Hajj - A breif Guide
Source: https://www.haj.gov.sa/
About Hajj
- Hajj is the fifth of the five pillars of Islam.
- Hajj is an obligatory duty upon every sane, adult, and solvent Muslim at least once during his/her lifetime, as Allah, Almighty, says “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find thereto a way” The Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon him, says: (O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you, so perform Hajj). It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah, and authenticated by al-Bukhari, Al-Tirmidhi, and Muslim.
- Hajj was made obligatory in the ninth year of Hijrah.
- Ihraam for Hajj begins from Miqats (the appointed places and the fixed times).
- Fixed Times: They are the special months specified for Hajj, which are: Shawwal, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah.
Ihram from Miqat
It is the intention to enter into ritualsStanding at Arafah
Tawaf Al-Ifadhah
Sa'y [going back and forth between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah]
The obligations of Hajj may not be left unperformed without an excuse. If they are left unperformed without an excuse, the pilgrim will be sinful and obliged to sacrifice, but the pilgrimage will be valid. Therefore, the pilgrim must slaughter a sheep and distribute the meat to the poor of the Holy Mosque of Makkah.
The Sunnah and recommended deeds are all deeds other than the pillars and obligations, such as Talbiyah [expressions of remembrance of Allah], spending the night in Mina on the night of Tarwiyah (the 8th day of Thul-Hijjah), the two rak‘ahs [units of prayer] of tawaf, and other deeds. Whoever does the Sunnah and recommended deeds will attain merit and perfection, and whoever leaves them unperformed will miss a lot of good deeds, but he/she is neither sinful nor obliged to sacrifice.
Sunnah and Obligations
- It is important to prepare and plan for Hajj.
- Make sure to have all necessary vaccinations that are required by the Saudi health system, where the Saudi Ministry of Health encourages pilgrims and mu’tamirs to have the seasonal influenza vaccine before arrival in the Kingdom, as well as Covid-19 vaccines. For more information about these vaccinations, visit the Website of the Ministry of Health:
- In the event that a pilgrim adheres to a treatment plan that requires certain medicines, please prepare and keep them in a way that does not affect their validity and quality.
- Prepare a kit of medical supplies that help you to be fully prepared in case of any emergency, such as a cold, diarrhea, and skin allergy. Please learn about the medicines authorized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Click here
- The temperature in Makkah Al-Mukarramah varies, which may require the use of an umbrella for protection from the sun.
- For your safety, you must wear a mask and abide by social distancing during the journey.
- Avoid any rushing and any harm to pilgrims and abide by instructions inside the Holy Mosque of Makkah and mashaer (holy sites).
- If you travel with a group, it is advisable to accompany this group from the beginning to the end of the journey.
- Make sure to carry the pilgrim identify card and the pilgrim residence card.
- Make sure to exercise physical fitness to help you make Hajj journey easily. For patients with chronic and serious diseases, it is not recommended that they exert themselves too much.