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What preparations do Muslims make before taking part in Hajj?
Hajj is an obligation of Allaah upon every male and female Muslim who is able to find a way there. This is due to Allaah's statement: {And Hajj (pilfrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can find a way there.} (3:97) Hajj has four pillars, they are: Al-Ihram, At-Tawaf, As-Sa'y and Al-Wuquf at Arafat. If one of these pillars is left off, the Hajj is nullified. Umrah has three pillars and they are: Al-Ihram, At-Tawaf, and As-Sa'y. Umrah is not complete without these things.
How does the hajj get Muslims closer to God?
Hajj is obligatory on Muslim men and women once in life provided they may afford it physically and financially. The Muslims from all over the world gather at Mecca in the month of Zil Hajja (the last month of Hijra calendar) to perform Hajj. They perform hajj together. They must remain together during they days as mentioned below:The schedule is as under or this is how Hajj is performed in different stages and how it brings people together: All these rituals teach unconditional obedience to Allah Almighty. They teach equality, simplicity, sacrifice, tolerance and charity etc. It was renewed by the last Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Only the Muslim Ummah performs Hajj which is obligatory on each MuslimDay - 1. 8th of Zilhajja: (Day of Tarwiya) Taking bath, putting on Ahraam (two sheets of untailored cloth), going to Haram i Pak, making intention of performing Hajj, offering two Nawafil and reaching the field of Mina (preferably) before Zuhar Prayer and staying there.Day - 2. 9th. (Day of Arfaa) Offering Fajr Prayer and reaching the field of Arafaat (the main ritual of Hajj). Offering Zuhar and Asar prayers (Qasar) behind the Imam in Masjid - Namra - if possible. Staying there till sunset, offering Prayers and parying to Almighty Allah Karim. Leaving the field of Arafaat just at sunset without offering Evening Prayer. Coming to Muzdalfa at night offering Maghrib and Isha Prayers together. Staying there at night. Collecting 49 small pebbles for stoning the Jamraats.Day - 3. 10th (Eid day) Offering Fajar Prayer and leaving Muzdalfa at sunrise. Stoning the Big Jamrah (Shaitan), offering animal sacrifice, coming to Haram i - Pak, going around the Ka'abah, performing Sayee (Walking/running betwen Safa and Marwa hills), shaving off head (for men- women cut two or three inches of their hair as a token) and putting off Ihram. Going back to Mina and staying there.Day - 4. 11th. Stoning the three Jamraat and staying at Mina.Day- 5. 12th Zila Hajja. Stoning the three Jaraat (Shaitans-Devils) and coming back to Makka Mukarma before sunset. That is the end of Hajj.Day= 6: 13th Zihajja. If some one intentionally or by chance does not leave Mina before sunset of Day-5, he will stay there for the night and on the 6th day he will stone the three Jamraats and return to Makka Mukammah. This ends Hajj the Fifth Pillar of Islam.
What rules the Muslims observe while on the hajj?
