Haj (Pilgrimage)

Haj

Alläh said:

وَلِلّٰهِ عَلَي النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْـتَـطَاعَ اِلَيْهِ سَبِيْلًا  ۭ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ     97؀ (آل عمران ٩٧)

As a right of Allah, it is obligatory on the people to perform Haj of the House – on everyone who has the ability to manage (his) way to it. If one disbelieves, then Allah is independent of all the worlds.

Alläh’s Prophetﷺ said:

مَنْ حَجَّ لِلَّهِ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ، وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ، رَجَعَ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ. (البخاري ١٥٢١)

Whoever performs Haj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Haj free from all sins) as if he were born anew. (EQ 1441)

Lexically, Haj means heading for a sublime destination.

In Shari'ah, Haj means visiting specific lands at specific time in a specific manner.

There is a consensus in the Islamic community that Haj is obligatory. Not a single Muslim has voiced a differed in this regard.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for Haj to become obligatory

Haj is an individual obligation once a lifetime upon every Muslim man and woman when the following prerequisites are fulfilled:

1.       He should be a Muslim. Haj is not obligatory for a Disbeliever.

2.       He should be an adult[1]. It is not obligatory for a child.

3.       He should be sane. It is not obligatory for an insane person.

4.       He should be free. It is not obligatory for a slave.

5.       He should have the financial capability. Haj is not obligatory for a person without the financial capability.

Financial capability means that in addition to the expenses of his dependents during the period of his absence from home, his wealth should suffice for vehicle-expenses and food-expenses of the Haj journey.

Prerequisites for performance of Haj to become obligatory

Performance of Haj is obligatory only when the following prerequisites are fulfilled:

1.       Physical health: Performing Haj is not obligatory if he is handicapped, paralyzed or has gone senile to the extent that he is unable to travel.

2.       End of obstruction to travel: Performing it is not obligatory for a prisoner or for one fearing a king who forbids going Haj.

3.       Security of the route: if the route to the Haj-site is not safe, then it is not obligatory.

4.       Presence of husband or close male relation[2], for a woman, no matter whether she is young or old: Performing it is not obligatory if her husband or close relation is not with her.

5.       Being out of mourning period for a woman: If a woman is going through her mourning period after a divorce or husband’s death, then performing Haj is not obligatory for her.

Prerequisites for valid performance of Haj

Performance of Haj is valid only if the following prerequisites are fulfilled:

1.       Ihräm: Haj is not valid without Ihräm.

Ihräm is the act of making intention of Haj (or Umrah) while reciting Talbiyah  from one of the Ihräm-stations after taking off stitched garments and putting on seamless garments which preferably consist of a seamless cloak and a wraparound.

A woman’s Ihräm only consists of making the intention of Haj (or Umrah) while reciting Talbiyah  from a Mïqät.

Talbiyah  is reciting the words:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ.

Labbaik allahumma labbaik, labbaika la s̅h̅arïka laka labbaik, inna-lḧamda wanni`mata laka walmulk, la s̅h̅arïka lak.

2.       Specific time: Performance of Haj before or after the months of Haj is not valid.

The months of Haj are: Shawwäl, Zul Qa'dah and the first ten days of Zul Hijjah. Therefore, if a person circumambulates the Ka'bah or ambulates between S̈afä and Marwah before this, his Haj will be invalid.

Performing Ihräm before the months of Haj is valid but detestable.

3.       Specific places: They are the ground of Arafät  for the 9th Zul Hijjah Stay and Masjid Haräm of Makkah for visit circumambulation.

Haj will not be valid if a person misses the 9th Zul Hijjah Stay at 'Arafah at the specific time of stay.

Similarly, Haj will be invalid if he misses the visit circumambulation after the 9th Zul Hijjah Stay at Arafät .

Ihräm Stations

Ihräm-station: it is the place crossing which without performing Ihräm is not permissible for a Haj-intending person residing away from Makkah beyond the Ihräm-stations.

The Ihräm-stations are different for different directions.

For people of	Ihräm-station	Description of Ihräm-station
Yemen and India	Yalamlam	A mountain in Tihämah, around 87 km[3] from Makkah
Egypt, Syria and the remaining West	Al Juhfah	A village between Makkah and Madïnah near Räbig̈
Iraq and the remaining East	Zätu Ìrq	A village nearly 87 km[4] from Makkah
Madïnah	Zul Hulaifah	The place where the spring of Banü Jutham lies, 390 km[5] from Makkah
Najd	Qarn	A mountain near Arafät [6].
It is compulsory for a Haj-intending person to perform Ihräm when passing by one of the above Ihräm-stations or a place adjacent to one of them. It is not permissible for him to pass by the place without Ihräm.
Makkah	Makkah itself	It doesn’t matter whether the person is a permanent or temporary resident of Makkah.
Region between Makkah and an Ihräm-station (Al Hil)	Al Hil	Al Hil is the region between Makkah and Ihräm-station.
A resident of Al Hil will perform Ihräm from his house or from any place between Ihräm-station and the boundary of Al Haram (Makkah).

