HAJ AND UMRAH

PART 14

HAJ IS ONE OF THE FIVE
PILLARS OF ISLAM

THE VIRTUES AND IMPORTANCE OF HAJ.

HAJ means to visit the sacred house of Allah in Makaah Mukarramah during the days of Haj, (i.e. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12th of Zil Hijjah). This is the fifth of the religious duties of a Muslim.

  1. Pilgrimage to the house of Allah is a bounded duty unto mankind for him who has the means to find the way here unto, and whosoever disbelives, then verily Allah is free and independent form the entire universe.

(Qur'aan; Surah Aale Imraan, verse 97)

Rasulullah (S.A.W.) is reported to have mentioned:

  1. Verily Allah has declared Haj Farz upon you, therefore perform Haj".
  2. "Hasten in performing Haj, for verily one never knows what will befall him."
  3. "One who dies while on his journey for Haj, Allah will record the reward of Haj for him upto the day of Qiyaamah, and one who dies while on his journey for Umrah, Allah will record the reward of Umrah for him upto the day of Qiyaamah''.
  4. "For an accepted Haj, there is no reward besides Jannah (Paradise). "
  5. "One who possesses wealth and has all the means by which he could reach the Sacred House of Allah (the Ka'bah) and yet does not perform Haj, he then may either die as a Nasraani (Christian) or a Majoos (fire worshipper)".

UPON WHOM IS HAJ FARZ (CONDITIONS)

HAJ is FARZ once in a lifetime upon every adult, male and female. The conditions that make Haj l--ARZ. are as follows.

  1. To be a Muslim;
  2. To be mentally fit (not insane);
  3. To be physically fit, (not invalid or handicapped );
  4. Buloogh, (to he physically matured);
  5. To be a free person, (not to be a slave);
  6. To have sufficient provision for one's dependents,. eg. children, for the duration of one's absence as well as to possess all requirments for travel and be financially independent. If one has the means to travel and staying at
    • Makkah Mukarramah
    • Muzdalifah.
    • Meena and
    • Arafaat,

    HAJ becomes FARZ even through one does NOT have the means of going to Madinah Munawwarah.

  7. Security of route;
  8. A women must he accompanied by her husband or a Mahram. A Mahram is :
    a male member of the family whom she is NOT allowed to marry according to Islamic law.

If any of the above conditions are not found, Haj will not be FARZ

Once the above conditions are found, Haj becomes Farz. It becomes Waajih upon such a person to perform Haj during the first available Haj period. Delaying the Haj will be a sinful act.

MASAA'IL REGARDING THE MAHRAM :

  1. If the Mahram is a minor or one who is so irreligious that he cannot he trusted by even his mother and sister, then it is not proper to travel with such a person.
  2. When a trustworthy Mahram is found, it is not permissible for the husband to refuse permission for her to travel. If he does, she should still proceed to Haj.
  3. A girl almost attaining maturity should also he accompanied by a Mahram.
  4. A woman going for Haj (with a Mahram) should bear all the cost of the Mahram.
  5. If no Mahram is found by a woman all her life, it will not be regarded a sin if she does not perform Haj. However, such a woman MUST mention in her will that someone be sent for Haj on her behalf on her inheritors provided it be possible to fulfil the Haj expenses from one-third of her estate.

OTHER MASAA'IL

  1. A person delayed his FARZ Haj. He thereafter becomes blind or so ill that he is unable to undertake the journey. Such a person should draw up a will for Hajje Badal after his death.
  2. If one has left so much wealth after his death that after discharging his liabilities, Hajje Badal can be performed from One-third of the remaining wealth, then it is essentional for the heirs of the deceased to carry out the will.
    If one-third is not sufficient to cover the expenses for Haj, then the heirs are not obliged to carry out the will.
    However, if they willingly make up the deficiency, then someone may be sent for Hajje Badal.
  • N.B To use the wealth of Naa Baalighs (minors), even with their consent, is not permissible.
  1. If one-third of the legacy was not sufficient to carry out the will and the heirs did not agree to part with their share, and thus deceased is not sinful.
  2. It is NOT proper to a women in IDDAT, being widowed or divorced, to disrupt her Iddat and go for Haj.
  3. While in Ihraam a woman should not cover her face with a cloth. A net is used for this purpose. It should be tied on the face in a manner that it does NOT TOUCH the face.

