HAJJ & UMRAH (STEP   BY   STEP)

In this article the procedure to wear Ihram and to perform the rites of Hajj and Umrah are presented in a simplified way. Also included is the procedure to visit the Holy Prophet (pbuh)'s Tomb and his Mosque.

 

1. IHRAM

The literal meaning of Ihram is to make haraam (forbidden). When a haji pronounces the Niyyah (intention) of Hajj and Umrah and utters Talbiyah, certain halaal (permissible) things become haraam for him. This combined action (Niyyah and Talbiyah) is called Ihram. The two sheets that a haji wears are figuratively known as Ihram but the real Ihram is Niyyah & Talbiyah. If someone wears these two sheets and does not declare his intention and utter Talbiyah, he does not become a Muhrim. That is why, before Niyyah and Talbiyah, he can cover his head during two rakahs of Nafl, an act which is not allowed in the real state of   Ihram.

PROCEDURE

1. Preparations for Ihram. Comb your hair, shape the beard, trim your mustache, cut your nails, and remove unwanted body hair.

    

2. Purification. Take a bath with the intention of Ihram otherwise do wudu. Here it is noted that there are two ways of purification:
   • Purification of the body, shower or wudu.
   • Internal purification, sincere repentance on your sins. Say something like this: "O Allah, I sincerely repent on my sins and seek your forgiveness."

    

3. Ihram Sheets. Men should wear a sheet of white cloth around the waist and cover the upper body with the other sheet. Women's ordinary clothes are their Ihram. Both should wear the flip-flops (hawai chappal) so that the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.

    

4. Nafl Salah. If it is not makruh (undesirable) time, offer two rakahs of nafl for Ihram by covering your heads.

    

5. Advice. If going to Jeddah by an airplane, it is convenient to get into the status of Ihram inside the plane. Here is what you do. Do everything at home or at the airport except Niyyah (intention) and Talbiyah. Have your shower, pray two rakahs of nafl but you are still not in the status of ihram because you haven't done the main thing yet, i.e., intention and Talbiyah which is done at or before the boundary line called Miqat.

   Go to the airplane and sit down with the white sheets on. In a Hajj flight when you are close to Miqat, the pilot will announce that this is the border line to make your intention and to say Talbiyah. Those who did not change their clothes before should do so now although it is not convenient inside the plane. Please note that:

   • It is a good idea to ask at the time of boarding if the arrival of Miqat will be announced by the pilot. If not, make your intention and say Talbiyah on your own approximately one hour before you reach Jeddah.
   • If you are flying with a group, follow the instructions of the group leader.

    

6. Intention and Talbiyah. Now uncover your head and declare your intention. It is assumed that you are performing Hajj al-Tammat'u in which Umrah is performed first as described later in the "Kinds of Hajj".

    

   "O Allah! I intend to perform Umrah. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me. Amen."

   Immediately after that utter the words of Talbiyah three times and as often afterwards as possible. If you don't remember it, you can say its translation in English or in any other language but Talbiah or its translation is pronounced in a loud voice by men and in a subdued voice by women.

    

   TALBIYAH

    

    

    

   "Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n'imata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak."

   ( Here we come, O Allah, here we come ! Here we come. No partner have You. Here we come! Praise indeed, and blessings, are Yours--- the Kingdom too! No partner have You!)

    

    

7. Du'a. After this recite Darud Sharif and supplicate to Allah Almighty any du'a in Arabic or in your own language.

    

8. Prohibitions of Ihram. After intention and Talbiyah, you are in the status of Ihram and from this time on you should not do acts that are forbidden in Ihram , for example, here are some of the things a muhrim must not do:

    

   • Cover head (men), cover face (women)
   • Cover the middle bone of the upper part of the feet (Both men and women))
   • Shave / cut hair
   • Cut nails
   • Wear perfume
   • Wear stitched clothing (men) / (Women can wear their ordinay clothes)
   • Hunting / killing
   • Sex

    

9. Journey towards Makkah. When this sacred journey towards Makkah al-Mukarrama starts, recite Talbiyah frequently on the way. Then enter the city very humbly and with great fondness still reciting Talbiyah.

