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]

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).