Constituents of Haj

Essentials of Haj

There are only two essential parts of Haj:

1.       9th Zul Hijjah Stay at the ground of 'Arafah between the sun’s descent from the zenith on the 9th and the dawn-break on the 10th of Zul Hijjah.

The obligatory Stay at 'Arafah is established by staying there for a moment between the two aforementioned time-limits.

2.       Circumambulation of the Ka'bah seven times after the 'Arafah Stay.

This circumambulation is called the visit circumambulation[7].

Compulsory acts of Haj

There are many compulsory acts of Haj. Some are:

1.       Starting Ihräm from the Ihräm-station (or before)

2.       Stay at Muzdalifah though for a moment. The time for this stay begins after Fajr Saläh in the morning of the 10th Zul Hijjah and ends at sunrise.

3.       Performing the visit circumambulation on one of the days of sacrifice (10, 11 and 12 Zul Hijjah).

4.       Ambulation between Safä and Marwah seven times. The first ambulation starts at Safä and the seventh ambulation ends at Marwah.

5.       Farewell circumambulation[8] for non-residents of Makkah

6.       Performing two-unit Saläh after every circumambulation[9]

7.       Throwing pebbles at the three pillars on the days of sacrifice[10]

8.       Shaving or shortening of head-hair inside Haram[11] in the days of sacrifice

9.       Purity from major and minor de jure filth during circumambulation and Safä-Marwah ambulation

10.   Keeping away from forbidden things like wearing stitched garments, covering head (for men), covering face, killing games, sexual indulgence, disobedience and quarrel

Traditions of Haj

There are many traditions in Haj, some of which are:

1.       Bathing or ablution for Ihräm

2.       Wearing seamless cloak and wraparound which are white and new or washed.

3.       Performing two units of Saläh after making the intention of Ihräm

4.       Saying the Talbiyah  frequently

5.       Circumambulation at arrival for non-residents of Makkah

6.       Performing circumambulation of Ka'bah frequently during stay at Makkah

7.       Specific manner of wearing the cloak for men: Before starting circumambulation, the Haj-performer should place one end of his cloak under his right arm-pit and the other end over his left shoulder.

8.       Strutting during circumambulation: During the first three circuits of circumambulation, the person should walk with short steps and shaking of shoulders.

9.       Swift run during Safä-Marwah ambulation: In each of the seven walks between Safä and Marwah, the person should run swiftly between the two green pillars, faster than in the circumambulation strut.

10.   Touching the Black Stone or kissing it at the end of every circuit

11.   Spending the nights during the days of sacrifice[12] at Minä

12.   Sacrifice by a person performing only Haj

Forbidden acts of Haj

The following acts are not permissible for a person in the state of Ihräm. He must keep away from them to prevent his Haj from becoming defective or invalid.

1.       Sexual intercourse and foreplay

2.       Committing a prohibited act

3.       Quarreling or cursing

4.       Applying fragrance

5.       Clipping nails

6.       Putting on stitched garments for men, like long shirt, loose trousers, jubbah, socks, etc.

7.       Covering the head (for men) or face with any usual covering cloth

8.       Covering the face and palms for a woman

9.       Plucking hair of head, beard, armpit or the pubic region

10.   Applying oil to hair or body

11.   Cutting the plants and grasses of Haram[13]

12.   Killing a wild land game no matter whether eating it is permissible or not

Manner of performing Haj

A person intending to perform Haj should go to Makkah in the months of Haj – Shawwäl, Zul Qa’dah and the first ten days of Zul Hijjah[14]. On reaching an Ihräm-station or its vicinity, he should bathe or perform ablution. He should take off his stitched garments and wear wraparound and seamless cloak. Then, he should perform two Saläh-units. He should make intention for Haj and recite the Talbiyah :

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ.

Labbaik allähumma labbaik, labbaika lä s̅h̅arïka laka labbaik, inna-lḧamda wanni`mata laka walmulk, lä s̅h̅arïka lak.[15]

Upon saying Talbiyah , he is considered to have performed Ihräm and he is an Ihrämer now. He should now keep away from every forbidden act of Haj and frequently recite the Talbiyah: after the Salähs, on stepping up a high land, on stepping down towards a low land, on meeting a caravan, on getting up from sleep, etc.

On reaching Makkah, he should first visit Masjid Haräm. Upon seeing it, he should say اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ[16], لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ[17], and go near Hajare Aswad (the Black Stone). He should face the Black Stone saying اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ[18], لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ[19] and then kiss[20] it, if possible, or else kiss by gesture. Then turning towards his right, he should circumambulate the Ka'bah seven times. In the first three circuits, he should strut, brandishing his shoulders and in the remaining three, he should walk with repose and dignity. The circumambulation should be outside the Hatïm. Whenever he passes by the Hatïm, he should kiss it directly or by gesture. He should end his seven-circuit circumambulation with kiss or gesture-kiss. Then he should perform two units. This circumambulation is called the Arrival Circumambulation, and it is Prophets’s tradition.

