بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

(Here are Parts 1, 2 and 3.)

This part focuses on what the Quran and Hadeeth have to say about Hajj. It also discusses the preparation that one needs to make before going to Hajj.

Now, the preparation part isn’t just for those going to Hajj this year. Rather it is also for those planning to go in future.

I would personally advise all those who have not gone for Hajj yet to really try to go next year (i.e. 2018) for the following reasons:

• It’s going to be in the summer holidays for most people so you don’t have to worry about the children missing school.
• As the years go by, Hajj will get earlier – which means it will get deeper into the summer. I live in the Gulf and the recent summers (especially July) have been really bad. If this is the case of someone used to the heat, then what about those of you who are NOT used to the heat? You’ll have to wait many years for Hajj to pass the summer season.
• Sometimes, various external reasons may stop a person from being about to do Hajj (or Umrah). So, unexpected things can stop a person from going to Hajj. If you are able to go, then go next year before something happens.

If you can’t afford it yet, then do lots of dua (supplication) to Allah asking Him to open the doors for you. After, He is the Provider.

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ

Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat (51) : 58]

HAJJ AND UMRAH IN THE QURAN

Hajj and Umrah are mentioned in the Quran in quite a few places. The following are the relevant verses.

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَ‌ا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّ‌كَّعِ السُّجُودِ

‌ وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمُ رَ‌بِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْ‌زُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَ‌اتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ‌ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ‌ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّ‌هُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ‌ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ‌

وَإِذْ يَرْ‌فَعُ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَ‌بَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

رَ‌بَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّ‌يَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِ‌نَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّ‌حِيمُ

رَ‌بَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَ‌سُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“And (remember) when We made the House (the Kabah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim [or the stone on which Ibrahim stood while he was building the Kabah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rakat after the Tawaf of the Kabah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrahim and Ismail that they should purify My House (the Kaabah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (Itikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).

And (remember) when Ibrahim said, “My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” He (Allah) answered: “As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!”

And (remember) when Ibrahim and (his son) Ismail were raising the foundations of the House (the Kabah at Makkah), (saying), “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manaasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Quran) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.””

[Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 125 – 129]

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْ‌وَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ‌ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ‌ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرً‌ا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَاكِرٌ‌ عَلِيمٌ

“Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 158]

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ ۗ وَلَيْسَ الْبِرُّ‌ بِأَن تَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِ‌هَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ‌ مَنِ اتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allah. So enter houses through their proper doors, and fear Allah that you may be successful.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 189]

Here’s a nice picture showing the lunar phases.

وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَ‌ةَ لِلَّـهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْ‌تُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ‌ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُ‌ءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِ‌يضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّ‌أْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَ‌ةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ‌ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَ‌جَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَ‌ةٌ كَامِلَةٌ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِ‌ي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَ‌امِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ‌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَ‌ضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَ‌فَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ يَعْلَمْهُ اللَّـهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ‌ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّ‌بِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَ‌فَاتٍ فَاذْكُرُ‌وا اللَّـهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ‌ الْحَرَ‌امِ ۖ وَاذْكُرُ‌وهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّالِّينَ

ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ وَاسْتَغْفِرُ‌وا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ‌ رَّ‌حِيمٌ

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُ‌وا اللَّـهَ كَذِكْرِ‌كُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرً‌ا ۗ فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَ‌بَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَ‌ةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَ‌بَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَ‌ةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَاللَّـهُ سَرِ‌يعُ الْحِسَابِ‌

وَاذْكُرُ‌وا اللَّـهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْدُودَاتٍ ۚ فَمَن تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَن تَأَخَّرَ‌ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ لِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُ‌ونَ

“And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad), the Hajj and Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allah. But if you are prevented (from completing them), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e. a sheep, a cow, or a camel, etc.) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice. And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either observing Saum (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity – feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep). Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the Umrah in the months of Hajj, before (performing) the Hajj, (i.e. Hajj-at-Tamattu and Al-Qiran), he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should observe Saum (fasts) three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return (to his home), making ten days in all. This is for him whose family is not present at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (i.e. non-resident of Makkah). And fear Allah much and know that Allah is Severe in punishment.

The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!

There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading, etc.). Then when you leave Arafaat, remember Allah (by glorifying His Praises, i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) at the Mashar-al-Haraam. And remember Him (by invoking Allah for all good, etc.) as He has guided you, and verily, you were, before, of those who were astray. Then depart from the place whence all the people depart and ask Allah for His Forgiveness. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.

So when you have accomplished your Manaasik [(i.e. Ihram, Tawaf of the Kabah and As-Safa and Al-Marwah), stay at Arafaat, Muzdalifah and Mina, Ramy of Jamaraat, (stoning of the specified pillars in Mina) slaughtering of Hady (animal, etc.)]. Remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your Bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.

And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” For them there will be alloted a share for what they have earned. And Allah is Swift at reckoning.

And remember Allah during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.”

[Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 196 – 203]

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَ‌كًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّـهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ‌ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

“Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-Alameen (the mankind and jinns). In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the Alameen (mankind and jinns).”

[Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 96-97]

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ ۚ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ‌ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُ‌مٌ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِ‌يدُ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحِلُّوا شَعَائِرَ‌ اللَّـهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ‌ الْحَرَ‌امَ وَلَا الْهَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَائِدَ وَلَا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَ‌امَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّ‌بِّهِمْ وَرِ‌ضْوَانًا ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوا ۚ وَلَا يَجْرِ‌مَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَ‌امِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ‌ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations. Lawful to you (for food) are all the beasts of cattle except that which will be announced to you (herein), game (also) being unlawful when you assume Ihram for Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage). Verily, Allah commands that which He wills.

O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, etc. [Marked by the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the tree­ stems (of Makkah) for their security], nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihram (of Hajj or Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid­ Al-Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al­-Birr and At­-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.”

[Surah Al-Maaidah (5) : 1 – 2]

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ اللَّـهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الصَّيْدِ تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَرِ‌مَاحُكُمْ لِيَعْلَمَ اللَّـهُ مَن يَخَافُهُ بِالْغَيْبِ ۚ فَمَنِ اعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْتُلُوا الصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُ‌مٌ ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَهُ مِنكُم مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاءٌ مِّثْلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ النَّعَمِ يَحْكُمُ بِهِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ هَدْيًا بَالِغَ الْكَعْبَةِ أَوْ كَفَّارَ‌ةٌ طَعَامُ مَسَاكِينَ أَوْ عَدْلُ ذَٰلِكَ صِيَامًا لِّيَذُوقَ وَبَالَ أَمْرِ‌هِ ۗ عَفَا اللَّـهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ ۚ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَيَنتَقِمُ اللَّـهُ مِنْهُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انتِقَامٍ

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ‌ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَ‌ةِ ۖ وَحُرِّ‌مَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ‌ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُ‌مًا ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُ‌ونَ

جَعَلَ اللَّـهُ الْكَعْبَةَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَ‌امَ قِيَامًا لِّلنَّاسِ وَالشَّهْرَ‌ الْحَرَ‌امَ وَالْهَدْيَ وَالْقَلَائِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْ‌ضِ وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

“O you who believe! Allah will certainly make a trial of you with something in (the matter of) the game that is well within reach of your hands and your lances, that Allah may test who fears Him unseen. Then whoever transgresses thereafter, for him there is a painful torment.

