Hajj is one of the most important pillars of Islam and it is one of the greatest religious duties. Every adult Muslim (male or female) who has the physical and financial means is required to travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj once in his or her lifetime. Hajj occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hajjah between the eighth and 13th days of the month.
Hajj is a gathering of Muslims from all over the world, who take part in an act of worship. No matter who they are, so this act of worship brings all Muslims together as one.
Here we will learn the following:
What does Hajj mean in Islam?
The Hajj is a test of patience and temperament – a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge. However, it offers Muslims the opportunity to refresh our spiritual selves, to cleanse us of our sins and to draw closer to Allah (SWT).
Hajj is a spiritual duty and a pillar of Islam, and for many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Going more than once during your lifetime is permitted whilst sincerely seeking Allah’s (SWT) pleasure.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam it is such an awesome dream for every Muslim. It is considered both an incredibly rewarding and spiritually cleansing act. Performing pilgrimage helps deepen a Muslim’s understanding of the trials of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), his wife Hajar (AS), and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Upon completion of the annual pilgrimage, one’s faith is renewed, and they are cleansed of all past sins.
عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “العمرة إلى العمرة كفارة لما بينهما، والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة” ((متفق عليه))
[Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1275, agreed upon]
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ‘Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.”
Here is everything you need to know about the four main pillars of Hajj and the three obligatory acts without completion of which the annual pilgrimage will be considered void.
Almighty Allah Says in the Holy Quran highlighting the necessity of hajj:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلٗاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ (97)” (سورة آل عمران)
Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of any of His creation” Quran [3: 96 -97]
Quran [3: 96 -97]
The sacred pilgrimage of Hajj is comprised of a series of rites and rituals – some in order – that provide a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge for the pilgrim.
Read: the difference between Hajj and Umrah.
What are the three obligations of Hajj ?
There are three conditions of Hajj being obligatory:
- Being an adult.
- Being free.
- Being able to do it.
Read: What are the types of Hajj?
What are the pillars of Hajj ?
The essential rituals of Hajj are four:
Pillar 1 – Ihram
Ihram isn’t just two pieces of plain cloth tied together; it is a state during which one has to adhere to specific timings and strict rules and regulations.
Allah SWT in the Holy Quran states:
ٱلۡحَجُّ أَشۡهُرٞ مَّعۡلُومَٰتٞۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلۡحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي ٱلۡحَجِّۗ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ يَعۡلَمۡهُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ (197) ” ( سورة البقرة)
“Commitment to˺ pilgrimage is made in appointed months.1 Whoever commits to ˹performing˺ pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during the pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah ˹fully˺ knows of it. Take ˹necessary˺ provisions ˹for the journey˺—surely the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O people of reason!”
[Holy Quran 2:197]
Getting into the state of Ihram requires a person to cleanse oneself and declare the conviction and intention to perform Hajj. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT stated, “Deeds are according to intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to his intention.”
Note that a pilgrim must assume Ihram at the miqats by performing wudu, purifying their bodies, wearing clean clothes, and making intention (niyyah), followed by reciting specific prayers in order to attain the blessings of Allah Almighty.
Pillar 2 – Sa’ee
Pilgrims are instructed to walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa to commemorate the struggle of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (may Allah be pleased with her). She ran between these hills seven times to find food or water for her infant son, Prophet Ismail.
Therefore, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has directed the Muslim Ummah to walk between as-Safa and al-Marwa in the same way as it is an integral part of the Hajj rituals.
Pillar 3 – Standing at ‘Arafah ( Waqfat Arafah)
The time to stand and pray on the plains of Arafah begins from noon on 9th Dhul Hijjah till the dawn of 10th Dhul Hijjah. Waqfah Arafah is an indispensable part of the Hajj, so pilgrims must perform it at the prescribed place and time.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :” الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ لَيْلَةَ عَرَفَةَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ مِنْ لَيْلَةِ جَمْعٍ فَقَدْ تَمَّ حَجُّهُ ”.
(رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِي ).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Hajj is the standing at ‘Arafah. If anyone comes over there before the Fajr Prayer on the night of Al-Muzdalifah, his Hajj will be complete.” (Abu Dawud)
(Abu Dawud)
عَن عبدِ الرَّحمنِ بنِ يَعمُرَ الدَّيْلي قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ عَرَفَةَ لَيْلَةَ جَمْعٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكَ الْحَجَّ أيَّامُ مِنىً ثلاثةَ أيَّامٍ فَمَنْ تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ تَأَخَّرَ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ»
(رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَالدَّارِمِيُّ وَقَالَ التِّرْمِذِيُّ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ).
‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Ya’mur ad-Dili told that he heard the Prophet say, “The pilgrimage is ‘Arafa. He who gets to ‘Arafa on the night of Jam’ (This would suggest that one is credited with taking part in the halt at ‘Arafa if he gets there at any time before dawn on the night when the pilgrims are at al-Muzdalifa) before dawn has attained the pilgrimage. The days at Mina are three, but if anyone hurries over matters in two days he is guilty of no sin, and if anyone is late he is guilty of no sin.”
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it, grade: Sahih).
Therefore, standing and praying at any place on the Arafah, even for a minute or two, is sufficient to earn the blessings of the Almighty. In case of omission of this act, Hajj would be considered invalid
Pillar 4 – Tawaaf Al Ifadah (Tawaaf of visiting)
Tawaaf is an act of worship that means encircling or circumambulation around the Holy Ka`bah.
While performing Tawaaf Al Ifadah, pilgrims circumambulate around the Holy Kaaba seven times and even try to raise their hands toward the Black Stone to seek blessings and forgiveness.
These are the main duties of Hajj in Islam, without performing any of these duties (pillars), hajj will not be valid.
Read: What is the history of Hajj?
What Are The Duties Of Hajj (Obligatory Acts Of Hajj) ?
Aside from the pillars of Hajj, there are obligatory rituals that one must perform. Although missing out on any of these rituals doesn’t invalidate one’s Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has instructed Muslims to offer a sacrifice (cow, one-seventh of a she-camel, or a sheep) to make up for it.
Note that in order to be accepted, the sacrifice must be made within the boundaries of Makkah and meat should be distributed amongst the poor.
Hajj Rituals
These Hajj rituals are the following;
1- Entering ihram at the appropriate miqat, i.e., one should enter ihram from the miqat. As for ihram itself, it is an essential part of Hajj.
2- Standing in ‘Arafah until sunset, for the one who reaches there by day.
3- Staying overnight in Mina during the days of at-Tashriq (the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah), except for those whose job is to bring water and tend livestock.
4- Staying overnight in Muzdalifah until after halfway through the night, for those who reach it before that time, except for those whose job is to bring water and tend livestock. [Some scholars regard staying overnight in Mina as one of the essential parts of Hajj without which Hajj is not valid. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) expressed this view in Zad al-Ma’ad (2/233)].
5- Stoning the Jamarat in the right sequence.
6- Shaving the head or cutting the hair.
7- Farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wada‘).
What is the difference between essential, obligatory and Sunnah acts of hajj?
Every Muslim should learn the difference between essential, obligatory and Sunnah acts of hajj
The difference between an essential part, an obligatory action, and a Sunnah action is that Hajj is not valid without an essential part, whereas if an obligatory act is omitted, Hajj is still valid, but the one who omits it must offer a compensatory sacrifice (a sheep), according to the majority of scholars. As for Sunnah actions, the one who omits them does not have to do anything.
Read: What is Zamzam Water?
What are the Sunnah acts of hajj ?
The sunnah acts that the pilgrim is recommended to do are:
1- Tawaf al-qudum,
2- Staying overnight in Mina the night before ‘Arafah,
3- Idtiba‘ [uncovering the right shoulder from the beginning of tawaf until the end, by placing the middle of the rida (upper garment) beneath the right armpit and the ends of the rida over the left shoulder],
4- Walking at a rapid pace [when doing so is recommended],
5- Kissing the Black Stone,
6- Rreciting the adhkar and du‘as.
Conclusion
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam it is such an awesome dream for every Muslim. It is considered both an incredibly rewarding and spiritually cleansing act. Performing pilgrimage helps deepen the Muslim’s piousness and devotional emotions towards Almighty Allah. Curious to know more about Islam? Read this article, and start a one-on-one conversation with our team now!