TYPES OF HAJ

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF HAJ:

  1. QIRAAN: To perform Umrah first in the months of Haj, (Shawwal Zil Qa'dah and the first 8 days of Zil Hijjah) anti thereafter to perform Haj with one Ihraam i.e. one will remain in the Haram of Makkah (varying from 5 to 14.5km in various directions) in the state of Ihraam from the moment the Meeqaat is entered until the Ihraam is released on the both Zil Hijjah.
  2. TAMATTU: To perform Umrah during the months of Haj and release the Ihraam. Thereafter to perform. Haj the same year without leaving the Meeqaat.
  3. IFRAAD: To perform Haj only during the days of Haj.

    The one who performs:
  1. QIRAAN is called a QAARIN.
  2. TAMATTU is called a MUTAMATTI'.
  3. IFRAAD is called a MUFRID.

According to the Hanaf school of thought Qiraan is considered the best. Thereafter Tamattu' and lastly Ifraad.

Once the Intentions is made to discharge the obligation of Haj. It is Farz to study the Masaaill of Haj (preferably under the guidance of an Aalim). For this purpose one may refer to the Kitaab : HAJ-UMRAH-ZIYAARAH by Mufti Abdullah bin Abdurahman Ebrahim. obtainable from Hml Publications. Box 25051. Ferreirasdorp. Transvall. South Africa.

THE 5 DAYS OF HAJ (in brief)

Ist. DAY :
8th. Z U L - HIJJAH
YAUM-UT-TARWIYAH.

After putting on their Ihraams for Haj, the Hajees proceed to MINA after sunrise and perform 5 Salaahs there, i.e. Zohar, Asr, Maghrib, Esha and Fajr of the next day (9 Zil Hijjah).

2nd. Day.
9th. ZUL-HIJJAH.
YAUM-UL ARAFAH.

After sunrise the Hajees proceed to ARAFAAT and make WUQOOF afer ZAWAAL. Zohar and Asr Salaah will be performed here. Here they remain engaged in Du'a, Zikr, Tilaawat, etc. until sunset. Immediately after sunset they proceed to Muzdalifah. Here they will perform Maghrib and Esha at the time of.Esha. The night will be spent at Muzdalifah.

3rd DAY:
10th. ZUL-HIJJAH
YAUM-UN-NAHR.

After performing Fajr Salaah at Muzdalifah' the Hajees proceed to Mina before sunrise. On this day four important rites have to be performed :

  1. RAMEE of Jamaratul Aqabah (stoning the big Shaytaan).
  2. ZABH (to sacrifice an animal).
  3. HALQ or Qasr (shaving or trimming the hair of the head).
  4. To perform TAWAAFUZ ZIYAARAH.

4th DAY:
11th. ZUL-HIJJAH.

All three SHAYTAANS have to be pelted on this day and the night will be spent at MINA. RAMEE, i.e. pelting time begins after ZAWAAI. and ends before SUNSET.

5th DAY:
12th. ZUL-HIJJAH.

Make Ramee, i.e. pelt all three Shaytaans after Zawaal. The Hajees may now proceed to MAKKAH MU'AAZAMAH. Those who wish to remain in Mina on the 13th Zul Hijjah should pelt the 3 Shaytaans before proceeding to Makkah Mukarramah. The pelting on this day is permissible throughout the day (including the period before Zawaal).

UMRAH

It is Sunnate Muakkadah to perform Umrah once in a lifetime. Umrah could be performed practically throughout the year. However, an Umrah during Ramadhaan is superior to the Umrah performed on other days. Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has mentioned: "An Umrah performed during Ramadhaan is equal (in reward) to performing Haj with me."

It is Makroohe Tahreemee to perform Umrah on the 9, 10, 11 and 12th of Zil Hijjah (the days of Haj).

THE FARAA'IDH AND WAAJIBAAT OF UMRAH:

There are two Farz in Umrah:

  1. To wear the Ihraam.
  2. To complete at least four circuits of Tawaaf.

THERE ARE THREE WAAJIBAATS IN UMRAH:

  1. Completion of all seven circuits of Tawaaf.
  2. Saiee between Safa and Marwah.
  3. Shaving of the hair or trimming it (equally) on all sides.