O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage), and whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Kabah, of an eatable animal (i.e. sheep, goat, cow, etc.) equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed Masaakin (poor persons), or its equivalent in Saum (fasting), that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is All­-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.

Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water­ game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land­ game as long as you are in a state of Ihram (for Hajj or Umrah). And fear Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back.

Allah has made the Kabah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage) for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals, etc. marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the Makkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything.”

[Surah Al-Maaidah (5) : 94 – 97]

And of course, there’s an entire Surah named after Hajj. The verses which directly pertain to Hajj in that Surah are as follows:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَ‌امِ الَّذِي جَعَلْنَاهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَاءً الْعَاكِفُ فِيهِ وَالْبَادِ ۚ وَمَن يُرِ‌دْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِ‌كْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ‌ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّ‌كَّعِ السُّجُودِ

وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِ‌جَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ‌ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ

لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُ‌وا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَ‌زَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ‌

ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا نُذُورَ‌هُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ حُرُ‌مَاتِ اللَّـهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ‌ لَّهُ عِندَ رَ‌بِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّ‌جْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ‌

حُنَفَاءَ لِلَّـهِ غَيْرَ‌ مُشْرِ‌كِينَ بِهِ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِ‌كْ بِاللَّـهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ‌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ‌ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّ‌يحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ‌ اللَّـهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ

لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَا إِلَى الْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُ‌وا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَ‌زَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۗ فَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا ۗ وَبَشِّرِ‌ الْمُخْبِتِينَ

الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ‌ اللَّـهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَالصَّابِرِ‌ينَ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ وَالْمُقِيمِي الصَّلَاةِ وَمِمَّا رَ‌زَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ‌ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ‌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُ‌وا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ‌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْ‌نَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُ‌ونَ

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّـهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَ‌هَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُ‌وا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ‌ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah)]. And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practice polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste a painful torment.

And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim the site of the (Sacred) House (the Kabah at Makkah) (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.);”

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manaasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Kabah at Makkah).

That (Manaasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements).

Hunafaa Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him and whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place. Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allah]. And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.

In them (cattle offered for sacrifice) are benefits for you for an appointed term, and afterwards they are brought for sacrifice unto the ancient House (the Haram – sacred territory of Makkah city). And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God Allah), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad) give glad tidings to the Mukhbiteen [those who obey Allah with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islamic Monotheism]; Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned; who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who perform As­-Salaat, and who spend (in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have provided them.

And the Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah.) We have made for you as among the Symbols of Allah, therein you have much good. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men). Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.

It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the Muhsinoon (doers of good)”

[Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 25 – 37]

Some of these ayaat (verses) will be mentioned in their appropriate places later on in this series.

THE HAJJ AND UMRAH OF THE PROPHET (SALLALLAHU ALAHI WASALLAM)

The previous chapter was regarding Hajj in the Quran. As for the ahadeeth, there are numerous ones discussing Hajj.

The most famous hadeeth regarding the Hajj of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is the Hadeeth of Jaabir (radiallahu anhu). The hadeeth itself is very detailed so anyone who is in doubt as to how to perform Hajj could simply follow this hadeeth and they would gain much.

[Note: The narrator of the hadeeth Muhammad ibn Ali is the grandson of Husain (radiallahu anhu) who was the grandson of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) through Fatima (radiallahu anha). Husain’s father of course was Ali ibn Abee Taalib (radiallahu anhu). This is the reason that Jaabir (radiallahu anhu) was so pleased to see him i.e. because he was a descendant of the Prophet (sallahu alaihi wasallam).]

عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: دَخَلْنَا عَلَى جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّهِ. فَسَأَلَ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَيَّ. فَقُلْتُ: أَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حُسَيْنٍ. فَأَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى رَأْسِي فَنَزَعَ زِرِّي الأَعْلَى. ثُمَّ نَزَعَ زِرِّي الأَسْفَلَ. ثُمَّ وَضَعَ كَفَّهُ بَيْنَ ثَدْيَيَّ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ غُلاَمٌ شَابٌّ.فَقَالَ: مَرْحَباً بِكَ. يَا ابْنَ أَخِي سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ. فَسَأَلْتُهُ. وَهُوَ أَعْمَى. وَحَضَرَ وَقْتُ الصَّلاَةِ. فَقَامَ فِي نسَاجَةٍ مُلْتَحِفاً بِهَا. كُلَّما وَضَعَهَا عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ رَجَعَ طَرَفَاهَا إِلَيْهِ مِنْ صِغَرِهَا. وَرِدَاؤُهُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ، عَلَى الْمِشْجَبِ. فَصَلَّى بِنَا. فَقُلْتُ: أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ حَجَّةِ رَسُولِ اللّهِ . فَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ. فَعَقَدَ تِسْعاً. فَقَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللّهِ مَكَثَ تِسْعَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ. ثُمَّ آذنَ فِي النَّاسِ فِي الْعَاشِرَةِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللّهِ حَاجٌّ. فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ بَشَرٌ كَثِيرٌ. كُلُّهُمْ يَلْتَمِسُ أَنْ يَأْتَمَّ بِرَسُولِ اللّهِ . وَيَعْمَلُ مِثْلَ عَمَلِهِ. فَخَرَجْنَا مَعَهُ. حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا ذَا الْحُلَيْفَةِ. فَوَلَدَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ.فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ . كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ؟ قَالَ: اغْتَسِلِي. وَاسْتَثْفِرِي بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِي. فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللّهِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ. ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ. حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوَتْ بِهِ نَاقَتُهُ عَلَى الْبَيْدَاءِ. نَظَرْتُ إِلَى مَدِّ بَصَرِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ. مِنْ رَاكِبٍ وَمَاشٍ. وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ مِثْلَ ذلِكَ. وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ. وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ. وَرَسُولُ اللّهِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا. وَعَلَيْهِ يَنْزِلُ الْقُرْآنُ. وَهُوَ يَعْرِفُ تَأْوِيلَهُ. وَمَا عَمِلَ بِهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ عَمِلْنَا بِهِ. فَأَهَلَّ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ. لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ. إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ. وَالْمُلْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ. وَأَهَلَّ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا الَّذِي يُهِلُّونَ بِهِ. فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ رَسُولُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ شَيْئاً مِنْهُ. وَلَزِمَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ تَلْبِيَتَهُ. قَالَ جَابِرٌ رضيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ: لَسْنَا نَنْوِي إِلاَّ الْحَجَّ. لَسْنَا نَعْرِفُ الْعُمْرَةَ. حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهُ، اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ فَرَمَلَ ثَلاَثاً وَمَشَى أَرْبَعاً. ثُمَّ نَفَذَ إِلَى مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ. فَقَرَأَ {وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى} (2البقرة الآية:125) فَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْبَيْتِ. فَكَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ (وَلاَ أَعْلَمُهُ ذَكَرَهُ إِلاَّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ): كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ:{قُلْ هُوَ اللّهُ أَحَدٌ} وَ{قُلْ يا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ}، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الرُّكْنِ فَاسْتَلَمَهُ. ثُمَّ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَابِ إِلَى الصَّفَا. فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنَ الصَّفَا قَرَأَ: {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللّهِ} (2البقرة الآية: 158) أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللّهُ بِهِ. فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّفَا. فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ. حَتَّى رَأَى الْبَيْتَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ. فَوَحَّدَ اللّهَ، وَكَبَّرَهُ. وَقالَ: لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ. لَهُ الْمُلْكَ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ. أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ. وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ. وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ. ثُمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ. قَالَ مِثْلَ هَـذَا ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ. ثُمَّ نَزَلَ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ. حَتَّى إِذَا انْصَبَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي بَطْنِ الْوَادِي سَعَى. حَتَّى إِذَا صَعِيدَنَا مَشَى. حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَرْوَةَ. فَفَعَلَ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ كَمَا فَعَلَ عَلَى الصَّفَا. حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ آخِرُ طَوَافِهِ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ فَقَالَ: لَوْ أَنِّي اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ لَمْ أَسُقِ الْهَدْيَ. وَجَعَلْتُهَا عُمْرَةً. فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ هَدْيٌ فَلْيَحِلَّ. وَلْيَجْعَلْهَا عُمْرَةً. فَقَامَ سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ جُعْشُمٍ.فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللّهِ أَلِعَامِنا هذَا أَمْ لأَبَدٍ؟ فَشَبَّكَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ أَصَابِعَهُ وَاحِدَةً فِي الأُخْرَى. وَقَالَ: دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ. مَرَّتَيْنِ .لاَ بَلْ لأَبَدٍ أَبَدٍ. وَقَدِمَ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ اليَمَنِ بِبُدْنِ النَّبِيِّ . فَوَجَدَ فَاطِمَةَ رَضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهَا مِمَّنْ حَلَّ. وَلَبِسَتْ ثِيَاباً صَبِيغاً. وَاكْتَحَلَتْ فَأَنْكَرَ ذلِكَ، عَلَيْهَا. فَقَالَتْ: إِنَّ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي بِهذَا. قَالَ: فَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ يَقُولُ، بِالْعِرَاقِ: فَذَهَبْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ مُحَرِّشاً عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ. لِلَّذِي صَنَعَتْ. مُسْتَفْتِياً لِرَسُولِ اللّهِ فِيمَا ذَكَرَتْ عَنْهُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنِّي أَنْكَرْتُ ذلِك عَلَيْهَا. فَقَالَ: صَدَقَتْ صَدَقَتْ. مَاذَا قُلْتَ حِينَ فَرَضْتَ الْحَجَّ؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُهِلُّ بِمَا أَهَلَّ بِهِ رَسُولُكَ. قَالَ: فَإِنَّ مَعِيَ الْهَدْيَ فَلاَ تَحِلُّ. قَالَ: فَكَانَ جَمَاعَةُ الْهَدَي الَّذِي قَدِمَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَالَّذِي أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ مِائَةً. قَالَ: فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا. إِلاَّ النَّبِيَّ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْيٌ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ التَّرْوِيَةِ تَوَجَّهُوا إِلَى مِنًى. فَأَهَلُّوا بِالْحَجِّ يَوْمَ التَّرْوِيَةِ. وَرَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ فَصَلَّى بِهَا الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ وَالْفَجْرَ. ثُمَّ مَكَثَ قَلِيلاً حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ. وَأَمَرَ بِقُبَّةٍ مِنْ شَعَرٍ تُضْرَبُ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ. فَسَارَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ وَلاَ تَشُكُّ قُرَيْشٌ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ وَاقِفٌ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ.كَمَا كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَصْنَعُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ. فَأَجَازَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ حَتَّى أَتَى عَرَفَةَ. فَوَجَدَ القُبَّةَ قَدْ ضُرِبَتْ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ. فَنَزَلَ بِهَا. حَتَّى إِذَا زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَمَرَ بِالْقَصْوَاءِ. فَرُحِلَتْ لَهُ. فَأَتَى بَطْنَ الْوَادِي. فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ وَقَالَ: إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ، كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هذَا، فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هذَا، فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هذَا. أَلاَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيَّ مَوْضُوعٌ، وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ، وَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ دَمٍ أَضَعُ مِنْ دِمَائِنَا دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، كَانَ مُسْتَرْضِعاً فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَيْلٌ، وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ، وَأَوَّلُ رِباً أَضَعُ رِبَانَا، رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ. فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهُ. فَاتَّقُوا اللّهِ فِي النِّسَاءِ. فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللّهِ، وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللّهِ. وَلَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَداً تَكْرَهُونَهُ. فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْباً غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ. وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ. وَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُ إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهِ. كِتَابُ اللّهِ. وَأَنْتُمْ تُسْأَلُونَ عَنِّي. فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ؟ قَالُوا: نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ. فَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ، يَرْفَعُهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكُتُهَا إِلَى النَّاسِ: اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ.  اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ. ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ. ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ. ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الظُّهْرَ. ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الْعَصْرَ. وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئاً. ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ . حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَوْقِفَ. فَجَعَلَ بَطْنَ نَاقَتِهِ الْقَصْوَاءِ إِلَى الصَّخَرَاتِ. وَجَعَلَ حَبْلَ الْمُشَاةِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ. وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ. فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفاً حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ. وَذَهَبَتِ الصُّفْرَةُ قَلِيلاً حَتَّى غَابَ الْقُرْصُ. وَأَرْدَفَ أُسَامَةَ خَلْفَهُ. وَدَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ وَقَدْ شَنَقَ لِلْقَصْوَاءِ الزِّمَامَ. حَتَّى إِنَّ رَأْسَهَا لَيُصِيبُ مَوْرِكَ رَحْلِهِ. وَيَقُولُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ السَّكِينَةَ السَّكِينَةَ. كُلَّمَا أَتَى حَبْلاً مِنَ الْحِبَالِ أَرْخَى لَهَا قَليلاً.حَتَّى تَصْعَدَ. حَتَّى أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ. فَصَلَّى بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ بِأَذَانٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ. وَلَمْ يُسَبِّحْ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئاً. ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ حَتَّى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ. وَصَلَّى الْفَجْرَ، حِينَ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الصُّبْحُ، بِأَذَانٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ. ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ. حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَشْعَرَ الْحَرَامَ. فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ. فَدَعَاهُ وَكَبَّرَهُ وَهَلَّلَهُ وَوَحَّدَهُ. فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفَاً حَتَّى أَسْفَرَ جِدّاً. فَدَفَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ. وَأَرْدَفَ الْفَضْلَ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ. وَكَانَ رَجُلاً حَسَنَ الشَّعْرِ أَبْيَضَ وَسِيماً. فَلَمَّا دَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ مَرَّتْ بِهِ ظُعُنٌ يَجْرِينَ. فَطَفِقَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِنَّ. فَوَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ يَدَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِالْفَضْلِ. فَحَوَّلَ الْفَضْلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ يَنْظُرُ. فَحَوَّلَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ يَدَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْفَضْلِ. يَصْرِفُ وَجْهَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ يَنْظُرُ. حَتَّى أَتَى بَطْنَ مُحَسِّرٍ. فَحَرَّكَ قَلِيلاً. ثُمَّ سَلَكَ الطَّرِيقَ الْوُسْطَى الَّتِي تَخْرُجُ عَلَى الْجَمْرَةِ الْكُبْرَى. حَتَّى أَتَى الْجَمْرَةَ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الشَّجَرَةِ. فَرَمَاهَا بِسَبْعِ حَصَيَاتٍ. يُكَبِّرُ مَعَ كُلِّ حَصَاةٍ مِنْهَا. مِثْلِ حَصَى الْخَذْفِ. رَمَى مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي. ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى الْمَنْحَرِ. فَنَحَرَ ثَلاَثَاً وَسِتِّينَ بِيَدِهِ. ثُمَّ أَعْطَى عَلِيّاً. فَنَحَرَ مَا غَبَرَ. وَأَشْرَكَهُ فِي هَدْيِهِ. ثُمَّ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ بِبَضْعَةٍ. فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ. فَطُبِخَتْ. فَأَكَلاَ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا وَشَرِبَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا. ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ فَأَفَاضَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ. فَصَلَّى بِمَكَّةَ الظُّهْرَ. فَأَتَى بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ يَسْقُونَ عَلَى زَمْزَمَ. فَقَالَ: انْزِعُوا. بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَلَوْلاَ أَنْ يَغْلِبَكُمْ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِقَايَتِكُمْ لَنَزَعْتُ مَعَكُمْ. فَنَاوَلُوهُ دَلْواً فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ

Jafar ibn Muhammad reported on the authority of his father: We went to Jaabir ibn Abdullah (radiallahu anhu) and he began inquiring about the people (who had gone to see him) until it was my turn. I said: I am Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husain. He placed his hand upon my head and opened my upper button and then the lower one and then placed his palm on my chest, and I was, during those days, a young boy, and he said: Welcome to you, my nephew. Ask whatever you want to ask. And I asked him but as he was blind (he could not respond to me immediately), and the time for prayer came. He stood up covering himself in his blanket. And whenever he placed its ends upon his shoulders they slipped down on account of being short (in size). His ridaa was lying on the clothes rack near by. And he led us in the prayer.

I said to him: Tell me about the Hajj of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). And he pointed with his hand nine, and then stated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stayed in (Madinah) for nine years but did not perform Hajj, then he made a public announcement in the tenth year to the effect that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was about to perform the Hajj. A large number of persons came to Madinah and all of them were anxious to follow the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and do according to his doing. We set out with him until we reached Dhul Hulaifah.

Asma bint Umais gave birth to Muhammad ibn Abee Bakr. She sent message to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asking him: What should I do? He (the Prophet) said: Take a bath, bandage your private parts and put on Ihram. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then prayed in the mosque and then mounted al-Qaswa (his she-camel) and it stood erect with him on its back at al-Baida. And I saw as far as I could see in front of me but riders and pedestrians, and also on my right and on my left and behind me like this. And the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was prominent among us and the (revelation) of the Quran was descending upon him. And it is he who knows (its true) significance. And whatever he did, we also did that. He pronounced the Oneness of Allah (saying):”Labbaik Allahuma labbaik, labbaik laa shareeka laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wan-nimata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.) And the people also pronounced this Talbiyah which they pronounce (today). The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not reject anything out of it. But the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) adhered to his own Talbiyah.

Jaabir (radiallahu anhu) said: We did not have any other intention but that of Hajj only, being unaware of the Umrah (at that season), but when we came with him to the House, he touched the pillar and (made seven circuits) running three of them and walking four. And then going to the Station of Ibrahim, he recited: 

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

“And adopt the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 125]

And this Station was between him and the House. (Jafar ibn Muhammad said) My father used to say – and I don’t think that he was narrating it from anyone but the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that he used to recite in these two rakahs:  قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ (Surah Al-Ikhlaas) and قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُ‌ونَ (Surah Al-Kaafiroon). He then returned to the pillar and touched it.

He then went out of the gate to Safa and as he reached near it he recited:

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْ‌وَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ‌ اللَّـهِ

 “Verily, Al-Safa and al-Marwa are among the signs appointed by Allah” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 158]

(adding: ) I begin with what Allah began with. He first mounted Safa until he saw the House, and facing Qibla he declared the Oneness of Allah and glorified Him, and said:”There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, there is no partner with Him. His is the Sovereignty, to Him praise is due, and He is Powerful over everything. There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, Who fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and defeated the confederates alone.” He then made supplication in the course of that saying such words three times. He then descended and walked towards Marwah, and when his feet came down in the bottom of the valley, he ran, and when he began to ascend he walked till he reached Marwah. There he did as he had done at Safa. And when it was his last running at Marwah he said: If I had known beforehand what I have come to know afterwards, I would not have brought sacrificial animals and would have performed an Umrah. So, he who among you has not the sacrificial animals with him should put off ihram and treat it as an Umrah. Suraqa ibn Malik ibn Jusham (radiallahu anhu) got up and said: O Messenger of Allah, does it apply to the present year, or does it apply forever? Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) intertwined the fingers (of one hand) into another and said twice: The Umrah has become incorporated in the Hajj (adding):” No, but for ever and ever.”

Ali (radiallahu anhu) came from Yemen with the sacrificial animals for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and found Fatimah (radiallahu anha) to be one among those who had put off ihram and had put on dyed clothes and had applied kohl (antimony). He (Ali) showed disapproval to it, whereupon she said: My father has commanded me to do this. He (the narrator) said that Ali used to say in Iraq: I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) showing annoyance at Fatimah for what she had done, and asked the (verdict) of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) regarding what she had narrated from him, and told him that I was angry with her, whereupon he said: She has told the truth, she has told the truth.

(The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then asked Ali): What did you say when you undertook to go for Hajj? I (Ali) said: 0 Allah, I am putting on ihram for the same purpose as Your Messenger has put it on. He said: I have with me sacrificial animals, so do not put off the ihram. He (Jabir) said: The total number of those sacrificial animals brought by Ali from the Yemen and of those brought by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was one hundred. Then all the people except the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and those who had with them sacrificial animals, put off ihram, and got their hair clipped.

When it was the day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhul Hijjah) they went to Mina and put on the ihram for Hajj and the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) rode and led the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers. He then waited a little until the sun rose, and commanded that a tent of hair should be pitched at Namirah. The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) then set out and the Quraish did not doubt that he would halt at al-Mashar al-Haram (the sacred site) as the Quraish used to do in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam), however, passed on until he came to  Arafah and he found that the tent had been pitched for him at Namirah. There he got down until the sun had passed the meridian; he commanded that al-Qaswa should be brought and saddled for him.

Then he came to the bottom of the valley, and addressed the people saying: Verily your blood, your property are as sacred and inviolable as the sacredness of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours. Behold! Everything pertaining to the Days of Ignorance is under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood-revenges of the Days of Ignorance.The first claim of ours on blood-revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabia ibn al-Harith, who was nursed among the tribe of Sad and killed by Hudhail. And the riba of the pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our riba I abolish is that of Abbas ibn Abdil-Muttalib, for it is all abolished. Fear Allah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of Allah. You too have right over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner. I have left among you the Book of Allah, and if you hold fast to it, you would never go astray. And you would be asked about me (on the Day of Resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say?

They (the audience) said: We will bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), discharged (the ministry of Prophethood) and given wise (sincere) counsel. He (the narrator) said: He (the Prophet) then raised his forefinger towards the sky and pointing it at the people (said):” O Allah, be witness. 0 Allah, be witness,” saying it thrice. (Bilal then) pronounced Adhan and later on Iqamah and he (the Prophet) led the noon prayer. He (Bilal) then uttered Iqamah and he (the Prophet) led the afternoon prayer and he observed no other prayer in between the two.

