Hajj Q&A

question

Hajj Q&A

By Shaykh Ashraf Zaman

 

Below are some brief answers to questions pertinent to hajj. These should not be treated as comprehensive. They will serve well as an initial read. It is a good idea to read as much as one can repeatedly in preparation including memorising supplications etc. One should also go to a course or presentation on hajj that is delivered by a reliable scholar so that all misunderstandings are removed. One should also try to choose a hajj group that has scholars in it so that help and advice is always handy.

Answers in this section are based on the Hanafi school of thought, unless otherwise stated

 

Who is hajj obligatory upon?

 

There are five general conditions for Hajj to become compulsory upon someone. They are: that the person is Muslim, has reached puberty, is of full mental capacity and is not a slave. Additionally, they must be capable of completing the journey to Hajj, both physically and financially. One is deemed to have financial capability when one is physically and financially able to make the journey and has enough for the maintenance of one’s family during one’s absence.
Both males and females share these conditions. However, the Muslim woman has an extra condition before she can be held accountable for not performing Hajj and that is the company of a mahram (a male relative with whom marriage is haram such as father, brother, son, nephew, etc).

 

What are the requirements, sunnah acts and etiquettes of entering into ihram?

 

  1. Removal of body hair (under arm, pubic area)
  2. Perform ghusl with intention of Ihram or wudhu to pray two rak’ahs of nafal Salah.
  3. Comb hair and beard.
  4. Men: Put on the Izar (lower sheet) and another sheet like a shawl covering the upper body. These do not have to be white but white is better. Women may wear their normal garments. Of course their clothes must fulfil the requirements of Allah’s commands in terms of covering, modesty and hijab.
  5. When men wear the lower ensure it covers the ‘awrah (the part that is compulsory to cover). That is the area between the belly button and the navel. This is an often ignored obligation and therefore extremely important.
  6. Put on perfume.
  7. Offer two rak’ahs of nafl Salah preferably reciting surah al-Kafirun in the 1st rak’ah surah al-Ikhlas in 2nd rak’ah.
  8. After the two rak’ahs, make intention followed by reciting the talbiyah.

This will fully bring the person into the state of ihram. Both the intention and talbiyah are a requirement.

  1. Remember just by putting on two pieces of cloth one does not enter into ihram. Ihram is to make intention of hajj or umrah and utter the talbiyah.
  2. Once in the state of ihram, one cannot have any other stitched clothes on nor hat or shoes; one is allowed to wear sandals which do not cover the raised bone on top of the foot. Women wear normal clothes for ihram except covering the face. Men also must not cover their face or head.
  3. If you are flying in to Jeddah, you will pass the Miqat. It is therefore necessary to enter the state of Ihram prior to boarding the plane or on the plane when told that you are nearing the Miqat. If you pass the Miqat without Ihram then you will have to pay a penalty.

 

How do I perform tawaf?

 

  1. Do tawaf on foot. It is permissible to do it in a wheelchair but better on foot for those who are able.
  2. Start tawaf from al-Hajar al-Aswad.
  3. Raise your hands facing al-Hajar al-Aswad saying ‘BISMILLAHI ALLAHU AKBAR’  just as you raise them for Takbir at-Tahrim (to start Salah). You may kiss your hands if you were not able to kiss the Black stone.
  4. Do tawaf keeping your left side to the ka’bah, i.e. anticlockwise.
  5. Include the Hatim in your tawaf, i.e. walk around it and never through it.
  6. Do seven rounds (shawts) to complete the tawaf.
  7. Men should do ramal (which is to march or walk briskly) in the first three shawts (rounds).
  8. Men should also do idtiba’ in the whole tawaf. This means to wear the top sheet under the right arm and throw the rest over the left shoulder.
  9. Ramal and idtiba’ only apply when doing a tawaf after which there is sa’y between safa and marwa. In other tawafs, such as when one is performing nafl tawaf without being in ihram, there is no ramal or idtiba’.
  10. Perform all rounds consecutively if possible. If one needs to pray, drink water or needs to use the washroom, one can do so but will resume the tawaf from the round that one broke. After using the washroom, one will have to make wudhu again to complete the tawaf.
  11. Each time you reach al-Hajar al-Aswad, kiss it if you can without hurting or pushing anyone. This is extremely difficult nowadays. One should just indicate to it from a distance rather than contribute to the chaos and mayhem that ensues as a result of overzealous pilgrims.
  12. At the end of seven rounds kiss The Black Stone (istilam) for the eighth time.
  13. Offer two rak’ahs Salah after tawaf (wajib). Before performing the two rak’ahs one should first undo the idtiba’ and perform the Salah with the top sheet covering both shoulders.
  14. Drink Zamzam water after the two rakahs and kiss The Black Stone (istilam) again before going to Safa to do sai’ (if you are performing tawaf as part of your ‘Umrah).
  15. If one is performing ‘umrah, then one should proceed to Safa and Marwa and complete the seven rounds there starting the first at Safa and ending the last at Marwa. From Marwa to Safa is one round.
  16. Throughout this one should continuously engage in supplication and du’a. If one has a good book handy then one may use it. But it is better to just supplicate in one’s own words seeking from Allah (SWT) all that one needs in this world and, more importantly, in the hereafter.
  1. Make istilam of al-Rukn al-Yamani (on the corner of the ka’bah that is before al-Hajr al-Aswad) as you pass by it. This is done by touching it with both hands or by the right hand only. Failing that, one should not perform the istilam of al-Rukn al-Yamani by indication.

