How to Perform the Rituals of Hajj and `Umrah

By Sheikh
Muhammad As-Salih Al-`Uthaimin,
may Allah have mercy on him

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe. May peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the last of the prophets and messengers, and upon his family and esteemed companions.

Hajj is one of the best forms of worship and is one of the most sublime deeds. It is one of the greatest pillars of Islam that Allah sent Muhammad with (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). A servant’s religion is incomplete without it.

A form of worship is only acceptable when the following is true:

1. One devotes it to Allah alone, with a desire for the Hereafter. It cannot be done with the intention of being seen among men or for worldly gain.

2. One follows the Prophet’s example, in words and deeds. This cannot be accomplished except by knowledge of the Sunnah.

Forms of Pilgrimage

• The `Umrah

• The Hajj

• Visiting Madinah

• Notification

Glossary

Forms of Pilgrimage

There are three forms of Hajj:

Tamattu` - Ifrad - Qiran

Tamattu`: A pilgrim wears ihram only for `Umrah during the months of Hajj, which means that when he reaches Makkah, he makes Tawaf and Sa`i for `Umrah. He then shaves or clips his hair. On the Day of Tarwiyah, which is 8 Dhul-Hijjah, he puts on his ihram for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements.

Ifrad: A pilgrim wears ihram for Hajj only. When he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sa`i for Hajj. He doesn’t shave or clip his hair, as he doesn’t disengage from ihram. Instead, he remains in ihram till after he stones Jamrah Al-`Aqabah on the `Eid day. It is permissible for him to postpone his Sa`i for Hajj until after his Tawaf for Hajj.

Qiran: A pilgrim wears ihram for both `Umrah and Hajj or he wears ihram first for `Umrah, and then makes intentions for Hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing ifrad are the same as those on one performing qiran, except that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do so. The best of the three forms is tamattu`. It is the form that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged his followers to perform. Even if a pilgrim makes intentions to perform qiran or ifrad, he is allowed to change his intentions to tamattu`; he can do this even after he has performed Tawaf and Sa`i.

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed Tawaf and Sa`i during the year of the Farewell Hajj with his companions, he ordered all those who hadn’t brought sacrificial animals to change their intentions for Hajj to intentions for `Umrah, cut their hair, and disengage from ihram till Hajj. He said, “If I hadn’t brought the sacrificial animal, I’d have done what I’ve ordered you to do.”

The `Umrah

If a pilgrim wishes to be ritually pure for `Umrah, he should shed his clothing and bathe as he would after sexual defilement (i.e., perform ghusl), if convenient. He should perfume his head and beard with the best oil he can find. There is no harm if some of it remains after putting on ihram.

Bathing for ihram is Sunnah for both men and women, including menstruating women and those experiencing postnatal bleeding. After bathing and preparing himself, a pilgrim-other than those menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding-performs the obligatory Prayer, if it is time. Otherwise, he makes his intention by praying the two sunnah rak`ahs that are made each time wudu’ is performed.

When he finishes his Prayer he should say the Talbiyah, which means: “Here I am for `Umrah, here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is Yours, and You have no partner.”

A man raises his voice when saying this and a woman says it so that only one beside her may hear her.

One in ihram should say the Talbiyah as often as possible, especially when times and places change. For example: when descending or ascending during travel or when day or night approach. He should also ask Allah for His pleasure and for Heaven, and seek refuge in Allah’s mercy from Hellfire.

One should say the Talbiyah during `Umrah starting from the time he puts on his ihram till he starts the Tawaf (around the Ka`bah). During Hajj he should say it starting from the time he puts on his ihram till he starts to stone the Jamrah Al-`Aqabah on the day of `Eid.

When a pilgrim enters the Holy Mosque, he puts forth his right foot first and says: “In the name of Allah, and may the peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy. I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty and in His Noble Face and in His Eternal Dominion from the accursed Satan.”

He approaches the Black Stone, touches it with his right hand, and kisses it. If this isn’t possible, he should face the Black Stone and point to it.

It is best not to push and shove, causing harm and being harmed by other people.

When touching the Stone (or pointing to it), a pilgrim should say the following: “In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest (Bismillah, Allahu Akbar). O Allah, with faith in You, belief in Your Book, loyalty to You, compliance to the way of Your Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

A pilgrim must walk, keeping the Ka`bah on his left. When he reaches Ar-Rukn Al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner) he should touch it (if possible), but not kiss it, and say: “Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. O Allah, I beg of You for forgiveness and health in this life and in the Hereafter.”

Each time he passes the Black Stone he should say: “Allah is the Greatest (Allahu Akbar).”

During the remainder of his Tawaf, he may say what he pleases of supplications, remembrance of Allah, and recitation of Qur’an. This is because Tawaf, Sa`i, and the stoning of Al-Jamarat have all been ordained for the purpose of remembering Allah.