Upon arrival in Mecca the pilgrim (or Hajj) performs a series of ritual acts symbolic of the lives of Ibrahim (or Abraham in English) and his wife Hajar (or Hagar in English). The acts also symbolize the solidarity of Muslims worldwide. The Hajj begins on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah. On the first day of the Hajj (the 8th day of the month), if they are not already wearing it upon their arrival, pilgrims put on ihram clothing and then leave Mecca for the nearby town of Mina where they spend the rest of the day. The Saudi government has put up thousands of large white tents at Mina to provide accommodations for all the pilgrims.The pilgrims perform their first Tawaf, which involves all of the pilgrims visiting the Kaaba and walking seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba. They may also kiss the Black Stone (Al Hajar Al Aswad) on each circuit. If kissing the stone is not possible because of the crowds, they may simply point towards the Stone on each circuit with their right hand. In each complete circuit a pilgrim says "Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners." (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka) with 7 circuits constituting a complete tawaf. The place where pilgrims walk is known as "Mutaaf". Only the first three shouts are compulsory, but almost all perform it seven times. The tawaf is normally performed all at once. Eating is not permitted but the drinking of water is allowed because of the risk of dehydration. Men are encouraged to perform the first three circuits at a hurried pace, followed by four times, more closely, at a leisurely pace.After the completion of Tawaf, all the pilgrims have to offer two Rakaat prayers at the Place of Abraham (Muqaam Ibrahim), a site inside the mosque that is near the Kaaba. However, again because of large crowds during the days of Hajj, they may instead pray anywhere in the mosque. Although the circuits around the Kaaba are traditionally done on the ground level, Tawaf is now also performed on the first floor and roof of the mosque because of the large crowd.After Tawaf on the same day, the pilgrims perform sa`i, running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This is a re-enactment of the frantic search for water for her son Ishmael by Abraham's wife and Ishmael's mother Hajar. As she searched, the Zamzam Well was revealed to her by an angel, who hit the ground with his heel (or brushed the ground with the tip of his wing), upon which the water of the Zamzam started gushing from the ground. The back and forth circuit of the pilgrims used to be in the open air, but is now entirely enclosed by the Masjid al-Haram mosque, and can be accessed via air-conditioned tunnels. Pilgrims are advised to walk the circuit, though two green pillars mark a short section of the path where they are allowed to run. There is also an internal "express lane" for the disabled. As part of this ritual the pilgrims also drink water from the Zamzam Well, which is made available in coolers throughout the Mosque. After the visit to the mosque on this day of the Hajj, the pilgrims then return to their tents.On the ninth day, they leave Mina for Mt. Arafat where they stand in contemplative vigil and pray and recite the Qur'an, near a hill from which Muhammad gave his last sermon, this mountain is called Jabal Al Rahmah (The Hill of Forgiveness, Mount Arafat). This is known as Wuquf, considered the highlight of the Hajjah. Pilgrims must spend the afternoon within a defined area on the plain of Arafat until after sunset. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, although many pilgrims spend time praying, and thinking about the course of their lives. A pilgrim's Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Arafat.As soon as the sun sets, the pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, an area between Arafat and Mina. Pilgrims spend the night sleeping on the ground with open sky, and in the morning they gather pebbles for the next day's ritual of the stoning of the Devil (Shaitan) after returning to Mina.At Mina the pilgrims perform Ramy al-Jamarat, throwing stones to signify their defiance of the Devil. This symbolizes the trials experienced by Abraham while he was going to sacrifice his son as demanded by God. The Devil challenged him three times, and three times Abraham refused. Each pillar marks the location of one of these refusals. On the first occasion when Ramy al-Jamarat is performed, pilgrims stone the largest pillar known as Jamrat'al'Aqabah. Pilgrims climb ramps to the multi-levelled Jamaraat Bridge, from which they can throw their pebbles at the jamarat. On the second occasion, the other pillars are stoned. The stoning consists of throwing seven pebbles. Because of the crowds, in 2004 the pillars were replaced by long walls, with catch basins below to collect the pebbles.After the casting of stones, animals are slaughtered to commemorate the story of Abraham and Ishmael. Traditionally the pilgrims slaughtered the animal themselves, or oversaw the slaughtering. Today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca before the greater Hajj begins, which allows an animal to be slaughtered in their name on the 10th, without the pilgrim being physically present. Centralized butchers sacrifice a single sheep for each pilgrim, or a camel can represent the sacrifice of seven people. The meat is then packaged and given to charity and shipped to poor people around the world. At the same time as the sacrifices occur at Mecca, Muslims worldwide perform similar sacrifices, in a four day global festival called Eid al-Adha.On this or the following day the pilgrims re-visit the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca for another tawaf, to walk around the Kaaba. This is called Tawaf al-Ifadah, which symbolizes being in a hurry to respond to God and show love for Him, an obligatory part of the Hajj. The night of the 10th is spent back at Mina.On the afternoon of the 11th and again the following day the pilgrims must again throw seven pebbles at each of the three jamarat in Mina.Pilgrims must leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th. If they are unable to leave Mina before sunset, they must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before returning to Mecca.Finally, before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wida. 'Wida' means 'to bid farewell'.Some pilgrims choose to travel to the city of Medina and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet), which contains Muhammad's tomb and Riad ul Jannah and also pay visit to the graves of Muhammad companions, Ummahāt ul-Muʾminīn and Ahl al-Bayt in Al-Baqi'. The Quba Mosque and Masjid al-Qiblatain are also usually visited.Refer to related links below for more information on Hajj rituals
What rules must Muslims observe while on the Hajj?