He should then go towards Safä[21] and climb it. Once there, he should turn towards the Ka'bah and sayاَللهُ أَکْبَرُ (Allähu akbar), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ (Lä iläha illalläh), seek Alläh’s blessings upon Prophetﷺ, and supplicate to Alläh. After that, he should come down towards Marwah and climb it and do all the acts that he did on Safä. Then he should return to Safä, then back to Marwah, and so on. In this way, he should complete seven ambulations. In each of these seven, he should run swiftly, faster than in the circumambulation-strut, when passing between the two green pillars.

On the eighth of Zul Hijjah, he should perform Fajr Saläh at Makkah and go to Minä and stay there. He should spend the 8^th-9^th night[22] there. After the sunrise on the 9^th Zul Hijjah (the 'Arafah day), he should move from Minä to ''Arafah and stay there frequently reciting اَللهُ أَکْبَرُ (Allähu akbar), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ (Lä iläha illalläh), seeking Alläh’s blessings on Prophetﷺ, and supplicating to Him. After the sun’s descent from the zenith, the Imäm shall lead the Zuhr and Asr Salähs in the time of Zuhr Saläh with one Saläh-call and two Saläh-start-calls. He will continue his stay at 'Arafah till sunset, then go back on the road to Makkah. At Muzdalifah, he should stay and spend the night of sacrifice (9^th-10^th night) there. The Imäm shall lead the Mag̈rib and Ishä Salähs in the time of Ishä with one Saläh-call and one Saläh-start-call. At the break of dawn on the 10^th day (the day of sacrifice), the Imäm shall lead the Fajr Saläh in the dark[23]. The Imäm along with the people will stay there and supplicate to Alläh. He will then return towards Makkah before sunrise. On reaching the 'Aqabah pillar, he should throw seven pebbles at it. With the first pebble-throw, he should end his frequent recital of Talbiyah. Then he should perform sacrifice at the time of his convenience, then shave or shorten the hairs on his head. He should then go to Makkah in the period of the three sacrificial days (10^th, 11^th and 12^th) for the Visit Circumambulation. After that, he should return to Minä and stay there.

After the sun’s descent from the zenith on the 11^th, he should throw pebbles at each of the three pillars (the first, the middle and the 'Aqabah). He should start at the first pillar which lies near the Khaif mosque and throw seven pebbles at it. At every pebble-throw, he should say اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ, then stay there and supplicate to Alläh. Likewise he should throw pebbles at the middle pillar and stay there. Then he should throw pebbles at the 'Aqabah pillar, but should not stay there. When the sun descends from the zenith on the 12^th Zul Hijjah, he should again throw pebbles at the three pillars as he did the previous day. In these days of throwing pebbles, he should spend nights at Minä.

He should then go to Makkah, staying on the way at Muhassab for some time. Upon reaching Makkah, he should circumambulate the Ka'bah making seven circuits without the running with shoulder-brandishing and unaccompanied by Safä-Marwah ambulation. This circumambulation is called Farewell circumambulation (Tawäf al Wadä` or Tawäf as Sadr). After the circumambulation, he should perform two units of Saläh. He should go to the well of Zamzam and drink its water while standing. He should go to Multazam and beseech Alläh and supplicate for whatever he likes. When he intends to return to his home-place, he should turn back from the Ka'bah crying and grieving at separation from the holy house of Ka'bah.

Fully combined pilgrimage

(Al Qirän)

The literal meaning of the Arabic word for fully combined pilgrimage, Al Qirän, is: combining two things.

In Shari'ah, Al Qirän is: performing Ihräm at an Ihräm-station for both Umrah and Haj.

According to us, Hanafïs, the fully combined pilgrimage is preferable over the partially combined pilgrimage.

And the partially combined pilgrimage is preferable over uncombined pilgrimage.

It is Prophet’sﷺ tradition for the fully combined pilgrim to say at the time of Ihräm: اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَالْحَجَّ، فَيَسِّرْهُمَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُمَا مِنِّيْ[24]. Then he should start saying the Talbiyah[25].

Upon entering Makkah, the fully combined pilgrim should first perform the Umrah circumambulation completing seven circuits. In the first three circuits, he should run brandishing his shoulders. He should perform two Saläh-units for circumambulation. Then he should perform the Safä-Marwah ambulation, running swiftly between the two green pillars in each ambulation. He should thus complete seven ambulations. These are the acts of Umrah.

After this, he should begin the acts of Haj. He should perform arrival circumambulation and then complete the other acts of Haj as described in detail.

When he throws pebbles at the 'Aqabah pillar on the day of sacrifice (10^th Zul Hijjah), it becomes compulsory for him to sacrifice a small animal or the seventh part of a large animal[26].

If he cannot afford any of these, he should observe three fastings before the day of sacrifice and seven fastings after completing the acts of Haj. He has the option of either observing the fastings at Makkah after the days of Tashrïq[27] or observing them on return to his home-place.

Partially combined pilgrimage

(At Tamattu`)

Partially combined pilgrimage or At Tamattu' is: performing Ihräm at an Ihräm-station only for Umrah. After the two Saläh-units of Ihräm, he should say: اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ، فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ[28]. He should then start saying the Talbiyah.

Upon entering Makkah, he should perform the circumambulation for Umrah. In the first three circuits, he should run brandishing his shoulders. At the completion of the first circumambulation, he should stop frequent recital of Talbiyah. He should perform the two Saläh-units of circumambulation, then perform the Safä-Marwah ambulation. After completing the seven ambulations, he should get his hair shaved or shortened. He will now be free from Ihräm if he had not come to Makkah with a sacrificial animal. If he had, he will not be free from Ihräm at the completion of his Umrah.

On the eighth day of Zul Hijjah, he should perform the Ihräm for Haj from his residence (in Makkah) and complete all the acts of Haj. When he throws pebbles at the 'Aqabah pillar on 10 Zul Hijjah, it will be compulsory for him to sacrifice a small animal or the seventh part of a large animal[29]. If he cannot afford the sacrifice, he should observe three fastings before 10^th Zul Hijjah and seven fastings after completing the acts of Haj. If he does not observe the three fastings before 10^th Zul Hijjah, then sacrifice is the only option for him. Neither fasting nor charity can substitute it.

Umrah

Performing Umrah once in a life-time is emphasized tradition for a person who fulfills the prerequisites for performance of Haj to become obligatory[30].

Umrah may be performed at any time of the year.

Performing the Ihräm for Umrah on the day of ''Arafah, the day of sacrifice and the days of Tashrïq[31] is detestable.

There are four acts in Umrah:

1.       Ihräm

2.       Circumambulation

3.       Safä-Marwah ambulation

4.       Shaving or shortening of head-hair

A person intending to perform Umrah should go to Hil (the region between the boundary of Haram[32] and Ihräm-station) if he is a resident of Makkah, no matter whether he is a permanent resident or a temporary one. He should perform Ihräm there.

If the person is far away from Makkah and has not yet entered it, he should perform Ihräm at an Ihräm-station when intending to enter Makkah.

He should perform circumambulation and Safä-Marwah ambulation for Umrah. Then he should shave or shorten his head-hair. With this, he becomes free of the Ihräm-restrictions and his Umrah is complete.

Violations and their penalties

Violation means committing a forbidden act at Makkah or in the state of Ihräm.

There are two kinds of violation:

1.       Violation against Haram

2.       Violation against Ihräm

Violation against Haram

It is killing a game inside Haram, pointing towards it to a hunter, informing a hunter about its presence; or cutting or plucking out a tree or herb in Haram. It does not matter whether this is done by an Ihrämer or a non-Ihrämer. Each has to pay the penalty.

If a person hunts a wild, land-game in Haram and slaughters it, eating will not be permissible. The game will be considered carrion, no matter whether an Ihrämer or a non-Ihrämer hunts it.

If a non-Ihrämer[33] hunts a game in Haram, it will be compulsory for him to spend the price of the game in charity to poor people. Fasting cannot be a substitute for spending the price in charity.

If a person cuts off a tree or herb in Haram, spending the price in charity will be compulsory, no matter whether he was an Ihrämer or a non-Ihrämer.

If a person cuts off herbs to erect a tent or to make an oven, it is permissible as it is not possible to avoid this.

Violations against Ihräm

It is committing an act which is forbidden during Haj or leaving out a compulsory act of Haj.

There are six types of violations against Ihräm:

1.       The violation which invalidates the Haj such that the invalidation cannot be expiated by sacrifice, fasting or charity. This violation is engaging in sexual intercourse before stay at 'Arafah.

So, if a person engages in sexual intercourse before stay at 'Arafah, his Haj becomes invalid, and it is compulsory for him to sacrifice a goat and late-perform the Haj in the next year.

2.       Violations which impose a penalty of sacrificing a large animal. These are two acts:

a.       Sexual intercourse after the stay at 'Arafah and before shaving or shortening of head-hairs

b.      Performing the Visit Circumambulation in a state of major de jure filth

If a person engages in sexual intercourse after the 'Arafah-stay and before the shaving or shortening of head-hairs, sacrificing a camel or a cow is compulsory.

Similarly, if a person performs the Visit Circumambulation in a state of de jure filth, sacrificing a camel or a cow is compulsory for him.

3.       Violations which impose sacrifice of a small animal or the seventh part of a large animal

There are several such violations.

a.       Engaging in foreplay like kissing or sensual touching

b.      Wearing a stitched garment by a man without an excusable difficulty

A woman can wear any garment of her choice except that she should not cover her face with a cloth that touches it.

c.       Removing head-hair or beard without an excusable difficulty[34]

d.      Covering the face by an Ihrämer for one complete day

e.      Applying scent to a large organ completely without an excusable difficulty: Examples of a large organ are thigh, shank, arm, face and head. It does not matter which kind of scent was used.

