Hajj and 'Umrah

1. Hajj – introduction

• One of the five duties of Islam.
• An act of worship carried out by going to Makkah in the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Conditions for hajj to become obligatory (7)

The person performing hajj must be:

1. A Muslim
2. Past puberty (mature)
3. Of sound mind
4. Free
5. Having the financial means to support himself and those in his care until he returns from hajj
6. Having physical strength and a safe route for travel
7. Having enough time to go to Makkah and perform hajj.

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2. The arkan (fards) of hajj – 6

1. Making the intention (entering ihram)
2. Standing (staying) at 'Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
3. Performing tawaf al-ifadah
4. Performing sa'y
5. Shaving or cutting the hair
6. Doing them in the proper order

Of these, standing at 'Arafah is not required for 'umrah.

The difference between fard and wajib

• Other duties have only arkan (fards); hajj also has wajibs.

Fidyah (الفدية) – compensation (doing one of these)

• Sacrificing one sheep/goat
• Giving food to six poor people in the Haram
• Fasting for three days

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3. The wajibs of hajj – 6

1. Making the intention at the appointed miqat (Sri Lankan pilgrims make their intention at "Yalamlam")
2. Staying at Muzdalifah on the night of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
3. Staying at Mina on the days of tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah)
4. Throwing seven pebbles at Jamrat al-'Aqabah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
5. On the days of tashriq, after midday, throwing seven pebbles each at all three jamarat – Jamrat al-'Aqabah, Jamrat al-Wusta and Jamrat al-Ula
6. Performing tawaf al-wada'

Miqat (الميقات) = the set boundary at which one must enter ihram (make the intention).

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4. Sunnahs of hajj and 'umrah – 8

1. Taking a bath (ghusl) – before the intention, before entering Makkah, before staying at 'Arafah and Muzdalifah, before stoning the jamarat, before tawaf
2. Applying perfume to the body before the intention
3. Saying the intention aloud
4. Reciting the talbiyah
5. Performing tawaf on entering Makkah – tawaf al-qudum
6. Staying at Mina on the night of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
7. Reciting the set du'as at the set places
8. Drinking plenty of Zamzam water

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5. Muharramat (what is forbidden in ihram) – 10

1. Men wearing stitched clothing
2. Applying perfume
3. Putting oil on the hair or beard
4. Removing hair or cutting nails from any part of the body
5. Marrying, or arranging a marriage
6. Sexual relations or related acts
7. Men covering the head
8. Women covering the face
9. Hunting
10. Cutting trees or plants within the boundaries of the Haram

If they are broken

• If one of these is done after entering ihram → a fidyah like the fidyah for leaving a wajib.
• If one spoils the hajj / 'umrah by having relations with one's wife → one must sacrifice a camel, a cow or sheep, continue that hajj / 'umrah to the end, and make it up (qada') without delay.

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6. The three ways of performing hajj and 'umrah

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7. How to perform 'umrah

1. Before putting on ihram, cut the nails, remove body hair, take a bath, apply perfume, make the intention and pray two rak'ahs of sunnah.
   • Men wear unstitched white garments; women wear clothing approved by Islam.
2. On reaching the Ka'bah, starting from the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) (or standing in line with it if one cannot reach it), go round seven times keeping the Ka'bah on the left = tawaf.
   • The du'a recited then: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ – (meaning) Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire (other du'as may also be recited)
3. After tawaf, two rak'ahs of sunnah at Maqam Ibrahim; then Zamzam water.
4. Sa'y starting from the hill of Safa – from Safa to Marwah and from Marwah to Safa, seven times in all; one may say tasbih, tahmid, takbir and tahlil.
5. After sa'y, the 'umrah is completed by cutting or shaving the hair.

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8. How to perform hajj (day by day)

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9. The benefits of hajj

• (Tirmidhi) – meaning: whoever has the means but does not perform hajj may as well die a Jew or a Christian.
• (Bukhari) – meaning: whoever performs hajj properly returns like a newborn baby (free of sin).
• Even if one dies on the way after setting out for hajj, one receives the reward of hajj.
• The servant shows his complete servitude; he devotes his time, wealth, body and heart.
• Taqwa grows; he is united with his fellow Muslims.
• Qualities trained: equality, brotherhood, unity, giving way to others, tolerance, living together, remembering the Hereafter.
• Imam Abu Hanifah (RH), comparing hajj with other acts of worship, said hajj is the best act of worship, containing the features of all acts of worship.

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10. Key Arabic terms

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Quick revision

• 2:196 – complete the hajj and the 'umrah for Allah.
• 7 conditions; 6 arkan (ihram, 'Arafah, tawaf al-ifadah, sa'y, cutting the hair, order) – no 'Arafah for 'umrah.
• If a wajib is missed, fidyah: sacrifice a sheep / feed 6 poor people of the Haram / fast 3 days.
• 6 wajibs: intention at the miqat (Sri Lanka – Yalamlam), staying at Muzdalifah, staying at Mina (days of tashriq), 7 pebbles at al-'Aqabah, 7 pebbles at each of the 3 jamarat, tawaf al-wada'.
• Ways: ifrad, qiran, tamattu'.
• Benefits: like a newborn baby (Bukhari); one who has the means but does not go (Tirmidhi).