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Meaning of Hajj

By Shaheen Kunhimohamed


Pilgrimage, or Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for Muslim who are physically and financially capable once in a lifetime. It is performed during a predetermined set of actions during five days starting the eighth day of each Hijra Year (8th Dhul Hijja).
Every year around two million people come to Mecca from almost everywhere on earth. Pilgrims wear simple garments, which strip away distinction of class; every body stands equal before God. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha as a sign of the closure of Hajj. This festival is celebrated with prayers and exchange of gifts.
Saudi Arabia provides millions of pilgrims with water, modern transport and up-to-date health facilities.

Forms of Hajj
There are three forms of Hajj :

Qiran (combining Omra and hajj)

Tamatu'(combining Omra and hajj, with a break in between)

Ifrad (Hajj only)

There is consensus among scholars that all these three kinds are legitimate. Ayshah reported:" We left Medina with Allah' messenger (may the blessing and Peace of allah be upon him) to perform the farewell hajj. Some of us declared Ihram to perform Omra, while others declared their intentions to perform hajj and Omra. Yet others declared their Ihram to perform Hajj only. The prophet (may the blessing and Peace of allah be upon him) declared Ihram for hajj only. As for those who intended Omra, they terminated their ihram as soon as they finished the rituals of Omra. Those who intended to combine hajj with Omra or those who intended to perform hajj only did not terminate their ihram until the slaughtering day (Yawm Unnahr) the tenth day of Dhul Hijja

The Mawaqit for Hajj and Umra
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "Allah's Apostle (may allah blessing with him) made Dhul-Hulaifah as the Miqat for the people of Madinah ; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; Qarn-al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen; and these Mawaqit for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come through those places with the intention of performing Hajj and 'Umrah; and whoever is living within these boundaries can assume Ihram (consecration) from the places he starts, and the people of Makkah can assume Ihram from Makkah."

 

 

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