HAJJ (STEP BY STEP)

HAJJ

(STEP BY STEP)

KINDS OF HAJJ

There are three ways of performing the Hajj:

Hajj al-Tamatt'u (Interrupted)

This is the easiest way of performing Hajj as described below.

Hajj al-Qiran (Combined)

This denotes entering into ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time, not taking it off until the day of sacrifice at Mina.

In Qiran one has to stick to the long-lasting restrictions of Ihram

Hajj al-Ifrad (Single)

This means entering into ihram only for the Hajj and taking it off only on the day of sacrifice.

HAJJ AL-TAMATT'U

People who come to Saudi Arabia from other countries usually perform Hajj al-Tamatt'u. The Ihram they wear on or before Miqat is for Umrah only and perform Umrah first, then they slip into their ordinary clothes and on 8 Zil Hijjah they put on Ihram for Hajj at their residence in Makkah and perform the rites of Hajj. It is taken off on the day of sacrifice. This article describes the procedure to perform Hajj al-Tamatt'u.

HOW TO PERFORM UMRAH

THE RITES OF UMRAH: The only rites of Umrah are:

Entering the state of Ihram

Tawaf of Ka’bah

Sa’yee between the hills of Safa and Marwah

Shaving or clipping of the hair

IHRAM FOR UMRAH AND ENTERING MASJID AL-HARAM

1. Ihram: You should be already in Ihram for Umrah before entering Mecca as mentioned above.

2. Entering Masjid al-Haram: While reciting Talbiyah, enter Masjid al-Haram preferably through Bab

as-Salam with right foot first. Supplicate to Allah and proceed towards Ka’bah. You may recite the following supplication which is usually used before entering a mosque:

Allah huma aftah li abwabe rahmate ka

3. First Sight: At the first sight of Ka’bah, keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is suggested that you do the following:

Say Allahu Akbar three times

Say La Ilaha Illallah three times

Proclaim Darud on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very humbly and with tears in your eyes supplicate to Allah for whatever you wish. This is a special time for the acceptance of prayers.

The idea is to praise and glorify your Creator before proclaiming Darud and supplications. Therefore, in lieu of Allahu Akbar and La Ilaha Illallah, you may recite some other similar holy verses if you so desire.

After this, while uttering Talbiyah, move forward to perform Tawaf of Ka’bah.

TAWAF OF UMRAH

Tawaf means circling around something . Here it means moving around Ka’bah seven times with extreme love and devotion.

1. Preparation: Pass the upper sheet of Ihram from underneath the right arm and put it on the left shoulder. This act bares the right shoulder and is known as Iztaba. Ablutions (vudu) is essential for tawaf. Reciting of Talbiyah is stopped when you reach Hajar-e- Aswad, the starting point of tawaf.

2. Niyyah (Intention): Stand in front of Ka’bah facing Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the whole Hajre-e-Aswad is on your right side. To achieve this end, you may get help from the black stripe on the floor. This stripe should be on your right side. Then without raising your hands make Niyyah (intention) for Umrah:

" O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

3. Istilam: Now moving towards right, come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad and kiss it if possible, or touch it with a stick and kiss the stick; if that also is not possible, raise your hands to your ears keeping your open palms towards Hajre-e-Aswad and say:

Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lilla Hil Hamd"

and drop your hands down. Now point the palms of your hands again towards Hajar-e- Aswad and kiss them. This act of kissing Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing towards it is called Istilam.

4. Tawaf Starts: After Istilam, turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise.

WARNING

The authorities often apply perfume to Hajar-e-Aswad, Rukn Yamani and Multazam. If so, do not touch them while in the state of Ihram, otherwise a dum will be required as a penalty.

During tawaf, it is not permissible to face or turn your back towards Ka’bah except when you are kissing or pointing towards Hajar-e-Aswad.

5. Ramal: For the first three circuits of Tawaf of Umrah and Tawaf of Arrival, men are required to move their shoulders and walk with quick short steps. This act is called Ramal and is Sunnah. They walk normally during the remaining four circuits.

6. Supplications of Tawaf: There are no fixed supplications for tawaf but there are several recommended supplications listed in the books of Hajj and Umrah out of which the following supplication is easy to memorize:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billah."

If you don’t remember these words, you may glorify Allah by repeatedly uttering:

Subhan Allah,

Al-Hamdu lilla,

Allahu Akbar,

La Ilaha Illallah, etc.

The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) has said that there are two kalimahs that are light on tongue and (on the day of judgment) they weigh heavy on the scale (Mizan) and are liked by Allah. These kalimahs are:

Subhan Allah Wabe Hamde hi Subhan Allah Hil Azeem (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

You may also use supplications used in the daily Salah or you may seek forgiveness of Allah and ask Him whatever you wish in your own language.

7. Hatim: Hatim is a semi-circular half-built portion which was originally a part of the Ka’bah but which could not be included in the main structure when the Ka’bah was rebuilt. It is obligatory to go around Hatim also while performing tawaf.

8. Rukn Yamani and its Supplications: After passing the three corners of the Ka’bah you reach the fourth corner known as Rukn Yamani. Touch it with both hands or with right hand. There is a beautiful supplication to be used while walking between Rukn Yamani and Hajar-e-Aswad:

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin-nar."

Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has repeatedly recited this supplication. The first circuit is complete when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad.

9. Seven Circuits: At Hajar-e-Aswad, start the second circuit by kissing it or pointing towards it as you started the first circuit, i.e., come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad, raise both hands to your ears with open palms towards it and say:

" Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamd

Now kiss both palms and drop your hands. After this go around Ka’bah as you did before and similarly complete the seven circuits.

10. The End of Tawaf: At the end of seven circuits, do Istilam of Hajar-e- Aswad or point towards it eighth time which is Sunnat Mu’akidah. Also say:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

11. Iztaba Finished : Now Iztaba is finished, therefore, you cover your both shoulders with upper portion of the Ihram sheet. This does not apply to women.

12. Multazam: Now, come to Multazam which is a place five or six feet in length between Hajar-e-Aswad and the door of Ka’bah. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. Among a large crowd of people, if it is possible to reach Multazam, cling to it pressing your chest and cheeks, and while trembling and crying with devotion and with all humility seek Allah’s mercy, His blessings and ask Him whatever you wish. If you are unable to come close to Multazam, just face towards it and supplicate from a distance.

13. Maqam Ibrahim: Next offer two rakahs of nafls behind and close to Maqam Ibrahim without covering

your head. If it is zawal time when sajdah is not allowed, you have to wait till this undesirable time is passed and then offer prayers.

In the niyyah (intention), say that you are offering 2 rakahs of nafls wajib al- tawaf. Recite Qul ya ayya hal kafroon in the first rakah and Qulhu wallah in the second rakah. After this, supplicate to Allah in Arabic or in your own language. Ask Him whatever you wish and invoke His blessings.

If it is not possible to offer this obligatory prayer near Maqam Ibrahim, it can be offered anywhere in Mataf, or in Hatim or anywhere in Masjid al-Haram or even at any place in Haram of Makkah.

14. Zamzam: Now go to Zamzam well situated in the basement of the Haram about 200 feet from the Ka’bah’s door. There are separate portions for men and women. Zamzam is the best available water in the world. Drink this water to fill while in standing position saying Bismillah. Then supplicate to Allah:

Allahummah inni as’aluka ilm-an naafi’an wa rizqan waasi’an wa shifa’am min kulli daa’in."

(O Allah! I implore Thee for beneficial knowledge, for vast provisions, and for cure from every disease.)

SA’EY

The literal meaning of Sa’ey is to run or to make effort, but as a Hajj and Umrah term, Sa’ey denotes

walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah which are situated to the south and north of the Ka’bah respectively. Now there are only signs of these hills and the whole route between them is enclosed in a long gallery.