THE PROCEDURE OF UMRAH (in brief):

  1. Put on the Ihraam before entering the Meeqaat (boundary).
  2. Perform two Rak'aats Sunnatul Ihraam.
  3. Say the Niyyah and Talbiyah.
  4. Proceed to Makkah Mukarramah, en route recite the Talbiyah constantly.
  5. Perform a Tawauf with Idtibaa and Ramal.
  6. Perform two Rakaats Waajib Salaat (after the Tawaaf) behind MAQAAME IBRAHIM.
  7. Proceed to the Multazam and Zam Zam well.
  8. Perform Sa'ee between Saga and Marwah
  9. Shave or trim the hair of the head

DETAILED LESSON ON UMRAH :

  1. IHRAAM: It is incumbent upon all persons livings beyond the Meeqaat (boundary) to put on the Ihraam If they intend going to Makkah Mukaramah. A woman not in the state of performing Salaat is not excused from this.

    It is Sunnat to have a bath before putting on the lhraam. If this is not possible, Wudhu will suffice. If is Mustahab to pair the nails, trim the hair and remove all unwanted hair before the bath.
  • The Ihraam for men consists of two pieces of cloth : one for the lower portion of the body (waist upto above the ankles) and the other for the upper portion of the body The head and face should he left uncovered. No other garments should he worn. The footwear should be such that the (centre bones) of the upper part of the feet (the area of the shoe-lace) must he left uncovered.
  • Women will put on their normal clothes However, their heads must be fully covered Their faces and hands (upto the wrists) COULD be exposed It becomes WAAJIB to cover their faces if they fear Fitnah. This should he done in such a manner that the covering does NOT touch the face.

2. TWO RAK'AATS SUNNAT OF IHRAAM:

After putting on the Ihraam, perform 2 Rak'aah Sunnatul Ihraam with the headgear (A woman not in the state of performing Salaah, will not perform this Salaah)

  • She will perform Ghusl,
  • Put on her clothes (which will serve as her lhraam).
  • Make the Nivvah anal recite the Talbiyah.
  • After entering Makkah Mukarramah she will take a bath when Salaah becomes Farz on her, wear her clothes (which will serve as her Ihraam) and perform the Umrah.

3. NIYYAH AND TALBIYAH:

After having performed the two Rak'aats Sunnat of Ihraam, remove the headgear (men only) and say the Niyyah and Talbiyah which are Waajib. Without this the Ihraam will not be accepted.

  • If one goes beyond the Meeqaat without the Niyyah (with Ihraam), Dum will have to be given.
    The Niyyah is as follows:

(O Allah), I intend performing Umarh, render it easy for me, and accept it from me).

The Talbiyah is as follow :


(Here I am at Your service O Allah, I am present, I am present, You have no partner, I am present, All praise and graciousness as well as the entire Universe is Yours, You have no partner).

When in Ihraam repeat the Talbiyah as often as possible. It is Mustahab to repeat it thrice whenever recited.

After the Niyyah and Talbiyah one becomes a Muhrim (one whose Ihraam is valid).

When in IHRAAM, abstain from the following:

  1. Quarelling and using vulgar languages.
  2. Clipping the nails.
  3. Hunting of wildlife, chasing game or aiding a hunter in any way.
  4. Killing lice, indicating it to others and removing it from the body or hair.
  5. To use perfume, scent and every other thing that has a fragrance, eg. fragrant soap, etc.
  6. To trim, shave or clip the hair off the body.
  7. Intercourse, and everything relating or leading to it.
  8. The males must not wear sewn garments, underwear, gloves or socks. Their heads and faces must NOT be covered at any time.
  9. To comb or groom the hair.
  10. It is Makrooh to wash one's head and beard with soap. It is also Makrooh to remove dirt form ones body by using soap or any other cleaning agent.

The following things are permitted for a MUHRIM:

  1. To make a bath, be it Waajib or to cool one's body.
  2. Killing of wild dogs, crows, scorpions, flies, bugs, mosquitoes, cockroaches and wild animals that are harmful.
  3. To use a Miswaak.
  4. To slaughter cattle, poultry, sheep and goats.
  5. To rub the body gently, taking note that no hair falls off the body.
  6. To use odourless Surma.