Similarly, if the Ihrämer wears a scented garment for one complete day, it is a violation.

f.        Clipping the nails of a single hand or a single foot

g.       Leaving out Farewell Circumambulation

4.       Violations which impose spending ½ sä' of wheat or its price in charity

These violations are also several in number.

a.       Shaving of less than a quarter of head-hair or beard by an Ihrämer

b.      Clipping a nail or two: For every nail, the penalty is ½ sä'.

c.       Applying scent to less than an organ

d.      Wearing a stitched or scented garment for less than a day

e.      Covering head[35] or face for less than a day

f.        Performing Arrival Circumambulation or Farewell Circumambulation in a state of minor de jure filth

g.       Leaving out pebble-throwing at any of the three pillars

5.       Violations which impose charity whose quantity is less than ½ sä' wheat

This violation occurs when a person kills a louse or a locust. He should spend in charity any quantity of his choice.

If he kills two or three lice or locusts, he should spend a handful of food-grain in charity.

If he kills more, he should spend ½ sä' wheat in charity.

6.       Violation whose penalty is the price.

This violation is the killing of a wild land-animal.

If an Ihrämer hunts a wild land-animal, slaughters it, or point to a hunter towards the place of a game’s presence, spending the price of the game in charity becomes compulsory for him. It does not matter whether the game was flesh-edible or not.

The price of the game will be decided by two trustworthy men at the place where the game was killed or at a nearby place.

If the price of the game reaches the price of a sacrificial animal, the Ihrämer has the option of either purchasing a sacrificial animal and slaughtering it in Haram, or purchasing food-grain and distributing it among the poor such that every poor person receives ½ sä'. He also has the option of observing one fasting in lieu of every ½ sä' of wheat.

If the price of the game does not reach that of a sacrificial animal, he has only two options. He may purchase food-grain and spend it in charity, or observe a fasting in lieu of every ½ sä' of wheat.

There is no penalty on an Ihrämer for killing harmful insects like wasp, scorpion, housefly, ant, moth, etc.

Similarly, there is no penalty for killing snake, rat, crow or biting dog.

Haram-sacrifice

Al Hady

Haram-sacrifice or al hady is an animal sacrificed in Haram.

A Haräm-sacrifice can be a goat, sheep, cow or camel.

A goat or sheep is valid as Haram-sacrifice on behalf of one person.

A cow or camel is valid on behalf of seven persons provided no one’s share is less than 1/7.

The prerequisites for Haram-sacrifice are same as for the sacrificial animals of Ïdul Azhä. That is, the animal should be defect-free.

A goat or sheep is acceptable only if it has completed a year and moved on to the second year of age.

The only exception is a sheep more than six months old and so plump that it cannot be distinguished from a one year old sheep.

A cow is acceptable only if it has completed two years and started the third year.

A camel is acceptable only if it has completed five years and started the sixth year.

Desirable sacrifice and sacrifice of combined pilgrimage should be made in the days of sacrifice[36], after pebble-throwing at the 'Aqabah pillar.

There is no specific time for sacrificing the other Haräm-sacrifices[37].

All the Haram-sacrifices should be slaughtered in Haram.

Sacrificing the Haram-sacrifices at Minä in the days of sacrifice is tradition.

It is desirable for the owner of the Haram-sacrifice to eat from it if it has been sacrificed as a desirable sacrifice or on account of combined pilgrimage.

If a sacrificial animal for desirable sacrifice dies on the road to Haram, neither the owner nor any other rich person should eat from it. It should be left slaughtered on the road after staining its collar with its blood.

From a sacrifice of vow neither the owner nor any other rich person should eat because it is a charity, so the poor have the right to it.

Similarly, neither the owner nor any other rich person should eat from a sacrifice of violation. A sacrifice of violation is the sacrifice that becomes compulsory to expiate for a defect that has occurred in Haj.

Visiting the holy Prophetﷺ

Alläh’s Prophetﷺ said:

مَنْ زَارَ قَبْرِي وَجَبَتْ لَهُ شَفَاعَتِي.

If a person visits me, then my intercession will become compulsory for him.[38]

Alläh’s Prophetﷺ said:

مَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ وَلَمْ يَزُرْنِيْ فَقَدْ جَفَانِيْ.

If a person performs Haj of Alläh’s house and does not visit me, then truly, he has deserted me.[39]

Visiting Prophet’sﷺ grave is one of the most rewarding desirable acts. If Alläh guides a person to Haj, he should visit Madïnah Munawwarah to visit Alläh’s Prophetﷺafter completing his Haj or before starting it.

After making the intention to visit Madïnah, the person should frequently invoke Alläh’s blessings and peace upon Prophetﷺ. Upon reaching Madïnah, he should take a bath, apply scent and wear his best clothes, in reverence of the visit to the holy Prophetﷺ.