The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) then mounted his camel and came to the place of stay, making his she-camel al-Qaswa, turn towards the side where there we are rocks, having the path taken by those who went on foot in front of him, and faced the Qibla. He kept standing there until the sun set, and the yellow light had somewhat gone, and the disc of the sun had disappeared. He made Usama (radiallahu anhu) sit behind him, and he pulled the nose-string of Qaswa so forcefully that its head touched the saddle (in order to keep her under perfect control), and he pointed out to the people with his right hand to be moderate (in speed), and whenever he happened to pass over an elevated tract of sand, he slightly loosened it (the nose-string of his camel) until she climbed up and this is how he reached al-Muzdalifa. There he led the Maghrib and Isha prayers with one Adhan and two Iqamas and did not glorify (Allah) in between them (i. e. he did not observe supererogatory rakahs between the Maghrib and Isha prayers). The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) then lay down until dawn and offered the Fajr prayer with an Adhan and Iqama when the morning light was clear. He again mounted al-Qaswa, and when he came to al-Mashar al-Haram, he faced towards Qibla, supplicated to Him, Glorified Him, and pronounced His Uniqueness (Laa ilaaha illa Allah) and Oneness, and kept standing until the daylight was very clear.

He then went quickly before the sun rose, and seated behind him was al-Fadl ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) and he was a man having beautiful hair and fair complexion and handsome face. As the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) was moving on, there was also going a group of women (side by side with them). Al-Fadl began to look at them. The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) placed his hand on the face of Fadl who then turned his face to the other side, and began to see, and the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) turned his hand to the other side and placed it on the face of al-Fadl. He again turned his face to the other side until he came to the bottom of Muhassir. He urged her (al-Qaswa) a little, and, following the middle road, which comes out at the greatest jamra, he came to the jamra which is near the tree. At this he threw seven small pebbles, saying Allahu Akbar while throwing every one of them in a manner in which the small pebbles are thrown (with the help of fingers) and this he did in the bottom of the valley.

He then went to the place of sacrifice, and sacrificed sixty-three (camels) with his own hand. Then he gave the remaining number to Ali (radiallahu anhu) who sacrificed them, and he shared him in his sacrifice. He then commanded that a piece of flesh from each animal sacrificed should be put in a pot, and when it was cooked, both of them (the Prophet and Ali) took some meat out of it and drank its soup. The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) again rode and came to the House, and offered the Dhuhr prayer at Makkah. He came to the tribe of Abdul-Muttalib, who were supplying water at Zam zam, and said: Draw water. O Bani Abdil-Muttalib; were it not that people would usurp this right of supplying water from you, I would have drawn it along with you. So they handed him a basket and he drank from it.

[Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2803]

[You may download the entire hadeeth (from the translation of Sahih Muslim) along with the original Arabic here. This is not exactly the same translation as the one above, as I based mine mostly on the old translation of Sahih Muslim (as it was available in editable form online) and the numbering scheme is also from that translation.]

It should be noted that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) only performed Hajj once. He performed Umrah four times, one of which was the one with his Hajj. Also, another one of the Umrahs was after the treaty of Hudaibiyah where the rites of Umrah were not actually completed due to the Quraish stopping the Muslims from doing so. Nevertheless, it was considered an Umrah by Allah.

حدَّثنا أبو الوَليدِ هِشامُ بنُ عبدِ الملكِ حدَّثَنا همَّامٌ عن قتادةَ قال : سألتُ أنساً رضيَ اللّهُ عنهُ فقال :اعتمرَ النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلّم حيثُ رَدُّوهُ، ومن القابلِ عمرةَ الحُديبيةِ، وعُمرةً في ذي القَعدةِ، وعُمرةً مع حجّتهِ

Narrated Qatadah: I asked Anas (radiallahu anhu) (about the Prophet’s Umrah) and he replied, “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed Umrah when the pagans made him return, and Umrah of al-Hudaibiyah (the next year), and another Umrah in Dhul Qaadah, and another Umrah in combination with his Hajj.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 7]

PREPARING FOR HAJJ AND UMRAH

These days, many people go to Hajj and Umrah without any preparation! How can this be? If we prepare for the lesser journeys (e.g. vacations), then we definitely need to prepare for the best of journeys.

So, here are some steps that you might need to take before embarking on your journey:

1. Do Dua (supplication)

Do dua for what, you ask? Well, the most important thing to ask for is obviously the hereafter. Apart from this, we need to turn to Allah for all of our needs.

In fact, I would advise people to make a dua list of all the things that they want and keep asking from it because many times we completely forget to ask Allah for the things that we want! [Here is an article that I wrote about this issue on my old blog.]

With regards to Hajj, the first thing one should pray for is that he or she gets to go for Hajj. That’s the most important step because it is Allah alone who has power over all things.

Those going for Hajj should also ask Allah to make Hajj easy for them and help them do it the proper way (i.e. the way that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did it).

Another thing to ask for is good companionship during Hajj, because those around you can truly make or break your Hajj.

A point to note is that many people ask those going for Hajj to do dua for them. If someone asks you, then write it down so that you don’t forget to do dua for them.

Another point to note is that dua has certain etiquettes (read some of them here) and that certain times and places are better than others. Here is a nice document that summarises the times and places where dua should be done during Hajj and Umrah.

2. Start the application process for Hajj

These days, the application process is done months in advance.

The first thing to check is whether you have enough money to go for Hajj. You would need to ask around for agents and Hajj companies and check their prices. You would also need to check how many days of vacation you and your family might need to take off.

Please keep the following things in mind:

1. Use your halal (permissible) money

Many people use money earned from impermissible sources and this is not correct. Subhan Allah, what is the point of this? The whole purpose of Hajj and Umrah is to get closer to Allah. So do people expect to get closer to Him by doing things in a manner that He has forbidden?

Remember: Allah does not accept unlawful things.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :‏ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لاَ يَقْبَلُ إِلاَّ طَيِّبًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ فَقَالَ ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ‏}‏ وَقَالَ ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ‏}‏ ‏‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: O people, Allah is Good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying:

يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ

O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyyibaat [all kinds of Halal (legal) foods which Allah has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah Al-Muminun (23) : 51]

And He said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ

O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 172]

He then made a mention of a person who travels widely, his hair disheveled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): “O Lord, O Lord,” whereas his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted? [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2214]

Here is an article that discusses this issue in more detail.

Also, please remember the story discussed in Part 3, about the pagan Arabs and the rebuilding of the Kabah. The reason that it was made smaller than the original one was because they (i.e. the idol worshippers) only wanted to use their halal (lawful) money!

2. The Hajj company that you choose to go with can make or break your Hajj

A badly organised Hajj group can really be tough to take. A Hajj group that is not on the Sunnah is a disaster. So, you need to be careful.

For more information on how to choose a good company, please refer to the article referenced in this post from my older Hajj blog.

3. You don’t need a very expensive package, a basic one will do

Here’s a much needed article that warns against over planning Hajj. It points out how people delay Hajj because they cannot afford the expensive packages, when they could have gone with a basic one instead.