4. ENTRY INTO MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH:

On reaching Makkah Mukarramah one should find accommodation and settle first. Thereafter it is Mustahab (preferable) to perform Ghusl. It this is not possible, Wudhu will suffice. Do not use soap or shave when bathing.

Thereafter enter the Musjidul Haruam, preferably through Babus Salaam.

It should be remembered that a woman, not in the state of performing Salaah, should NOT enter the Musjid.

Enter with the right foot, with utmost humbleness and respect and recite:

(O Allah, open for us the doors of Your mercies, and make easy for tts the means of livelihood)

The Niyyah for l'tikaaf should also be made

I intend making L'tikaaf for Allah till I remain in the Masjid

and the Talbiyah be recited constantly.

(Here I am at YOUR service O Allah, I am present, I am present, You' have no partner, I am present, All praise and graciousness as well as the entire t/niverse is Yours, You have no partner).

On sighting the KA'BA SHAREEF, recite


(O Allah, You are Peace, and from You is peace, therefore keep us alive with peace. O Allah, increase this house of Yours with reverence, dignity honour and respect; and increase those who perform Haj or Umrah towards it in dignity, honour, reverence, obedience and rightiousness).

  • Thereafter one should engage himself in making Du'a (supplication) for this is a place where Du'aas are accepted.
  • If a Farz, Waajib or Sunnah Mu'akkadah ~Salaah has still to be performed, then this should be completed before commencing the Tawaaf.

5. IDTIBAA :

Before commencing the Tawaaf, make Idtibaa, i.e. the covering of the body.in a manner that the left shoulder, left arm and back are covered and the right arm entirely exposed.

Discontinue with the Idtibaa after the Tawaaf has been completed.

The two Rak'aat Waajib Salaah should NOT be performed with the arm exposed (i.e. with Idtibaa).

6. THE TAWAAF :

After Idtibaa face the Ka'ha in a manner that the entire Hajare Aswad remains on your right and the left shoulder towards Rukne Yamaanee.

  • Stand as close as possible to the Hajare Aswad.
  • Now say the Niyyah, which is Waajib

THE NIYYAH IS AS FOI,I,OWS:


(O Allah, I intend performing Tawaaf around Your sacred house, seven circuits for Allah, who is Mighty and Dignified, hence render it easy for me and accept from me.)

Move sideways to your right, towards the Hajare Aswad (with the face and chest towards the Ka'ba until in line with (squarely opposite) the Hajare Aswarm. This is Mustahab. It this is difficult, say the Niyyah while standing in the line with the Hajare Aswad (diametrically opposite).

  • When squarely opposite the Hajare Aswad, raise both the hands to the ears (as one does when beginning Salaah). Say while raisinsg the hands.

  • After lowering the hands, make Istilaam of the Hajare Aswad. A Mu'tamir (one performing Umrah) will discontinue with the Talhiyah after the first Istillaam.

7. ISTILAAM:

Istilaam is to place both hands on the Hajare Aswad and to kiss it gently thrice, between the two palms. (Be careful not to harass, puch or hurt, anyone in the process.) Hands should not be placed on the silver ring when kissing the Hajare Aswad.

  • If Istilaam is not possible, merely place the hands on the Hajare Aswad. If this is also not possible, then one should stand diametrically opposite the Hajare Aswad and stretch both the hands, with the palms facing the Hajare Aswad, (as if one were placing them on it ). Thereafter kiss the hands and commence the Tawaaf.

    If this is also not possible, then merely say the Takbeer when raising the hands to the ears and commence the Tawaaf.

  • It is Punnet to make Istilaam of the Hajare Aswad In all seven circuit, Istilaam is Sunnats Mu'akkadah (emphasised Sunnah).

8. RAMAL:

In the first three circuits of Tawaal it is Sunnat to make Ramal (for men only).

  • Ramal means to walk hastily, take shorter steps, lifting the legs forcefully, keeping the chest out and moving the shoulders simultaneously.
  • One should walk normally in the four remaining circuits.
  • Commence the Tawaaf by moving towards the door of the Ka'ba (counter-clockwise). Move around the Ka'ba and the Hateem. It is Mustahab to place the right palm or both the palm or both the palms on the Rukne Yamaanee during every round.

