Virtues of Sacrificing

v  Zaid bin Arqam (RA) narrates that the companions of Rasulullah (SAW) enquired; "O Prophet of Allah, what are these sacrifices (of animals)." He replied; "It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS)." The Sahaaba further enquired, "What benefit is there in it for us O Prophet of Allah." Rasulullah (SAW) replied; "You will be rewarded for every hair on it's (the sacrificed animals) body ... and for every fiber of wool." (Mishkaat Vol. 1 p. 129)

v  “We have made the sacrifice of camels and cows among the salient features of (the Deen) of Allah. There is benefit in it for you.” (Surah Hajj)

v  “Neither the flesh (of the sacrificed animals) nor their blood reach Allah. But, it is your taqwa (piety and sincerity of heart) which reaches Him. Convey glad tidings to the sincere ones.” (Surah Hajj)

v  Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said: “During the days of Qurbani there is no deed of man more loved by Allah Ta’ala than sacrificing of animals. On the Day of Qiyaamah the sacrificed animal will arise with its horns, hair and hoofs. Allah Ta’ala accepts the sacrificed animal before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, render the Qurbaani wholeheartedly and happily.” (Ibn Majah,Tirmizi, Hakim)

v  Hazrat Ayesha(RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said that: ” For every hair of sacrifice, one virtue is recorded.” (Tirmizi)

Rituals of Hajj [3]

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 

4. Arafah

The Prophet (S) said, “Hajj is 'Arafah.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

The most important pillar of Hajj is Arafah. The pilgrim must be at 'Arafat on the ninth of dhil Hijjah after Dhuhr time. Anyone, who misses Arafaat day, his, or her, Hajj is void.

The Prophet said, "Hajj is only valid by attending `Arafah." [At-Tirmidhi]

Aishah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:  "There is no day on which Allah (swt) frees people from the Fire as He does on the Day of 'Arafah. He comes close and then He boasts to His angels: 'What are these people seeking?'" [Muslim, an-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah] 

Before Arafat the pilgrims go to Mina on the 8^th of Zilhaj. They pray Dhur to Isha and Fajr of the 9^th Zilhaj in Mina. In his report describing the Hajj of the Prophet (S), Jabir said: "Then, the Prophet (S) rode for Mina where he performed the Noon, Afternoon, Sunset, Night and Dawn prayers.” [Muslim]

The pilgrim should not waste his, or her, time during these great days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

"There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these (Ten) Days." Somebody asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihaad in Allah's way?" He replied: "Not even Jihaad in Allah's way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none." [Al-Bukhaari, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Maajah, Ahmad and ad-Daarimi]

The Messenger (SAW) also said: "There are no other days that are greater before Allah (swt), or that good deeds are more beloved to Him in them, than these Ten Days, so say in plenty Tahleel (laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu lillaah)." [Ahmad & at-Tabarani; authentic] 

On the 9th of Dhul-Hajjah, the pilgrim goes to 'Arafat and prays Dhuhr and 'Asr with the Imam.

Obligatory actions:

- The presence in Arafaat on the 9th of dhul-Hijjah between Dhuhr and Maghrib is essential.
- Sleeping in Muzdalifah after spending the day in 'Arafaat.
- Throwing pebbles at Jamrat al-'Aqabah on the 10th day of dhil-Hijjah.
- Shaving off the hair of the head or cutting some of it after the stoning at Jamrat - al-'Aqabah. After this, the pilgrim ends his state of Ihraam and can wear regular clothes and put perfume and clip the nails…etc, but intimate intercourse is not allowed until the Ifaadah Tawaaf is performed.


Observing fast in this day is very well recommended for those who are not in Hajj. The Prophet (SAW) said,
"Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the subsequent one. And fasting the Day of 'Aashooraa' expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim and others]

Virtues and Benefits of Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform hajj once in their life time. There are many virtues related to hajj that our Holy Prophet enlightens us about. Let’s have a look at the hadith about the great blessings and rewards of performing Hajj.

·         Best Deed in Allah’s Eye

When companions of Prophet asked him about the absolute best deed in the eyes of Allah.He replied saying "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "Striving and struggling for the sake of Allah" Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "Performing Hajj, which is free from vice - accepted and complete." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Hajj wipes the previous sins

Muhammad (saw) said "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born - pure and sinless." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Reward of Accepted Hajj is Paradise

The Prophet (saw) said "A Mabroor Hajj - complete and accepted - has no reward for it but Jannah." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Guests of Allah

Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "Those who are performing Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him something He answers them and if they ask him forgiveness He forgives them."

·         The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "When you meet anyone who has performed Hajj, greet him, shake hands with him, and beseech him to pray for the forgiveness of your sins before he reaches his home, because he is in the state that decision of forgiveness has been taken for him." (Musnad Ahmed)

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).