Rituals of Hajj [2]

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 

2. Tawaaf

Allah Almighty says, "Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (22:29)

Tawaaf is the act of circuiting and circumambulating seven times around the Ka'bah in an anti-clockwise direction. Intention and wudu are necessary conditions for tawaf. The seven rounds should be continued without interruption except in case of necessity.

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

Sa'y is to walk between as-Safaa and al-Marwa hills back and forth with the intention of dedicating this act of obedience to Allah. Allah (swt) says,

"Behold! As-Safaa and al-Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows." (2:158)
Describing the Hajj performed by the Prophet (SAW), Jabir (RA) narrated, "Then, he - the Prophet (S) - got out from the door heading for As-Safaa, then, recited the above Qur'anic aayah. Then, he (S) said, "We begin with what Allah began." Then, he mounted as--Safaa until he faced the House and there he glorified Allah (i.e. raised his voice) saying "Allahu Akbar!" three times then" Laa ilaaha illa Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahul-Mulku walahul- Hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu, Sadaqa Wa'adahu, wa nasara 'abadahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba wahdah!."
"There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner, to Him is the dominion and all praise is due to Him. We are returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating, and to Allah we are very grateful. Allah is true to His promise, He gave victory to His servant and defeated the confederates all by Himself."

Habibah bint Abi Taghrah (r) heard the Prophet (S) saying to his companions,

"Perform Sa`ay for Allah Almighty has ordained it upon you." [Ahmad]