FAQs
Physical fitness play a vital role in performing Hajj. Hajj requires lots of energy and dedication toward its duties. So it is recommeded to start preparing your self three to four month before leaving Arza Muqadas (Holy Land). Pilgrims have to perform Tawaf among a very heavy crowd. Physically week pilgrim usually stay in the state of scarness. Some time they have to spent even extra energy to perform a Tuaf than a fit person. They have to do a Tuaf on the top floor of Masjad. Where one round is more than a km. On the other hand, one round is around 350 meters, average, on the ground
So if you have made up your mind to perform the Hajj then do regular exercises and long walk. There would be many occasion where you have to walk many hours a day. Just to tell you about my one perticular day of walking during last Hajj. I travel over fourty km on foot. That might be some extra ordinary experience but many pilgrim walk very long journey on foot, especially during the Mina stay. Where pilgrim goes to Jamarat stonning from Mina on foot. Since Australian, US & European’s tent are the end of Mina so they have to have a longest walk to the Jamarat or Mecca than other pilgrim came from other countries.
Before leaving seek professional medical advice if you have any medical conditions.
Normal fit people also visit to the doctor and take some prescribed medication for cough, flue, fever, up-set stomach, vomating and travel sickness.
Take some warm clothing along with summer wearings. I have experience of very windy and cold days in Medina last year. Forthcoming Hajj is coming ten days before so there is a chance that your stay in Medina would be in cold days. There is thick warm Jacket is required especially in Fajar and Isah time. You should also carry warm thermal singlet which you should wear during the day with jumper.
You can take food with you like the cereal or musli etc. But be ware, we had been advised not to take any food with you at the Melbourne airport at the check in. We were said this is the requirment of Saudi government. Food policies might be different in every Hajj. Please ask us few days before leaving about taking the food with you. We will educate you according to current policy at that time.
- There will be number of time you as pilgrim will be tested by Allah during your course of Hajj. It will be pity if you don’t try to be successful in those tests.
- It might be in the bus where you got the seat and comparatively elder person standing without seat, It might be a time when you secure a little larger place in the tent of Mina or Arafat but a brother/sister is looking for a place to even just sit in the tent without having a proper place, or even your hotel where you have been allocated a room which you don’t like it.
- Please be advised that we will be in Holy Land for worship not on leisure trip. Every thing will be temporary and no one will stay anywhere permanent. So why make fuss for all that when we are on the move most of the time. I have seen some pilgrims expect similar type of lifestyle as they were living in their home country.
- It is almost impossible to meet the expectation of every body. One thing absolutely has to be remembered all the time to be humble and courteous. Do not blame every time someone for any hardship, be remember it might be a test from Allah. Try to sacrifice your rights over other brother/sister.
- Try to cash out most of the rewards during this very short span of time. The pilgrims should keep in mind that he set out on the journey of pilgrimage in obedience for Allah, leaving behind comfort, luxury and pleasure. He should be certain that his reward will be in proportion to his endurance of the rites and restrictions of Hajj. He should show the utmost selflessness, self-denial, and human compassion.
- He should think about others and try to give up some of his needs for their sake. He should adapt himself to sleep anywhere and eat simple food. He should be fully aware that he is about to change his entire lifestyle.
- He should be ready to sleep on the hard ground on simple bedding. He should expect to suffer stifling heat and chilling cold. He should expect a change in the time of his daily meals. He might eat earlier or later than he is in the habit of.
- He might find a cup of tea or coffee and he might not. He might find someone to help and serve him and he might not. He should expect the worse and should not upset others with his complaints, obscene language and grievances.
- I warn pilgrims against these slips because I have seen people who return home worse than they were before. Both their sins and enemies increased. Their only achievement was their success to breed animosity with others and force.
- Once the pilgrim reach to Jeddah Hajj terminal, Hajj terminal is different than the Jeddah International Airport. Hajj terminal is made of tents. pilgrim has to wait in a lounge where they will sit in a que.
- They usually enter in small groups in a immigration foyer. After finishing with immigration they checkout to luggage claim area.
- Where they collect their luggage and ahead to Hajj ministry counters where they will surrender their passport.
- Here they will be issued a card which will hold the information about the office where their passport will remain in Medina or Mekkah.
- So it is the responsibility of pilgrim to take well care of this card. Otherwise it will be very hard to locate his or her passport when they were to leave Medina or Mekkah.
- Hajj is obligatory for a woman providing that she is accompanied by her husband or some other person “Mahram” whom it is, forever, impossible for her to marry. There is no consensus among scholars as to the prerequisites for her companions.
- However, he must escort her in her travel to Hajj and back home. Abu Hanifa, Al-Hasan, Annakha’e, Ishaq, Ibn Al Mondher and Ahmad are of the opinion that a woman is obligated to perform Hajj on the condition that she is accompanied by her husband or a Muhrim.