 

What is prohibited whilst in Ihram?

  1. It is strictly prohibited to indulge in kissing, embracing, sexual intercourse and even talking about sex with one’s spouse. Refrain from all acts which are within this classification.
  2. It is prohibited and even more harmful to indulge in those acts which Allah (SWT) has ordained haram during all times, e.g. foul or dirty language, sin, fighting, backbiting, not controlling one’s gaze towards the opposite sex, etc.
  3. It is haram to hunt animals or to even help anyone do so; even the killing of a louse is prohibited. There will be no penalty in killing any dangerous or harmful animal or insect such as a snake, wolf, scorpion, wasp, etc.
  4. One must refrain from using scents, perfumes; perfumed oils, soaps, and shampoos, or any items containing fragrance, on the body and on clothes.
  5. It is prohibited to shave or trim or pluck hair from any part of the body. It is also prohibited to clip the nails.
  6. It is impermissible for men to use sewn or stitched clothes or anything made or cut to the shape and size of body even if unstitched.
  7. It is prohibited for men to wear any such footwear that covers the ankles or the central bone of the upper part of the feet.
  8. Men are also prohibited from covering their heads, something one must be cautious of when sleeping. However, an umbrella may be used to seek shade from the sun or sunglasses.
  9. Do not cause harm to any Muslim, neither verbally nor physically.

 

What is the ruling for smoking whilst being in the state of Ihram?

Smoking while in ihram comes under the category of committing something that is generally reprehensible outside of ihram, which is worse than doing something that specifically violates ihram. Remember that most scholars hold smoking cigarettes to be either unlawful (haram) or severely reprehensible (makruh tahrimi). Therefore, one must abstain from smoking during ihram. If one, keeping in mind the respect of the sacred places and rituals, tries his or her best to stop smoking during the whole period of performing Hajj or Umrah, then who knows, Allah (SWT) may make it easy for him or her to quit smoking altogether.

 

Can one take one’s ihram sheets off to go to sleep (when in the state of Ihram)?
Yes, it will be permissible for one to remove the Ihram sheets in order to go to sleep or take a shower, etc. What is impermissible is that one wears some type of clothing that is sewn, stitched, etc. One can also change out of one set of ihram sheets in to a clean set.

 

Would it be permissible to take birth control pills in order to avoid menstruation during Hajj?

1. Birth control pills are in and of themselves permitted. They are, thus, permissible to take though it is superior to avoid based on the possible harms.

 

2. It is permitted to take such birth control pills and other period-delaying medication to delay one’s period during one’s Hajj. However, it is best to let one’s period run its course if it is logistically possible.

 

3. If you fall in a situation where you have to leave with the people who you have travelled with and booking of the flight cannot be changed then it will be permissible for you to do tawaf of ziyarah in the state of menstruation and give a damm; in this case a camel has to be sacrificed (based on Ibn Taymiyyah’s (ra) opinion as cited by Mufti Taqi Usmani in Dars e Tirmidhi). If after performing the tawaf she becomes clean and repeats it there will no penalty on her.

 

What are the different types of Hajj?

  1. Qiran: This is when a pilgrim enters Ihram with the intention of performing both ‘Umrah and Hajj together with one Ihram. The pilgrim, on arriving in Makkah, will first perform ‘Umrah followed by Hajj without coming out of ihram in between; thus one remains in the same state of Ihram till the end of Hajj.
  2. Tamattu’: The pilgrim enters Ihram with the intention of both ‘Umrah and Hajj but with two separate states of ihram. Thus, after ‘Umrah is completed one comes out of the state of Ihram and then resumes Ihram before Hajj starts.
  3. Ifrad: The pilgrim intends Hajj only. He enters the state of Ihram from the Miqat of Hajj, and stays in that state until Hajj ends.

 

Should a woman raise her voice when saying the Talbiyah?

The Talbiyah is a chant that someone performing Hajj recites throughout his or her Hajj rites. It includes words (mentioned earlier) which mean: [I am here, O Allah, I am here. I am here, there is no god but You, I am here. Verily, all praise and all blessings and all sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.]

It is a Sunnah to not only say this, but to chant it loudly.

As for women, they should not raise their voice above what is needed for them to hear themselves.

 

Do men have to shave their head to come out of Ihram or does trimming suffice?

 

One can do either of the two to come out of Ihram, however the Messenger of Allah (SAW) made du’a three times for the one who shaves his hair, whereas he (SAW) made du’a only once for the one who trims his hair. Hence there is a significant difference in reward.

 

Should women perform ramal in tawaf?

At the beginning of tawaf, it is sunnah for the men to walk briskly (known as ramal) in the first three circumbulations (shawts) around the Ka’bah. Women are not required to do this.