   After arranging for your residence, proceed to the Haram Sharif to perform Umrah.

 

2. HAJJ

KINDS OF HAJJ
There are three ways of performing the Hajj:

 

• Hajj al-Tamatt'u (Interrupted)
  This is the easiest way of performing Hajj as described below.

   

• Hajj al-Qiran (Combined)
  This denotes entering into ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time, not taking it off until the day of sacrifice at Mina.
  In Qiran one has to stick to the long-lasting restrictions of Ihram

   

• Hajj al-Ifrad (Single)
  This means entering into ihram only for the Hajj and taking it off only on the day of sacrifice.

 

HAJJ   AL-TAMATT'U People who come to Saudi Arabia from other countries usually perform Hajj al-Tamatt'u. The Ihram they wear on or before Miqat is for Umrah only and perform Umrah first, then they slip into their ordinary clothes and on 8 Zil Hijjah they put on Ihram for Hajj at their residence in Makkah and perform the rites of Hajj. It is taken off on the day of sacrifice. This article describes the procedure to perform Hajj al-Tamatt'u.

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE OF HAJJ
(STEP BY STEP)

 

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SYMBOLS

	Red color is the symbol of Fard the performance of which is imperative otherwise Hajj and Umrah will be invalid.
	Orange color is the symbol of Wajib the performance of which is obligatory otherwise Dam is required as a penalty.
	Green color stand for Sunnah or Mustahab (desirable). Try to perform these acts but no Dam is required if not done.
	White color is a symbol indicating general instructions.

 

8 Zil Hijjah--First Day of Hajj

 

Hajj Preparations	The date 8 Zil Hijjah starts after the Maghrib prayer of 7 Zil Hijjah. Complete all the Hajj preparations during these night hours.
Preparations for Ihram	Comb your hair, shape the beard, trim your mustache, cut your nails, and remove unwanted body hair.
Bath	Take a bath with the intention of Ihram otherwise do wudu.
Ihram	Men should wear a sheet of white cloth around the waist and cover the upper body with the other sheet. Women's ordinary clothes are their Ihram. Both should wear the flip-flops (hawai chappal) so that the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.
Nafl Salah	If it is not makruh (undesirable) time, men offer two rakahs of nafl for Ihram in the Haram Sharif by covering their heads. Women can offer these nafls at home.
Intention and Talbiyah	Now uncover your head and declare your intention saying:   "O Allah! I intend to perform Hajj. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me. Amen." Immediately after that utter the words of Talbiyah three times and as often afterwards as possible. Men should say it in a loud voice but women should say it in a subdued tone.
Prohibitions of Ihram	Now the prohibitions of Ihram start. Recall their detail and follow the rules. From this point on men cannot cover their heads for the duration of Ihram.
Departure to Mina	After the sunrise proceed towards Mina. On the way, pronounce Talbiyah as often as you can and also utter other supplications. But it is ok to follow the procedure of your Mu'allim who usually arranges for hajis to leave for Mina during the night after Isha prayers.
In Mina	In Mina offer Zuhar, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. Spend that night in Mina and on 9 Zil Hijjah, offer Fajr prayer there.

 

 

9 Zil Hijjah--Second Day of Hajj

 

 

Departure   for   Arafat	Offer Fajr prayer in Mina, say Takbir Tashriq (Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar La Ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar wa Lillah-il-hamd) and Talbiyah. Get ready and reach Arafat by zawal (declining of the sun).
Bath	Take a bath, if possible, otherwise perform wudu and have meals. Packages of food are usually provided by the Mu'allim. Also take some rest.
Waquf-e-Arafat	Waquf is started at the beginning of zawal (declining of the sun) and ends at the sunset. Spend this time uttering Talbiyah, repent on your sins, seek forgiveness and mercy of Allah, say Darud Sharif and utter all the supplications (du'as) in Arabic and in your own language. It is better to do Waquf while standing but sitting down is also allowed.
Zuhr and Asr Prayers	In Masjid-e-Namrah, the imam leads Zuhr and Asr prayers, combined and shortened, at Zuhr time with one adhan but separate iqamahs. At other places in Arafat, some people similarly combine these two salats. But it is advisable that away from Masjid-e-Namrah, offer them at their proper times with   jama'at as recommended by the most scholars.
Departure for Muzdalifah	When the sun sets in in Arafat, proceed to Muzdalifah without offering Maghrib prayer reciting Zikr and Talbiyah on the way.
Maghrib and Isha Prayers	In Muzdalifah offer Maghrib and Isha prayers together at Isha time. For both prayers there is one adhan and one iqamah. First offer Fard prayer of Maghrib with jama'at. Then say Takbir Tashriq and Talbiyah. Immediately after that offer Fard prayer of Isha with jama'at. After this offer two Sunnah of Maghrib. Then offer two Sunnah of Isha followed by Witr prayer. Offering Nafl prayer is optional.
Zikr and Du'a	This is a very blessed night in which glorify Allah, recite Darud Sharif, read Quran, utter Talbiyah and supplicate very humbly. Also take some rest.
Pebbles	Pick up forty-nine pebbles of the size of big grams (chick peas) if Rami is to be performed for three days and seventy if for four days.
Fajr Prayer and Waquf	At the Fajr time after two rakah Sunnah, offer Fard prayer with jama'at. then perform waquf.
Return to Mina	Proceed to Mina when the sun is about to rise.

 

 

10 Zil Hijjah--Third Day of Hajj

 

 

Rami of  Jamrah Aqabah	In Mina, hit Jamrah Aqabah with seven pebbles one after the other. On account of risk to life, the old, weak or sick persons can perform Rami a little before sunset or at night.
Stop Talbiyah	Stop saying Talbiyah when you throw the first pebble. Also don't stop for du'a. Just go to your residence and do Qurbani (animal sacrifice).
Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice)	There are three days designated for qurbani, i.e., 10, 11 or 12 Zil Hijjah. It can be done any time during day or night. It is usually easy to sacrifice an animal on 11 Zil Hijjah. Do qurbani yourself or ask a reliable person to do it for you.
Halq or Qasr	After qurbani men should preferably get their whole head shaved (Halq) but it is permissible to cut the hair (Qasr) of their whole head equal in length to a joint of a finger (about an inch). It is also permissible to cut the hair (about an inch) of one fourth of the head. A woman is prohibited to shave her head. She can cut about an inch long hair of one fourth of her head. But according to some scholars it is sufficient for a woman to have a lock of her hair clipped. If the sacrifice is postponed till the next two days, Halq or Qasr is also postponed because it comes after the sacrifice. Halq or Qasr can be done at any time up to the 12 of Zil Hijjah even if the sacrifice is not postponed. After Halq or Qasr all prohibitions of Ihram are lifted except the private relations between husband and wife which are permissible after Tawaf-e-Ziarah. Halq or Qasr in Mina is a Sunnah. But you are allowed to do it anywhere in Haram. If done outside the precincts of Haram, it requires a Dam. You have to make sure that Rami, sacrifice and shaving or clipping of the hair are performed in the order in which they are listed otherwise a Dam is required as a penalty.
Tawaf-e-Ziarat	Now perform Tawaf-e-Ziarat. It can be performed any time, day or night, from 10 Zil Hijjah to the sunset of 12 Zil Hijjah. Usually it is convenient to do it on 11 Zil Hijjah. Its procedure is similar to that of Tawaf of Umrah and it is essential that you have performed wudu. According to Sunnah this tawaf is to be performed after Rami, sacrifice and shaving or clipping of the hair, and every effort should be made to do that, but the Fard stands discharged even if Tawaf-e-Ziarat is performed prior to all these practices. As mentioned earlier, Halq or Qasr after Qurbani lifts all the prohibitions of Ihram but the private relations between man and wife are permitted only after this Tawaf.
Sa'ey of Hajj	After this perform Sa'ey. Its procedure is the same as that of Sa'ey of Umrah. It is a Sunnah to make sure that your wudu is intact
Return to Mina	Return to Mina when Sa'ey is done and spend the night there.