Upon arrival in Mecca the pilgrim (or Hajj) performs a series of ritual acts symbolic of the lives of Ibrahim (or Abraham in English) and his wife Hajar (or Hagar in English). The acts also symbolize the solidarity of Muslims worldwide. The Hajj begins on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah. On the first day of the Hajj (the 8th day of the month), if they are not already wearing it upon their arrival, pilgrims put on ihram clothing and then leave Mecca for the nearby town of Mina where they spend the rest of the day. The Saudi government has put up thousands of large white tents at Mina to provide accommodations for all the pilgrims.The pilgrims perform their first Tawaf, which involves all of the pilgrims visiting the Kaaba and walking seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba. They may also kiss the Black Stone (Al Hajar Al Aswad) on each circuit. If kissing the stone is not possible because of the crowds, they may simply point towards the Stone on each circuit with their right hand. In each complete circuit a pilgrim says "Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners." (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka) with 7 circuits constituting a complete tawaf. The place where pilgrims walk is known as "Mutaaf". Only the first three shouts are compulsory, but almost all perform it seven times. The tawaf is normally performed all at once. Eating is not permitted but the drinking of water is allowed because of the risk of dehydration. Men are encouraged to perform the first three circuits at a hurried pace, followed by four times, more closely, at a leisurely pace.After the completion of Tawaf, all the pilgrims have to offer two Rakaat prayers at the Place of Abraham (Muqaam Ibrahim), a site inside the mosque that is near the Kaaba. However, again because of large crowds during the days of Hajj, they may instead pray anywhere in the mosque. Although the circuits around the Kaaba are traditionally done on the ground level, Tawaf is now also performed on the first floor and roof of the mosque because of the large crowd.After Tawaf on the same day, the pilgrims perform sa`i, running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This is a re-enactment of the frantic search for water for her son Ishmael by Abraham's wife and Ishmael's mother Hajar. As she searched, the Zamzam Well was revealed to her by an angel, who hit the ground with his heel (or brushed the ground with the tip of his wing), upon which the water of the Zamzam started gushing from the ground. The back and forth circuit of the pilgrims used to be in the open air, but is now entirely enclosed by the Masjid al-Haram mosque, and can be accessed via air-conditioned tunnels. Pilgrims are advised to walk the circuit, though two green pillars mark a short section of the path where they are allowed to run. There is also an internal "express lane" for the disabled. As part of this ritual the pilgrims also drink water from the Zamzam Well, which is made available in coolers throughout the Mosque. After the visit to the mosque on this day of the Hajj, the pilgrims then return to their tents.On the ninth day, they leave Mina for Mt. Arafat where they stand in contemplative vigil and pray and recite the Qur'an, near a hill from which Muhammad gave his last sermon, this mountain is called Jabal Al Rahmah (The Hill of Forgiveness, Mount Arafat). This is known as Wuquf, considered the highlight of the Hajjah. Pilgrims must spend the afternoon within a defined area on the plain of Arafat until after sunset. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, although many pilgrims spend time praying, and thinking about the course of their lives. A pilgrim's Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Arafat.As soon as the sun sets, the pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, an area between Arafat and Mina. Pilgrims spend the night sleeping on the ground with open sky, and in the morning they gather pebbles for the next day's ritual of the stoning of the Devil (Shaitan) after returning to Mina.At Mina the pilgrims perform Ramy al-Jamarat, throwing stones to signify their defiance of the Devil. This symbolizes the trials experienced by Abraham while he was going to sacrifice his son as demanded by God. The Devil challenged him three times, and three times Abraham refused. Each pillar marks