 

Is one allowed to talk during tawaf?

 

The following saying of the Prophet (SAW) is sufficient as guidance in this regard: “Tawaf around The House is like prayer except that one may talk in it. Whoever talks therein should only say what is good.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasa’i)

 

What du’as do I read in my Hajj and ‘Umrah?

There is actually very little recorded from the Prophet (SAW) as regards what exactly he read at the different stations of Hajj and ‘Umrah. One should make du’a for one’s success in one’s hereafter, one’s life, career and wealth, family, friends, teachers and the Muslim Ummah. You can make du’a for whatever you want. It is a good idea to make a list of things you wish to make du’a for prior to travelling. A couple of du’as which are established during tawaf are:

RABBANAA AATINAA FID-DUNYAA HASANAH WA FIL AAKHIRATI HASANAH WA QINAA `ADHAABAN NAAR.

“Our Lord! Grant us all good in this world, and all good in the hereafter, and save us from the fire.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawud)

 

SUBHAANALLAAHI WAL HAMDU LILLAAHI WA LAA ILAAHA ILLAL-LAAHU WALLAAHU AKBAR. WA LAA HAWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAHIL ‘ALIYYIL ‘ADHEEM.

“Glorified is Allah and All praise be to Allah. There is no god but Allah; Allah is the Greatest. There is no power, no might besides that of Allah, the High, the Great.

 

(Narrated by Ibn Majah)

 

Do I combine between my Zuhr and ‘Asr at Arafah?

 

In Masjid Namirah, the khutbah of Hajj is given by the appointed Imam, Zuhr Salah is offered and then Asr Salah is offered straight after. If you cannot be in this masjid at this time to join the congregation, then the accepted position of the hanafi school is that you cannot combine the two Salahs and one must offer Zuhr and Asr salahs at their respective times. Most scholars however allow people to combine in their tents. This includes the students of Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad, and hence one may pray in each respective time or pray together if that is what is being done in one’s group or tent.

 

How much hair must one cut to come out of Ihram?

At least a quarter of the head to the measure of the tip of the finger to the first joint should be trimmed. Women should trim to the same length by dividing their hair into three parts. It is not permissible for them to shave their heads, or excessively shorten their hair.

 

Can I leave for Mina at night on the 8th Dhul Hijjah (i.e. the night before)?

People leave for Mina at night after ‘Isha for mere convenience or fear that they may not find a decent place in Mina. This is not in accordance with the Sunnah, and thus should not be done. Leaving Makkah after sunrise on 8th Dhul Hijjah is the Sunnah way.

 

Am I a musafir if I go for Hajj?

If the total number of days one intends to stay in Makkah is 15 days or more, one becomes temporarily muqim, i.e. one will fully perform all the Salah during one’s stay in Makkah. If one however, stays less than 15 days in Makkah, one is instead a musafir and will perform qasr, i.e. perform two rak’ahs fardh of Zuhr, Asr and Esha unless performed behind a muqim (resident) imam. The annual qurbani (sacrifice) of Eidul Adha is wajib upon the muqim (even if he is in Makkah) provided he is in possession of nisab (threshold of Zakaah), but it is not wajib upon the musafir but mustahabb (preferred). This means that the muqim would be performing two sacrifices, one of hajj called dam al-shukr (the sacrifice of gratitude) and one of Qurbani. The Qurbani sacrifice can be offered anywhere by the pilgrim. So Qurbani would only apply if one has already stayed in Makkah for 15 days or more. If one is staying a few days in Makkah and then moving between Mina and Makkah, such a person is musafir and there is no Qurbani.

 

Can women perform the stoning of the Jamarat at night?

 

Women, infants, and the sick/ disabled may perform the stoning at any time without it being makruh (disliked). It is better for them to choose such a time (e.g. after maghrib) when it is less crowded as it can be quite dangerous and stressful for them during the day. Men can delay it if they are accompanied by women without this being makruh for them.

 

Can someone else do the stoning on my behalf?

Whoever is able to reach the Jamarat by any means and there is no threat of severe illness or injury, it is necessary for them to pelt the Jamarat themselves. It is not permissible for them to appoint anyone else to do it on their behalf. If however one cannot walk to the Jamarat and there is no feasible means of conveyance, only then can someone pelt on one’s behalf with one’s instruction. Many people perform stoning on behalf of others without a valid reason. In such cases, the stoning, for the person who hasn’t performed it in person, is invalid and penalty becomes wajib. Women and the disabled (who can make it) have no excuse. They can perform it after ‘Isha Salah. The relatively mild rush at these times is not a valid excuse to avoid performing stoning in person.

 

Should I go to Madina first and perform Ziyarah or perform Ziyarah after Hajj?

Ziyarah can be performed at any time. In the event of one’s Hajj being fardh, Ziyarah should be performed (i.e. it is preferable) after the Hajj is performed. If however Madinah Munawwarah is on the way to Makkah then Ziyarah should be performed first. In the event of Hajj not being fardh, or one is not going to perform Hajj (i.e. if performing ‘Umrah) then it may be performed before or after without preference of order.