First, he should enter Masjid Nabawï with humility, dignity and repose, and perform two units of Masjid-entry Saläh. He should supplicate to Alläh for whatever he likes. Then turning towards the holy grave, he should stand in front of it with deference, observing the bounds of reverence. He should invoke peace and Alläh’s blessings upon him, then convey to Prophetﷺ the greetings of people who had asked him to do so. He should again go to Masjid Nabawï and perform whatever Salähs he wishes to. He should supplicate to Alläh for himself about whatever he likes, for his parents, for the Muslim Ummah and for whoever asked him to. He should value this opportunity of staying at Madïnah Munawwarah, and exert himself to perform Saläh over entire nights and to visit Prophetﷺ at every opportunity. He should frequently recite سُبْحَانَ اللهِ and  لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ[40], seek Alläh’s forgiveness and repent for his sins.

It is desirable that he go to Baqï' graveyard to visit the graves of prophet's companions, their successors and other pious people – May Alläh be pleased with all of them!

It is desirable that he offer all his Salähs at Masjid Nabawï as long as he stays at Madïnah. When he intends to return to his home-place, it is desirable that he say farewell to the mosque by performing two Saläh-units, supplicating to Alläh for whatever he likes, and visiting holy Prophet's grave to invoke Alläh’s blessings and peace upon him. He should then return crying at separation from him.

Sacrifice

Alläh said:

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ Ą۝ۭ  (القرآن ٢:١٠٨)

Offer Saläh (prayer) to your Lord, and sacrifice.

Alläh’s Prophetﷺ said:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَا عَمِلَ آدَمِيٌّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنْ إِهْرَاقِ الدَّمِ، إِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَأَظْلاَفِهَا، وَأَنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنَ اللهِ بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ مِنَ الأَرْضِ، فَطِيبُوا بِهَا نَفْسًا. (الترمذي ١٤٩٣، ابن ماجة ٣١٢٦)

Of the deeds a man does on the day of sacrifice the dearest to Alläh is the flow of blood (of sacrificial animal). It will come on the day of Resurrection with its horns and its hair and its hoofs. Indeed, blood will be accepted by Alläh at once even before it falls on the ground. So, please yourselves with it. (EQ 27244)

مَنْ وَجَدَ سَعَةً فَلَمْ يُضَحِّ، فَلَا يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلَّانَا. (أحمد ۸۲۷۳)

Whoever does not offer a sacrifice despite having the means should not get close to our Ìdgäh. (EQ 54023)

The Arabic word for sacrifice is Uz̄ḧiyyah or Uz̄ḧiyah.

Literally, Uz̄ḧiyyah means: the animal which is slaughtered on the day of Ìd-ul Azhä (Ìd of sacrifice).

In Shariah, Uz̄ḧiyyah means: slaughtering the specified animal with the intention of gaining reward from Alläh on the specified days.

In this translation, we use the word “Sacrifice” for Uz̄ḧiyyah.

According to Imam Abü Hanïfah, sacrifice is Compulsory and this is the view to be followed.

According to Imam Abu Yusuf and Muhammad, sacrifice is Emphasized Custom.

For whom is sacrifice Compulsory?

Sacrifice is not Compulsory accept for him who fulfills the following conditions:

1.       He should be a Muslim. It is not Compulsory for a Disbeliever.

2.       He should be a free person. It is not Compulsory for a slave.

3.       He should be a resident. It is not Compulsory for a traveler.

4.       He should be Wealthy. It is not Compulsory for a Poor.[41]

·         For sacrifice to become Compulsory it is not a necessary condition  that the Prescribed Wealth remains in his hand for a complete year. In fact, sacrifice becomes Compulsory if a Muslims owns on the days of Ìd-ul Azhä the Prescribed Wealth in addition to his basic needs.

Time of Sacrifice

The time of sacrifice starts with the onset of dawn of the 10^th of Zul Hijjah.

It continues till a little before sunset on the 12^th of Zul Hijjah.

However for people in towns and cities and large villages slaughtering the sacrificial animal before Ìd saläh is not Permissible.

For people in small villages wherein Ìd salah is not Compulsory, slaughtering is Permissible after the onset of dawn.

The most Preferable way is to slaughter the sacrificial animal on the first day out of the days of sacrifice, then comes slaughtering on the second day, and then on the third day.

If the person can slaughter well, then it is Desirable that he slaughter the animal himself.

If he cannot slaughter well, then the Preferable way is to slaughter with the help of others. In any case, he is supposed to be present at the time of slaughter.

Slaughtering the sacrificial animal in the day is Desirable.

However slaughtering at night is also Permissible but Avoidable.

If Ìd saläh is not held due to any reason, then slaughtering is Permissible after noon.

If several congregations of Ìd saläh are held in a town[42], then it is Permissible to slaughter after the earliest saläh in the town is over.

Slaughtering what kinds of animals is Permissible and what kinds is not?