Sa’ey has a historical background. Prophet Abraham left his wife Hazrat Hajra and infant son Hazrat Ismael in the wilderness of Makkah at the command of Allah. The mother and son lived for five days on the food and water they had when the water was completely finished. The mother ran frantically seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah in

search of water for her son. Suddenly the fountain of Zamzam oozed miraculously near the feet of Hazrat Ismael. Sa’ey is included in the rites of Hajj and Umrah to commemorate this event of search and struggle.

HOW TO PERFORM SA’EY

1. Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad. Before starting Sa’ey, do Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad again the ninth time or point towards it, saying:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hil Hamad"

Now Proceed towards Safa. It is a Sunnah to be in the state of ablutions during Sa’ey.

2. Start of Sa’ey at Safa. Climb the hill of Safa and make intention (niyyah) for Sa’ey:

" O Allah! I perform Sa’ey between Safa and Marwah to please You. Make it easy for meand accept it from me."

Now recite:

"Inn-as-Safa wal-Marwah min Sha’a’irillah."

(Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the Signs of Allah.) (Al-Qur’an 2 : 158)

After this climb Safa to the point from where you can see the Ka’bah, then facing the Ka’bah raise your hands in supplication, say Allahu Akbar three times and recite the following supplication or ask Allah whatever you wish:

"La ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la Sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer."

If you don’t remember this, you may use the supplication recited earlier during Tawaf:

"Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Wa Lillah Hill Hamd"

3. Proceed towards Marwah. Come down from Safa and move towards Marwah while reciting this supplication:

"Subhan-Allah wal-hamdu-lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar wa la haula wa la quwwata illa-billa."

If you don’t remember this supplication also, recite Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, Allahu Akbar repeatedly and keep moving. You may also praise Allah and ask for His mercy in your language or use supplications taken from the daily Salah. When you reach two green pillars between which men have to run but the women walk with their normal pace.

4. At Marwah. When on top of marwah, praise Allah facing the Ka’bah and repeat the same supplications that were recited at Safa. One trip is over, second trip will be on Safa and third trip will be on Marwah.

5.End of Sa’ey. In the same way, the seventh trip will end at Marwah. In all trips the men will run between the green pillars but the women will walk in a normal way.

6.Two raka’at Nafl. If it is not an undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two raka’ats of nafl in the al-Haram.

7. Shaving or clipping of hair. After Sa’ey, men should get their heads completely shaved or get their hair clipped to the length of the upper third of their finger or a little more. Both shaving and clipping are permissible for men, though shaving is preferable. Women are, however, allowed to have a lock of their hair clipped. They are forbidden to shave their heads.

8. Umrah is complete. After cutting the hair, umrah is complete. The restrictions of Ihram are finished. Now wear your everyday clothes and lead a normal life. Be thankful to Allah that He provided the opportunity for performing Umrah and lead rest of your life according to the commands of your Creator.

NAFL TAWAF

You may perform Umrah as often as you want according to the above procedure. And if you want to perform just a nafl Tawaf, follow the same procedure, however, in a nafl Tawaf there is no Ihram, no Ramal, no Iztaba and even no Sa’ey.

PERFORMANCE OF HAJJ

(STEP BY STEP)

SYMBOLS

Red color is the symbol of Fard the performance of which is imperative otherwise Hajj and Umrah will be invalid.

Orange color is the symbol of Wajib the performance of which is obligatory otherwise Dam is required as a penalty.

Green color stand for Sunnah or Mustahab (desirable). Try to perform these acts but no Dam is required if not done.

pink color is a symbol indicating general instructions.

8 Zil Hijjah--First Day of Hajj

Hajj Preparations The date 8 Zil Hijjah starts after the Maghrib prayer of 7 Zil Hijjah. Complete all the Hajj preparations during these night hours.

Preparations for Ihram Comb your hair, shape the beard, trim your mustache, cut your nails, and remove unwanted body hair.

Bath Take a bath with the intention of Ihram otherwise do wudu.

Ihram Men should wear a sheet of white cloth around the waist and cover the upper body with the other sheet. Women's ordinary clothes are their Ihram. Both should wear the flip-flops (hawai chappal) so that the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.

Nafl Salah If it is not makruh (undesirable) time, men offer two rakahs of nafl for Ihram in the Haram Sharif by covering their heads. Women can offer these nafls at home.

Intention and Talbiyah Now uncover your head and declare your intention saying:"O Allah! I intend to perform Hajj. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me. Amen."

Immediately after that utter the words of Talbiyah three times and as often afterwards as possible. Men should say it in a loud voice but women should say it in a subdued tone.

Prohibitions of Ihram Now the prohibitions of Ihram start. Recall their detail and follow the rules. From this point on men cannot cover their heads for the duration of Ihram.

Departure to Mina After the sunrise proceed towards Mina. On the way, pronounce Talbiyah as often as you can and also utter other supplications. But it is ok to follow the procedure of your Mu'allim who usually arranges for hajis to leave for Mina during the night after Isha prayers.

In Mina In Mina offer Zuhar, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. Spend that night in Mina and on 9 Zil Hijjah, offer Fajr prayer there.

9 Zil Hijjah--Second Day of Hajj

Departure for Arafat Offer Fajr prayer in Mina, say Takbir Tashriq (Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar La Ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar wa Lillah-il-hamd) and Talbiyah. Get ready and reach Arafat by zawal (declining of the sun).

Bath Take a bath, if possible, otherwise perform wudu and have meals. Packages of food are usually provided by the Mu'allim. Also take some rest

Waquf-e-Arafat Waquf is started at the beginning of zawal (declining of the sun) and ends at the sunset. Spend this time uttering Talbiyah, repent on your sins, seek forgiveness and mercy of Allah, say Darud Sharif and utter all the supplications (du'as) in Arabic and in your own language. It is better to do Waquf while standing but sitting down is also allowed.

Zuhr and Asr Prayers In Masjid-e-Namrah, the imam leads Zuhr and Asr prayers, combined and shortened, at Zuhr time with one adhan but separate iqamahs. At other places in Arafat, some people similarly combine these two salats. But it is advisable that away from Masjid-e-Namrah, offer them at their proper times with jama'at as recommended by the most scholars.

Departure for Muzdalifah When the sun sets in in Arafat, proceed to Muzdalifah without offering Maghrib prayer reciting Zikr and Talbiyah on the way.

Maghrib and Isha Prayers In Muzdalifah offer Maghrib and Isha prayers together at Isha time. For both prayers there is one adhan and one iqamah.

First offer Fard prayer of Maghrib with jama'at. Then say Takbir Tashriq and Talbiyah.

Immediately after that offer Fard prayer of Isha with jama'at.

After this offer two Sunnah of Maghrib.

Then offer two Sunnah of Isha followed by Witr prayer.

Offering Nafl prayer is optional.

Zikr and Du'a This is a very blessed night in which glorify Allah, recite Darud Sharif, read Quran, utter Talbiyah and supplicate very humbly. Also take some rest.

Pebbles Pick up forty-nine pebbles of the size of big grams (chick peas) if Rami is to be performed for three days and seventy if for four days.

Fajr Prayer and Waquf At the Fajr time after two rakah Sunnah, offer Fard prayer with jama'at. then perform waquf.

Return to Mina Proceed to Mina when the sun is about to rise.

10 Zil Hijjah--Third Day of Hajj

Rami of Jamrah Aqabah In Mina, hit Jamrah Aqabah with seven pebbles one after the other. On account of risk to life, the old, weak or sick persons can perform Rami a little before sunset or at night.

Stop Talbiyah Stop saying Talbiyah when you throw the first pebble. Also don't stop for du'a. Just go to your residence and do Qurbani (animal sacrifice).

Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice) There are three days designated for qurbani, i.e., 10, 11 or 12 Zil Hijjah. It can be done any time during day or night. It is usually easy to sacrifice an animal on 11 Zil Hijjah. Do qurbani yourself or ask a reliable person to do it for you.

Halq or Qasr After qurbani men should preferably get their whole head shaved (Halq) but it is permissible to cut the hair (Qasr) of their whole head equal in length to a joint of a finger (about an inch). It is also permissible to cut the hair (about an inch) of one fourth of the head. A woman is prohibited to shave her head. She can cut about an inch long hair of one fourth of her head. But according to some scholars it is sufficient for a woman to have a lock of her hair clipped.

If the sacrifice is postponed till the next two days, Halq or Qasr is also postponed because it comes after the sacrifice.

Halq or Qasr can be done at any time up to the 12 of Zil Hijjah even if the sacrifice is not postponed. After Halq or Qasr all prohibitions of Ihram are lifted except the private relations between husband and wife which are permissible after Tawaf-e-Ziarah.

Halq or Qasr in Mina is a Sunnah. But you are allowed to do it anywhere in Haram. If done outside the precincts of Haram, it requires a Dam.

You have to make sure that Rami, sacrifice and shaving or clipping of the hair are performed in the order in which they are listed otherwise a Dam is required as a penalty.

Tawaf-e-Ziarat Now perform Tawaf-e-Ziarat. It can be performed any time, day or night, from 10 Zil Hijjah to the sunset of 12 Zil Hijjah. Usually it is convenient to do it on 11 Zil Hijjah. Its procedure is similar to that of Tawaf of Umrah and it is essential that you have performed wudu. According to Sunnah this tawaf is to be performed after Rami, sacrifice and shaving or clipping of the hair, and every effort should be made to do that, but the Fard stands discharged even if Tawaf-e-Ziarat is performed prior to all these practices. As mentioned earlier, Halq or Qasr after Qurbani lifts all the prohibitions of Ihram but the private relations between man and wife are permitted only after this Tawaf.

Sa'ey of Hajj After this perform Sa'ey. Its procedure is the same as that of Sa'ey of Umrah. It is a Sunnah to make sure that your wudu is intact

Return to Mina Return to Mina when Sa'ey is done and spend the night there.

11 Zil Hijjah--Fourth Day of Hajj

Rami of Jamrarat Throw seven pebbles on each of three Jamarat after zawal (decline of the sun). Rami is usually easy a little before sunset and at night. And it is permissible to do Rami at night if there is a risk to life.

Supplicate Throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Oolah. Then move a little forward. And with your hands raised and facing Qibla, praise Allah and recite Arabic du'as or supplicate in your own words. There are no prescribed du'as.

Supplicate After this throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Wustah. Here too facing Qiblah, praise Allah and earnestly seek his mercy and blessings. No particular du'a is prescribed here either.

Do not supplicate Then throw seven pebbles on Jamrah Aqabah. But this time do not supplicate at all, after Rami just return to your place.

Second chance for Tawafof ZiarahIf you could not do Tawaf-e-Ziarah yesterday, do it today and return to Mina for overnight stay.

Zikr and Ibadah At your residence, recite Quran, glorify Allah, repent on your sins, and seek forgiveness. Ask Allah whatever you want and don't commit any sin.

12 Zil Hijjah--Fifth Day of Hajj

Rami of Jamrarat Throw seven pebbles on each of three Jamarat after zawal (decline of the sun). Rami is usually easy a little before sunset and at night. And it is permissible to do Rami at night if there is a risk to life.

Supplicate Throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Oolah. Then move a little forward. And with your hands raised and facing Qibla, praise Allah and recite Arabic du'as or supplicate in your own words. There are no prescribed du'as.

Supplicate After this throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Wustah. And facing Qiblah, glorify Allah, recite Darud Sharif and supplicate earnestly for whatever you desire. There is no du'a prescribed for this occassion.

Do not supplicate Then throw seven pebbles on Jamrah Aqabah and come back to your residence without any du'a.

Last chance for Tawaf of Ziarah If you could not do Tawaf-e-Ziarah earlier, it is essential to do it today before Maghrib.

Option After today's Rami, you have the option to return to Makkah before sunset. But if the sun sets before you are able to depart, remain in Mina for the third night

and throw pebbles the next day in the same order.

Tawaf-e-Wida After Hajj, when you intend to return to your country from Makkah, it is Wajib (obligatory) to perform Tawaf-e-Wida (Farewell Tawaf). Its procedure is the same as that of a Nafl Tawaf.