During this Tawaf it is necessary for a man to do two things:

1. Al-Idtiba`: This is done from the beginning of Tawaf until the end. Al-Idtiba` means placing the middle of one’s upper garment (ridaa’) under the right arm and tossing the ends of it over the left shoulder. When he is finished performing Tawaf, he may return his upper garment (ridaa’) to its original state [over both shoulders] because the time for idtiba` is only during Tawaf.

2. Ar-Ramal during the first three circuits: Ramal means speeding up one’s pace with small steps. A pilgrim should walk at a normal pace during his last four circuits.

When he completes seven circuits of Tawaf, he approaches Maqam Ibrahim and recites: [And take ye the station of Abraham as a place of Prayer] (Al-Baqarah 2:125).

He prays two short rak`ahs as close as conveniently possible behind Maqam Ibrahim. During the first rak`ah he recites Surat Al-Kafirun (109) and during the second one, Surat Al-Ikhlas (112).

When he completes the two rak`ahs he should return to the Black Stone and touch it, if convenient. He goes out to the place of Sa`i (the mas`aa) and when he nears As-Safa he recites: [Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the holy rites of Allah] (Al-Baqarah 2:158).

He ascends As-Safa until he is able to see the Ka`bah. Facing the Ka`bah and raising his hands, he praises Allah and makes any supplications he chooses. The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed thus: he said “There is no deity but Allah alone” three times, supplicating in between each time.

The pilgrim descends As-Safa and heads for Al-Marwah at a normal pace until he reaches the green marker. He should then jog fast until the next green marker [this is for men only]. He then continues toward Al-Marwah at a normal pace. When he reaches it, he ascends it, faces the Ka`bah, raises his hands, and repeats what he said on As-Safa. He descends Al-Marwah heading towards As-Safa, taking care to walk where walking is designated, and to jog fast where jogging fast is designated.

He continues this procedure until he completes seven laps. Going from As-Safa to Al-Marwah is a one lap and returning is another lap.

During his Sa`i he may recite what he wills of supplications, recitation of Qur’an, and remembrance of Allah.

After completing Sa`i, he shaves his head [or cuts his hair]. A woman should clip her hair the length of a fingertip. Shaving is preferable, except when Hajj is near and there isn’t sufficient time for the hair to grow back. In this case it’s best to clip the hair (trim it all over the head) so that some hair will remain for shaving during Hajj.

With that, the `Umrah is completed. At this point, a pilgrim is free to dress in other clothing, wear perfume, and engage in marital relations, etc.

The Hajj

In the forenoon of 8 Dhul-Hijjah, a pilgrim purifies himself once again by bathing as he did before `Umrah, in the place in which he is staying, if convenient. He puts on his ihram and says the Talbiyah: “Here I am for Hajj. Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is Yours, and You have no partners.”

If he fears that something will prevent him from completing his Hajj, he should make a condition when he makes his intentions, saying: “If I am prevented by any obstacle, my place of ending is wherever I am held up.” If he has no such fear, he doesn’t make this condition.

A pilgrim goes to Mina and prays Zhuhr, `Asr, Maghrib, `Isha’ and Fajr there, shortening his four-rak`ah Prayers so as to make them two rak`ahs each, without combining them (i.e., performing each four-rak`ah Prayer as two rak`ahs in its prescribed time).

When the sun rises, he goes to `Arafah and prays Zhuhr and `Asr combined at the time of Zhuhr, making each one two rak`ahs. He should try to remain in the Namirah Mosque until sunset if possible (if not, he should at least be within the boundaries of `Arafah). He should remember Allah and make as many supplications as possible while facing the qiblah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed thus: “There is no deity but Allah alone. He has no partner. All dominion and praise are His and He is powerful over all things.”

If he grows weary, it is permissible for him to engage in beneficial conversation with his companions or reading what beneficial books he can find, especially those concerning Allah’s grace and abundant gifts. This will strengthen his hope in Allah.

He should then return to his supplications and be sure to spend the end of the day deep in supplication because the best supplication is that of the Day of `Arafah.

At sunset he goes from `Arafah to Muzdalifah and prays there Maghrib, `Isha’, and Fajr. If he is tired or has little water, it is permissible for him to combine Maghrib and `Isha’. If he fears that he will not reach Muzdalifah until after midnight, he should pray before he reaches it, for it is not permissible to delay Prayer until after midnight. He remains there in Muzdalifah, making supplications and remembering Allah till just before sunrise.

If he is weak and cannot handle the crowd during the throwing of the stones (rami) in Mina the next morning, it is permissible for him to go to Mina at the end of the night to stone Al-Jamrah before the arrival of the crowd. Near sunrise, a pilgrim goes from Muzdalifah to Mina. Upon reaching it he does the following:

1. He throws seven pebbles consecutively at Jamrat Al-`Aqabah, which is the closest monument to Makkah, saying: “Allah is the Greatest (Allahu Akbar)” as he throws each pebble.

