Hajj is a pillar in Islam and obligatory upon every capable Muslim. It is the dream of all Muslim men and women to perform Hajj, visit the Holy Kaaba and ask Allah for forgiveness. One can perform Hajj only at a specific time of the year. Hajj takes place in the final month of the Islamic calendar known as Dhul Hijjah, and it culminates with the joyful celebration of Eid ul-Adha.
Hajj is the most rewarding act of worship and it also provide a source of profound spiritual purification. The sacred journey serves as a means to enhance a Muslim’s comprehension of the challenges endured by Prophet Ibrahim (AS), his wife Hajar (AS), and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), therefore contributing to their personal growth and enlightenment.
In this article you will learn about the four main pillars of Hajj as well as the three obligatory acts of Hajj. Your Hajj will be considered void without the completion of these rituals.
Pillars of Hajj
Ihram
Ihram encompasses more than just the combination of two simple fabric pieces; it entails a unique phase where one must diligently comply with designated schedules and follow a comprehensive set of guidelines and regulations.
Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran, “The Hajj is (to be performed in) the months that are well-known. So whoever undertakes Hajj in them, there should be no obscenity, no sin, no quarrel in the Hajj. Whatever good you do, Allah will know it. Take provisions along, for the merit of (having) provision is to abstain (from begging), and fear Me, O men of understanding!”
To enter the state of Ihram, it is essential for an individual to purify themselves both physically and spiritually while affirming their unwavering devotion and clear intention to embark on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj.
The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said, “Deeds are according to intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to his intention.”
Remember, Ihram must be assumed at the Meeqats.
Saee
In order to honor the struggle of the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Hajra (RA), walking between the Safa and Marwa is a requirement for Hajj. Between these hills, she tirelessly ran seven times in search of sustenance or water for her infant son, Prophet Ismail (AS).
That is why the Muslim Ummah was instructed to walk between Safa and Marwah by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the same way.
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Do saee, because Allah has ordained saee for you.” Narrated by Ahmad
Waqfat ‘Arafah
The period for standing and offering prayers on the vast plains of Arafah starts at noon on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and continues until the break of dawn on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. This significant ritual is an integral part of the Hajj journey, and therefore, pilgrims are urged to perform it at the prescribed place and within the specified timeframe.
Narrated ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Ya’mar:
“That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The Hajj is ‘Arafat, the Hajj is ‘Arafat, the Hajj is ‘Arafat.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2975)
It was narrated that Abdur-Rahman bin Yamur said:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah when people came to him and asked him about Hajj. The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Hajj is Arafat. Whoever catches up with the night of Arafat before dawn comes on the night of Jam (Al-Muzdalifah), his Hajj is complete.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 3016)
Pilgrims are advised the Prophet (ﷺ) to stand and pray on Arafah. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “I have stood here, but all ‘Arafa is a place for standing.”
This also means that standing and praying at any place on Arafah is enough to earn the blessings of Allah and will fulfil the requirement of the rituals in Arafah.
If someone failed to perform this act, his Hajj will not be completed.
Tawaaf Al Ifadah
Islamic scholars have explained that the final stage of Hajj commences after the pilgrims have completed their stay at Arafah and continues throughout their lives.
During the Tawaaf Al Ifadah ritual, pilgrims encircle the sacred Kaaba seven times. They also try reaching out their hands towards the Hajr e Aswad (Black Stone) as a gesture of seeking blessings and forgiveness.
Allah SWT says in the Quran, “…and [let them] circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah)” [al-Hajj 22:29]
It is a must for pilgrims to perform Tawaaf Al Ifadah and not leave Makkah without performing it.
‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:
“We feared that Safiyyah might have entered the period of menses before performing Tawaf Ifada. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came to us and said: Is Safiyyah going to detain us? Thereupon we said: She has performed Tawaf Ifada. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Then there is no detention (for us) now.” (Sahih Muslim 1211ad)
Obligatory acts of Hajj
There are seven obligatory acts in Hajj.
- Pilgrims need to enter Ihram at Sharee‘ah-approved Meeqaats. Also, Ihram itself is an integral part of Hajj.
- Standing at ‘Arafah until sunset, for the one who arrives there by day.
- During the days of at-Tashriq (the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), staying overnight in Mina. This is except for the ones whose duty is to bring water and attend livestock.
- According to the majority of scholars, it is obligatory to spend the night at Al-Muzdalifah on the night of An-Nahr (night of the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah). Nonetheless, it is permissible for individuals who are weak, children, and women unable to withstand the overcrowding to proceed to Mina towards the end of the night. They may cast the pebbles before the arrival of the crowd.
- Performing the stoning ritual at the Jamarat in the correct sequence.
- Trimming the hair or Shaving the head.
- Farewell tawaf (tawaf al-wada‘). Narrated Ibn `Abbas: “The people were ordered to perform the Tawaf of the Ka`ba (Tawaf-al-Wada`) as the lastly thing, before leaving (Mecca), except the menstruating women who were excused.”
Conclusion
Although Hajj is not excessively challenging, it is not a simple journey either. Undertaking the pilgrimage (Hajj or Umrah) entails a considerable level of effort in order to seek forgiveness and receive the blessings of Allah SWT.
Praying and performing all the rituals from entering Ihram to tawaf Al Ifadah in the baking temperature of Saudi Arabia is not easy. Yet, Holy Kaaba is flooded with Muslims every year who want to renew their Iman, earn rewards and Allah’s forgiveness.