Regulations of Hajj
The pilgrimage, or Hajj, was mandated for Muslims in the ninth year of Hijrah and is regarded as the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for those who meet the necessary criteria to travel to the Holy Kaaba to perform the prescribed rituals of Hajj.
Each Muslim is required to undertake Hajj at least once in their lifetime, while any additional journeys for Hajj are considered voluntary. There are various types, conditions, pillars, obligations, recommended acts, and prohibited actions associated with Hajj, each of which will be elaborated upon below.
Types of Hajj
There are three distinct types of Hajj, each with its own regulations:
- Tamattu’ (Enjoyment)
This type involves performing Umrah during the months of Hajj, after which the individual exits the state of Ihram. When the day of Tarwiyah arrives, the pilgrim assumes the Ihram for Hajj from Mecca. Both rituals must be performed on behalf of oneself or an agent within the same journey. If an individual performs Umrah during the Hajj months and returns home before performing Hajj again, they are not classified as a Tamattu’ pilgrim, and they must sacrifice an animal.
- Qiran (Combined)
In Qiran, the pilgrim combines the intentions of Hajj and Umrah under a single Ihram, intending to perform both simultaneously. The intention for Umrah is made prior to that of Hajj, and the actions for both can be completed together, thus requiring only one Tawaf and one Sa’i. A pilgrim who performs Qiran is also obligated to sacrifice an animal.
- Ifrad (Individual)
This type signifies the pilgrim’s intention to perform only Hajj without Umrah. The pilgrim must complete all the rituals of Hajj starting from their designated Miqat, and there is no requirement for a sacrifice.
Conditions of Hajj
The conditions for Hajj are categorized into three types, as outlined below:
Conditions for Validity
These involve two primary conditions:
- Islam
Islam is a fundamental condition; the pilgrimage of a non-Muslim is deemed invalid and will not suffice.
- Sanity
Sanity is also a condition for validity; the pilgrimage of an insane person is invalid. However, if a young child, who has not reached the age of discretion, completes Hajj with the consent of their guardian, it is accepted but considered an act of voluntary worship.
Conditions for Acceptance
The conditions for acceptance include:
- Freedom
The first requirement for acceptance is that the pilgrim must be free. Scholars from the four main schools of thought agree that Hajj is not obligatory for a slave and will not count as valid, even though it can be performed.
- Puberty
The second condition is that the pilgrim must have reached puberty. For children, whether they have reached maturity or not, Hajj is not obligatory. It is valid for them if the child is of understanding and performs it themselves or if a guardian performs it on their behalf, as per the consensus of scholars.
Conditions for Obligation
Hajj becomes obligatory for a Muslim who is an adult, sane, free, and capable. Capability encompasses having sufficient provisions beyond personal necessities, provisions for dependents, suitable transportation, secure travel, and the physical ability to undertake the journey without undue hardship. For women, the presence of a mahram and absence from menstruation is also required.
Geographical Miqats for Hajj
The designated sites for entering Ihram were specified by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims intending to perform Hajj should not exceed these locations without being in the state of Ihram:
- Dhul-Hulaifah
Known today as Ali’s Wells, this is the Miqat for the residents of Medina and is the furthest Miqat from Mecca.
- Al-Juhfah
This Miqat serves the people of Sham (Syria), Egypt, and North Africa. After its destruction, pilgrims began to assume Ihram from Rabigh.
- Qarn al-Manazil
This is the Miqat for the people of Najd, Ta’if, and nearby areas, commonly referred to today as Al-Sail Al-Kabir.
- Yalamlam
This is the Miqat for the people of Yemen and surrounding regions, known today as Al-Sadiyah.
- Dhat ‘Irq
This Miqat serves the people from the east, Iraq, Khurasan, and nearby areas, presently referred to as Al-Dhuraibah or Al-Khuraybat.
- Mecca
The Mecca Miqat is for its residents, who can assume Ihram from their homes.
Pillars of Hajj
Hajj consists of four essential pillars:
- Ihram
The pilgrim must express the intention to enter into the state of Ihram during the months allocated for Hajj from the designated Miqat for their locality.
- Standing at Arafat
This occurs during the period between the decline of the sun on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and the appearance of dawn on the tenth day.
- Tawaf al-Ifadah
This ritual follows the standing at Arafat and spending time in Muzdalifah. It remains obligatory for the pilgrim throughout their lifetime, with no specific end time according to the majority of scholars.
- Sa’i of Hajj
This follows Tawaf al-Ifadah for those who performed Tamattu’, while those who performed Qiran or Ifrad can carry out their Sa’i after Tawaf al-Qudum.
Obligations of Hajj
Hajj encompasses seven obligatory acts, which include:
- Assuming Ihram from the designated Miqat.
- Standing at Arafat until sunset for those who can attend during the day.
Additionally:
- Spending the night at Muzdalifah on the evening of the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah until midnight.
- Spending the nights at Mina during the three days of Tashreeq.
- Performing the stoning of the Jamarat in the prescribed order.
- Shaving the head or trimming the hair.
- Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf).
Prohibitions during Hajj
There are certain actions that a pilgrim must avoid during Hajj, and performing them incurs a penalty. These prohibitions are as follows:
- Cutting or trimming nails.
- Shaving hair.
- Covering the head for males.
- Wearing stitched clothing for men, and niqab or gloves for women.
- Engaging in sexual relations or any form of intimacy.
- Hunting.
- Entering into marriage.
- Applying perfume.