The origin of the Hajj dates back to 2,000 BC, when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Prophet Ismail (AS), constructed the Holy Kaaba as commanded by Allah SWT. However, the first official pilgrimage (Hajj) took place after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions migrated to Madinah and succeeded in conquering Makkah in 10 AH (632 CE). It is also known as the Farewell Hajj, the Last Pilgrimage, and Hajjat-ul-Wida. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and so Allah SWT has instructed all financially and physically able Muslims to fulfil the obligations of this pilgrimage at least once in their life. Hajj gives Muslims a chance to wipe clean their past sins and have a clean slate. It gives Muslims a chance to revive their faith and start over anew and live a better, more righteous life. While performing the rituals of Hajj, Muslims retrace the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Hajar (RA), and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), commemorating their sacrifices and seeking ways to deepen their devotion to Allah SWT. Allah SWT in the Holy Quran states, “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)” [Holy Quran: Surah al-Hajj 22: Ayah 27]. “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for al-‘aalameen (mankind and jinns).” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:96]. The Ka’bah – which is the direction of prayer for all Muslims throughout the world – is situated roughly in the middle of al-Masjid al-Haraam. It is a 15-meter high stone structure more or less in the shape of a cube. It was built by Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) on the command of Allaah. Near the Kaaba are the two hills of al-Safa and al-Marwah. “Verily! Al-Safa and al-Marwah are of the Symbols of Allaah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allaah is All-Recognizer, All-Knower” [al-Baqarah 2:158]. Another of its unique features is that Allaah has made it safe, and one prayer in it is equal to a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And (remember) when We made the House a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem as a place of prayer, and We commanded Ibraaheem and Ismaa’eel that they should purify My House for those who are circumabulating it, or staying (I’tikaaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves” [al-Baqarah 2:125]. The Hajj, in essence, means ‘pilgrimage’ to the holy city of Makkah in Arabic and must be performed by every Muslim each year during the first ten days of the sacred month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Regarded as one of the profound deeds in Islam, Hajj teaches Muslims to practice goodness, show humility, be at peace with oneself and be sincere to Allah. There are three types of Hajj that a pilgrim may choose to undertake, namely:
Hajj Al-Ifrad – This essentially refers to performing the rituals of Hajj alone without the need of a sacrificial animal (Hadee) or Qurbani. A prilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Mufrid.
Hajj Al-Qiran – In this type of pilgrimage, one performs both Hajj and Umrah together while being in the state of Ihram. This form requires a sacrificial animal to complete the rituals. A pilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Qaarin.
Hajj Al-Tamatt’u – The most common type of Hajj pilgrimage and the one Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) encouraged his companions to perform. It refers to performing Umrah rituals during the Hajj season and then proceeding to complete the steps to Hajj between the 8th and 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Both Umrah and Hajj rituals are performed by entering a separate state of Ihram, and a sacrificial animal is required in order to complete this form of Hajj. A pilgrim who undertakes this form of Hajj is called Muttamatti. Pilgrims can choose to undertake any of the three Hajj procedures that is easier for them. The acts of faith performed by all pilgrims during their spiritual journey to the Holy Kaaba are collectively known as the Hajj rituals, which lasts five days from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
1. Hajj Preparations: Hajj begins on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, when pilgrims make their intentions to undertake the pilgrimage by donning the Ihram garments.
Assuming Ihram From Miqat – The intention To Perform Hajj: Before pilgrims wish to enter the Al Masjid Al Haram (the sacred boundary of Mecca) and move across to perform Hajj, they should wear Ihram in order to make haram and traverse the five different areas of Miqats in the Haram boundary. Below are the destination options and relevant Miqats for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj:
• Dhu’l Hulaifah (Abbyar Ali) is for pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia from or through Madina first to perform Hajj al-Tamatt’u
• Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh) is for pilgrims coming from or through Syria, Morocco, or Egypt.
• Qarn-al manazil (As-Sail Al-Kabeer) is for pilgrims coming from or through Najd or Taif.
• Yalamlam (Sa’adiyah) is for pilgrims coming from or through India, Pakistan or Yemen.
• Dhat `Irq is for pilgrims coming from or through Iraq.
“The end of Hajj leads to the Muslim holiday of Eid Al Adha, making it an opportune time to reflect upon the meaning of sacrifice and patience. It also offer a chance for us all to seek to help one another more actively, as the yearly holiday is a time for charity.We wish pilgrims a blessed Hajj, and Muslims a happy upcoming Eid Al Adha.”
Before setting off from their place of stay and making their way to the sacred boundary of Mecca, pilgrims are bound to assume a state of Ihram, which is the combined sacred act of Niyyah and Talbiyah necessary to perform Hajj. Niyyah is the innate intention to perform an act of worship, while Talbiyah is a special prayer said in supplication to attain Ihram. All pilgrims are required to stick to certain guidelines before entering into the Miqat. To become a Muhrim (a pilgrim that has attained the state of Ihram), a pilgrim must prepare himself for Ihram by following the below steps as instructed by the Prophet (PBUH):
• Performing ablutions – cleansing the body to attain physical purity, which involves some rituals that are mandatory (Mushtahab) and others, are preferable for Ihram:
I. Ghusl (Mustahab)
II. Perfuming the head & beard. (Mustahab)
III. Clipping finger & toe nails (Preferred)
IV. Trimming moustache (Preferred)
V. Shaving off unwanted body hair (Preferred)
• Changing into the sacred attire of two-pieced white Ihram sheets (Izar and Rida) for men and ordinary Islamic clothes for women. Both, men and women, should wear the flip-flops or sandals that expose the middle bones of the midfoot.
