Hajj- the fifth pillar in Islam:

Hajj is the sacred journey that Muslims perform to the most reverent place in Islam-the house of Allah. It is an obligatory form of worship for Muslims who possess sufficient wealth, health and mental capacity to perform it. Muslims from all over the world belonging to different countries, casts and creed unite in a single color performing tawaf around the Holy Kaaba.

Rituals of Hajj:

• Ihram:

The Hajj begins when the Muslims enters the state of Ihram. Men are supposed to wear white unstitched pieces of cloth while women have to wear ordinary clothes as prescribed in the Shariah. There are certain acts that are forbidden in the state of Ihram so one should be very careful about that.

• Intention:

After assuming Ihram, one must utter words and perform actions that clearly indicate his intention of performing Hajj to attain the pleasure of Allah.

• Meeqat:

Meeqat refers to the place where the Pilgrim assumes Ihram.

• Enter the Holy Kaaba:

When the pilgrim enters the Holy Mosque, he must set his right foot first and recite supplication.

• Perform Tawaf:

Begin your tawaf by first touching the Black Stone and kissing it if possible. The following supplication must be recited while performing tawaf.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

• Maqam-e-Ibrahim:

After completing seven circuits around the Holy Kaaba, the pilgrim must offer two units of prayer at Maqam-e-Ibrahim.

• Sai:

Sai refers to the running between the hills of Safa and Marwah. One has to perform Sai seven times while reciting:

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللّهِ أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأ اللهُ بِهِ

• Talbiyah:

On the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah, the pilgrim calls out the talbiyah of Hajj. The pilgrim travels to Mina and spends the night there.

• Day of Arafat:

While continuing the recitation of Talbiyyah, the pilgrim travels to Arafat on the 9^th of Dhul Hijjah. The Imam delivers the sermon at Arafat. While at Arafat, the pilgrim must recite this supplication:

لا إلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ ؛ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

After sunset, the pilgrim leaves for Muzdalifah where he performs Maghrib and Isha prayers. He shall spend the night at Muzdalifah.

• Mashar Al-Haram:

Mashar Al-Haram is a small mountain in Muzdalifah where the pilgrim prays and supplicates to his Lord till the sky turns bright. Then before sunrise, he must leave for Mina while reciting Talbiyyah.

• Stoning the devils:

In Mina, the pilgrim collects pebbles to stone the devils at Jamrat-ul-Aqabah.

• Slaughter of sacrificial animals:

Next, the pilgrim sacrifices his animal after which he must shave his head in the case of males. Females are supposed to cut a lock of hair.

• Tawaf:

The pilgrim then performs tawaf around the Holy Kaaba and Sai between the hills of Safa and Marwah.

• Stay at Mina:

The pilgrim returns to Mina till the days of Tashreeq are completed.

• Tawaf:

Upon leaving the holy city of Mecca and completing all the rituals, the pilgrim offers the farewell tawaf around the Holy Kaaba.

Hajj 2020:

The pilgrims coming to offer Hajj are increasing every year. The ministry of Saudi Arabia does a commendable job of accommodating such an ever-increasing number of pilgrims. In an attempt to continue this facilitation, the Saudi government has decided to introduce Smart-ID in Hajj 2020. This will allow for information sharing easier for the pilgrims. The smartphone app has also been developed for the effective use of this ID.

Given the reverence of Hajj, choose your Hajj 2020 package wisely that allows for the smooth execution of such an important and sacred journey of your life.

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