Slaughtering only camel, cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep is Permissible.

Slaughtering a wild animal for sacrifice is not Permissible.

A goat or sheep can be sacrificed on behalf of one person only.

A camel, cow or buffalo can be sacrificed on behalf of up to seven people with the condition that the share of each of them should be at least the seventh part. Sacrificing two-seventh, three-seventh, etc. up to the entire animal is allowed.

If the share of even one of the partners is less than one-seventh, then the sacrifice of all other partners is also invalidated.

Slaughtering a camel, cow or buffalo as sacrifice will be valid  on behalf of seven (or more than one) people only if each of the shareholders intends an act of worship like sacrifice, Âqïqah, etc. with this slaughter.

If even one shareholder has the intention of merely obtaining flesh, then the sacrifice will be invalid for all the other shareholders.

Animal’s minimum age

A goat or sheep of sacrifice should have completed one year and started the second year of its life.

Sacrificing a young sheep which has completed more than six months and owing to its fatness appears like a one-year-old is Permissible.

A cow or buffalo of sacrifice must have completed two years and started the third year of its life.

A camel of sacrifice must have completed five years and started the sixth year of its life.

Defective animals

It is Preferable that the animal of sacrifice be plump and free of all defects.

However, if an animal hornless by birth is sacrificed it is Permissible.

Similarly, sacrificing an animal which has lost a part of its horn is Permissible.

But if the breaking point of the horn is so low that it has reached the head, then sacrificing it is not Permissible.

If a castrated animal is sacrificed then it is not only Permissible but also Preferable as its flesh is better and tastier.

Sacrificing an animal afflicted with scabies[43] is Permissible if it is plump. But if the scabies-afflicted animal is thin, then its sacrifice is not Permissible.

Sacrificing an insane animal is Permissible when its insanity does not prevent it from grazing.

But if the insanity prevents it from grazing, then its sacrifice will not be Permissible.

Sacrificing an animal whose one or both eyes have been lost is not Permissible.

It is not Permissible to sacrifice an animal which is so lame that it cannot walk to the slaughter-house.

Sacrificing a lame animal which walks on three feet and puts down the fourth foot on the ground for support in walking is Permissible.

If an animal is so lean that there is no marrow in its bones, then its sacrifice is not allowed.

Similarly sacrificing an animal whose major portion of ear or tail has been lost or has got cut is not allowed.

But if the animal has lost one-third of its ear or less and two-third or more remains intact, then its sacrifice is valid.

Sacrificing an animal most of whose teeth have fallen off is not Permissible.

But if more than half of its teeth remain intact, then sacrificing it is Permissible.

Sacrificing an animal which has no ear by birth is not Permissible.[44]

Sacrificing an animal whose udder-tip has been cut off is also not Permissible.

How to use the sacrificial flesh and skin?

It is Permissible for a sacrificer to eat out of the sacrificial animal’s meat.

He may also gift the flesh to poor persons and wealthy persons.

However, the Preferable method is to distribute the sacrificial flesh into three parts:

(i)                  One-third for giving to the poor as charity

(ii)                One-third to store for his own use and his family’s use

(iii)               One-third for his relations and friends

If the sacrificer gives away his entire meat, then it is Preferable.

If he stores the entire flesh for his and his family’s use, then also it is Permissible.

If the sacrificing was made in fulfillment of a vow, then it is not Permissible for him to eat even a bit. He must give away the entire flesh to the poor in charity.

It is Permissible for the sacrificer to use the skin – not the price obtained on its sale – of the sacrificed animal in its place of use.[45]

He may also gift the skin to a wealthy person.

But if he sells the skin, then it is Compulsory to give the money obtained as price in charity.

The sacrificer should not pay the butcher his wage from the sacrificial flesh nor from the price obtained by selling the skin.

---

[1] A boy is considered adult when nocturnal ejaculation occurs to him, he ejaculates at the time of sexual intercourse, or he makes a woman pregnant. If none of these occurs to him then he becomes adult on completing 15 years. The minimum age for him to become adult is 12 years.

A girl is considered adult when menstruation, nocturnal ejaculation or pregnancy occurs to her. If none of these occurs, then she becomes an adult on completing 15 years. The minimum age for her to become an adult is 9 years. (From Al Hidäyah 3/281)

[2] A close male relation is one marrying whom is prohibited on account of blood relation, in-law relation or lactational relation. Example: father, grandfather, father’s brother, mother’s brother, husband’s father, son, son’s son, brother, brother’s son, sister’s son, daughter’s husband, etc.

[3] 87 km: It is actually two marhalahs. According to Mu'jamu Lughat-il Fuqahä, one marhalah = 43.352 kilometer.

[4] 87 km: Actually two marhalahs. One marhalah = 43.352 kilometer.

[5] 390 km: Actually nine marhalahs. One marhalah = 43.352 kilometer.

