Did you know that there are different types of Hajj? Most people do not assume that there are Hajj types. But there are three types of Hajj. They are:
- Hajj-ul-Ifrad,
- Hajj-ul-Tamattu
- Hajj-ul-Qiran
A pilgrim can choose to perform any of the three types according to his or her need. Before you embark on the most sacred journey, you should understand the Hajj types, which will enable you to choose which Hajj to perform. To help you understand the different Hajj types and make your decision easier, we have explained the three different types of Hajj comprehensively.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is once a year pilgrimage in Islam and Muslims travel to the Holy City of Makkha to perform Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. A physically and financially capable Muslim is obligated to perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime.
As per the holy Quran:
“وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا” [آل عمران:97]
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way.” Surah Ali ‘Imran [3:97]
Hajj can be performed only at a specific time of the year and that is the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic Calendar. During this time, millions of pilgrims gather in the Holy City of Makkah to perform the Hajj rituals.
Hajj is a spiritual journey that gives a Muslim the chance to connect with Allah. It is also a chance for every Muslim to rejuvenate their faith with the physical and mental effort to please the Almighty Allah.
It is a journey that brings unimaginable rewards.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever performs pilgrimage to this House, and does not Yarfuth (utter any obscenity or commit sin), will go back as (on the day) his nother bore him.”'(sahih)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i 2627
It is found from another narration that:
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1274
As understood from the below Hadith, the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but paradise.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“An Umra is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next, and Hajj which is accepted will receive no other reward than Paradise.“
Reference: Sahih Muslim 1349a
The benefits of an accepted Hajj are forgiveness and unimaginable rewards. Every Muslim who make the sacred journey of Hajj should try their best to please Allah and have their Hajj accepted.
Different Types of Hajj
Hajj-ul Ifrad (Hajj only)
Hajj-ul Ifrad is entering Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj only. The pilgrims who perform this Hajj do not perform Umrah or do not make the intention for Umrah and that is what distinguishes Hajj-ul Ifrad from other types of Hajj. Hajj-ul Ifrad is less rewarding than the other two types.
The remaining two hajj types, both, involves performing Umrah. If anyone is performing Umrah before Hajj rituals, they are no longer performing Hajj-ul Ifrad. They will have to perform either Hajj-ul-Tamattu or Hajj-ul-Qiran.
The one who performs Hajj-ul Ifrad is called a Mufrid. After arriving in Makkah, the pilgrim performs Tawaf Al-Qudum or the Tawaf of arrival. Then saa’e for Hajj. And he has to remain in the state of Ihram until he has done stoning Jamrah Al Aqabah on the day of Eid. A Mufrid does not cut or shave his hair after the day of Eid.
Hajj-ul Ifrad do not require you to offer animal sacrifice, but you have the choice to do so. Beside the animal sacrifice and Umrah, Hajj-ul Ifrad and Hajj-ul Qiran have the same rituals.
Hajj-ul-Qiran (Umrah Merged with Hajj)
Hajj-ul-Qiran is entering the Ihram for both Hajj and Umrah. The one who performs Hajj-ul-Qiran is called the Qarin. The Qarin needs to perform Umrah first and then perform Hajj during its specific time. He must complete both Hajj and Umrah in the same Ihram.
First, the Qarin will perform Umrah. He can perform Umrah in the months of Shawwal and Dhul-Qa’dah. However, since the pilgrim will have to perform both Umrah and Hajj in the same Ihram, it is more convenient to perform Umrah during the first eight days of Dhul-Hijjah. And it is also the most common practice.
As mentioned before, the rituals for Hajj-ul-Qiran and Hajj-ul-Ifrad are the same, except the one who performs Hajj-ul-Qiran is required to sacrifice an animal and perform Umrah.
For the Muslims who do not have easy travel arrangement to Masjid al-Haram, Hajj-ul-Qiran is a blessing as they can perform both Hajj and Umrah in a single trip.
Hajj-ul-Tamattu
From the three types of Hajj, Hajj-ul-Tamattu is the one most commonly performed. The one who perform Hajj-ul-Tamattu is referred to as Mutamatti. A Mutamatti or the one who perform Hajj-ul-Tamattu performs a complete Umrah and a complete Hajj in separate Ihram.
The Mutamatti first perform Umrah rituals during the months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhu’l-Qi’dah and Dhu’l-Hijjah). It is important to understand that the performing of Umrah must be done during the Hajj season. If one performs Umrah during the Hajj days or before the month of Shawwal, it will not be counted as part of the Hajj-ul-Tamattu.
First, a Mutamatti enters Ihram to perform Umrah only. Once Umrah is done, he will exit the state of Ihram. This way, when he waits for the days of Hajj, he is not restricted by the rules of Ihram. Then, a Mutamatti re-enters a new Ihram for Hajj on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.
You should also understand that if you had performed Umrah as part of the Hajj-ul-Tamattu, you must perform Hajj. You can not leave or go back to your destination without performing the Hajj.
Hajj-ul-Tamattu requires the pilgrim to offer animal sacrifice. If you are unable to perform the animal sacrifice for some reason, as an alternative, you need to perform ten days fasting. But remember to not fast on the day of Eid-ul-Adha as fasting on Eid days are forbidden.
Meaning of Hajj Types Names
The three Hajj types are Hajj-al-Ifrad, Hajj-al-Qiran, and Hajj-al-Tamattu. You will find the meaning behind these names below:
Ifrad: The meaning of the word ‘Ifrad’ is singling something out. In the context of the Hajj name, ‘Ifrad’ refers to performing only Hajj without adding anything.
Qiran: The meaning of the word ‘Qiran’ refers to combining two things together. In terms of Hajj, ‘Qiran’ stands for combining the intention of both Hajj and Umrah.
Tamattu: The word ‘Tamattu’ implies enjoying something. While you may think that this meaning has no relevance with Hajj, it actually refers to the enjoying ability of the pilgrims. A pilgrim performing Umrah can perform the rituals of Hajj and the rituals of Umrah in one journey, so he does not have to make two journeys. He can also enjoy a time without the obligation of Ihram between the Umrah and Hajj.
Summary of the Hajj Types
In Islam, there are three different types of Hajj. There are a number of things that influence a pilgrim to decide which one to perform. A few of the main points are:
- The Ihram obligations
- Performing Umrah or not performing Umrah
- Locations of the pilgrims
- Requirement of an animal sacrifice
If you have read this guide completely and carefully, now you know what to expect or what you may need to do when performing any of the Hajj types. You can now easily decide which Hajj will be ideal for you.
Be careful not to make any mistakes when making the intention for your Hajj as the intention is one of the most important things for the acceptance as well as the performance of your Hajj.
May Allah accept your Hajj, and forgive your mistakes and sins.