• Performing the two Rakats of Salah al-Ihram while covering the head.
• Pronouncing the Niyyah as the Miqat approaches
• Reciting Talbiyah repeatedly while traversing the Miqat stations in the sacred boundary of the Grand Holy Kaaba until the commencement of Tawaf before travelling to Mecca for the next step of Umrah.
2. Performing the Umrah Rituals: Pilgrims intending to undertake Hajj al-Tamatt’u must combine Umrah rituals with that of Hajj.
3. Hajj Steps: Below are the ten important Hajj rituals step by step:
I.Reassume Ihram and the intention to perform Hajj.
After completing Umrah rituals, pilgrims must assume the state of Ihram and declare their intentions to do Hajj. Note: repeat step 1 of Hajj Preparation
II. Travel To Mina: Soon after the observing the morning prayers, all pilgrims must head to Mina (a town in Mecca), where they stay an entire day carrying out ritual prayers – Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, Fajr and Qasr – as stated in the Quran.
III. Travel to Mt. Arafat To Perform Wafuq: During the second day of Hajj, 9th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah, pilgrims travel to Arafat from Mina reciting Istaghfar and making supplications. Upon reaching Mount Arafat, pilgrims observe Duhr and Asr combined with Qasar prayers near the Jabal al-Rahmah from noon to sunset. This act is known as Waquf (standing before Allah).
IV. Offer Prayers In Muzadalifah: Post sunset, pilgrims head to Muzadalifah (a town between Mina and Mt. Arafat) to observe the evening prayers and rest the night until Fajr prayers in preparation for the next day’s ritual of stoning the devil. Pilgrims pick up 49 pebbles of similar size for Rami.
On the 10th day Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave for Mecca before sunset to do Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’iy and get back to Mina to perform Rami, Nahr and Halq.
V. Perform Rami In Mina: On the 11th and 12th days of Hajj, pilgrims must complete the stoning of the Devil or Rami. Before Sunrise, pilgrims head back to Mina and participate in a ritual known as ‘Stoning the devil’. Seven pebbles (of similar sizes) are thrown at a stone structure known as Jamrat al-Aqabah. This is an act carried out at noon on each day. All pilgrims are required to leave for Mecca before sunset on the 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
VI. Animal Sacrifice – Nahr: The culmination of the stoning ceremony calls for an animal sacrifice. For this pilgrims can purchase sacrifice voucher or a coupon, which states that a sacrifice has been made in their name. the sacrificial animal is either a lamb or a camel. The animal is butchered and its meat is packed and shipped to other Middle Eastern countries or is fed to the poor.
VII. Halq (shaving the head) or Taqsir (clipping or shortening of the hair for men and women): Men should get their head completely shaved, or get their hair clipped. While women are forbidden to shave their heads and only allowed to have a lock or strand of their hair clipped. The act of cutting the hair symbolizes one’s detachment from physical appearances and complete subjection to Allah.
VIII. Perform Tawaf And Sa’iy
IX. Repeat Stoning at Mina After Sunset On the 11th and 12TH day of Dhu al-Hijjah. The stoning ritual is repeated by throwing pebbles at two other monuments other than Jamrat al Aqabah – Jamrat Oolah (the first Jamrat) and Jamrat Wustah (middle Jamrat). Pilgrims face the Jamarah (main pillar), with the Mecca on their left and Mina on their right, stone it with seven small pebbles while reciting takbeer.
X. Perform The Farewell Tawaf: The next and the final step is the farewell Tawaf, circumambulating the Kaaba anti-clockwise seven times and touching or kissing the Kaaba if possible. Pilgrims reflect on their experience and thank Allah for everything, while circumambulating the Kaaba. On completing the Tawaf, pilgrims can proceed to collect their belongings, leave Kaaba by setting their left foot out first and making supplications while doing so. This final step marks the end of Hajj rituals.
Two to three million Muslims from around the world gather every year in the Saudi Arabian city of Makkah, Islam’s holiest site, for seven days. There, they perform religious rites as millions more join in prayer from afar. For decades, live broadcasting from Makkah has meant that images of throngs of pilgrims are beamed all over the world. This year, however, attendance will be limited to only 1,000 people, all of whom must be residents of Saudi Arabia. As precautionary measures are heightened and international travel is extremely limited, the Hajj is being held in extraordinary circumstances. This difficult measure is necessary to limit potential coronavirus infections and to guarantee a safe pilgrimage. Given the ongoing global health crisis, it is a victory that this year’s Hajj is taking place at all. Stringent measures have been introduced to guarantee the well-being of pilgrims and organisers alike. For instance, pilgrims have been granted special permits to access Makkah’s different pilgrimage sites. Physical distancing and face masks are mandatory, and pilgrims will also be restricted from touching the holy Kaaba. Religion brings people of different backgrounds together, yet in the age of Covid-19, the opposite is needed in order to keep our communities safe. Riyadh recognised this challenge early on and took rational steps to protect pilgrimage. The precautions mandated for the pilgrimage have been lauded by the World Health Organisation. The end of Hajj leads to the Muslim holiday of Eid Al Adha, making it an opportune time to reflect upon the meaning of sacrifice and patience. It also offer a chance for us all to seek to help one another more actively, as the yearly holiday is a time for charity.We wish pilgrims a blessed Hajj, and Muslims a happy upcoming Eid Al Adha.
(Authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon” .The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr Bilal A. Bhat & Intizar Ahmad