Touching it any other way or kissing it, is not recommended by the Shari'at.

  • When there are huge crowds of incovenience is caused tat <\th-ers by touching the Rukne Yamaanee, omit it.
  • Perform Tawaaf with utmost humbleness, sincerely, dignity and respect. It is recommended that during Tawaaf one's behaviour and conduct be similar to that of Salaah. Looking about, pushing, mocking, etc., should he avoided.
  • It is Sunnah to recite the following Du'aas during Tawaaf :


(O Allah, give me contentment in that which You have provided for me, and bestow me with Barakah therein, and be successor of all whom I have left behind. There is no diety except Allah. He is alone. He has no partner, the universe belongs solely to Him, and all praise is solely for HIM. He alone gives his life and death, in His hands lies all the good and He has infinte power over everything.)

(O Allah, grant us goodness in this world, and goodness in the hereafter and save us from
the punishment of the fire).

Allah is free from every imperfections and impurity, and everything derogatory from His glory, and all praise is due to Allah, and there is no diety worthy of worship besides Allah, and Allah is the greatest and there is no strength (to do good) no power (to abstain from sin) but with grace and mercies of) Allah, the Highest and Greatest.

Besides these, any other Du'aa could be recited. Making Zikr and reciting the Holy Qur'aan are also permissible. (Women should not raise their voices whilst making Du'aa.)

9 TWO RAK'AATS WAAJIB SALAAH AFTER TAWAAF :

After completing the Tawaaf, perform two Rak'aats Waajib Salaah, behind Maqaarne Ihrahim. If this is difficult, one may perform it at any other place ( in the Musjide Haraam), preferably close to the Ka'ba

  • These two Rak'aats should not he performed during the forbidden and Makrooh times, (i.e. at sunrise, Zawaal, sunset or after Asr Salaah). For a Tawaaf performed after Asr, the two Waajib Rak'aats will be performed immediately after the three Farz of the Maghrib Salaah, and not after the Sunnah of the Maghrib Salaah.
  • It is Mustahab to recite Surah Kaufiroon in the first Rak'ah and Sarah Ikhlaas in the second Rak'ah.
  • Rememher: The two Rak'aats Waajib have to be performed for every complete Tawaaf, (i.e seven circuits).

10. PROCEED TO THE MULTAZAM AND ZAM ZAM WELL:

One should now proceed to the Mullazan, (the area between the elevated door (of the Ka'ba) and the Hajare Aswad). Embrace this place by stretching both the hands above the head and clinging to the wall of the Ka'ba. One should make abundant Du'a as this is also a place for acceptance of Du'as. Shed as many tears as possible and make Du'a most humbly and sincerely.

It should he remembered that, in the process, one should avoid disturbing, hurting or pushing anyone.

  • Alter the Du'aa one should to to the well of Zam-Zam and drink as much water as is possible When drinking Zam-Zam : stand the Holy Kaba. recite Bismillah and drink with the right hand Recite lhe following Du'ua after drinking Zam-Zam:

(O Allah, I am asking You for beneficial knowledge, and abundance in provision,
and cure from every ailment).

  • Make a lot of Du'as at the well and also after drinking Zam Zam. This is a place and time when Du'as are accepted.

11. SA'EE BETWEEN SARA AND MARWA:

One should not return to the Hajare Aswad and make Istilaam.
Whilc making Istilaam. say :

(Allah is great, there is no diety besides Allah).

This Istilaam is Mustahab.

After this, proceed to Sata, (preferably through Babus Safa) On reaching Safa, climb onto the rock and facing the Ka'ba, say the Niyyah, (which is Sunnah) :

(O Allah, I intend performing Sa'ee between and Safa and Marwah, seven circuits for Allah, therefore, make it easy for me, and accept it from me).

After the Niyyah, raise the hands parallel to the shoulders, the palms facing the heavens (as they are raised during Du'aa), and thereafter say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahleel (I aa ilaha Illallah), aloud and Durood Sharief silently.

