Hajj as an obligatory act of worship
(Ibadat) means to visit the Kaa'ba in Makkah on the specified
dates in the month of Dhil-hajj and perform the religious
rites in accordance with the Islamic Laws.
Obligation of Hajj
Any man or woman, who fulfills the following
qualifications, has a religious obligation (Hajj-e-tul Islam
or Wajib Hajj) to perform Hajj once in a lifetime.
- Must have attained puberty (Baligh/Bulugh),
girls 9 years of age and boys 15 years of age.
- Must be A'Aaqil, means being sane
and of sound mind.
- Must be free from bondage.
- Must be healthy.
- Must have enough time to travel to
Makkah and perform Hajj within the required days.
- Must have enough funds (Istita'ah)
for traveling and for all Hajj expenses, as well as enough
money to leave behind or be able to make a living on his
return to maintain himself and his dependants during Hajj
and after it.
If he has dependents, he must be able
to maintain himself and his family. Upon his return, he must
have enough means to maintain himself and his family. The
journey to Hajj and returning from it must not involve any
danger to the security of his life, wealth and family. One
intending to go to Hajj must be healthy. If he is infirm or
old or has any other justifiable excuse Hajj would not be
Wajib, though if other conditions were fulfilled, however,
he must send someone as his Naib (agent representative). Ample
time must be there for one to prepare to go to Hajj, and to
perform all the obligatory acts. If other conditions of Hajj
are met, while time is limited or extraordinary effort is
involved, one has to keep the money unused until the following
year for the purpose.
Performance of Hajj is WAJIB-E-FAURI.
When above conditions are fulfilled, Hajj becomes Wajib immediately.
To postpone it without any reasonable excuse is among the
major sins. Hajj must be performed in the same year of Istita'ah,
and it continues to remain obligatory in the ensuing years
as long as it has not been performed.
Types of Hajj There are three kinds
of Hajj:
- Hajj-e-Tamattu (Advantageous Hajj).
This is commonly known as Wajib Hajj and will be dealt with
in detail.
- Hajj-e-Ifrad (Individual Hajj).
- Hajj-e-Qiran (Combined Hajj). This
is applicable only to persons who are resident within a
radius of 16 Farsakh or 48 miles Sharii of Makkah.
Miqats Miqats
are specific places (appointed by Sharia) in Saudi Arabia,
on the way to Makkah, which a pilgrim cannot cross without
first wearing Ihraam.
- Dhul-Hulaifa in the North (or commonly
known as Masjid-e-Shajarah/Abar Ali). This is the Miqat,
used by pilgrims who first go to Medina. It is about 7 km
from city of Medina on the way to Makkah.
- Al-Johfa in the North-West for those
going to Makkah from Jeddah. (Or, if it is difficult to
go to Masjid-e-Johfa because of a valid reason, one can
go to Rabigh, which is Mahaz-e-Miqat (in line of Miqat)
and put on Ihraam there). It is about 115 Km from Jeddah
on the way to Medina.
- Yalamlam in the South-East.
- Zat Irq in the North-East.
- Qarn al-Manazil in the East.
Ihraam on the Airplane
Since Jeddah is not identified as one
of the prescribed Miqats nor Mahaz-e-Miqat, it is, therefore,
not sufficient to put on Ihraam in Jeddah. If one wishes to
travel to Makkah from Jeddah then Ihraam has to be worn by
NAZR in one's own country or in the Airplane at a distance
approximately one hour before reaching Jeddah. In this case,
one will have to pay KAFFARA (for gents only) for traveling
under shade. Nazr should be made in this manner: Allah has
the right over me that I should become Muhrim from here.
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