- A woman may veil her face with her head-covering if she fears that men are looking at her. Many women wear a headband under the veil to keep it away from the face. This action has no basis. It is prohibited for a woman to make tawaf showing her adornments, using perfume, or not covering properly what the Shari’ah requires her to be covered.
- If a woman’s menses begins or she gives birth after entering into Ihram, it is not permissible for her to make tawaf until the flow of blood ceases and she is cleansed. A woman may wear any dress for Ihram as long as it does not resemble men’s clothing, show her adornments, or cause temptation to men.
- A husband should not forbid his wife from proceeding for obligatory Hajj. He has no right to prevent her from doing what is her obligatory duty. He may prevent her from performing Hajj voluntarily.
- It is desirable for a woman to seek her husband’s permission for the prescribed Hajj. If he grants her his permission, she may leave for Hajj but even if he refuses, she may still proceed for Hajj.
Ihram
- Some pilgrims bypass the designated Station of Ihram on their route without either being in Ihram or entering into Ihram there, proceeding until they reach Jeddah or some other place within the precincts of the Stations, at which they enter into Ihram.
- This is against the command of Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him), which stipulates that every pilgrim should enter into Ihram at the Station of Ihram which lies on his route.
- If this happens to someone, he must either go back to the Station of Ihram lying on his route and there enter into Ihram, or he must make expiation by sacrificing a sheep in Makkah and feeding all its meat to the poor.
- This applies to all pilgrims regardless of whether one passes the Station of Ihram by air, by sea or by land.
- If one did not pass through one of the five designated Stations of Ihram he should enter into Ihram at a point which is nearest to the Station of Ihram on his route.
Tawaf
- Starting the Tawaf at some point other than the site of the Black Stone, while it is obligatory to begin tawaf from the Black Stone.
- Doing ramal (i.e., taking quick short steps) during all seven circuits while ramal is to be done only during the first three of the Tawaf of Arrival (tawaf al-qudum).
Sai
- Accelerating one’s pace throughout the entire distance between the two hills. The sunnah is to accelerate one’s pace only between the two green posts, while walking at normal pace the remainder of the way.
Arafat
- Some pilgrims camp outside the boundaries of ‘Arafat and remain there until the sun has set; then they depart for Muzdalifah without standing at ‘Arafat properly.
- This is a serious error which invalidates their Hajj since standing in Arafat is the essence of Hajj, and it is obligatory to be within its boundaries and not outside them, if it is not easy to do that, they may enter before sunset and remain there until sunset.
- It is quite acceptable to stand in Arafat during the night of sacrifice in particular.
At Jamarat
- Pebbels should be size of bean, where as some pilgrim pick the large size pebels and throw with full force which bounce and some time fall back on the near by other worshipers.
- So it is advised to avoid to this practice.
- Throwing all the pebbles at one time is an error. Scholars have said that this would be counted as only one throw.
- Appointing a proxy to throw the pebbles, simply due to fear of the crowds or of hardship, while one is capable of doing it himself.
- Only sick or weak individuals are permitted to have a proxy for this act.
- Crowding and fighting with others at the Pillars while throwing the pebbles is not permissible.
- What is prescribed is to be gentle and to throw the pebbles without hurting anyone as much as possible.
Obligatory:
It means any obligatory act on which the validity of Hajj depends and which is redeemed by offering a sacrifice.
According to this school: the obligatory act may be represented as the Essential [Al-Rukn], and it includes the Requisite [Al-Shart].
The Four Obligatory Acts of Hajj:
1. Ihram
2. Standing by `Arafah
3. Ifadah Circumambulation
4. Sa`i between Safa and Marwah
There is agreement among Juristic Schools on the obligatory and necessary rituals of Hajj.
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Definition of Hajj
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Rule and Evidence
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Obligations of Hajj
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Hajj Jurisprudence Reaquisite
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Obligatory acts of Hajj
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Supererogatory acts of Hajj
Literally: | The word “Hajj” means heading for an honorable person or place. |
Legally: | Hajj means worshipping Allah by performing the Hajj rituals, which are defined as specific acts performed at a specific time and place in a specific way. |
There is agreement among Juristic schools over the Hajj definition.
Performing Hajj is an obligation once in a lifetime upon every individual, male or female.
Evidence from the Holy Qur’an:
Allah, the Almighty, says,”Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, – those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.“
Allah made Hajj an obligation to Muslims in the ninth year after Hijrah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed only the Farewell Hajj.
Evidence from the Prophetic Tradition:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ” (The superstructure of) Islam is founded on five (pillars): …. etc. “
Among these pillars the Prophet mentioned the Hajj.
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, ” The Hajj which is accepted will receive no other reward than Paradise. “
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, ” He who performs Hajj and neither spoke indecently not did he act wickedly would return free of sin as on the (very first) day his mother born him. “
Scholars’ Unanimous Agreement:
All scholars have unanimously agreed that Hajj is obligatory and that it represents the fifth pillar of Islam. It is an obligation that should be performed as soon as possible.
