1. Hajj Q and N

 السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتة   

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِٱلرَّحِيمِ    

1. What is Hajj? How many types of Hajj are there in Islam? What are the differences between Umrah and Hajj?

Hajj:

It is the sacred journey to the house of Allah Subhanahuthala at Makka located in Saudhi Arabia. It is undertaken to get the closeness and forgiveness of Allah. It is the fifth most important duty of Muslims. It is obligatory to those who can afford it. It starts from the 7th day of Dhul-Ḥijjah and ends on the 12th or 13th day.

Allah says in Quran: "Most surely the first house appointed for men is the one at Bekka (Makka), blessed and a guidance for the nations."(3:96). "Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able (physically and financially) among the people.” (3:97).

Allah made this as a ritual by Ibrahim (AS) and his family:

"And when We assigned to Ibrahim (AS) the place of the House, saying: Do not associate with Me aught, and purify My House for those who make the circuit and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves.

And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path,

That they may witness advantages for them and mention the name of Allah during stated days over what He has given them of the cattle quadrupeds, then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy.

Then let them accomplish their needful acts of shaving and cleansing, and let them fulfill their vows and let them go round the Ancient House.

That (shall be so); and whoever respects the sacred ordinances of Allah, it is better for him with his Lord; and the cattle are made lawful for you, except that which is recited to you, therefore avoid the uncleanness of the idols and avoid false words" [Al-Hajj, 22:26 to 30].

The Muslims follow the acts of the highly submissive family of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the friend (Khaleel) of Allah as Hajj rituals:

1. Going to Mina and Arafath to perform Hajj.

2. Stoning at Jamrath to drive away Shaithan.

3. Giving animal sacrifice, as Ibrahim (AS) readily obeyed Allah's command of sacrificing his only son (at that time) Ismail (AS).

4. Performing tawaf around Kaba built by Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) and praying at Maqamae Ibrahim, which is the Allah's greater sign.

5. Performing Sa'i between mounts Safa and Marwa as Bibi Hajr did.

6. By performing these rituals the Muslims become completely forgiven from their sins by the Kind and Most Merciful Allah Subhanahuthala.

Rituals of Hajj:

On seventh day of Dhul- Hijjah the persons going for Hajj makes a pure intention and enter into ihram –  sacred state – at the Miqat. By reciting thalbia, they reach Makkah, they perform tawaf around Kaba. They also perform Sa’i. And shave their head or shorten the hair.

On the 8th of Dhull- Hijjah, they move to Mina, the tent city, 8km away from Makka. As Allah says, they spent their time in praying, remembering Allah and supplicating.

On the 9th of Dhull- Hijja pilgrims move to Arafath, 15km away from Mina. The Zuhar and Asr prayers are performed together at noon. After the zikre, from noon to sunset the pilgrims stand before Allah praying and supplicating in and around Jabalae-Rahamath. This is called wuquf, the main ritual of Hajj.

At sunset the pilgrims headed towards Muzdalifah, an open place 11km away from Arafath. As they arrive at different times, everyone will pray Magrib and Isha prayers together and they can rest in that open area. They collect 49 small pebbles and after performing Fajr prayers they walk towards Mina. Staying there and they remember Allah much.

On the 10th of Dhull- Hijjah they visit Jamrath, throw 7 pebbles over the three columns in Jamrath.

The 11th and 12th of this month, they stay in Mina, repeating the stoning in Jamrath every day and waiting for the sacrifice of their animal. If the sacrifice is over they can shave their head or shorten their hair and can come out from ihram.

On 13th they return to Makka and perform final thawaf and sa'i. Thus their Hajj become completed.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever performs Hajj to this Kaaba and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commit sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newborn child, (just delivered by his mother).” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

There are three types of Hajj:

Hajj-ul Ifrad

Hajj-ul Qiran

Hajj-ul Tamattu’

Hajj-ul Ifrad:

★ it is for those who live in and around Makka.

★ it is not accompanied by Umrah.

★ The pilgrim who performs this, is called Mufrid.

★ They perform all the rituals of Hajj at Makka, Mina, Arafath, Muzthalifa and Jamrath.

★ They stay in Ihram till stoning in Jamrath. 

★ A Mufrid can offer an animal sacrifice; eventhough there is no obligation to do so.

Hajj-ul Qiran:

★ It is combined with Umrah.

★The pilgrim who performs this kind of Hajj is called Qarin

★ It is for those who live away from the Masjid al-Haram.

★ They perform both Hajj and Umrah in a single visit and with single ihram, irrespective of the length of duration between the two rituals.

★ After performing Umrah, the pilgrim can trim his hair but not shave until he performs Hajj.

★They then follow all the rituals of Hajj in Mina and Arafath, sacrifice their animal and shave head or cut the hair short and end ihram.

Hajj-ul Tamattu‘:

★ Those are living 48km away from Makka perform this type of Hajj.

★ This type also combines both Umrah and Hajj.

★ But after performing Umrah, they can come out from ihram and wear new ihram for Hajj.

★ they go to Mina, Arafath, Muzthalifa, come back to Mina and perform animal sacrifice [obligatory] and they exit from ihram after it.

Difference between Umrah and Hajj:

 ● Umrah is sunnah and Hajj is farz.

● Umrah can be performed throughout the year.

● But Hajj is performed in fixed days of Dhull- Hijjah.

● Umrah will be completed within 5 or 6 hours.

● To complete Hajj it requires five or six days.

الحمدلله