Rituals of Hajj [1]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

Among the rituals there are some obligatory actions called ‘al-Waajibaat’, the conditions called ‘as-Shuroott’, and the etiquette called ‘al-Aadaab’ as well as some important ‘Sunnah’. If one of the rituals is not performed then everything should be redone whether for Hajj or Umrah. If the obligatory actions are not done, the pilgrim has to offer an animal, or fast ten days if he, or she, cannot afford. There are also actions called ‘al-Mahdhoorat’ are forbidden, if done they can spoil the duties of Hajj or make the Hajj void.

1.      Ihraam

A.     Obligatory actions

Under the obligatory actions following are the duties that should be performed without forgetting any.

a.        Al-Miqaat

Ihraam for Hajj is worn at Miqaat. It is the place where Ihraam is worn and the intension (niyat) for hajj or umrah is made. There are several points appointed by Prophet Muhammad to serve as Miqaat:  Dhul-Hulaifah for the people of Madinah - Al-Juhfah - Raabigh - for the people of Shaam - Qarn Al-Manaazil for the people of Najd - Yalamlam for the people of Yemen - Dhaatu 'Irq for the people coming from Iraq.

b.      Ihraam garment

Male: A Muhrim wears two seamless sheets - towels - preferably white similar to the shroud. Anything seamed is not allowed to be worn for men. Nothing can be put on one's head such as hats or turbans. No shoes or socks are allowed on the feet.

Women: Women wear regular modest Hijaab, which is not perfumed or colorful. They are not allowed to wear the face cover and the gloves.

c.       Talbiyyah

"Labbayka-Allahummma labbayk, Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-Hamda wanni'mata laka wal-Mulk, laa shareeka lak!"

After making the niyat of haj or umrah one has to recite the above talbiyaah.

B.     Sunnahs of Ihraam

These are a few Sunnah that Muslim remembers while preparing for ihram.
1- Taking a ghusl - ritual bath - before Ihraam

2- Wearing a white Ihraam garment.
3- Entering into the state of Ihraam right after a compulsory or supererogatory prayer.
4- Clipping the nails, trimming the mustache, shaving the hair

5- Repeating the Talbiyah very often.
6- Making du'aa and Salaat on the Messenger of Allah (S).