Q1.

Outline the main observances of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) [10]

Introduction
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It became obligatory in the ninth year of Hijrah. Hajj is an act of Ibadah
which is obligatory on every Muslims who can afford it once in his lifetime Hajj literally means the
intention of going on pilgrimage. It is an all-embracing act of worship, in which a Muslim visits the
Ka'bah at Makkah in the month of Dhul-Hajj and performs the prescribed rites. Allah says, "Pilgrimage
there to is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey."(Aal-Imran 3:97)
Types of Hajj:
There are three ways in which Hajj can be performed, namely, Hajj al-Tamattu (Interrupted), Hajj
al-Qiran (Combined), Hajj al-Ifrad (Single). Hajj al-Tamattu (Interrupted), this means entering into
ihram to perform 'Umrah before Hajj. Then the ihram is removed on completion of 'Umrah and put on
again on the 8th of Dhul Hijja onwards for the Hajj rites from Makkah.
Hajj al-Qiran (Combined), this means entering into ihram for both 'Umrah and Hajj at the same time,
not taking off the ihram after 'Umrah until the Day of Sacrifice (10th Dhul Hijja). Alternatively, one may
first enter into ihram for the 'Umrah and before beginning one's tawaf, may make the intention of
ihram for the Hajj as well.
Hajj al-Ifrad (Single), this means entering into ihram for the Hajj either from the prescribed station of
ihram (Meeqat) or from Makkah if one lives there, and go to Mina for Hajj. In this case, 'Umrah is not
performed before the Hajj rites. Rituals
Umrah:
When reaching Meekat, pilgrims will:
(1). Perform Wudhu or Ghusal.
(2). Wear Ihram.
Ihram is different for both male and females. For men it is 2 pieces of unstitched cloth unstitched cloth
which to be worn to cover the upper & lower portion of the body. For women it is that they wear their
regular cloths, but should cover their hands, face & feet.
(3). Offer 2 nafal prayer.
(4). Intention of Hajj.
The wearing of ihram and making intention is the first obligation of Hajj.
(5). After their completion, they recite Talbiya:
“Here I ame O Lord, Here I am" Men recite this aloud while women recite it in their hearts.”
The Muslim will rush to the Holy Kaabah to perform Tawaf-e- Qudum i.e. 7 circulations around the
Holy Kabbah -starting from the black stone and ending at the black stone. This is done in an anti-
clockwise movement. While encircling the Holy Kabbah, the pilgrims must touch the black stone
either physically or symbolically.
After this the pilgrims. should perform a private prayer. (Dua) at Multazim (b/w the Door of the Holy
Kabbah and the black stone), then should perform 2 nafal prayers in front of the "Place of Ibrahim" ie.
the place where Hazrat Ibrahim Stood untill rebuilding the Holy Kabbah and his foot prints have been
reserved.
In the end the pilgrims drink water from the spring of Zam Zam. This completes the Tawaf.

The Hajj

First day, 8 Dhul Hijja: The pilgrims put on ihram on 8th Dhul Hijj , reciting the talbiyah, make their
way to Mina, where they will pray their Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers, shortening the prayers
of four rakaat to two rakaat each. These prayers are not combined. Pilgrims spend all available time
in worship and supplication.
Second day, 9th Dhul Hijja: When the sun has risen on the 9th of Dhul Hijja, pilgrims proceed to
Arafat. Here, they pray Zuhr and Asr prayers, shortened and combined during the time of Zuhr, with
one azaan and two iqamas, and stay within the boundaries of Arafat. Standing at Arafat is one of the
greatest act of worship. The Holy Prophet, has said: ‘Hajj is halting at 'Arafat.'
The day at 'Arafat is the day of prayer for forgiveness of sins. Pilgrims remain at "Arafat till sunset and
then proceed towards Muzdalifa, once again reciting the talbiyah. At Muzdalifa, the pilgrims pray the
combined Maghrib and 'Isha prayers, shortening 'Isha to two rak'aat, and spend the night there from
where they collect 49 pebbles for stoning the three Jamaraat. However, it is permissible for women
and weak individuals, like the elderly, to proceed to Mina at any time after midnight.
Third day, 10th Dhul Hijja (Yawm-an-Nahar): After the fajr prayer, pilgrims wait until the brightness
of the morning is widespread and, following the Sunnah of the Prophet, supplicate facing the qibla.
Upon arrival at Mina, they throw seven pebbles at the Jamaraat-ul-'Aqaba, calling 'Bismillah Allahu
Akbar' every time they throw a pebble.
Yawm-an-Nahar means the day of sacrifice. To slaughter a sacrificial animal is obligatory on pilgrims
performing Hajj-al-Qiran and al-Tamattu. After this, pilgrims shave or trim their hair, but shaving is
better; as for women, they may shorten their hair by the length of a fingertip. At this stage, pilgrims
are allowed to change into normal clothes except that they must not have any intimate relations with
their spouses. Pilgrims now proceed to Makkah to perform the Tawaf-al-Ifada (Ziyarat) after which
they perform the Sa'i and return to normal life. If possible, they pray Zuhr in Makkah and return to
spend the remaining nights in Mina.
Fourth day. 11th Dhul Hajja (Ayyam-e-Tashreeq): After spending the night at Mina, pilgrims are
advised to pray the five prayers in congregation, and it is Sunnah to repeat the takbir after every
salat. Rami, stoning the Jamaraat, after Zuhr prayers is also Sunnah. Pilgrims should start with Rami
at Jamaraat-ul-Sughra, the smaller Satan, then the middle one, Jamaraat-ul-Wusta, and finally,
Jamaraat-ul-Kubrah, the bigger Satan, after completing the stoning, pilgrims offer du’as facing the
Qibla. (Before throwing a stone, pilgrims should say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar).
Fifth day, 12th Dhul Hijja (Ayyam-e-Tashreeq): The day should be spent in the remembrance of
Allah and after Zuhr, the stoning at the three Jamaraat should be remembrance done once more
starting with the Jamaraat-ul-Sughra. Pilgrims then offer du'a after leave immediately. However, some
pilgrims stay another day at Mina i.e. until 13th Sughra and Wusta, following which they stone
Jamaraat-ul-Aqabah and stoning Dhul Hijja.
Tawaf al-Wida: With the completion of Hajj and before leaving for their homes, pilgrims are required
to perform the farewell (wida) tawaf of the Ka'aba. They circumambulate the Ka'aba seven times and
offer the two-rakaat prayers behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim.