International Shia News Agency

How to perform hajj

SHAFAQNA - The Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the 5  Pillars of Islam

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 

“Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing regular Prayer, paying Zakaah, Hajj and fasting Ramadan.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16). 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they take away poverty and sins as the bellows takes away the impurity from iron.” (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2/4; this is a saheeh hadeeth as was stated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 1200). 

On going to Makkah the Pilgribs recite a special prayer called the  Talbiyah.It may be translated as follows: “Here I am at your service, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am at Your Service, You have no partner, here I am. All praise and blessings are Yours, and all dominion. You have no partner.”]

Hajj takes place on the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar is called Dhul Hijjah.

The  first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best 10 days of the whole year. Before we look at what Hajj is. Let us first look at the importance of the first 10 daysas there are special things that all Muslims can do during these 10 days and the 3 days that follow them, even if a person is not on the Hajj.

The First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Bukhari, 2/457).

Therefore All  Muslims , whether on Hajj or not on Hajj  should strive to do good deeds during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah

During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah  it is Sunnah to recite the following in the Masjids, homes, streets and every were else accept for those places were it is Islamically forbidden such as bathrooms with toilets etc.. Muslim men should recite loudly and  Muslim women should recite quietly). This is a nearly forgotten Sunnah.and Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed).

Allaahu akbar        ( This is know as Takbeer)

Al-hamdu Lillaah    ( This is know as Tahmeed )

La ilaha ill-Allaah  ( This is know as Tahleel )

Subhaan Allaah   ( This is know as Tahleel  Tasbeeh )

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Arafaah. Muslims should try to fast especially on this day

Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. 

It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim. 

This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafaah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah in ‘Arafaah.

There are many other virtues of the Day of Arafaah

10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid Al Adha and it is haram to fast on this day.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (1/54): The best of days before Allah is the Day of Sacrifice, which is the greatest day of Hajj as it says in Sunan Abi Dawood (1765), where it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The greatest of days before Allah is the Day of Sacrifice.”( Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

Sacrifice of an animal such as a sheep or a cow etc is known Udhiyah in Arabic. For those who are Urdu speaking the term Qurbani is used. This sacrifice is performed all over the world.

The Hajj


Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists) [Aal Imraan 3:97]

Thus every man or women who has the ability to go for Hajj, must go at least once in their lifetime. A women must to accompanied by a male mahrem. If she does not have a  male mahrem then she is not required to go. But as soon as she has a male mahrem willing to take her to Hajj then she is required to go (assuming she has the ability to go).  And the Hajj is the Jihad for the Muslim women as women are not required to fight in Jihad.

Hajj has its own etiquette and conditions which the Muslims must observe, such as restraining their tongues, hearing and sight from all that Allah has forbidden, being sincere in their intentions, using money from good sources (for Hajj), fostering the best attitude, and avoiding everything that could invalidate the Hajj, such as sexual relations, sin or arguing unjustly,

If the Muslim does Hajj correctly, in the manner prescribed and sincerely for the sake of Allah, it will be an expiation for his sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allah, and does not have sexual relations or commit sins, will come back like the day his mother bore him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 15210)

Our prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that his fellow-Prophet ‘Eesa (Jesus – peace be upon him) will come down at the end of time and will perform pilgrimage to this House, and he will declare his belief in Allah alone (Tawheed). We believe that this will happen as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us, just as we believe that the sun rises in the morning. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Maryam (the son of Mary, i.e. Jesus) will certainly pronounce the Talbiyah for Hajj or for ‘Umrah, or for both in the valley of Rawha.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1252). The valley of Rawha’ is a place between Makkah and Madeenah.

 

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