What is Hajj? Hajj is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who have the means, and it is necessary to perform it once in a lifetime. Hajj erases sins and makes a person as innocent as a newborn child. A successful Hajj makes a person deserving of paradise.
One of the most important duties in Islam is the obligation of Hajj, on which there is a consensus of the Ummah. *The first place of worship is the Kaaba* Indeed, the first house [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. (Surah Al-Imran, Verse 96) Translation: The first house of worship established for mankind is the one in Makkah, which is blessed and a guidance for the worlds. It is known that the first place of worship is the Kaaba, located in Makkah, and it is also older than the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Although many Orientalists and Western authors do not believe in the antiquity of Makkah, fair-minded Western scholars have also acknowledged Makkah's ancient status.
*Announcement of Hajj from Mount Abu Qubais* And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass. (Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 27) Translation: And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass. According to a Hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas, when Allah commanded the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to announce the Hajj, he asked, "O Lord, how far will my voice reach?" Allah replied, "You just announce, and I will make it reach." So, the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) climbed Mount Abu Qubais and called out, "O people, Allah has commanded you to perform the Hajj to His house, so that He may take you to paradise and save you from the punishment of hell." Allah made this call reach all those who would be born in the future, and they responded, "Labbaik, Allahumma labbaik" (Here I am, O Allah, here I am). The number of people who responded and the number of times they responded will be the number of times they will perform the Hajj.
*Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah* Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 158) Translation: Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing. Safa and Marwa are two hills to the right and left of the Kaaba, and in Hajj, the ritual of Sa'i is performed between these two hills. This is actually a reminder of the event when, by the command of Allah, the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left the Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) in Makkah, and at that time, there was not a single drop of water available. The water in the canteen was about to finish, and when the Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), who was still a suckling child, felt thirsty, his mother, Hagar (peace be upon her), ran between Safa and Marwa, hoping to find some caravan or person who could provide some water. Allah had mercy on her and made the Zamzam spring flow from under the feet of the Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), which is still quenching the thirst of the world and is taken by every pilgrim to all corners of the world.
*The linguistic and technical definitions of Hajj* The linguistic definition of Hajj is to intend to do something great, and in the terminology of the Shariah, it means to intend to visit the House of Allah in a specific way, at a specific time, and with specific conditions. (Bab Al-Ha, 111, Dar Al-Kitab Al-Arabi)
*The obligation of Hajj* There is a difference of opinion among scholars about when Hajj became obligatory. Some say it was in the 6th year of the Hijrah, while others say it was in the 8th year. However, the majority of scholars agree that it was in the 6th year. (Abwab Al-Hajj, Vol. 3, p. 451, Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut)
*The importance of Hajj* The importance of Hajj can be gauged from the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). "Whoever has the means to perform Hajj but does not do so, it does not matter to me whether he dies as a Jew or a Christian." (Shu'ab Al-Iman, Vol. 2, p. 298, Hadith No. 3979) The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked, "What is the most virtuous deed?" He replied, "Faith in Allah and His Messenger, then jihad in the way of Allah, and then Hajj that is free from sins." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Hajj, Bab Fadl Al-Hajj Al-Muroor, Hadith No. 1477, Vol. 2, p. 553) "Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah, without committing any sin or evil, will return as pure as a newborn child." (Mishkat Al-Masabih, Kitab Al-Hajj, Al-Fasl Al-Awwal, Hadith No. 2507, Vol. 2, p. 772)
*The best provision is piety* And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah... And take provision, but the best provision is piety. And fear Me, O you of understanding. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 197) Translation: And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah... And take provision, but the best provision is piety. And fear Me, O you of understanding.
*The actions of the days of Hajj* The pilgrims will go to Mina on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, after the sunrise, and will stay in Mina until the morning of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Then, they will go to Arafah and stay there until sunset. After sunset, they will go to Muzdalifah and perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers together. They will spend the whole night in Muzdalifah and, after the dawn, will perform the Fajr prayer and then go to Mina. In Mina, they will throw stones at the Jamrah Al-Aqabah between sunrise and noon. Then, they will perform the sacrifice, and it is not obligatory for those who perform the Hajj individually. After that, they will shave their heads and remove their Ihram, and they will be free from all the prohibitions of Ihram, except for intimacy with their wives. Then, they will perform the Tawaf Al-Ziyarah, which can be done until the sunset of the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. If they have not performed the Sa'i of Hajj before, they will perform it with the Tawaf Al-Ziyarah, along with the Raml and Idtiba.
*Some important issues related to Hajj and Umrah* And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah... (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 196) Translation: And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah... This verse contains several commands related to Hajj and Umrah, which can be summarized as follows: (a) Once Hajj or Umrah is started, it is obligatory to complete it, whether it is obligatory or voluntary. (Ahkam Al-Qur'an, Vol. 1, p. 320) (b) If someone is prevented from performing Hajj or Umrah after wearing the Ihram, due to an enemy or illness or any other difficulty, they should sacrifice an animal and send it to the Haram, and then remove their Ihram from the place where they were prevented, after the sacrifice has been performed. (A'la' Al-Sunan, Vol. 1, p. 421, Hadith No. 2988/2980) (c) It is not permissible to shave or cut hair while in the state of Ihram. However, if someone has to shave their head due to illness or lice or any other problem, they should shave their head and pay the penalty, either by fasting for three days or by giving charity or by sacrificing an animal. (Dar Al-Qutni, narrated by Ka'b Al-Ahbar, may Allah be pleased with him) (d) Those who perform Hajj along with Umrah, either in the same Ihram or in separate Ihram, should sacrifice an animal, and if they cannot afford it, they should
