HAJJ
THE VIRTUES AND IMPORTANCE OF HAJJ
HAJJ is one of the five pillars of Islam. One who has substantial money to spare with which he can undertake the journey to the Holy city of MECCA moderately and return after performing HAJJ, then the performance of HAJJ is FARZ (compulsory) for such a person.
Great merit has been attributed to HAJJ and our Nabi () is reported to have said that "Hajj which is free from sins and defects, is rewarded with nothing less than Paradise". In the same way very great reward has been promised for UMRAH also and our Nabi Mohammed () has said that "both HAJJ and UMRAH absolve sins as a furnace purifies the iron".
One upon whom HAJJ is Farz and he does not perform it, great warnings have come for him. So the Holy Prophet () has said that one who possesses sufficient money to meet the expenses of HAJJ, that is, to go to Mecca, and he does not perform Hajj, then he may DIE as a JEW or CHRISTIAN and ALLAH does not care for him. The Prophet () further said that to avoid or abandon the performance of HAJJ is not the way of Islam.
UPON WHOM HAJJ IS FARZ
HAJJ is FARZ in a lifetime upon every adult, male and female. The conditions that make Hajj FARZ 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 be of the age of puberty).
5. To be a free person (not be a slave).
6. TO have sufficient provision for one's dependents, e.g., children, for the duration of one's absence as well as to possess all requirements for travel and be financially independent. If one has the means to travel and staying at:
• Makkah Mukarramah,
• Muzdalifah,
• Minaa and
• 'Arafaat.
 Hajj becomes Farz even though one does NOT have the means of going to Madinah Munawwarah.
7. Security of route.
8. A woman must be 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, Hajj will not be Farz.
Once the above conditions are found, Hajj becomes Farz. It becomes WAAJIB upon such a person to perform Hajj during the first available Hajj period. Delaying the Hajj will be a sinful act.
MASAAIL REGARDING MAHRAM
• For a woman, when going for HAJJ, it is essential for HER to be accompanied by a MAHRAM (those relatives whom she is NOT allowed to MARRY, e.g., Father, Grand Fathers, (Dada, and Nanaa) Brothers Uncles, (Mother's and Father's Brothers) Sons, and Grand sons, ETC.
• If the Mahram is a minor or such who is so irreligious that even his mother and sister cannot trust him, then it is not proper to go with such a person.
• When a trustworthy Mahram is available then it is not permissible for the husband to refuse her to go, and if he does, then she should not obey him but go to perform Hajj.
• If a girl is near maturity she should also not go without a Mahram.
• The woman going for Hajj should bear all the expenses of the Mahram who is accompanying her.
• If no Mahram is found by a woman all her life, then she will not be a sinner for not performing Hajj. But such a woman should make a WILL before her DEATH that some one be sent for Hajj on her behalf and her heirs should send someone to perform HAJJ on her behalf after her death. Thus her obligation will be discharged. Hajj performed on behalf of others is called HAJJ-UL-BADAL (Substituted Hajj).
OTHER MASAAIL REGARDING HAJJ
• To perform Hajj once in a life time is compulsory for one who possesses the means and if anyone performed several Hajj then only one of them is obligatory and the rest are Nafil Hajj which also carry very great Thawaab (reward) and merit.
• If anyone performed Hajj in childhood when he was not matured, then that Hajj will NOT be counted as FARZ. If he has the means he should perform it again after being matured and the first Hajj will be treated as Nafil Hajj.
• Hajj is NOT compulsory for a blind person howsoever wealthy he may be.
• When HAJJ becomes FARZ (obligatory upon one, then it should be performed in the same year. It is not proper to delay it without any legitimate cause under the impression that still there is enough time in life and it may be performed in any year. If it was performed with delay, the obligation would be discharged, but he would be a sinner for delaying the Hajj.
• Hajj had become obligatory for one but he delayed it due to laziness and then became blind or so ill as to be unable to undertake the journey, then such a person should make a WILL for HAJJ-UL-BADAL after his death.
• If one has left so much wealth after his DEATH that after discharging his liabilities Hajj-ul-Badal can be performed out of one-third of the remaining wealth, then it is essential for the heirs of the deceased to carry out the Will. But if one-third is NOT sufficient for the expenses of Hajj, then his heirs are NOT obliged to carry out the will. However, if they willingly make up the deficiency, then some one may be sent for Hajj-ul-Badal.
 NB. To USE the wealth of NAA-BALIGH (minors) even with their consent is NOT permissible.