[6] Àrafät is nearly 22 km from Makkah. (Al Auzän-ul Mahmüdah, p113)

[7] Visit circumambulation: The Arabic word is T̈awäf-uz̈ Z̈iyärah. Another Arabic term for this is T̈awäf-ul Ifäz̄ah (post-flow-down circumambulation).

[8] Farewell circumambulation: The Arabic word is T̈awäf-ul Wadä'. It is also called T̈awäf-us̈ S̈adr (departure circumambulation).

[9] A circumambulation consists of seven circuits of the holy Ka'bah.

[10] 10, 11 and 12 Zul hijjah

[11] Haram: It is the name for Makkah and its surroundings. Its limits vary with directions. In the table below, distance denotes the distance from the Black Stone (Al Hajar Al Aswad).

Towards	Distance		Towards	Distance		Towards	Distance
Al Madïnah	3 miles		Juddah (Jeddah)	10 miles		Iraq	7 miles
Yemen	7 miles		Al Ji’ränah	9 miles		Täif	7 miles

Nowadays, the boundaries of the Makkan Haram has been marked with landmarks with details written on them in Arabic and other languages. (Al Mausüat-ul Fiqhiyyat-ul Kuwaitiyyah 17/185-186)

[12] Days of sacrifice: 11, 12 and 13 Zul Hijjah

[13] Haram: It is the name for Makkah and its surroundings.

[14] Bukhärï 2/141

[15] I respond to Your call, O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All the praises and blessings are for You. All the sovereignty is for You. You have no partners with you. (Bukhärï 1549, EQ 1486)

[16] Allähu akbar à Alläh is great.

[17] Lä iläha illalläh à There is no god but Alläh.

[18] Allähu akbar à Alläh is great.

[19] Lä iläha illalläh à There is no god but Alläh.

[20] This is called Istiläm: placing one’s palms over the Black Stone and mouth between them and kissing it soundlessly. If the person is unable to do this, he should gesture with his palms towards it and kiss his palms.

[21] Safä and Marwah used to be two hillocks near the holy Ka'bah in the days of the Prophetﷺ and later.

[22] 8^th-9^th night: This notation indicates the night between the 8^th and 9^th of the month.

[23] Dark: ie, immediately after dawn-break

[24] Allähumma innï urïdul ùmrata wal ḧajja, fayassirhumä lï wa taqabbalhumä minnï. (Alläh! I intend to perform Umrah and Haj, so make them easy for me and accept them from me.)

[25] Talbiyah is saying of the words: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلْكَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ (Labbaik, allähumma labbaik, labbaika lä s̅h̅arïka laka labbaik, inna-lḧamda wanni`mata laka walmulk, lä s̅h̅arïka lak. = I respond to Your call, O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All the praises and blessings are for You. All the sovereignty is for You. You have no partners with you. (Bukhärï 1549, EQ 1486)

[26] A small animal is goat, sheep and ram. A large animal is camel, cow, ox and buffalo. If seven people purchase a sacrificial cow and sacrifice it, then each sacrifices the seventh part of the large animal.

[27] Tashrïq: 11, 12 and 13 Zul Hijjah

[28] Allähumma innï urïdul ùmrata, fayassirhä lï wa taqabbalhä minnï. (Alläh! I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.)

[29] A small animal is goat, sheep and ram. A large animal is camel, cow, ox and buffalo. If seven people purchase a sacrificial cow and sacrifice it, then each sacrifices the seventh part of the large animal.

[30] See the topic “Prerequisites for performance of Haj to become obligatory”.

[31] Day of 'Arafah: 9 Zul Hijjah; day of sacrifice: 10 Zul Hijjah; days of Tashrïq: 11, 12 and 13 Zul Hijjah.

[32] Haram: Makkah and its immediate vicinity

[33] An Ihrämer has to spend the price of the killed game in charity as penalty if he hunts a game and also if he informs a hunter of the presence of the game and then the hunter kills it.

[34] If he shaves his head on account of an excusable difficulty like infestation of hair with lice, then he has the option of sacrificing a small animal, or fasting for three days, or feeding three poor people such that each poor person gets ½ sä' of wheat or its price. ½ sä' is equal to 1.632 kg.

[35] Covering head is forbidden only for men. Covering face with a garment touching the face is forbidden for both men and women.

[36] Days of sacrifice: 10, 11 and 12 Zul Hijjah

[37] Like a sacrifice in lieu of a violation or a sacrifice of vow.

[38] Ad Dära Qutnï 2695

[39] Kanzul 'Ummäl 12368

[40] سُبْحَانَ اللهِ = Subhänalläh (Glory be to Alläh), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ = Lä iläha illalläh (There is no god except Alläh)

[41] A person owning the Prescribed Wealth of 595 g silver or its value or its equivalent or more, in addition to his basic needs is a wealthy person in the eyes of the Shariah. Others are poor.

[42] Includes cities and large villages

[43] = itching

[44] But if it has small ears by birth, it may be sacrificed. (Ad Durr-ul Mukhtär 6/324)

[45] like making  a bucket or shoes with it.