day.