Also, I know many people like to stay in five star hotels but my advice would be to keep your Hajj simple and not stay in a posh hotel as it takes away from the simplicity of Hajj. You can save the five star hotels for vacations. Hajj though is not a vacation. It’s a pillar of our religion and a journey of a lifetime.

4. Go with a valid Hajj permit

Unfortunately, many people go  for Hajj or Umrah without a valid permit. One of the problems with this is that it involves lying.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْبِرِّ وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَصْدُقُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الصِّدْقَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ صِدِّيقًا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَالْكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ وَمَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَكْذِبُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الْكَذِبَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَذَّابًا ‏

Abdullah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: It is obligatory for you to tell the truth, for truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise, and the man who continues to speak the truth and endeavours to tell the truth is eventually recorded as truthful with Allah, and beware of telling of a lie for telling of a lie leads to obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell-Fire, and the person who keeps telling lies and endeavours to tell a lie is recorded as a liar with Allah. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6309]

Here is an excellent article that goes into this issue in more detail.

5. Choose righteous companions

One needs to choose righteous companions to do Hajj with as they have a great effect on it. A person is always influenced by those that they are around.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 4833. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالسَّوْءِ كَحَامِلِ الْمِسْكِ وَنَافِخِ الْكِيرِ، فَحَامِلُ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْذِيَكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَبْتَاعَ مِنْهُ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ مِنْهُ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً، وَنَافِخُ الْكِيرِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْرِقَ ثِيَابَكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً 

Narrated Abu Musa (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadeeth No. 442]

If one is not in a position to choose then I would advise them to do lots of dua (supplication) asking for righteous companionship during and after Hajj.

3. Improve your ibaadah (worship)

Why should one work on their ibaadah (worship) before Hajj? Well, think of those athletes that prepare for their big events. Do they prepare during the event or well before it? They do it well in advance so that they are READY for the event. Then during the event, they improve even more so as to peak at the right time.

That’s how it is for those doing Hajj. One needs to work on his/her ibaadah well before Hajj so that when they finally do go, they can maximize their ibaadah during the Hajj days. One should not wait to get to Makkah before they change their ways because that might be a bit too late.

What can you do to increase your ibaadah? Well, there are many ways including increasing your voluntary prayers, giving more charity, voluntary fasting (assuming you have made up all your missed fasts, otherwise it is better to do those first), increasing in the recition of the Quran, etc.

Remember that the best type of ibaadah is the one which is consistent even if it is little.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَعِنْدَهَا امْرَأَةٌ قَالَ ‏:‏ مَنْ هَذِهِ ‏‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ فُلاَنَةُ‏.‏ تَذْكُرُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏: مَهْ، عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا .‏ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ‏.‏

Also, remember that one needs to prepare the heart and soul for this trip not just the body, so one should increase in the actions of the heart like love, hope and fear of Allah, being pleased with Him, etc.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself on a daily basis.

Also, don’t forget that Hajj takes place during the best ten days so there are certain acts of worship that are better in those days like fasting. So it would be better to focus on those acts.

4. Learn the fiqh (jurisprudence) of Hajj and Umrah

As I mentioned at the beginning of this series, there are two conditions for any act of worship to be accepted: 1) that the intention be solely to please Allah and 2) that the acts are in accordance with the Sunnah (way) of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

Many people go to Hajj and Umrah without knowing how to perform them properly. This is a grave mistake. As they are both acts of worship, we need to do them according to the Sunnah, and for that we need to have some Islamic knowledge.

I encourage all those that are going for Hajj or Umrah to attend workshops, read books and listen to some lectures on this topic. The Best of Journeys series was also written with this purpose in mind.

I also have another Hajj blog which has many resources that you might benefit from: http://hajjandumrah.wordpress.com/

I also recommend that you buy the book “Getting the Best out of Al-Hajj” by Brother Abu Muneer Ismail Davids (published by Darussalam). He has a lot of practical tips that are essential for the person going for Hajj or Umrah. If you cannot find that, then at least buy his Umrah book “Getting the best out of Umrah”.

Another thing that one needs to study is the fiqh of salah (prayer). Many people go to Hajj but do not pray the correct way! Here is a nice website that teaches the correct way to pray.

Also, there are funeral prayers held all the time at Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid An-Nabawi. As this prayer has a lot of virtues and is very easy to perform, it’s worth learning how to do it.

Here’s a simple video that explains the whole salah:

Also, here’s a simple article that explains it as well.

5. Work on your fitness

One of the conditions for Hajj being obligatory is that the person needs to physically be able to do Hajj. This implies that Hajj is physically tough and that one needs to prepare one’s body for it.

There is a LOT of walking involved in Hajj so I implore you to start working on your fitness if you wish to go for Hajj. A simple question to gauge your level of fitness would be: Can you walk up a flight of stairs without panting?

How can you improve your fitness? Well, simple walking (especially outside so as to get fresh air) is very beneficial. You can start by doing that for at least 10 minutes a day and then increase from there.

Also, one needs to look at their diet and make sure that there are lots of healthy foods in there. One could also add foods mentioned in the Sunnah like black seeds, honey, dates, olives, etc.

Also, please be sure to do dua for good health.

6. Be sure to take the necessary items

It is from the Sunnah to take provisions for Hajj and Umrah:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ أَهْلُ الْيَمَنِ يَحُجُّونَ وَلاَ يَتَزَوَّدُونَ وَيَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ، فَإِذَا قَدِمُوا مَكَّةَ سَأَلُوا النَّاسَ، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى{‏وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَى‏}‏‏

Some of the items that I would recommend people to take with them would be the following:

1) Ibaadah stuff

This means all those items used for ibaadah like your mushaf (Quran), Islamic books (take small ones), dua book, etc. You may also download lectures and Quran recitation on to your mobile phone (don’t forget to take your phone charger!).

Try not to take large books because they will be difficut to travel with. If you are a voracious reader who will be in Makkah and Madinah for a few weeks, then it would be better to download all the required books on to an iPad and take that instead.

2) Qiblah compass (or download the program onto your mobile phone)

Yes, this is needed especially in Mina and Muzdalifah where it is not always clear where the Qiblah is!

3) Miswak (Siwak)

It is a type of natural toothbrush and is a sunnah that is overlooked by many.

4) Khuffs

Khuffs (Khuffain in reality) are leather socks. Why take them? Well, firstly, because there is no debate that they can be wiped over when doing wudhu (ablution) (assuming they were put on when a person was in a state of purity i.e. after doing wudhu). The other types of socks do have some disagreement over them with regards to wiping.

Secondly, when doing tawaf, khuffs would be more easier to walk around in compared to normal socks as they have more “grit” i.e. you are less likely to slip.

Thirdly, shoes tend to get stolen in the Haram a LOT. So if your shoes get stolen, it’s easier to walk back in khuffs rather than in regular socks!

Those who wish to learn more about the fiqh of wiping over the khuffs (and other socks) should read this set of fatwas by Shaikh ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullah).

5) Kettle and related stuff

Many people cannot live without tea or coffee. And in Mina (where half of Hajj takes place) you don’t really get that easily so it would be better to pack a little kettle along with tea/coffee, milk (those rainbow cups will do fine), sugar, plastic cups and spoons, etc.

Also, remember to share it with everyone in your group so that you get more reward.

6) Hygiene items and related stuff

This would involve the usual stuff one takes on a regular journey, especially women. Some of these items cannot be used whilst in ihram but they can be used at other times.

