What is Hajj?
Saudia Arabia hosts nearly 2 million Muslims from around the world during the five days pilgrimage. Every non-disabled Muslim who can afford it is obliged to undertake Hajj once in their lifetime. The word Hajj is Arabic, meaning 'to intend a journey'. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam.
How did Hajj Start?
The rites performed at Hajj today were established by the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), but, based on the Quran, they can be traced back to the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.).
Muslims believe that Ibrahim (A.S.) was ordered by Allah to leave his wife Hajar and his son Ismail alone in the desert (Mecca). There was a time came when the drinking source finished, and it was a tough time for Hajra (R.A.) because a little child was starting to cry for water.
Therefore, Hajar (RA.) desperately ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah in search of water but found none. After returning in despair to Ismail, she saw the baby scratching the ground with his leg, and a water fountain sprang forth at the site.
After that, it was called with the name of Zamzam water well, which today in Masjid Al Haram. Pilgrims visit the Zamzam well while performing Hajj or the Umrahpilgrimage to drink its water.
How long does Hajj take?
Hajj usually takes around three to five days.
Hajj Method Step by Step:
First day of Hajj: 8th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 8th day, Pilgrims start the Hajj rituals along with wearing the Ihrams and performing the Tawaf andSa'i. After offering the Morning Prayer, pilgrims move to Mina, and there are pass the whole day and night in tents by performing compulsory and non-compulsory (sunnah & nafl) prayers.
Second day: 9th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the9th day, they all go to Arafat or Arafah. Arafat is a plain land in the east of Makkah, where they listen to the sermon from Islamic scholars. Pilgrims offer noon and afternoon prayers together at this time (noon time).
Same on this day, pilgrims go to Muzdalifah after sunset. Pilgrims offer Maghrib and Isha prayers jointly on the Muzdalifah area, which is situated between Mina and Arafah. They spend the whole night in the open air. It is the right place to collect the stone for the Rami ritual.
Third day: 10th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 3rd day, Pilgrims return to Mina. In the Mina, they perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. There are three places, but on this day, the stoning act is only for Jamrat al-Aqabah.
After stoning, pilgrims perform the animal sacrifice ritual and those Muslims who are not performing Hajj that they celebrate Eid ul-Adha event.
After scarification, pilgrims perform another important ritual of this day that is shaving head or trimming hair. Shaving head act is preferable for men, and cutting hair act is selected for women. After performing all rituals of the day, pilgrims go back to al-Haram mosque, and they perform Tawaf al-Ifadah.
They return to Mina for spending the night.
Fourth day: 11th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 11th day, Pilgrims perform the Rami ritual, but this time they perform this ritual on all three pillars.
Fifth day: 12th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 5th day, they repeat the Rami ritual, they leave the Mina for Makkah before sunset on the 12th, but if they don't leave Mina at any reason before sunset, then pilgrims can leave the Mina on next day, but they must perform the Rami ritual again on 6th day.
Types of Hajj
There are three different types of Hajj namely:
- Hajj-ul-Ifrad
- Hajj-ul-Qiran
- Hajj-ul-Tamattu
Hajj-ul-Ifrad
It is the form of Hajj. A pilgrim enters into the state of Ihram intending to perform Hajj only before passing through the Meeqat (place for assuming Ihram). The pilgrim does not combine Hajj with Umrah and makes sure not to perform Umrah in the month of Hajj. The person who performs Hajj-ul-Ifrad is called Mufrid.
Hajj-ul-Qiran
During this kind of Hajj, a pilgrim who performs Hajj-ul-Qiran combines Hajj and Umrah. He assumes Ihram intending to accomplish both. The pilgrim who performs this kind of Hajj is called a Qarin.
Qarin wears Ihram first for Umrah and then for Hajj making his intentions for Hajj just before performing Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing Hajj-ul-Qiran are the same as the one performing Ifrad, except that the former must slaughter, whereas the latter is not obligated to do so.
Hajj-ul-Tamattu
In this type of Hajj, a pilgrim assumes Ihram for only Umrah during the month of Hajj. After reaching Makkah, he/she performs Tawaf and Saa'ee for Umrah. He/she then performs Qasr, i.e., shaves or clips his hair. On the day of eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, he/she puts on his/her Ihram for Hajj and performs the duties of Hajj. The person who performs this kind of Hajj is called a Mutamatti.
All the forms of Hajj are rewarded, but the most recommended form of Hajj by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is Hajj-ul-Tamattu, and he (P.B.U.H.) encouraged his followers to perform it.
There is no doubt to perform Hajj is a better way to get rid of all sins which are committed by human beings. This worship is not only related to body efforts; instead, it also related to the soul. If anyone performs it with sincere intentions, then it is essential for him/her that Allah essentially gives him a great reward in this world and the last Day of Judgment.
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