 

 

11 Zil Hijjah--Fourth Day of Hajj

 

 

Rami of  Jamrarat	Throw seven pebbles on each of three Jamarat after zawal (decline of the sun). Rami is usually easy a little before sunset and at night. And it is permissible to do Rami at night if there is a risk to life.
Supplicate	Throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Oolah. Then move a little forward. And with your hands raised and facing Qibla, praise Allah and recite Arabic du'as or supplicate in your own words. There are no prescribed du'as.
Supplicate	After this throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Wustah. Here too facing Qiblah, praise Allah and earnestly seek his mercy and blessings. No particular du'a is prescribed here either.
Do not supplicate	Then throw seven pebbles on Jamrah Aqabah. But this time do not supplicate at all, after Rami just return to your place.
Second chance for Tawaf of Ziarah	If you could not do Tawaf-e-Ziarah yesterday, do it today and return to Mina for overnight stay.
Zikr and Ibadah	At your residence, recite Quran, glorify Allah, repent on your sins, and seek forgiveness. Ask Allah whatever you want and don't commit any sin.

 

 

12 Zil Hijjah--Fifth Day of Hajj

 

 

Rami of  Jamrarat	Throw seven pebbles on each of three Jamarat after zawal (decline of the sun). Rami is usually easy a little before sunset and at night. And it is permissible to do Rami at night if there is a risk to life.
Supplicate	Throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Oolah. Then move a little forward. And with your hands raised and facing Qibla, praise Allah and recite Arabic du'as or supplicate in your own words. There are no prescribed du'as.
Supplicate	After this throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Wustah. And facing Qiblah, glorify Allah, recite Darud Sharif and supplicate earnestly for whatever you desire. There is no du'a prescribed for this occassion.
Do not supplicate	Then throw seven pebbles on Jamrah Aqabah and come back to your residence without any du'a.
Last chance for Tawaf  of Ziarah	If you could not do Tawaf-e-Ziarah earlier, it is essential to do it today before Maghrib.
Option	After today's Rami, you have the option to return to Makkah before sunset. But if the sun sets before you are able to depart, remain in Mina for the third night and throw pebbles the next day in the same order.
Tawaf-e-Wida	After Hajj, when you intend to return to your country from Makkah, it is Wajib (obligatory) to perform Tawaf-e-Wida (Farewell Tawaf). Its procedure is the same as that of a Nafl Tawaf.

 

 

     

VISITING MADINAH
(A Journey of Love)

 

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Magnificent View of The Prophet's Mosque

 

To visit Madinah is not a Hajj or Umrah rite, but the unique merits of the Prophet’s city, his Mosque and his sacred tomb attract every pilgrim to visit it. There is no Ihram nor talbiyah for the visit to Madinah or the Prophet’s Mosque.

Unique Merit of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself participated in the construction of this mosque, called it "My Mosque" and led prayers in it for years. He has also said that a salah performed in the Prophet’s Mosque is better than a thousand salats in any other place except Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.

According to Hazrat Anas, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has also said:

"The person who offers 40 prayers consecutively in my Mosque, without missing a prayer in between, will secure immunity from the fire of Hell and other torments and also from hypocrisy." (Musnad Ahmad)

Visiting the Holy Tomb. It is a great privilege for the pilgrims to visit our beloved Prophet’s tomb. The Prophet (peace be upon him) once said:

"The person who comes solely for the purpose of paying a visit to my grave, has a right on me that I should intercede for him." (‘Ilm al-Fiq