I’ve also read that brothers would do well to take vaseline with them because wearing ihram clothes apparently causes lots of pain (as the thighs keep rubbing against each other).

7) Stuff for cold weather

Makkah is generally hot but Madinah is generally very cold so in cooler seasons be sure to take a sweater or two.

8) Mina /Arafah stuff

One is required to stay in Mina for a few days so it’s important that one does not miss taking something. You might need things like a small bucket to make it easier to take a bath with and also toilet slippers. Some of the tents have good facilities and some others really don’t, so people’s needs would differ.

As for Arafah, you might need to take a small bag with you (as all the luggage will be left behind in Mina).

You may find more items in my itikaf list (which would be useful for Mina) and in this list by another brother (the list is in the middle of the article). This older post on my Hajj blog containing Umrah checklists might also come in handy.

Of course, the above mentioned items aren’t all the things that you need. Rather, these are just some items which people might forget to take.

A few points to note:

1. Please don’t take very expensive items because that’s not from the Sunnah (and they might get stolen away!)

عَنْ ثُمَامَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ حَجَّ أَنَسٌ عَلَى رَحْلٍ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَحِيحًا، وَحَدَّثَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَجَّ عَلَى رَحْلٍ وَكَانَتْ زَامِلَتَهُ‏

Narrated Thumama ibn Abdullah ibn Anas: Anas (radiallahu anhu) performed the Hajj on a packsaddle and he was not a miser. He (Anas) said, “Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed Hajj on a packsaddle and the same mount was carrying his baggage too.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 2, Hadeeth No. 592]

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ حَجَّ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ عَلَى رَحْلٍ رَثٍّ وَقَطِيفَةٍ تُسَاوِي أَرْبَعَةَ دَرَاهِمَ أَوْ لاَ تُسَاوِي ثُمَّ قَالَ : اللَّهُمَّ حِجَّةٌ لاَ رِيَاءَ فِيهَا وَلاَ سُمْعَةَ ‏

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) said: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed Hajj on an old saddle, wearing a cloak that was worth four Dirham or less. Then he said: ‘O Allah, a Hajj in which there is no showing off nor reputation sought.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 2890. Graded ‘sahih’ (authentic) by Shaikh Al-Albani.]

Someone gave me a good rule of thumb for taking stuff to Mina and Arafah. She pointed out that anything that you really wanted to return with, you should not take with you! What she means is that one should not take any sort of valuable or expensive items as there is a high probability that they could get stolen.

For example, don’t take expensive, fancy watches, bags or shoes. Just take cheap, ugly ones (but good enough quality to last the journey) so that the thieves would not want to steal it. [And no, I’m not joking about the last part.]

2. Trading is permitted in Hajj

لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّ‌بِّكُمْ

There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading, etc.). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 198]

So, a person who wishes to take some items with them in order to sell them during Hajj may do so.

3. Some things are better left behind

I would advise everyone to avoid the Internet as much as possible during their time in Hajj and Umrah. It’s better to disconnect oneself and focus solely on one’s ibaadah (worship). Also, cameras and laptops are better left behind as well. Hajj is a religious journey, not a vacation.

4. You need to also pack your sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude)

وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ‌ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

“And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 197]

وَاللَّـهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِ‌ينَ

“And Allah loves As-Saabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 146]

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.” [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 7]

Why do we need them? Well, because Hajj is a real test of patience. The crowds, traffic, dirty toilets, etc can really get to a person. As a result, many people just complain all the time and are not grateful for getting a chance to go to Hajj.

This is a big mistake. One really needs to be patient with all of this and at the same time, be grateful for being able to go on this tremendous journey.

Remember, a believer lives between patience and gratitude:

عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ 

Abu Yahya Suhaib ibn Sinan (radiallahu anhu) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 7138]

Also, one needs to have tawakkul (reliance) on Allah and strive to do the best they can.

7. If you have pets, don’t just abandon them for a couple of weeks

This might seem like a strange point to mention in a Hajj series but it’s a common problem that many pets face – not being cared for when their owners go abroad.

So, if you have pets, regardless of whether it is a cat, birds, fishes, etc. make sure that you appoint someone in your absence to feed them and take care of them. Otherwise, you’ll have incurred a great sin.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : دَخَلَتِ امْرَأَةٌ النَّارَ فِي هِرَّةٍ رَبَطَتْهَا، فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْهَا، وَلَمْ تَدَعْهَا تَأْكُلُ مِنْ خِشَاشِ الأَرْضِ ‏

Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 535]

8. Write your will

Why? Well, because it’s from the sunnah to write a will (at any time, not just for Hajj).

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَا حَقُّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَهُ شَىْءٌ، يُوصِي فِيهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ، إِلاَّ وَوَصِيَّتُهُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ عِنْدَهُ 

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (radiallahu anhum): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 1]

Here are some resources to help you write a will:

How to write a will – IslamQA

The Islamic Will and Testament by Muhammad Al-Jibali

My Right to Janazah: The Islamic Will

The Islamic Law of Wills by Dr. Abid Hussain

Some of the things that you should remember to mention are:

– Any debts that you owe

– Any outstanding fasts that you have to make up

– Your burial i.e. if you have any requirements (this is essential if you have a non-Muslim family)

– Custody of children i.e. who will get custody of your children if anything happens to you and your spouse

9. Start a Hajj notebook

This is a good way for you to keep track of how you were before, during and after Hajj. You could write down:

– What you are like pre-Hajj and what you want to be at the time of death

– Your preparations

– Your goals for Hajj

– Your expectations for Hajj

– A summary of how to do Hajj including the required acts and duas (supplications) for each stage

– Your daily plan for when you’re in Makkah and Madinah

– Your experiences there (a daily journal of sorts)

– What you are like post-Hajj and what else you need to do to improve

SOME THINGS TO PONDER OVER BEFORE STARTING THE JOURNEY

There are some more issues to be discussed before one moves forward with their journey.

1. Remember that Hajj is a journey of Tawheed

As mentioned earlier in this series, tawheed is the purpose of creation. It means to single out Allah in His Lordship, His Worship and His Names and Attributes. So the purpose of creation is to worship the Creator alone and stop the worship of other than Him.

Hajj is one of the greatest ways to worship our Creator and actualise tawheed. All of its rites are for this purpose.

 عن عائشة قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم: إنما جعل الطواف بالبيت وبين الصفا والمروة ورمى الجمار لإقامة ذكر الله

Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The Tawaf of the House and between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and stoning the Jimaar are only done for the establishment of Allah’s remembrance.“ [Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, Hadeeth no. 2882. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Shaikh Mustafa Al-Azami]

Note:

• The Jimaar are the three pillars which are stoned during Hajj and will be discussed later on in this series, in shaa Allah.

• Tawaf means to circumbulate something. It generally means to circumbulate the Kabah. You will notice that in this hadeeth that tawaf is also used for walking in between the two mountains, As-Safa and Al-Marwah. This act is usually called saee but it is also referred to as tawaf.

Also, Hajj is only performed to seek Allah’s pleasure.