Obligatory:
It means any obligatory act on which the validity of Hajj depends and which is redeemed by offering a sacrifice.
According to this school: the obligatory act may be represented as the Essential [Al-Rukn], and it includes the Requisite [Al-Shart].
The Four Obligatory Acts of Hajj:
1. Ihram
2. Standing by `Arafah
3. Ifadah Circumambulation
4. Sa`i between Safa and Marwah
There is agreement among Juristic Schools on the obligatory and necessary rituals of Hajj.
The Hajj Requisites according to the Hanafi Juristic School
| 1. | Being a Muslim: Performing Hajj is not required from a non-Muslim. If a non-Muslim performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 2. | Sanity: Performing Hajj is not required from an insane person. If an insane person performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 3. | Adulthood: Performing Hajj is not required from a child. If a child performs Hajj, his Hajj will be accepted if he has reached the age of discretion. Moreover, a child’s performance of Hajj does not exempt him from performing the obligatory Hajj after reaching adulthood. |
| 4. | Freedom: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to a slave. |
| 5. | Physical ability. |
| 6. | A means of transport should be available along with the financial ability to afford for the journey. |
| 7. | The journey should be safe. |
As for a female pilgrim:
| 1. | She should be accompanied by her husband or an unmarriageable person. |
| 2. | She should not be in the waiting period of irrevocable divorce or in mourning for her husband. |
The Hajj Requisites according to the Maliki Juristic School
| 1. | Being a Muslim: Performing Hajj is not required from a non-Muslim. If a non-Muslim performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 2. | Sanity: Performing Hajj is not required from an insane person. If an insane person performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 3. | Adulthood: Performing Hajj is not required from a child. If a child performs Hajj, his Hajj will be accepted if he has reached the age of discretion. Moreover, a child’s performance of Hajj does not exempt him from performing the obligatory Hajj after reaching adulthood. |
| 4. | Freedom: Performing Hajj is not required from a slave. |
| 5. | Physical and financial ability. |
As for a female pilgrim:
It is not necessary for her to be accompanied by her husband or an unmarriageable person. Young or old, she is allowed to perform Hajj if she finds a trustworthy company to go with.
The Hajj Requisites according to the Shafi`i Juristic School
| 1. | Being a Muslim: Performing Hajj is not required from a non-Muslim. If a non-Muslim performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 2. | Freedom: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to a slave. |
| 3. | Eligibility. |
| 4. | Physical and financial ability. This ability is subject to the following conditions: |
| a. Having food and other provisions sufficient for the journey to and from Hajj. | |
| b. A means of transport should be available. | |
| c. Provisions and the cost of transport means should not affect repaying one’s debts nor providing for one’s family. | |
| d. Having enough strength to endure the journey. | |
| e. The journey should be secure. |
As for a female pilgrim:
A free, female Muslim pilgrim should be with a secure, trustworthy company.
The Hajj Requisites according to the Hanbali Juristic School
| 1. | Being a Muslim: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to a non-Muslim. If a non-Muslim performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 2. | Sanity: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to an insane person. If an insane person performs Hajj, it will not be accepted. |
| 3. | Adulthood: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to a child. If a child performs Hajj, his Hajj will be accepted if he has reached the age of discretion. Moreover, a child’s performance of Hajj does not preempt him from performing the obligatory Hajj after reaching adulthood. |
| 4. | Freedom: Performing Hajj is not obligatory to a slave. |
| 5. | Physical and financial ability. |
As for a female pilgrim:
She should be accompanied by an unmarriageable person.
Necessary ritual means whatever ritual a pilgrim must observe and if not, he should offer a sacrificial animal.
The Seven Obligations of Hajj:
1. Performing Ihram from Miqat
2. Standing by `Arafah
3. Spending one night in Muzdalifah
4. Spending one night in Mina
5. Shaving the head or cutting hair short (shaving is recommended)
6. Throwing pebbles
7. Farewell Circumambulation
There is agreement among Juristic Schools on the obligatory and necessary rituals of Hajj.
Supererogatory:
It means whatever ritual the Lawgiver demands, without much stress, and that which if one performs, he will be rewarded; and if he chooses not to perform, he will not be punished. According to this Juristic School, the words Supererogatory [Sunnah], Preferable [Mandub], Desirable [Mustahab], and Voluntary [Tatawu`] are synonymous.
Some supererogatory acts of Hajj:
1. Washing the whole body upon entering into the state of Ihram
2. Performing Talbiah
3. Performing the arrival circumambulation for a Mufrid or Qarin pilgrim
4. Spending the night of `Arafah in Muzdalifah
5. Performing Ramal and Idtibah` during the arrival circumambulation
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