the location of one of these refusals. On the first occasion when Ramy al-Jamarat is performed, pilgrims stone the largest pillar known as Jamrat'al'Aqabah. Pilgrims climb ramps to the multi-levelled Jamaraat Bridge, from which they can throw their pebbles at the jamarat. On the second occasion, the other pillars are stoned. The stoning consists of throwing seven pebbles. Because of the crowds, in 2004 the pillars were replaced by long walls, with catch basins below to collect the pebbles.After the casting of stones, animals are slaughtered to commemorate the story of Abraham and Ishmael. Traditionally the pilgrims slaughtered the animal themselves, or oversaw the slaughtering. Today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca before the greater Hajj begins, which allows an animal to be slaughtered in their name on the 10th, without the pilgrim being physically present. Centralized butchers sacrifice a single sheep for each pilgrim, or a camel can represent the sacrifice of seven people. The meat is then packaged and given to charity and shipped to poor people around the world. At the same time as the sacrifices occur at Mecca, Muslims worldwide perform similar sacrifices, in a four day global festival called Eid al-Adha.On this or the following day the pilgrims re-visit the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca for another tawaf, to walk around the Kaaba. This is called Tawaf al-Ifadah, which symbolizes being in a hurry to respond to God and show love for Him, an obligatory part of the Hajj. The night of the 10th is spent back at Mina.On the afternoon of the 11th and again the following day the pilgrims must again throw seven pebbles at each of the three jamarat in Mina.Pilgrims must leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th. If they are unable to leave Mina before sunset, they must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before returning to Mecca.Finally, before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wida. 'Wida' means 'to bid farewell'.Some pilgrims choose to travel to the city of Medina and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet), which contains Muhammad's tomb and Riad ul Jannah and also pay visit to the graves of Muhammad companions, Ummahāt ul-Muʾminīn and Ahl al-Bayt in Al-Baqi'. The Quba Mosque and Masjid al-Qiblatain are also usually visited.Refer to related links below for more information on Hajj rituals
What are the twelve steps of the Hajj?
The Steps of Hajj(At-tama'tu)An annual gathering at Makkah long predates the coming of Al Islam, but the Muslim Hajj, the last of the five "pillars" of Al-Islam, is ordained in the Qur'an, and it was the Prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace be upon him) who, by his example , defined its elements exactly. Muslims from around he world follow in his footsteps to this day. The Hajj always takes place on the same six days of the lunar calendar, beginning on the 8th and ending on the 13th of the month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar year. The rites take place in five locations in and near Makkah: on the outskirts of the Holy City; in the Holy Masjid; on the plains of 'Arafat; at Muzdalifah; and at the Jamrat. Each rite must be completed in a prescribed time.1. Niyyah /Ihram("intention/ purification "): up to 14 days before HajjBefore entering Makkah, pilgrims clean themselves physically and spiritually at designated time and places at the edge of the sacred precinct surrounding the city. At this time you announce your intention to perform Hajj & Umrah by reciting an invocation and talbiyah. Men dress in a simple garment of two seamless pieces of white cloth called ihram, which they wear for the duration of Hajj. Women wear modest and unobtrusive dress of any color, and cover their heads. For the next six days, all outward differences among pilgrims are diminished.2. TawafAl-Quddum(arrival) at the Holy Masjid before HajjBetween your arrival in Makkah and the eighth of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims walk seven times counterclockwise around the Ka;bah. This circumambulation , which expresses the centrality of G'd in life, is called tawaf. This is the Tawaf for Umrah. Then from the Uswah(example of Muhammad) pray two rakaats behind Maqam Ibrahim and drink from the water of zam zam.3.Sa'i(walking between Safa and Marwah)Along the