2. He slaughters the sacrificial animal (hadi), eats some of it, and gives some to the poor. Slaughter is obligatory on the one performing tamattu` or qiran Hajj.

3. He shaves or clips his hair; shaving is preferable. A woman clips her hair the length of a fingertip.

These three should be done in the above order if convenient, but there is no restriction if one precedes another.

With that, one is allowed to come out of ihram. He can wear other clothing and do everything that was lawful before ihram excluding engaging in marital relations.

He goes to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah and Sa`i. It is sunnah [for a man] to put perfume on before going to Makkah.

With the completion of this Tawaf and Sa`i, a pilgrim is allowed to do everything that was lawful before ihram, including engaging in marital relations.

After performing Tawaf and Sa`i, he returns to Mina to spend the nights of 11 and 12 Dhul-Hijjah there.

He stones the three Jamarat in the afternoon of both 11 and 12 Dhul-Hijjah. He starts with the first Jamrah, which is farthest from Makkah, then the middle one, and lastly Jamrat Al-`Aqabah. Each one should be stoned with seven consecutive pebbles accompanied by takbir (saying “Allahu Akbar”). He stops after the first and middle Jamrah to make supplications facing the qiblah. It is not permissible to stone before noon on these two days. It is best to walk to the Jamrah, but riding is permissible.

If the pilgrim is in a hurry after stoning on the twelfth day, he leaves Mina before sunset. But if he wishes to prolong his stay, which is best, he spends the night of 13 Dhul-Hijjah [the evening and night preceding the day of 13 Dhul-Hijjah] in Mina and stones that afternoon in the same manner as on 12 Dhul-Hijjah.

When he is ready to return to his country, he makes Tawaf Al-Wada` (Farewell Tawaf) by performing seven circuits around the Ka`bah. Menstruating women and women experiencing postnatal discharge are not obligated to perform Tawaf Al-Wada`.

Visiting Madinah

1. A pilgrim can go to Madinah before or after Hajj. Prayer there is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere except in the Holy Mosque in Makkah (which is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere).

2. Upon reaching the Prophet’s Mosque, he prays two rak`ahs of salutation (tahiyyah al-masjid) or performs any obligatory Prayer that is due.

3. He goes to the grave of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and stands before it. He greets him saying, “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O Prophet. May Allah grant you a good reward on behalf of your people.”

He takes a step or two to his right to position himself before Abu Bakr and greets him saying, “May the peace, mercy, and blessing of Allah be upon you, O Abu Bakr, Caliph of the Messenger of Allah. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad’s people.”

Then he takes a step or two to his right to position himself before `Umar and greets him saying, “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O `Umar, Commander of the Believers. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad’s people.”

4. In a state of purity, he goes to pray in Quba’ Mosque.

5. He goes to Al-Baqi` to visit `Uthman’s grave (may Allah be pleased with him). He stands before it and greets him saying, “May the peace, mercy, and blessing of Allah be upon you, O `Uthman, Commander of the Believers. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad’s people.” He greets any other Muslims in Al-Baqi`.

6. He goes to Uhud and visits the grave of Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the other martyrs there with him. He greets them and prays to Allah to grant them forgiveness, mercy, and happiness.

Note:

The following is incumbent upon the muhrim for Hajj or `Umrah:

1. That he be committed to Allah’s religious obligations upon him such as Prayer in its time (for men, in congregation).

2. That he avoid what Allah has prohibited such as obscenity, inequity, and disobedience. [Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling during Hajj] (Al-Baqarah 2:197).

3. That he avoid harming the Muslims with words or actions within the holy sites or elsewhere.

4. That he avoid all of the restrictions of ihram:

1. He shouldn’t cause the loss of any of his hair or nails. A prick by a thorn and the like is unobjectionable, even if there is bleeding.

2. He shouldn’t perfume himself, his clothing, his food, or his drink after entering ihram.

3. He should also abstain from cleansing himself with scented soap. There is no harm in what remains of the effect of perfume used prior to ihram.

4. He shouldn’t touch or kiss his spouse out of passion and- even worse-he shouldn’t have sexual intercourse.

5. He shouldn’t be wed or propose to a woman for himself or others.

He shouldn’t wear gloves, although there is no harm in wrapping the hands in cloth. This ruling goes for both men and women.

Ifrad, Qiran, Tamattu` Restrictions of Ihram An Interrupted Hajj For Medical Reason Short History of the Ka`bah Ar-Ramal: Walking Briskly in Dignity So That Our Hajj May Be Accepted The Rebuilding of the Ka`bah Experience of Hajj and Umrah Entering the Sacred Mosque Zamzam Water - A Miracle Hajj Requirements and Regulations