• One died after making a will for Hajj-ul-Badal but the one-third of the legacy was not sufficient and the heirs also did NOT agree to part with their share for the purpose and Hajj-ul-Badal was not performed, then there is no sin upon the deceased.
 The same rule applies to other Wills also. If one had missed FASTS, SALAAT or ZAKAAT due towards him and made a Will, these will be made good out of one-third of his legacy. To spend more than one-third without the willing consent of the heirs is NOT permissible.
• If a woman is in IDDAH, being widowed or divorced then it is NOT proper for her to disrupt IDDAH and go for HAJJ.
• If one has means to meet expenses up to Mecca only and NOT for Madinah, then HAJJ is obligatory for him. It is WRONG to think that unless he has expenses for Madinah also, Hajj will not be obligatory.
• While in IHRAAM a woman should NOT cover her FACE with cloth. There is a NET for this purpose. It should be tied on the face in such a way that it does NOT touch the face.
TYPES OF HAJJ
There are THREE types of Hajj:
1. QIRAAN: To perform 'UMRAH FIRST in the months of Hajj (Shawwaal, Zil-Qa'dah and the first 8 days of Zil-Hijjah) and thereafter to perform Hajj with one IHRAAM i.e., one will remain in the HARAM of Makkah (varying from 5 to 14.5 km in various directions) in the state of IHRAAM from the moment the MEEQAAT is entered until the IHRAAM is released on the 10th of Zil-Hijjah.
2. TAMATTU': To perform UMRAH during the months of Hajj and release the IHRAAM. Thereafter to perform Hajj the same year without leaving the MEEQAAT.
3. IFRAAD: To perform Hajj only during the days of Hajj.
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 Hanafi school of thought, QIRAAN is considered the best. Thereafter TAMATTU' and lastly IFRAAD.
THE 5 DAYS OF HAJJ (in brief)
1st DAY: 8th ZIL-HIJJAH - YAUM-UT-TARWIYAH:
After putting on their IHRAAMS for Hajj, the HAJEES proceed to MINAA after sunrise and perform 5 Salaats there, i.e., ZUHR, ASR, MAGHRIB, ESHA and FAJR of the next day (9th Zil-Hijjah).
2nd DAY: 9th ZIL-HIJJAH - YAUM-UL-'ARAFAH:
After sunrise the HAJEES proceed to 'ARAFAAT and make WUQOOF after ZAWAAL. ZUHR and ASR Salaats will be performed here. Here they remain engaged in DUA, ZIKR, TILAAWAT etc., until sunset. Immediately after sunset they proceed to MUZDALIFAH.
3rd DAY: 10th ZIL-HIJJAH - YAUM-UN-NAHR:
After performing Fajr Salaat at MUZDALIFAH, the HAJEES proceed to Minaa before sunrise. On this day, four important rites have to be performed:
1. RAMEE of JAMARATUL AQBAH (stoning the big SHAITAAN - Satan).
2. ZABAH (to sacrifice an animal).
3. HALQ or QASR (shaving or trimming the hair of the head).
4. To perform TAWAAFUZ-ZIYAARAH.
4th DAY: 11th ZIL-HIJJAH:
All three SHAITAANS (Satans) have to be pelted on this day and night will be spent at MINAA. RAMEE i.e., pelting time, begins after ZAWAAL and ends before sunset.
5th DAY: 12th ZIL-HIJJAH:
Make RAMEE i.e., pelt all three SHAITAANS after ZAWAAL. The HAJEES may now proceed to MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH. Those who wish to remain in MINAA on the 13th Zil-Hijjah should pelt the 3 SHAITAANS before proceeding to MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH. The pelting on this day is permissible throughout the day (including the period before zawaal).
Once the intention is made to discharge the obligation of Hajj, it is Farz to study the MASAAIL of Hajj. They are available in other books of Hajj which should be consulted BEFORE GOING for Hajj. It is preferable that guidance be taken from those who are well versed in the procedure of performing HAJJ (Islamic Scholars).
UMRAH
It is SUNNAH MUAKKIDAH to perform UMRAH once in a lifetime. UMRAH could be performed practically throughout the year. However, an UMRAH during RAMAZAAN is superior to the UMRAH performed on other days. Rasoolullah () has mentioned: "An UMRAH performed during RAMAZAAN is equal (in reward) to performing Hajj with me."
It is MAKROOH TAHREEMI to perform UMRAH on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of Zil-Hijjah (the days of Hajj).