  • TAKBEER (Allahu Akhar)
  • TAHLEEI. (Laa ilaha illallah)
  • DUROOD SHAREEF
    Thereafter say :

(There is no diety besides Allah. He is alone. He has no partner, the universe belongs only to Him, and all praise is soley for Him. He alone gives life and death and He has infinite power-over everything. There os no diety but Allah alone. He has fulfilled His promise, and He aided His servent (Muhammad) and defeated the allies all alone.)

  • Make a lot of Du'as here also, for this is a place where Du'aas are accepted as well. After the Du'aas are accepted as well.After the Du'aas, commence the Sa'ee (seven rounds between Safa and Marwa ) by moving towards Marwa in the right lane. Walk at normal pace and engage, Du'aa and Zikr. Also rccite the following Du'aa repeatedly.

(My Cherisher and Sustainer, forgive and have Mercy. You are Most Powerful and Most Generous).

  • On reaching Batnul and Waadi (the area betwen the two green columns and fluorescent lights) perform Sa'ee (slow running) Thereafter walk at a normal pace again. The females will not do the slow running between the two green columns.
  • On reaching Marwah, do exactly the same as was done at Safa-Marwah is also place where Du'as are certainly accepted.
  • One Shawt (circuit round) is now complete. Coming from Safa to Marwah is considered one Shawt, and returning to Safa another. Complete all seven Shawts at Safa and completing the seventh Shawt at Marwah, not forgetting to perform Sa'ee at Batnul Waadi in each Shawt. Engage in Du'aa between Safa and Marwah as they are accepted by Allah. After completing the seven Shawts (circuits), perform two Rak'aats Nafl Salaah.
  • NOTE : To perform the Sa'ee immediately after the Tawaaf is Sunnah. It is permissble to delay the Sa'ee due to tiredness or other ciscumstances. However. delaying without any valid Shar'ee reason will render the Sa'ee Makrooh.

12. TWO RAK'AATS NAFL SALAAH :

  • Perform two Rak'aats Nafl Salaah on the boundary of the Mataaf (the area where Tawaaf is performed). If these two Rak'aats are omitted, there will be no harm. After completing the Salaah, or the seven Shawts, it becomes Waajib to shave or trim the hair of the head, (if one wishes to release his Ihraam).

TRIMMING OR SHAVING OF THE HEAD:

Great care must be taken regarding this Mas'alah, for at times some hair remain shorter than the other.

  • After the Sa'ee, in order to release the Ihraam, it is Waajib to shave or trim the hair of the entire head to length of, the first joint of the fore finger. The hair should be trimmed more, the shorter hair will also be trimmed as much as the length of a fore finger.

    It is Waajib for a bald person or a person who has wounds on his head to simply pass the razor over the head.

  • The females will not shave their heads. According to Shari'ah it is unlawful and Haraam for them to do so. In order to re-lease herself from them Ihraam, a woman is only permitted to have her hair trimmed. The best method is that her hair be divided into three parts, keeping one section on back. Thereafter hold each section separately and trim as much as the first joint of the fore finger (a little more than an inch) from each section. The womenfolk must have their hair trimmed in privacy, and not on the streets, or the hairdresser. A non-Mahram is not permitted to trim, touch or even look at their hair A Mahram who is no longer a Muharim could do the trimming for her. She cannot trim her own hair to release herself from the Ihraam.
  • The shaving or trimming of the hair is the last of the actions of Umrah. All the restrictions imposed because of the Ihraam, will now be lifted. The Umrah is now complete. (Allah knows best ).

An Important Du'aof Rasulullah

O my Allah! You listen to my speech and
You see my condition and position, You are aware of that which is concealed of me and that which is evident
None of my matters are hidden from You
I am afflicted with hardship and distress (misery) needy (of Your threshold)
I lodge my complants only to You, I seek only Your protection, I am over come by Your fear, I acknowledge
and accept my sins and shortcomings. I beg of You like that destitute
who has no support and is lonely. I plead in You presence like a
disgraced sinner. I pray to You. the prayer of
one who is overcome with Your fear and is afficited with pain and distress, like the prayer of one whose
head is hung down before You and whose tears are flowing in Your presence,
whose body is humbled before You and rubbing his nose before You
O Allah! Do not reject my prayer and deprive me
and be beneficient to me and have mercy upon me O He who is
the best and the greatest Diety. O lie who is the most Generous

 

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