Hajj Regulations
The following is a concise set of religious regulations concerning Hajj. It is recommended to refer to the more detailed books of jurisprudence, or to a religious authority in order to gain a thorough understanding of the religious rules which the Muslim pilgrim is duty-bound to seek.
This Diagram Makes Clear The Direction Of Circumambulating The Ka'ba.
1- Hijr Ishmael (semi-circular wall of Ishmael).
2- The circumambulation must be per formed around the outside of the wall.
3- Indicates the nearly 30 meters from the Ka'ba to the limited area of circumambulation.
4- Direction of the pilgrim in circling the Ka'ba.
5- The station of Ibrahim.
6- The Black Stone, marking the starting point for circumambulation.
7- The door of Ka’ba.
Conditions Under Which Hajj Becomes Compulsory
Islam sets certain conditions under which it becomes compulsory for a Muslim to perform Hajj.
1. One must possess: Physical and mental capability and assurance of his family's safety.
Hajj is incumbent on the Muslim who can provide for his family while he is away on pilgrimage. He should be physically capable of travelling to Mecca and enduring the journey’s hardships. He should be financially stable even after his return. Furthermore, he has to feel secure personally, financially as well as concerning his family. Time must abo be considered i.e. he must have enough time to travel to Mecca, perform the rites of Hajj, and return without undue haste.
2. Puberty: Hajj is compulsory on the adult Muslim who has reached mental and physical maturity.
3. Sanity.
4. Freedom.
Lawful Stated Time Of Hajj
1. The time in which Hajj is to be performed is specified during the three months of Shawwal. Dhul-Qi’da, and Dhul-Hijjah. Thus if a Muslim attains the specified condition; under which Hajj become compulsory during this period of time, he should perform Hajj. If he does not perform Hajj during the first year while being able to do so, he is obliged to do so the following year.
2. The person obliged to perform Hajj can make his intention for performing Hajj on any day of this specific period of time, should he want to enter Mecca, from whichever Miqat (the five places of the appointed time) , he passes through while entering Mecca.
Hajj In Islam
Hajj in Islam is of three kinds:
1. Hajj AI-Ifrad
2. Hajj Al-Qiran
3. Hajj AI-Tamattu
The difference between both Hajj Al-Ifrad, Hajj AlQiran, and Hajj AJ-Tamattu, is that the first two are incumbent on the inhabitants of Mecca, (those who do not live a distance of more than 16 farsakhs (nearly 86 Kilometres ) from Mecca ). However, Hajj Al-Tamattu is incumbent on the Muslims who live more than 86 kilometres away from Mecca.
This Hajj consists of two compulsory rites:
1. Umrah Al· Tamattu.
2. Hajj Al-Tamattu.
Umrah Al-Tamattu
This Umrah must be performed before Hajj Al-Tamattu. The pilgrim should perform Umrah before the advent of Hajj's time.
Umrah Al-Tamattu consists of five acts:
1. Ihram.
2. Tawaf (circumambulation).
3. The Ritual Prayer of Tawaf.
4. Sa’y (walking seven times between Safa and Marawah).
5. Taqsir (i.e. cutting some of the hair or nails (fingers or toes).
Here is a brief explanation of the above-cited Hajj acts:
1. Ihram
It begins from one of the following stated Miqats: Masjid Al- Shajarah, Juhfah. WadiAqiq, Yalamlam, Qarn Manazil (according to route the pilgrim takes when travelling to Mecca.
Ihram consists of three acts:
A. Intention: Stated thus, “I make Ihram of Umrah Al Tamattu of Islamic Hajj to bring me closer to Allah, the Exalted.”
B. Talbiyah: (the saying of Labbaik). It is:
Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik.
Labbaika La sharika Laka Labbaik.
Inna al-hamda wa an-na'mata laka wa al-mulk.
La sharika Lak.
(Here I am, my Lord, Here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am.
Praise, grace and the kingdom is for You.
You have no partner).
Note: It is obligatory to cease Talbiyah (the saying of Labbaik) , whenever the pilgrim sees only the houses of Mecca.
C. (Only for men) Wearing the two articles of Ihram (the waist- wrapper and the clock) which should cover the part of the body between the navel and the knees while the clock should cover the shoulders.
Note: As a precautionary measure, the pilgrim has to wear his attire before making his intention and Talbiyah (the saying of labbaik) should he do. Otherwise, he should repeat his intention and Talbiyah once more.
Abstinence During Ihram
Upon making Ihram, several things are forbidden for the pilgrim:
1. Hunting land animals, or helping others to hunt, slaughter or eat them, with the exception of harmful animal (such as snakes scorpions...etc.).
2. Sexual intercourse, kissing, looking or touching with desire.
3. Masturbation.
4. Marriage for himself for others, or being witness for others in their marriage.
5. Smelling aromas.
6. The application of antimony to the eyes, as an adornment.
7. Anointing the body.
8. Looking at a mirror for the sake of beautifying oneself, wearing a ring as an ornament. It is forbidden for women to wear jewellery as adornment (but she can have what she ordinarily wears with the stipulation that she does not display it to anyone, even the male relatives who are mahram, (marriage is forbidden).
9. Wearing sewn clothes (for men).
10. Wearing footwear that covers the upper part of the foot, forbidden (for men).
11. Telling lies, cursing.
12. Swearing to emphasize an argument, by saying “By Allah...”
13. Killing insects that usually live on the human body like fleas.
14. Shaving, or plucking hair from the body.
15. Drawing blood from the body, extracting teeth, cutting the nails.
16. Walking or travelling under moving shade, forbidden (for men).
17. Covering the head forbidden (for men).
18. Covering the face forbidden (for women).
19. Preventing oneself from smelling unpleasant smells.
20. Cutting (unearthing) or uprooting trees plants or grasses that grow in the haram (sanctuary).
21. Carrying weapons.
Note: Should the pilgrim while in Ihram disobey and do what is forbidden (with the exception of few of them) , he has to pay expiation as per the case. For further details, please refer to the books of jurisprudence. Or consult a religious authority to understand the special judgement specified for individual cases.
2. Tawaf (Circumambulation)
Tawaf is the second duty of Umrah. It literally means to circumambulate around the Sacred Ka'ba beginning from the Black Stone and ending at it.
Conditions:
Tawaf is correct only when the following conditions are met:
a. Intention: The pilgrim should intend: “I make Tawaf of Umrah Tamattu 'of the Islamic Hajj seven time seeking the pleasure of Allah the Exalted. When making the intention the left side of the pilgrim should face the black stone.
b. Purity from all major and minor impurities through ablution or obligatory bathing (Ghusl).
c. Clothes and body should be free of any impurities (Najasaat).
d. Circu1ncision in the case of men.
e. Covering private parts during Tawaf.
Duties To Be Observed During Tawaf
It is obligatory for a pilgrim to be observed the following points:
1. Starting from the black stone for each of the seven Tawafs.
2. Ending at the black stone.
3. The left side of the Ka'ba should be always on the left side of the pilgrim during Tawaf.
4. The pilgrim should circumambulate around Ismail's Hijr (a semi-circular short wall facing Ka'ba from the west that is consider a part of Ka’ba) without entering it.
5. The pilgrim should make Tawaf around the Ka’ba and away from the place called Shathrawan (the lower part of the walls of Ka’ba) ,
6. One should circumambulate around the Ka’ba seven times continuously.
7. Tawaf should be performed between the Ka’ba and Ibrahim’s station (which is about 13 meters away from Ka’ba)
Note:
1. Circumambulation is invalid if it be done more than seven times or if the pilgrim considers the additional turns as a part of his/her obligatory Tawaf (circumambulation) ; otherwise he/she should start once again.
2. Likewise, when the pilgrim comes out of the area of circumambulation, his circumambulation is invalid.
3. During circumambulation, if the pilgrim doubts the number of circumambulation he has performed is more or less than seven, his circumambulation is invalid.
3. The Ritual Prayer Of Circumambulation
1. It is obligatory for the pilgrim, after finishing the circumambulation, to perform its two-cycle prayer like the Morning Prayer, with the intention of seeking Allah's near ness.
2. One must immediately perform the two-cycle prayer without any delay.
3. It is recommended to recite after Surah Al-Hamd , Surah Al-Tawhid in the first cycle and Surah Al-Kafirun in the second; unlike the ritual prayer in which one may recite an surah (chapter) of the Holy Qur'an except those which require a prostration.
4. This particular prayer can he recited either aloud like the Morning Prayer or quietly like the noon prayer.
5. Any doubt which may arise during performing this prayer, makes it invalid and it should he recited once again from the beginning.
6. It is obligatory to recite this kind of prayer alongside Ibrahim's station.
4. Sa’y (Walking Between The Hills Of Safa & Marwah)
1- After performing the prayer of circumambulation, one should complete Sa'y between Safa and Marwah.
2- Sa’y consists of going from the hill of Safa to Marwah and vice versa.
3- It is obligatory to make Sa’y seven times. Note here that going from Safa to Marwah is considered as one time and going from Marwah to Safa, as another.
4- While performing Sa’y one is free to do it either on foot or riding though the first is better.
5- It is recommended but not obligatory to have ablution while performing Sa’y.
6- It is permitted to sit for a rest either on the route of Safa or Marwah or on the way between them.
7- It is recommended but not obligatory to perform Sa’y immediately after circumambulation in other words, one can delay it until night with or without any excuse. However, it is not permitted to delay it for the next day without an excuse like sickness.
8- Sa’y is a form of worship and should be performed with the pure intention of obeying Allah's Command and seeking His nearness.
5. Taqseer (Cutting Some Hair Or Nails)
It is obligatory for the pilgrim, after performing Sa’y, to cut some of his/her nail or hair (the head, moustache or beard) with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
It is forbidden to shave one's head instead of doing Taqseer, and the cutting of a piece of hair or nail is a form of worship. If it be done to show off, a person's Umrah will be invalid unless it is repeated.
After the cutting of a piece of hair or nail, everything which was forbidden for the pilgrim will be lawful except for hunting and cutting (unearthing) trees, plants or grass that grows in the sacred area.
Hajj Al-Tamattu
This Hajj consists of the following rites:
1. Ihram
The best time of Ihram is the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah (Yam Al- Tarwiiya). But this date may be preceded by three days or be delayed to noon of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. Ihram starts in the holy city of Mecca and preferably at the Holy Mosque. The pilgrim should make his/her intention as follows: “I begin Ihram of Hajj Al-Tamattu seeking Allah's nearness”.
Subsequently the pilgrim starts Talbiyah saying of Labbaik after donning the attire of Ihram. A person after finishing Ummrah Al-Tamattu and leaving aside Ihram, should not leave Mecca because of a need and if the need arises, it is obligatory to wear Ihram for the Hajj Al- Tamattu in Mecca and leave Mecca in the state of Ihram and in that same state of Ihram, return for the Hajj.
2. Staying At Arafat
Arafat is the name of a valley in which the pilgrim stays on the 9t h of Dhul-Hijjah. It is an area of more than two square miles and is approximately 12 miles outside Mecca. The pilgrim should stay at Arafat on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, from noon till sunset.
And kindly not that it is forbidden to leave Arafat before sunset intentionally or unintentionally. The pilgrim should also make the intention of seeking Allah's nearness, so if the pilgrim spends the whole time in sleep or in unconsciousness, the staying will be invalid and the type of pilgrimage is changed to Umrah Al-Mufredah, thus Hajj Al-Tamattu should be performed the following year.
The obligation and definition of staying in Arafat is precisely the absolute staying in that noble place, whether you reach there by walking or sitting in or on a means of transportation.
3. Staying At Muzdalifah
On the night of the Eid (festival), and while leaving Arafat after sunset, the pilgrim sets out for Muzdalifah (the name of a place also called ‘Al-Misha’r Al-Haram’). The obligatory time for this is between the whiteness of dawn and sunrise.
Staying in Mash’ar is a form of worship in which the intention is obligatory. If you pass through the valley of Mash’ar before the rising of the sun, you have committed a transgression but without redeeming it. It is permitted for the following (those who meet difficulty because of the large crowd on the morning of Eid) to leave Muzdalifah before dawn:
1. People who don't have the strength like women, children and old men.
2. People who have an excuse like fear or sickness.
3. People who are the guides to the above-mentioned people and must watch out for or take care of them.
4. The Obligations Of The Pilgrim In Mina
The pilgrim, after leaving Muzdalifah should set out for Mina to perform the following three acts:
a. Pelting in Jamrah Al-Aqabah
It is (the largest symbol of the devil which is situated on the outskirts of Mina towards Mecca) , and should be thrown with seven pebbles on the tenth day, and the followings should be observed:
a) Throwing of the pebbles must be accompanied by the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
b) The number of pebbles must be seven.
c) Pebbles must be thrown separately (one after the other) i.e. it is not permitted to throw several pebbles at a time.
d) Pebbles should reach the place and whatever does not reach does not count.
e) The time of throwing is from the rising of the sun of the Eid day, till the sunset of the same day.
Note. It is permissible to those who meet difficulty (in throwing the pebbles at the exact time) or fear for themselves because of the large crowd (like women, the old men, sick and the weak), to do it on the night of Eid.
f) Pebbles must be from the sacred area; and those which are from outside (the sacred area) are not acceptable.
g) Pebbles should not have been used previously (even if they were used in the preceding years).
h) It is recommended that the pebbles be collected in Mash’ar.
i) Throwing must be done with the hands.
j) A person must be sure that the pebbles should hit the mark.
k) Another person may act as a representative (in throwing the pebbles) for children, the sick and those who, because of an excuse, cannot themselves go to the place for the throwing of the pebbles.
l) A person who is excused from throwing the pebbles in the day time, can do so at any time during the night.
b. Offering the Sacrifice at Mina
a) It is obligatory for the pilgrim to slaughter an animal at Mina with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
b) For the sacrifice, one of four types of animals must be used: Camel (not less than five years) , cow (not less than two years) , sheep (more than one year) or goat (more than two years). Among them, the camel is the best.
c) The animal should be healthy, free of defect (not sick, blind, lame, too old or very lean).
d) If the pilgrim is unable to buy the sacrificial animal, instead one must fast ten days (three in Mina and the other seven in his/her homeland).
c. Halq (shaving) and Taqseer (cutting some hair or the nails).
a) Shaving is preferred (for men) , particularly for the one who is performing Hajj for the first time. Some jurisprudents consider shaving (for men) as obligatory; but (for women) having is not permitted. Instead, she must cut only a bit of her hair or nails.
Note: After performing the above mentioned obligations, everything which was forbidden for the pilgrim during Ihram, becomes lawful except using perfumes and having sex if one is married.
5. The Acts In Mecca
After the performance of the rituals on the tenth day in Mina, the pilgrim has to go to Mecca for the day of Eid to perform the following:
1. The circumambulation of the Hajj. It is exactly li ke the circumambulation of Umrah and should be done with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
2. The ritual prayer (two rak'as) of the circumambulation of the. Hajj should be done behind Ibrahim's station, preceded with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
3. The Sa 'y (going and coming) between Safa and Marwah with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
5. The Circumbulation Of Women
It is similar to the circumambulation of Umrah, done with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
6. The Ritual Prayer Of The Circumambulation Of Women
It is obligatory to perform the two rak’at prayer behind Ibrahim's station with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
Note: the circumambulation of women and its prayer are obligatory for both men and women. If they perform it not, both women for men and men for women do not becomes permissible. This however, is not a pillar of Hajj and non performance does not invalidate the pilgrimage.
7. Spending The Night At Mina
After performing the pilgrim has to go back to Mina and spend the 11th and 12th nights of Dhul-Hijjah at Mina with the intention of seeking Allah's nearness.
The pilgrim can leave Mina after the noon of the 12th day. Should he/she stay at Mina till sunset, one is obliged to spend the 13th night and pelting Jamarat on that day becomes obligatory.
8. Pelting The Jamarat
The last compulsory duty of the three Jamarat should he performed on the 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah with the intention of seeking Allah’s nearness. If one spends the 13th night this makes pelting the Jamarat necessary on the next day.
Note:
1. The first Jamarat should be pelted first and then the middle one, and lastly the Jamarat Al-Aqabah.
2. The pilgrim should throw only seven pebbles, following the same rules of the day on which the offerings are slaughtered.
Hajj's Recommendations
1. Tawaf of Al-Wida'e (the Farewell Circumambulation).
It is recommended for the pilgrim, when leaving Mecca, to bid farewell to the Sacred House by performing another seven circumambulations as farewell, and to touch the Black Stone, and praise and glorify Allah by saying peace and blessing be upon Muhammad and his progeny.
2. The visit to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah (the City of the Prophet) :
Among the most important recommendation for the pilgrim, before or after performing Hajj (pilgrimage) , is to go to Madinah Al-Munawarah to visit the holy shrine of the holy Prophet Muhammad (s,a.w.) and also the holy shrines of his Ahl-ul-Bait (household) i.e. his daughter, Fatima Al-Zahra with her three son, Imam Hassan, Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir, and Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (upon them be peace) at the Baqi cemetery.