THE FARZ IN UMRAH
There are TWO Farz in UMRAH:
1. To wear the IHRAAM.
2. To complete at least four circuits of TAWAAF.
WAAJIBAAT IN UMRAH
There are THREE WAAJIBAAT in UMRAH:
1. Completion of all seven circuits of TAWAAF.
2. SA'EE between SAFAA and MARWAH.
3. Shaving of the hair of head 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'aat SUNANTUL-IHRAAM.
3. Say the NIYYAH and TALBIYAH.
4. Proceed to Makkah Mukarramah, en route recite the TALBIYAH constantly.
5. Perform a TAWAAF with IDTIBAA and RAMAL.
6. Perform two RAK'AT WAAJIB SALAAT (after the TAWAAF) behind MAQAAM-ul-IBRAHEEM.
7. Proceed to the MULTAZAM and ZAM-ZAM well.
8. Perform SA'EE between SAFAA and MARWAH.
9. Shave or trim the hair of the head.
VISIT TO MADINAH
One who can afford should also visit MADINAH before or after HAJJ and gain blessings by visiting the sacred Tomb of the Holy Prophet Muhammad () and his MUSJIDUN-NABAWI (Prophet's mosque). In this connection the Holy Prophet () has said that "One who will visit my GRAVE after my death will gain the same blessings as if he has seen ME in my life" and further said that "The one who performed mere Hajj only and did NOT visit my GRAVE, has done great injustice to me".
TRADITIONS ABOUT MASJIDUN-NABAWI (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
1. About the Masjidun-Nabawi the Holy Prophet () has said that one who offers ONE Salaat in this mosque, he shall get reward of FIFTY THOUSAND Salaat. (May Allah Ta'ala through His mercy Grant us this fortune, AAMEEN.)
2. The Holy Prophet's () is reported to have said that anyone who offered FORTY SALAAT in his mosque without missing any, then he is absolved of falsity and punishment of HELL.
3. The Holy Prophet's () has said that if anyone can DIE then he should die there as he (Prophet's () will intercede for all those who DIE in MADINAH on the Day of Judgment.
4. The Holy Prophet () said that NO journey should be undertaken except to THREE mosques:
• Masjidul-Haraam
• Masjidul-Aqsa
• And to this mosque of mine (i.e. Masjidun-Nabawi )
لاَ تُشَدُّ الرِّحالُ إلاَّ إلى ثَلاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: مَسْجِد الْحَرَامْ، وَالْمَسْجِد اِلأقصى، اَوْ مَسْجِدِيْ هذا. (متفق عليه)
QUESTIONS
1. What are the five pillars of Islam?
2. What does Hajj means to a Muslim?
3. Mention the conditions that make Hajj FARZ.
4. If a person has sufficient funds to travel to Makkah Mukarramah but not Madinah Munawwarah, will Hajj still become FARZ upon such person?
5. Who is a MAHRAM?
6. Is it permissible to travel with a Mahram who is a minor?
7. What is the ruling regarding a Mahram who is irreligious and cannot be trusted?
8. Can the husband refuse permission once a suitable Mahram is found?
9. What should a woman do if she cannot find a suitable Mahram all her life?
10. What is HAJJ-UL-BADAL?
11. If the heirs have to fulfill the HAJJ-UL-BADAL, how will this be done?
12. If one-third of the estate was not sufficient, what will happen?
13. Is it proper for a woman in IDDAT to perform Hajj?
14. How should a woman in IHRAAM cover her face?
15. Mention the three types of Hajj.
16. Explain the different types of Hajj.
17. Which Hajj is considered the best according to the HANAFI school of thought?
18. In how many days the Hajj is performed?
19. Explain what rites have to be performed on each of these days.
20. Explain the following terms:
(a) RAMEE. (b) ZABAH.
(c) HALQ. (d) WUQOOF.
(e) IHRAAM.
21. Is it (FARZ, Waajib, Sunnat Muakkidah) to perform UMRAH once in a lifetime.
22. When can one perform Umrah?
23. In which month performing the Umrah is superior than any other month?
24. If a person completes only three circuits of TAWAAF, will the Umrah be accepted? State a reason for your answer.
25. Mention the FARAAIZ of Umrah.
26. Mention the WAAJIBAAT of Umrah.
27. Outline the procedure of Umrah in brief.
28. What has Rasoolullah () mentioned regarding one who visits him and one who refrains from visiting him?
29. Mention four Ahaadith regarding the MASJIDUN-NABAWI.