eastern side of the Holy Masjid, pilgrims run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating the desperate search for water of Ibrahim's wife Hajar. This ritual, undertaken now in a 400-meter covered arcade, is called sa'i. The spring that G'd brought forth for Hajar and her baby son, Ishmael, is Zamzam, which flows copiously still. With the seventh round of Sa'I ending at Marwah the pilgrim ends the state of Ihram, by shaving the head and removing the Ihram dress. This completes the rites of Umrah.Women only cut a few strands of hair(length of the tip of the pinky finger.) The Faraaid (obligations) of Umrahare 4 in number: 1.Niyyah &Ihram 2.Tawaf3.Sa'I 4. Halaq cutting of hair(wajib\a must)4. Encampment at Mina: the first day of HajjOn the eighth of Dhul Hijja those pilgrims who exited Ihram after Umrah now state your intentions for Hajj and re-enter Ihram. Pilgrims gather in the flat valley of Minaknown as "the tent city", about five kilometers (3 mi) east of Makkah. Meditating and praying in preparation for the next day. Here the believer prays the five Salah starting with dhuhr and ending with fajr of the next day.5. Wuquf ("standing") at Arafat: the second dayIn the morning of the ninth, pilgrims continue 10 more kilometers (6mi) east to the plain of 'Arafat. From noon prayers until sundown, this is the anticipated climax of the Hajj and the devotional pinnacle of Muslim spiritual life: Pilgrims pray, stand or sit- some for minutes, some for hours-before G'd reflecting on their lives and pray for mercy and renewal. Some climb Jabal Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy, a rocky hill at the foot which the Prophet Muhammad(Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) delivered his farewell sermon. Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined.6. Muzdalifah: the second nightAfter sundown at 'Arafat, pilgrims turn back towards Makkah and stop for the night at Muzdalifah. There, most pick up to 49 pebble-like stones that they will throw at the three pillars of Jamarat over the next three days. The pilgrim stays in muzdalifah until fajr of the next day. Magrib and Isha prayers combined.7. Stoning at Jamarat and 'Id al Adha: the third dayAfter Fajr on the 10th, pilgrims begin moving to a place just west of Mina called Jamarat ("stoning"). There you throw seven pebbles at the first of three pillars which have come to represent Shaitan. This symbolic repudiation of evil commemorates Ibrahim's (upon him be peace) faith by sacrificing a sheep, as G'd commanded Ibrahim to do. Thus, this day is the first of the three-day "Id ul- Adha", the "Feast of Sacrifice". After throwing stones at the first pillar, men shave their heads, and women cut off a lock of their hair. Pilgrims may return to their customary clothes and minor restrictions of ihram are lifted.8. 'Id ul-Adha and tawaf al-ifadah:Pilgrims return to the Holy Masjid in Makkah, again circle the Ka'ba seven times and perform sa'y again this Tawaf and Sa'I are of the rites of hajj. At this point, the pilgrims are completely out of the state of ihram.9.Return to Mina 10-13. days of tashriq(watering)After sunrise of each day stone all three Jamarats starting from smallest to largest. It is permissible to depart on the 12 after completion of stoning.10.Tawaaf Al-wida'After the 12 the pilgrim travels to Makkah to perform the Tawaaf Al Wida' or farewell tawaf and this should be the last thing done in makkah as suggested by the Messenger of Allah. This Tawaaf if also required of those performing the Hajj.Pillars & Obligatory Duties of UmrahA. Three pillars of Umrah.1). Entering the state of Ihram with intentions to perform Umrah.2). Tawwaf (circumambulation of the Ka'ba)3). Sa'iy (Walking between Safa and Marwa)B. Two obligatory duties of Umrah1). Entering Ihram from Outside the sanctuary of the Haram2). Cutting of hair http://www.hajjpros.com/info.htm
What are the differences between Sunnis and Shiites during Hajj?
During Hajj, the main difference between Sunnis and Shiites lies in certain rituals, such as the recitation of prayers and supplications. Sunnis follow a specific set of practices during Hajj, while Shiites may have additional rituals and customs based on their beliefs. However, both Sunnis and Shiites ultimately share the same fundamental goal of seeking spiritual purification and connecting with Allah during the pilgrimage.
