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1. What are Hajj and`Umrah and what are
the differences between them?
Hajj and `Umrah are the pilgrimages of
Islam. Hajj is usually referred to as the major pilgrimage or the
Pilgrimage, and `Umrah as the lesser one. Both Hajj and `Umrah consist
of a journey to Makkah that involves certain rituals such as ihram,
circumambulating the Ka`bah, walking between the hills of Safa and
Marwah, and shaving or cutting the hair. The above are the basic
rituals of `Umrah while Hajj has these and additional rituals,
including spending days and nights in `Arafah, Mina, and Muzdalifah
— areas neighboring the city of Makkah. Another difference between
the major and minor pilgrimages is that there is a prescribed time for
Hajj whereas `Umrah can be performed at any time in the year. In
addition, Hajj and `Umrah differ regarding the ruling of each of them,
as discussed below.
2. What is the ruling of Hajj and `Umrah?
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah
says in the Qur'an [And
pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who
can find a way thither] (Aal `Imran
3:97). `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying "Islam has
been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but
Allah and that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah, performing the
prayers, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and
fasting in Ramadan."
So Muslim scholars are unanimously agreed
that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for those eligible. What
makes people eligible is discussed below.
As for `Umrah, Muslim scholars disagree
whether it is obligatory or merely a recommended Sunnah. However, it
is better to perform it in order to be on the safe side. You can
choose the mode of Hajj known as tamatu` in which both `Umrah and Hajj
are performed. More information on tamatu` and the other modes of Hajj
are provided later in this article.
3. Who is eligible to perform Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory on male and female
Muslims who meet the following conditions:
a. Are Muslim
The acts of worship are accepted only from
Muslims. If non-Muslims pray, fast, or perform Hajj or `Umrah, their
acts will never be accepted since the first and foremost requirement,
that of being a Muslim, is absent.
b. Have reached puberty
Attaining the age of puberty is the second
condition. Little boys and girls are not required to do Hajj or `Umrah.
It is acceptable and rewardable to let them participate with their
families in performing Hajj and `Umrah, but they are still required to
do Hajj and `Umrah again when they reach the age of puberty, which can
be verified by meeting one of the following criteria:
1. Having a wet dream
2. Ejaculating semen
3. Reaching the age of 15
4. Growing pubic hair
5. Menstruating
c. Are sane
Insane people are not required to perform
the acts of worship until they regain their sanity.
d. Have the ability
As it is clear from the above verse, Hajj
is only required from those able to do it. The ability mentioned here
is in terms of three things:
1. Health
People who are ill and are not expected to
recover or to be able to perform Hajj in the future, or who are too
old to perform Hajj are excused from Hajj. However, if they are
financially able, they have to send another person to perform Hajj on
their behalf.
2. Financial ability
People should also be able to afford the
costs of Hajj and to leave enough money for these they are responsible
for. Muslims are not required to take loans to perform Hajj or `Umrah.
Actually, Hajj is not obligatory on those who are in debt.
However, if someone has a long-term loan
and they are required to pay only a certain amount each month, then
their debt is only that which is due each month. If they pay off all
the debt and then nothing is left with them to make Hajj, then Hajj is
not obligatory on them. But if they only pay their monthly dues and
then have enough money to make Hajj, then they should make Hajj
because it is obligatory on them.
If someone is in debt and their creditor
allows them to go for Hajj, then they can perform Hajj. If someone
takes a loan (of course, without interest) to perform Hajj and makes
Hajj, their Hajj is valid, although they were not required to perform
it and Hajj was not obligatory on them.
3. Safety
If traveling to Hajj would risk someone's
life, such as if there were a war or the like, they are not required
to perform Hajj because they are unable to do so safely.
4. What are the modes of Hajj?
There are three modes of Hajj: ifrad,
tamatu` and qiran.
a. Ifrad involves
performing the rituals of Hajj only.
b. Tamatu` involves a
complete `Umrah and a complete Hajj, each separated from the other.
This means that the `Umrah is performed first in the months of Hajj
and after completing it, one goes out of the state of ihram.
Afterwards, on Dhul-Hijjah 8, one initiates ihram once again for
performing Hajj.
c. Qiran is a combination
of `Umrah and Hajj, performed with no break between them. After
performing `Umrah, one remains in the state of ihram until starting
the rituals of Hajj on Dhul-Hijjah 8.
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