Every year Muslims from all over the world gather at the Holy city of Mekka altogether to perform Hajj in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the 12th month in the Islamic calendar. No doubt Hajj is a sacred journey that purifies the soul of a Muslim. Here we will highlight the Hajj guidelines for pilgrims planning to start their Hajj journey. It is for the travelers who want to please Allah and fulfill their daily duties along with performing pilgrimage.
Although, every Muslim must make an effort to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. However, they must be financially and physically strong. However, If you want to perform Hajj more than once, it is also permitted by Allah and there is no restriction.
Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “Which is the best deed?” He (ﷺ) said, “To believe in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and His Apostle.” He (ﷺ) was then asked, “Which is the next (in goodness)?” He (ﷺ) said, “To participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.” He (ﷺ) was then asked, “Which is the next?” He (ﷺ) said, “To perform Hajj-Mabrur.”
Significance of Hajj
In the Holy Quran the importance of Hajj is stated in many ways.
In Quran Allah says: ‘’And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds’’. (Qur’an | 3:97)
Another ayat about Hajj is:
“And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations.” (Quran | 22/27)
According to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) ‘’Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him’’. (Hadith | Bukhari and Muslim).
For anyone who is ready to perform Hajj it is an exciting time that holds a lot of spiritual and emotional importance. For many it is once in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Therefore, it is very important to plan everything beforehand. There is no doubt the journey of pilgrimage is a test of patience for everyone. It will not only cleanse your souls but will draw you very closer to Allah.
So now let’s move to the guidelines.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Performing Hajj
Here are the things that you must know when you plan your journey to Saudi Arabia.
Preparation and intention
Before planning for any task, what the most needed is the intention. If you have planned something you might have made the intention to do so. Similar is in Islam. Your holy journey to Makkah to perform Hajj should start with your intention.
Make an intention to perform Hajj to please the Almighty. It is necessary to have a niyat in your heart. When you have a certain intention for the sake of Allah, you will be blessed in the hereafter. You cannot perform Hajj for the sake of worldly matters only.
Entering The State of Ihram
Ihram is a simple cloth worn by males when they perform Hajj. For women Ihram is their regular dress but wearing an abaya over it is a must.
Ihram of the men are the two pieces of clothes. The first piece of clothe is wrapped around the shoulder and waist and another piece is wrapped downwards. Females can wear what they want but their head should be covered with a Hijab. For both men and women footwear has to be sandals, opened sandals with knees exposed.
Now for entering the state of Ihram, it is a must for both men and women to perform the Gusal first. Gusal is a complete bath and Muslims are much aware of this.
The best place to enter in the state of Ihram is the Meeqaat or Masjid e Tan’eem. It is a place outside of Makkah. However, if your route is not that way, you can also wear your Ihram from your home.
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Perform the Umrah
Now, when you enter Makkah, it becomes obligatory for you to perform Umrah, a mini-pilgrimage. Although this is simple.It has two main steps as mentioned below.
Tawaf x 7
Tawaf is one of the most important steps in a pilgrimage. It refers to walking in circles all around the Kabah. Moreover, it should happen in an anti-clockwise motion. Additionally, you can perform your additional prayers while staying near the Kabbah.
Safa and Marwa
After performing the Tawaf, your next step is to walk and run around the two hills that are Safa and Marwa.
Now if there are days left in Hajj, you can move to the next step that is shaving your hair and removing the Ihram. However, if you have entered the month of Dhul Hijjah, hair cutting and removing ihram is debated. It is better to follow your school of thought in this matter.
Resting and praying
Once the Umrah is complete you can stay in Makkah and follow with your regular prayers. You will be happy to be surrounded by your Muslim brothers and sisters. Now, when the days of Hajj arrive, move to follow up the rituals of Hajj.
Arriving at Mina
Now the first ritual of Hajj is to move to Mina, the city of tents. Now due to a large number of Hajis, the hajj organization authorities plan to move the Hajis to Mina fro the sixth of Dhul Hijjah, Hajis will have to stay there in the tents where they will have to perform their prayers including Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha and Fajr.
Day of ‘Arafah
9th Dhul Hijah is the day of Arafah when Muslims move towards the mountain of Arafah and to the Majid Nimrah where they hear the Khutbah of Hajj or Hajj sermon and pray Zuhr and Asar there. While staying at the Arafah location, Muslims recite Istaghfar, repent of their sins, and ask for forgiveness from the Almighty.
Also, read our blog on Eid al-Adha
Move towards Muzdalfah
After spending the day at Arafah, the next step is to move to Muzdalfah at the time of Magrib or sunset. Every Haji will have to depart from Arafah and move to Muzdalifah. Muzdalfah is an open plain and Hajis have to spend their nights in the open land under the skies. There they will have to say their two fard prayers which are Magrib and Isha.
Moreover, it is also a must to sleep and take a rest. Muslims also collect the stones from the land for the next ritual of Hajj.
Rami and Qurbani
Now comes the day of sacrifice, the tenth of Dhul Hijjah. Every Haji has to do the Qurbani. But before that one more main ritual of Hajj is pending that is Rami.
Rami means hitting the Shaitaan, with the stones. During rami, Muslims throw stones at the devil. The first day of stoning happens 10th of Dhul Hijjah. After this, the Muslims offer their Qurbani.
Tawaf al-Ifadha (Ziyarah) and Saai
The Hajj does not end here. After the Rami and Qurbani, Muslims have to go back to Makkah and perform Tawaf al-Ifadha. Moreover, they will also do Saai. This is one of the main and most important rituals of Hajj.
Shaving hair and Removing Ihram
Although this is an important step. For males it is to shave their hair fully. However, women have to cut their hair to the length of their fingertips. After performing these rituals you can take of your Ihram.
Return to Mina
After performing this ritual, it is now time to return to your tent and continue with the remaining rituals of the pilgrimage. The remaining rituals are praying and going for Rami for two more executive days. After two more executive days of Rami, i.e 11th and 12 of Dhul Hijah you will have to leave Mina before the Maghrib prayer and move to your hotel room.
The time for going for Rami is the time of Chaast. Moreover, keep this in mind you cannot leave the Mina after Magrib, If you fail to leave Mina before the sunset of 12th Dhul Hijjah, you will have to spend another day and go for Rami on 13th too and then leave Mina.
This is how your all the rituals of Hajj comes to an end.
Tawaf al- Wida
The farewell Tawaf is known as Tawaf al- Wida.
Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: “The people were ordered to perform the Tawaf al-Wida as the last thing before leaving (Makkah), except the menstruating women who were excused. “[Bukhari].
Every Muslim can now celebrate the rituals of Hajj are fully complete.
Our prophet (ﷺ) states: ‘’There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of Tahleel (saying of la illaaha illa Allah), Takbeer (saying of Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) during them’’. (Hadith | Ahmad).
Who Is Eligible to Perform Hajj?
If you meet one of the following conditions, you are eligible to perform Hajj:
- Hajj is not required for children. Only Muslim adults can go to perform the pilgrimage.
- If you are weak or elderly, it is not obligatory to perform Hajj
- Muslims have to be financially secure to go on this sacred journey.
Hajj Checklist
- Check your entry requirements to Saudi Arabia
- Plan your tour well
- Check your itinerary
- Use fragrance-free soap
- Pack your essentials including clothing
- Inform your loved ones and leave your contact for them
- Keep your snacks inside the bag
So this is all about Hajj guidelines. We hope this information prove helpful to you!