  عن أبي هريرةَ رضيَ اللّهُ عنه قال: سمعتُ النبيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلّم يقول :من حجَّ للّهِ فلمَ يَرفُثْ ولم يَفْسُقْ رَجَع كيومِ ولدَتْهُ أمُّه

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil nor sins then he will return as on the day his mother bore him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 2, Hadeeth No. 596]

As you can see, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) explicitly mentioned that performing Hajj for Allah’s pleasure is a condition for getting one’s sins wiped away.

Sadly, there are many people who go for Hajj and then call upon the dead to help them! This is an act of shirk i.e attributing partners to Allah – the exact opposite of tawheed.

Some examples of shirk during Hajj are:

• Calling out to the dead for help during the day of Arafah
• Extreme nationalism
• The act of wiping oneself against the Kabah seeking its blessings

Actually, there are many examples. In order to truly understand tawheed and shirk, one needs to study them in depth.

Here are some resources which discuss Hajj and Tawheed:

Hajj and Tawheed  by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullah) [Audio and Book]

From the teachings of Hajj by Shaikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Abbad

I’ve put up more tawheed resources in this post.

A point to consider: ALL Muslims regardless of their sect gather at the same place and at the same time of year for Hajj. We don’t find this is in other religions. Why not? Simple, it’s because they are all false and Islam is the only true religion, and Hajj is a strong proof of that.

2. Good manners are essential during Hajj and Umrah

Good manners are a great act of worship.

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : مَا شَيْءٌ أَثْقَلُ فِي مِيزَانِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ خُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَبْغَضُ الْفَاحِشَ الْبَذِيءَ ‏

Abu Ad-Darda (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Nothing is heavier on the believer’s scale on the Day of Judgement than good character. For indeed Allah, the Most High, is angered by the shameless obscene person.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2002. Graded ‘sahih’ (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏ مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ يُوضَعُ فِي الْمِيزَانِ أَثْقَلُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَإِنَّ صَاحِبَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ لَيَبْلُغُ بِهِ دَرَجَةَ صَاحِبِ الصَّوْمِ وَالصَّلاَةِ ‏

Abu Ad-Darda (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:“Nothing is placed on the scale that is heavier than good character. Indeed, the person with good character will have attained the rank of the person of fasting and prayer. [Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2003. Graded ‘sahih’ (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Many Muslims today are very lax about the importance of good manners. One of the places where this is especially noticeable is during Hajj, which is strange given that it is from the proper etiquette of Hajj to show good manners.

عن جابر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم :إنَّ بِرَّ الحجِّ إطعامُ الطعامِ ، وطِيبُ الكلامِ

Jaabir (radiallahu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The goodness of Hajj is feeding people and good speech.” [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 1094]

Shaikh Saleh Al-Fawzan states:

“A pilgrim should also treat people with kindness and good manners, avoid quarreling or annoying others, and safeguard his tongue against insult, backbiting, and whatever does not please Allah and His Messenger.” [Quoted from “A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence”, Vol. 1, pg. 416]

Subhan Allah, a person might think that they are doing Hajj properly because they did all the rites as they were supposed to but it may be that they did not treat people well. Due to this, perhaps their Hajj was not accepted! So this is something that everyone should pay close attention to.

For more resources on this topic, you may refer to this post.

3. Renew your intention for each stage

Many times, people forget why they do acts of worship to begin with, which causes a lot of stuff to be done in autopilot mode!

Remember: All of these rites are done to glorify and please Allah alone, so one must renew their intention as often as possible so as not to forget why they are doing Hajj in the first place.

4. Modesty is a very important aspect of Islam

Modesty is greatly emphasised upon in Islam.

عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَمِعَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَجُلاً يَعِظُ أَخَاهُ فِي الْحَيَاءِ فَقَالَ ‏ : إِنَّ الْحَيَاءَ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ 

It was narrated from Salim that his father (radiallahu anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said heard a man urging his brother to be modest. He said: ‘Indeed modesty is a branch of faith.'” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 58. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ : مَا كَانَ الْفُحْشُ فِي شَىْءٍ قَطُّ إِلاَّ شَانَهُ وَلاَ كَانَ الْحَيَاءُ فِي شَىْءٍ قَطُّ إِلاَّ زَانَهُ

It was narrated from Anas (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “There is never any obscenity in a thing, but it mars it, and there is never any modesty in a thing, but it adorns it.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 4185. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ : الْحَيَاءُ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ وَالإِيمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَالْبَذَاءُ مِنَ الْجَفَاءِ وَالْجَفَاءُ فِي النَّارِ ‏

It was narrated from Abu Bakrah (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Modesty is part of faith, and faith will be in Paradise. Obscenity in speech is part of harshness and harshness will be in Hell.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 4184. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Many people don’t seem to focus on modesty during Hajj so you end up seeing the following things:

• Men removing their upper ihram garment and exposing their chests for no reason.
• Women mixing with men whilst doing tawaf instead of doing it a bit further away.
• Men praying right behind women in the Haram.
• Women not having a problem with men praying right behind them which is strange because the bowing and prostration would tend to expose the shape of their bodies.
• Men not taking care to not expose their private parts whilst sleeping in their ihram garments. [They cannot wear underwear in Hajj as it’s stitched clothing.]
• Women completely uncovering in front of other women whilst bathing in Mina.

Now, modesty is even more important for women than it is for men (although it is very important for them as well) so they need to be more careful regarding this issue.

5. Don’t pass off your mistakes as “little”

Many people pass over mistakes that they consider too little, especially in Hajj. However, little things tend to add up, and when they do, they might cause many problems for a person.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏:‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِيَّاكِ وَمُحَقَّرَاتِ الأَعْمَالِ فَإِنَّ لَهَا مِنَ اللَّهِ طَالِبًا 

It was narrated that Aishah (radiallahu anha) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to me: ‘O Aishah, beware of (evil) deeds that are regarded as insignificant, for they have a pursuer from Allah. (i.e. accountability).” [Sunan Ibn Maajah, Hadeeth No. 4243. Graded ‘sahih’ (authentic) by Al-Abani.]

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَعْمَلُونَ أَعْمَالاً هِيَ أَدَقُّ فِي أَعْيُنِكُمْ مِنَ الشَّعَرِ، إِنْ كُنَّا نَعُدُّهَا عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُوبِقَاتِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَعْنِي بِذَلِكَ الْمُهْلِكَاتِ

Anas (radiallahu anhu) said: “You people do (bad) deeds (commit sins) which seem in your eyes as tiny (minute) than hair while we used to consider those (very deeds) during the lifetime of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as destructive sins.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadeeth No. 499]

So, one should try not to be negligent and should do their best in Hajj. In fact, we have been ordered to try to do our best in all our actions.

 عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ ثِنْتَانِ حَفِظْتُهُمَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذَّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ فَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ 

6. Enjoy your Hajj

Please enjoy your Hajj! This is something that many, many people forget to do, subhan Allah.

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many, so be happy that you got to go. Enjoy doing the rites and going to the places. Don’t be grumpy, rather be happy and grateful to Allah because then He will increase you in goodness.

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.” [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 7]

7. The real test is AFTER Hajj

Many people assume that Hajj is the big test. No, the big test is AFTER Hajj.

Why? Because that is when you will have an indication as to whether your Hajj was accepted or not. A sign that it was accepted would be that you are better after Hajj. So, you need to keep improving after Hajj as well.

For those who wish to contemplate some more, here’s a nice article:

Hajj: Virtues and Contemplations by Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad

(Here’s Part 5.)

HajjQuran